Search found 50 matches

by mdidriksen
Wed Sep 09, 2015 11:20 am
Forum: Projects
Topic: Cockpit Seats
Replies: 3
Views: 3012

Re: Cockpit Seats

Sorry for the delayed response, but I don't check this forum on a regular basis much these days. I did not apply any finish to the seats. People stand on them all of the time, so I wanted to leave the teak au naturel so that it has better grip. The seats are now on their third year and they look gre...
by mdidriksen
Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:08 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: She floats!
Replies: 9
Views: 4034

Re: She floats!

Congrats! She looks fabulous.
by mdidriksen
Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:29 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

Yes, that is exactly the stuff. It worked ok. I wanted a closed cell foam and that was the only one I found that I could shoot out of a can, which was necessary given that I couldn't pour it but instead had to get it up inside the cavity. I didn't take a picture of it, but the first round of foam wa...
by mdidriksen
Sun Jun 01, 2014 11:50 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

Ready for paint:

Image
by mdidriksen
Fri May 30, 2014 3:38 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

So here is an update on the process of repairing this (which I plan to finish this weekend so I can finally get splashed). When I ground open the cracks, things opened up in dramatic fashion. I stopped when I realized it went up into the topsides paint. Here are a few pictures of what I found: http:...
by mdidriksen
Fri May 09, 2014 2:44 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

Well, I can't say I understand it either. The effect of the accentuated tumblehome makes her look a lot more like a Catalina 38, also designed by Olin. Unfortunately, to fix it in the way I would like to (i.e., to take it back to the original shape) will require a new paint job after grinding everyt...
by mdidriksen
Sat May 03, 2014 6:46 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

It's not just bondo. They put in three layers of foam core sandwiched between layers of fiberglass. I'm in the process of patching it now. Will post pics when I have them.
by mdidriksen
Tue Apr 08, 2014 3:36 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

Just to update this, it turns out that a prior owner built a little extra IOR bump into the hull in the early '80s, and that is what has failed. The bump adds almost 3 inches in width on either side of the boat amidships. Next time she gets painted, I plan on grinding this off and going back to the ...
by mdidriksen
Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:56 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Back to Tiller Steering
Replies: 5
Views: 2617

Re: Back to Tiller Steering

I faced some similar questions in the course of my rudder replacement project (detailed in this thread: http://plasticclassicforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5346 . Is there not a bearing already where the shaft enters the hull? I would think a bearing there makes sense. In my setup, there wa...
by mdidriksen
Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:28 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

Paulus wrote:Some freeze/thaw cycles might add to the damage.... agreed with the previous answers - I would find out what's there and fix it.
Guess I have a new entry on the to do list ...
by mdidriksen
Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:28 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

TampaBay wrote:It looks like the right side one, already has seen some grinding.
My guess is that what is showing was due to a pressure wash when the boat was hauled. Has not been ground out.
by mdidriksen
Wed Oct 30, 2013 6:27 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Re: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

Figment wrote:Yes, exploratory sanding/grinding is in order.

What's on the inside of the hull in this location? bulkheads? Tanks?

No bulkheads or tanks other than a water bladder.
by mdidriksen
Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:06 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint
Replies: 23
Views: 7262

Weeping Crack in Hull/Paint

This picture shows what I found when I hauled out this season. These two horizontal cracks started weeping water, and I'm curious to get others views on the issue. There was a previous repair job done in this area (by a prior owner) and when you tap it with a ball peen hammer you can hear the differ...
by mdidriksen
Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:34 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Forum future
Replies: 27
Views: 7688

Re: Forum future

Perhaps if we started a list of folks who no longer seem to be contributing but who had a lot to do with why this site is (was) so good, we can encourage them to re-activate things and simultaneously draw others in. Folks who used to post a lot that I no longer see include: Quetzalsailor Hirilonde R...
by mdidriksen
Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:28 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Forum future
Replies: 27
Views: 7688

Re: Forum future

I have also wondered at the lack of activity on this forum of late. It used to be (and I think probably still can be) one of the best places to get advice from people who have been there before you. I frequent Sailnet and Sailing Anarchy, but still check in here to ask for advice and post the occasi...
by mdidriksen
Thu Aug 08, 2013 11:08 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Deck Hardware
Replies: 8
Views: 3860

