Fix It and Sail Everything You Need to Know

Yes, you can find the small, trailerable sailboat that's right for you, buy it for $2,000, $1,000, or less, restore it to pristine condition, and sail into the sunset. Budget sailor Brian Gilbert leads you through the entire process, from choosing a boat to setting off on your maiden voyage.

Brian Gilbert is a lifelong sailor who lived aboard a Catalina 27 for four years. As a young father with a modest budget, he bought a Venture 22 for $500. The photos of his restoration of that boat are truly inspirational. His sailing articles have appeared in Good Old Boat, Small Craft Advisor, and DIY Marine magazines.

Acknowledgments

viii

Preface

1

(2)

Why Restore a Small Boat? Economics, Practical Considerations, and Having It Your Way

3

(11)

Reducing the Costs of Sailing

Cash Value

Emotional Reasons

Which Boat?

Physical Location of the Boat

The Self-Survey

Resources and Choices for the Small Boat Sailor: Books, Websites, Magazines, and a Look at a Few Boats

14

(16)

Where to Get good Information

My Short List of Commonly Available Boats to Restore

Cal

20

(5)

Cal

25

Oday

22

(1)

Catalina

22

Com-Pac

16

(6)

Pearson

22

(1)

Tanzer

22

(2)

Bristol

24

Irwin

23

MacGregors

Venture

21

(1)

Venture

22

(1)

MacGregor

23

(1)

(Venture of Newport)

MacGregor

24

(1)

(Venture Venture)

24

(1)

MacGregor

25

(1)

(Venture)

25

(5)

What I Finally Chose

Getting Ready: Safety, Tooling, and Setting Up Shop

30

(9)

Safety 1: Getting the Boat Home and Getting It Ready

Safety 2: Boat Restoration Without Restorative Surgery

Getting Tooled Up

Setting Up Shop

Getting Started: Restoration Strategies, Cleaning, and More

39

(40)

The Plan

Strip Search

Scraping the Exterior

About Epoxy and Fiberglass

Rebuilding the Keel

Moving Right Along: The Interior

Small Boat Wiring

Painting the Exterior

Bottom Paint

Painting the Deck

Hardware Mounting

Sealants

Boat Joinery and Woodworking: Materials, Techniques, and Procedures

79

(17)

Wood Choices

Marine Plywood and Alternatives

Adhesives and Fastenings

Techniques

Flotation

Marine Metalwork: Cost-Effective Solutions for the Small Sailboat

96

(12)

Simple Corrosion

Painting

Galvanizing

Surface Preparation

Electrolytic Rust Removal

Galvanic Corrosion

Electrolytic Corrosion

About Stainless

Marine Metal Fabrication

Welding Stainless

Fabricating without Welding

Canvaswork and Upholstery: Sewing Basics for Small Boats

108

(13)

Sewing Machines

Canvaswork

Upholstery

Odds and Ends

The Rig: Inspection, Repair, and Replacement

121

(12)

Standing Rigging Inspection and Repair

End Fittings

Restoring Tangs and Chainplates

Running Rigging

Mainsheet Traveler

Relocating the Winches

Replacing Halyard Cam Cleats

Replacing Jibsheet Lead Blocks

The Sails

Outboard Motors: A Cost-Effective Power Plant

133

(11)

About Outboards

Research

Evaluating a Used Motor

Buying Locally

Visual Checks

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines . . .

Checking Compression

Principles of Operation

Regular Maintenance

Electric Outboards

Sea Trials and Commissioning: Finishing It All Up

144

(8)

Outfitting for Sailing

Electronic Equipment for Small Boats

The Payoff

Appendixes

152

(52)

A Replacement Rudder

Making Oars

Trailer Restoration

Costs to Restore a 1972 MacGregor Venture

Restoration Log

A Boat Restoration Photo Album

Restoration Resources

Index

204

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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Fix It and Sail Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Retore a Small Sailboat on a Shoestring

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

FREE SHIPPING

Rent More, Save More! Use code: BBRENTAL

5% off 1 book, 7% off 2 books, 10% off 3+ books

Fix It and Sail Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Retore a Small Sailboat on a Shoestring

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Digital License