tomdmx
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
Finally got my 31 foot steel cutter to London and now need to do repair bits and pieces before we set off to the french canals and beyond...so wanted some advice on a number of things :
- I want to remove the sea toilet and block off the two holes it needs (replacing with a porta potti)...what is the best method to cover up the in/out holes outside and in?
- the deck is an ugly grey and there are a few bubbly spots around the wooden hand rails etc....our plan is to remove all fittings, use a powered wire brush to sand/brush down any existing paint/surface rust (and use rust remover for nooks and crannies), weld any rusty spots then two coats with appropriate primer and 2 or 3 coats with top coat (white this time)..does that sound right? would we have to remove all of the old paint on deck before priming?
- I'd like to replace the wood handle bars with stainless steel ones are there any issues with that?
- also going to check all hull valves/skin fittings...we should be left with engine water in, and sink water in and out as our sink is connected to salt water at the moment...if I need to replace any hull valves or skin fittings what material is best for steel...plastic? brass? As part of this I need to install a log and depth sounder..both of those have plastic skin fittings...how would I fix it to a steel boat, is it same as per plastic? (I only ever fixed such things to grp boats)
I need to check gaskets on the engine water inlet or pump as one of those is leaking a little I think (got about 2l of water in the bilge on a 30hr motor sail) so will do that also
Is there anything else I should check/do below waterline?
The only other concern below the waterline is that the hull has two large (3x1 foot) patches either side of the keel (just above the fwd section of the keel) below waterline...it looks like a professional job though it is patched on rather than in...for whatever reason the previous owner was advised to patch over (probably cheaper)...I know that grease has been inserted between plates to remove moisture...so my question is should I worry about it and get it done properly now (ie cut out and weld inline) or is this broadly ok for now...we were thinking of fixing this once over the Atlantic as we would probably have more work after the crossing then...
Finally got my 31 foot steel cutter to London and now need to do repair bits and pieces before we set off to the french canals and beyond...so wanted some advice on a number of things :
- I want to remove the sea toilet and block off the two holes it needs (replacing with a porta potti)...what is the best method to cover up the in/out holes outside and in?
- the deck is an ugly grey and there are a few bubbly spots around the wooden hand rails etc....our plan is to remove all fittings, use a powered wire brush to sand/brush down any existing paint/surface rust (and use rust remover for nooks and crannies), weld any rusty spots then two coats with appropriate primer and 2 or 3 coats with top coat (white this time)..does that sound right? would we have to remove all of the old paint on deck before priming?
- I'd like to replace the wood handle bars with stainless steel ones are there any issues with that?
- also going to check all hull valves/skin fittings...we should be left with engine water in, and sink water in and out as our sink is connected to salt water at the moment...if I need to replace any hull valves or skin fittings what material is best for steel...plastic? brass? As part of this I need to install a log and depth sounder..both of those have plastic skin fittings...how would I fix it to a steel boat, is it same as per plastic? (I only ever fixed such things to grp boats)
I need to check gaskets on the engine water inlet or pump as one of those is leaking a little I think (got about 2l of water in the bilge on a 30hr motor sail) so will do that also
Is there anything else I should check/do below waterline?
The only other concern below the waterline is that the hull has two large (3x1 foot) patches either side of the keel (just above the fwd section of the keel) below waterline...it looks like a professional job though it is patched on rather than in...for whatever reason the previous owner was advised to patch over (probably cheaper)...I know that grease has been inserted between plates to remove moisture...so my question is should I worry about it and get it done properly now (ie cut out and weld inline) or is this broadly ok for now...we were thinking of fixing this once over the Atlantic as we would probably have more work after the crossing then...