Re: Deck Hardware

I use a photobucket account to upload the picture to. Then in your post where you want the picture to go, hit the "Img" button above the box where you are typing and then paste a direct link to the picture (which photobucket will give you if you click on the setting button on a picture) in...
by mdidriksen
Fri Aug 02, 2013 10:07 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Rudder Integrity Examination and Questions
Replies: 6
Views: 3138

Re: Rudder Integrity Examination and Questions

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread, but I guess I'm on a roll today documenting boat projects. I ended up deciding to replace the rudder, and set forth below are the details of how that worked out. This all took place in the winter/spring of 2011 and is largely a re-post of material from the S&...
by mdidriksen
Fri Aug 02, 2013 3:58 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: Cockpit Seats
Replies: 3
Views: 3012

Cockpit Seats

I just recently completed building new seats for the cockpit of my S&S34 and thought I would post a log of the effort here. Sorry for the long post, but it was a long project. Like any good project, it included most of the basic phases: 1. Enthusiasm 2. Disillusionment 3. Panic and Hysteria 4. S...
by mdidriksen
Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:00 pm
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Favorite Odd Tools
Replies: 9
Views: 5906

Favorite Odd Tools

Last night I was working on my inflatable dinghy and ended up using my wife's cuticle scissors to trim off some excess fabric where it was fraying (unusually, I even got permission from the wife beforehand). It worked great, and it got me wondering about what tools people use that might not typicall...
by mdidriksen
Sat Jul 07, 2012 12:06 am
Forum: Classic Sailboats
Topic: S&S34 on Houston Craigslist
Replies: 1
Views: 2494

S&S34 on Houston Craigslist

Looks like she needs a little TLC, but the price reflects it. http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/3065844784.html

Oh, and she can't be hull #4 and also built in 1975, since I have hull #77 built in 1971.
by mdidriksen
Mon Oct 24, 2011 10:07 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Another outstanding bad boat name
Replies: 111
Views: 38925

Re: Another outstanding bad boat name

When I clicked on this post, it took me to page 1 to start and of course the first entry is for "Mast Confusion". Although I had seen this many times, this evening for some reason I immediately wondered (and hoped) that she had more than one mast. Preferably, she's a gaff rigged schooner ...
by mdidriksen
Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:02 pm
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: 3M 6000 series full-face respirator...fit question
Replies: 14
Views: 5256

Re: 3M 6000 series full-face respirator...fit question

Rachel: I just looked at mine and it looks the same as yours but seals just fine. Only the upper 80% or so of the nose seal makes contact with my face, but when I put the mask on the outer chin seal sort of nests into the inner chin seal. It sounds like that isn't happening with yours and is the sou...
by mdidriksen
Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:38 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Another outstanding bad boat name
Replies: 111
Views: 38925

Re: Another outstanding bad boat name

Image
by mdidriksen
Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:55 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Sealers, Filler Stains and Mahogany
Replies: 4
Views: 1157

Re: Sealers, Filler Stains and Mahogany

Thanks guys. Exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. Just finished doing some other varnish work and while I was at it I put a coat on a piece of scrap mahogany from this project. I'll have a look in the morning, but I suspect I'm going with no filler or stain.
by mdidriksen
Fri Mar 18, 2011 7:52 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Sealers, Filler Stains and Mahogany
Replies: 4
Views: 1157

Sealers, Filler Stains and Mahogany

One of my projects this spring is to build a new box around my mast inside the saloon. I'm building this out of sapele faced plywood using honduras mahogany for corner glue blocks (i.e., each corner is a solid piece of mahogany with two rabbits cut into it to inset the plywood sides). I plan on varn...
by mdidriksen
Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:32 pm
Forum: Boat Photos
Topic: Palmer Johnson Alberg 35
Replies: 49
Views: 11855

Re: Palmer Johnson Alberg 35

Dave: No brass plaque for me, but I don't think the interior on my boat is original (and in fact, it could stand to be gutted, but that is for a different post ...). I would contact Palmer Johnson and see for yourself. If you don't have any luck, let me know and I'll dig up my records and figure out...
by mdidriksen
Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:15 pm
Forum: Boat Photos
Topic: Palmer Johnson Alberg 35
Replies: 49
Views: 11855

