Winter project secured, opinions please?

RobWales

RobWales

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Joined
21 Sep 2006
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Location
Gran Canaria
www.3ksengineering.com
Hi All,

Have secured the boat in link below by deposit today and my intention is to totally refurbish over the winter months, yep not a new boat by any means but once done I think it should prove fit for purpose.
My intention is to transform it/her from the tired looking vessel she is today into a very usuable craft on which I can enjoy my fishing and overnighting in some comfort!
A couple of people here know that I was in the market for a Bayliner 2556 with a 5.7 gas guzzler which I was then looking to re-power, ok agreed this is a couple of ft smaller but the all important powerplant is already in place,saving a small fortune.
I reckon given a few months of work on the weekends should bring her/it back to a nice condition.
I would welcome any thoughts or opinions on her/it (and yes I know its a tad small to have a f/b but I do gain cabin space).?
Also what would you do to modernise the external appearance? I think the main things letting it down at present are the rails around the cockpit, the windows and the blue band around the f/b....
Anyway all opinions/suggestions appreciated,good,bad or indifferent!?
Thanks,Rob. :)

http://www.findafishingboat.com/reelcraft/DB57158
PS I know it's a Relcraft and not Reelcraft as advertised....;)
 
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Hi Rob

Looks good, well done for finding the project. I would have thought the rails round the cockpit might be helpful, given the relatively high c of g the boat will have because of the flybridge. It might look a bit slabby without that blue stripe, although freshening it with a vinyl wrap might help?

Cheers
Jimmy
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
Hi Rob

Looks good, well done for finding the project. I would have thought the rails round the cockpit might be helpful, given the relatively high c of g the boat will have because of the flybridge. It might look a bit slabby without that blue stripe, although freshening it with a vinyl wrap might help?

Cheers
Jimmy
Click to expand...

Thanks Jimmy,
Hmmm Vinyl wrap, hadn't thought of that one!
Was thinking all white might prove to give a slab sided look.....hmmm
C of G shouldn't be too bad given that the AD41 lump is a sizable chunk!
Rails look horrid IMHO, not required either due to a good freeboard, some proffesionaly made grab rails maybe max 2/3inch in height in their place?
Rob...:)
 
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Nice boat, I had a Relcraft 21 Pearl about 25 years ago, a great boat which was both fast and sea kindly. At the same time there was also a 23 footer like yours in the harbour, always did like the look of it, had hefty fendering. I'm sure you'll have fun times with her.
 
I think its quite a pretty boat, perfect for a bit of fishing, well done buddy. Are you going to keep the carpeted table ? not seen that upgrade before :)
 
I agree with the others, Great project boat. I have an AQA41A in my boat, and I too bought it for the engine. Its a truck engine with huge tourque. The good thing about old fiberglass boats is that they were built at a time when resin was relatively cheap and large flat surfaces were laid up quite thick to prevent flexing, so would suspect you have small amounts of crazing, but huge amounts of structural rigidity. I think the rails are about right for fishing around your area with the short steep chop you get. I would get it down for a season, play with it, make a list of improvements,and do it. you will then end up with exactly what you want. Good luck..
 
I'm a fine weather fisherman/boater who is looking to use his boat as a fishing platform plus (mini) caravan/motorhome at the weekend!
For those who don't remember me from a few years ago I'm not new to boating at all, largest one I once owned was a rather nice FL Corniche (spare cockpit cushion fabric and some genuine FL badges supplied by jfm) but that was then and this is now (pffft women)!!!!
Looking forward to the project and will update during progess.....
Could do with some input though on exterior mod's???
Rob :)

So you guys don't approve of the carpet tiles?...was going to epoxy over them...hehe
 
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RobWales said:
I'm a fine weather fisherman/boater who is looking to use his boat as a fishing platform plus (mini) caravan/motorhome at the weekend!
For those who don't remember me from a few years ago I'm not new to boating at all, largest one I once owned was a rather nice FL Corniche (spare cockpit cushion fabric and some genuine FL badges supplied by jfm) but that was then and this is now (pffft women)!!!!
Looking forward to the project and will update during progess.....
Could do with some input though on exterior mod's???
Rob :)

So you guys don't approve of the carpet tiles?...was going to epoxy over them...hehe
Click to expand...

You can only do that if it's astroturf... Ask Vas! :cool:
 
Tender_aft said:
It looks like a nice boat you have there...now what to do for the project.
- Engine service
- Winterize
- Heating for you
- Go out on the water
- Job done...you'll be out cruising all winter instead of working on it

....oh and take those carpet tiles off the table :)
Click to expand...

+1 There's many fine days in the winter where it's flat calm and sunny, but just a little too cold so heating opens up a whole new season! It's top of my list for 'extras' :)
 
You dont get a winter in Burry Port. Every time I come there its positively balmy. I agree with the others, carpet tiles on table have to go, Get a bowl and some plastic fruit..
 
Dill et Bound said:
You dont get a winter in Burry Port. Every time I come there its positively balmy. I agree with the others, carpet tiles on table have to go, Get a bowl and some plastic fruit..
Click to expand...

Guernsey? Oh no not another, our harbour master is from there!...Hence his boat name "pride of Guernsey" we rip the p*ss out of him though when we keep onto him about how we all love Jersey!
He's a good mate infact and will be having a few beers with him at the weekend....!
Plastic fruit?....Yes he has that on his Falcy...must be a Guernsey thing ;)
 
For external mods... not sure how "mad" you want to go but if you could make windows less angular it would be a big improvement. Also there looks to be decent enough depth to the cockpit so I would lower the rails alot and also make them less angular.

Why not look at some of the older US sport fishers, smaller Bertrams and the like? How about getting rid of the front windows altogether and going after a look like below? Would be pretty cool.

buddyboy2.jpg


For easy stuff I would clamp on some rod holders "rocket launcher" style on the hand rails port and stbd of fly bridge. Would also put a row of rod holders along the top rail assuming u arent going to fit radar.
 
MarieK said:
For external mods... not sure how "mad" you want to go but if you could make windows less angular it would be a big improvement. Also there looks to be decent enough depth to the cockpit so I would lower the rails alot and also make them less angular.

Why not look at some of the older US sport fishers, smaller Bertrams and the like? How about getting rid of the front windows altogether and going after a look like below? Would be pretty cool.

buddyboy2.jpg


For easy stuff I would clamp on some rod holders "rocket launcher" style on the hand rails port and stbd of fly bridge. Would also put a row of rod holders along the top rail assuming u arent going to fit radar.
Click to expand...

Like that MK, like that a lot......
Major glassing work called for there filling in windows, I do have a lot of glassing experience so maybe a route to go down, one pitfall though it may end up being a bit of a cave in the cabin!
Rod holders, yep my tastes exactly....watch this space, Thanks, Rob :)
 
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