Re: Palmer Johnson Alberg 35

Dave: That is a beautiful find. Have you contacted Palmer Johnson to see if they have any info on the refit that you don't already have? I have an S&S 34 that was imported by Palmer Johnson and re-branded as a PJ34. When I bought it, I contacted Palmer Johnson and eventually tracked down the cur...
by mdidriksen
Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:11 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Rudder Integrity Examination and Questions
Replies: 6
Views: 3138

Re: Rudder Integrity Examination and Questions

Just a quick update. After flipping the rudder over and letting it sit for a couple of hours, one of the holes I drilled in the middle of the blade started leaking water ...
by mdidriksen
Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:23 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Rudder Integrity Examination and Questions
Replies: 6
Views: 3138

Rudder Integrity Examination and Questions

All: As some of you know from a prior thread, I dropped the rudder off my boat this winter because the bearings are shot and in need of replacement. I was a bit concerned when I got it down that it might be waterlogged, because it weighed 81 pounds. The rudder has a 1.5 inch stainless steel shaft th...
by mdidriksen
Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:21 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Tiller Head Removal
Replies: 6
Views: 912

Re: Tiller Head Removal

Great suggestions all around. This what I love about this forum (thanks to Tim especially). 15 minutes with some PB Blaster, a gear puller and a blow torch, and she popped right off. You can see in the picture below the two nickels I used to protect the threaded hole in the end of the rudder post --...
by mdidriksen
Sun Jan 16, 2011 6:10 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Tiller Head Removal
Replies: 6
Views: 912

Re: Tiller Head Removal

Thanks. These all sound like good suggestions (and an excuse to buy a new tool). Did not get out to the boat today due to a fever. Perhaps tomorrow.
by mdidriksen
Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:09 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Tiller Head Removal
Replies: 6
Views: 912

Tiller Head Removal

I'm in the process of dropping the rudder off of my boat (to replace a worn rudder bearing) and can't get the tiller head off of the rudder post. The tiller head appears to be a solid block that is fitted over the top of the rudder post and held in place by a bolt that screws in from the top. There ...
by mdidriksen
Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:31 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Biscuits Anyone?
Replies: 9
Views: 1048

Biscuits Anyone?

Despite how much that guy in plaid up in New Hampshire loves them, I never hear about anyone on this forum using a biscuit joiner in the course of working on their boats. Is there any particular reason for this other than lack of access to one? Here's why I'm asking. I have to rebuild the cockpit se...
by mdidriksen
Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:31 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Another outstanding bad boat name
Replies: 111
Views: 38925

Re: Another outstanding bad boat name

When my father bought his Cheoy Lee Offshore 41, the previous owner was a bachelor who liked to entertain the ladies on the boat (so we were told). The boat was named "Named After You" so he could truthfully tell each one . . .
by mdidriksen
Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:02 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Adhesive Question re Saildrive Gasket
Replies: 6
Views: 639

Re: Adhesive Question re Saildrive Gasket

This gasket on the SD20 is purely for fairing purposes and it goes on the outside of the hull. You got me nervous with the question (I certainly did not want to have to pull the leg out to fix this) and Yanmar tech support has confirmed to me that the gasket definitely goes outside. (Whew!)
by mdidriksen
Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:18 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Adhesive Question re Saildrive Gasket
Replies: 6
Views: 639

Adhesive Question re Saildrive Gasket

Last winter I had a new engine installed in my S&S 34. We converted to a Yanmar saildrive, and when the saildrive was installed the gasket around the saildrive leg was not adhered properly to the hull. Supposedly this was done with 3M 5200, although based on its reputation it does make me wonder...
by mdidriksen
Mon Feb 15, 2010 11:54 am
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Bench Dog Router Table - Add On Wing For Table Saw
Replies: 5
Views: 2400

Re: Bench Dog Router Table - Add On Wing For Table Saw

I have Bench Dog's portable router table and like it a lot. Don't have experience with any others, so take it for what it's worth, but it's a nice product for a small shop.
by mdidriksen
Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:39 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Hirilondë's interior fixed port trim
Replies: 21
Views: 1937

Re: Hirilondë's interior fixed port trim

We decided to move the glass to the inside when we did this on my S&S 34. We went with laminated safety glass instead of lexan. First, a cutout made of G10 that exactly matched the shape of the glass was glued to the interior side of the cabin: http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm149/mdidriksen...
by mdidriksen
Thu Nov 26, 2009 1:35 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Lifelines
Replies: 36
Views: 4035

Re: Lifelines

There are several manufacturers that make bases that are separate from the stanchions. I went with these: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... 8&id=23082 and have been happy with them. They seemed to be the burliest of the ones I could find.
by mdidriksen
Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:26 pm
Forum: Classic Sailboats
Topic: S&S 34
Replies: 15
Views: 4921

Re: S&S 34

Figment: The story on that S&S 34 in the Finger Lakes is that the owner took a job at Cornell and brought the boat up there. Last year I tried to go take a look at it with the intent of possibly putting in a bid, and the owner pulled it off the market. Apparently he decided that he just couldn't...
by mdidriksen
Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:19 pm
Forum: Boat Photos
Topic: Calliope Girl
Replies: 8
Views: 1706

Re: Calliope Girl

Wow, good spotting by Cdawgs65! Yes, that is Bannister's Wharf in Newport, and no, that is not my usual slip (I'm on a mooring actually). My father and I spent 4 days bringing the boat from Marion, MA down to the NYC area, and the first night we stopped in Newport. I particularly liked that little b...
by mdidriksen
Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:27 pm
Forum: Boat Photos
Topic: Calliope Girl
Replies: 8
Views: 1706

Calliope Girl

As some of you may remember, a while back I started a post looking for advice regarding window styles for my S&S 34 (see http://www.plasticclassicforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3934). Well, she is now back in the water after a major re-fit, so I thought I would share a couple of photos as a way of sa...
by mdidriksen
Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:00 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Fixed Windows v Opening Ports
Replies: 38
Views: 4155

Yes, I've looked at the NFM ports and specifically the 4x14s would fit the smaller openings and I think would look great. (I've read your write up on the install more than once, by the way.) Unfortunately, the larger ones will not fit in the aft section without doing some fiberglass work, which then...
by mdidriksen
Wed Jan 14, 2009 10:49 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Fixed Windows v Opening Ports
Replies: 38
Views: 4155

So I've spent some time tonight working on a window design, using a template of the interior cabin (I'm using the interior because there are space contraints on the interior that will limit the size of the windows). I've worked up something for the front windows that I think I like from an aesthetic...
by mdidriksen
Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:44 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Fixed Windows v Opening Ports
Replies: 38
Views: 4155

Hah. I knew this re-fit would snowball once it started, so of course asking this forum is just asking for trouble in that regard! Tim/Rachel: I agree that the staggered setup of the forward ports is odd, but disliked the aft ports so much I had not really focused on the others, location wise (and di...
by mdidriksen
Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:23 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Fixed Windows v Opening Ports
Replies: 38
Views: 4155

Dave: I don't think the existing ports were too far off, but I don't think they quite "fit" right. Funny thing is, with them ripped out the holes look better than the ports did. Here is a pic that shows a closer look at how they looked before removal. Part of the issue is clearly the plast...
by mdidriksen
Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:12 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Fixed Windows v Opening Ports
Replies: 38
Views: 4155

Thanks for all the replies -- this has been very helpful. One question for those who are familiar with the rubber gasket approach that has been talked about above: How secure are these windows? Despite the fact that my typical usage will not involve a lot of open ocean sailing, I'm not ruling out th...
by mdidriksen
Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:34 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Fixed Windows v Opening Ports
Replies: 38
Views: 4155

Here are some pics to show you what I'm talking about. (When I posted last night I didn't have easy access to these.) Here is what she looked like at closing. As you can see, the aft portlights don't come close to matching the forward ones, and the sizing seems off. http://i295.photobucket.com/album...
by mdidriksen
Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:59 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Fixed Windows v Opening Ports
Replies: 38
Views: 4155

Fixed Windows v Opening Ports

Okay, longtime lurker – first real question. Sorry in advance for the length. I recently purchased a 1969 Sparkman and Stephens 34 which is currently undergoing a bit of a re-fit. Problem is, I’ve not had the chance to spend any significant time on her (closing was mid-October) and the boat is 3 hou...
by mdidriksen
Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:25 pm
Forum: Classic Sailboats
Topic: American Boat Building
Replies: 6
Views: 1911

Funny. I just bought a boat that was located at Norton's Shipyard, so I've spent time there in the past several weeks. I believe the building you may be referring to is now a Doyle sail loft. Also, I believe there are several Knickerbocker One Designs for sale in my home town (which is where Knicker...