Plastic Classic Forum

Hi James. Thanks for the kind words. I think 4' will work fine. Since I had little to go off of I had to guess at 5'. I didn't know what kind of lever arm I needed. Turns out not much as the helm is almost neutral. The tiller is 4'6" now for the reasons you suggest. For me, I think 4'3" wo...

I have not been on the forum in a long time. I completed the rebuilding of my boat and I have sailed her offshore about 11,000 miles so far.

Thought I would share a video I made of what it took to encourage others to stick with it.

https://youtu.be/u7FdROltzPw

Been working hard on the boat for the last few days and haven't had a chance to say thanks. All good sources. I'll spend some time checking out each of the sites.

Thanks again.

Hello Everyone, I am getting to the point in the rebuild of the Far Reach that I need to start thinking about interior hardware . . . options for interior hinges, latches, knobs, drawer pulls and mechanisms, and other such hardware. With ABI defunct I am wondering what sources other sailors/builders...

Hello All, Happy Thanksgiviing Eve. Got a question. I am getting close to the point in the rebuild where I need to start thinking about paint for the bilge and other areas that are not in plain view--behind lockers, lazarette, bilge area, etc. What kind of paint have other sailor used for these area...

I have had the same trouble finding block ice. This is how I solved it. We have a small top loading refer in the garage. I bought a Rubber-Made 2 1/2 gallon plastic wash basin. I fill it with water and set it in the refer. In a day it is block ice. I take it out and drop it in a plastic trash bag an...

When I paint or varnish doors I remove the doors and hardware. Then I drive two small finishing nails in the ends of the door-two on each end. Then I lay 2x4s across sawhorses so I have a rack. Then I lay the doors in between the 2x4s but supported by the nails--the doors themselves dont touch anyth...

Gordon, I believe the best reference is "Ocean Passages for the World." It is a book that contains all the standard routes from just about anywhere to just about anywhere. It contains decriptions of the routes, hazards, currents, winds, etc. It has a seciton of motor vessels and sailing sh...

Bryon, Your insights have been a great help. Since I have a big roll of 38" biaxial from JD I have decided to cut my own 8" wide tape. The hull-deck joint and the high level of follow-on fairing requires the best quailty fabric I can use. It's been an education. Many thanks for providing i...

Bryon, That's the stuff. Do you happen to know if the matt is stiched on the back or if it is attached with a binder? The starch binder is needs styrene to disolve and is not compatible with epoxy. By the way, I took a look at your website. I felt right at home. Our efforts are similar. Take a look....

The only 8" glass tape I saw in their online catalogue is 9oz cloth tape. Maybe I am not looking in the right place.

Does anyone know of a source for 8" wide 17 oz biaxial tape or 8" wide 10-14 oz fiberglass tape. I have 8.7 oz tape but I am looking for something a bit heavier.

I have tried the internet and looked at all the normal suppliers without any luck.

Deck Grunge, I am in the midst of converting my cape dory 36 from wheel to tiller. I have documented my efforts on my website. Some of work is posted here: http://farreachvoyages.com/projects/rudderproject.html What is not posted yet is how I am connecting the old rudder post to the extension and ti...

AVD, I am in the midst of glassing the hull deck joint of my Cape Dory 36. I have not laid the glass on yet but I have rounded the edge of the hull deck joint and this week I'll be sanding the gelcoat back 4 1/4" on the deck and hull each. I plan on using west system and multiple layers of 17oz...

I agree with Tim that not having a head liner and finishing the overhead smooth would be very very difficult--I missed that part of the post. Having just grinded on my boat's bare overhead, to prep it for the "cleats" I'll install for a removable headliner, made a big impression on me just...

Hi, I am in the middle of a significant restoration/refit/modification to my Cape Dory 36. I had a one piece fiberglass headliner in my boat. I cut it out. It was nasty work. I feared for my sanity when I was doing it. But I am very happy that it is out. There are a lot of reasons for cutting it out...

Thanks Mike. Good info.

Rachel,
No sweat and no need to apologize. The quest for a solution is a big part of the reward from "messing about in boats." Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,
John

Tim,
Very useful info. Thanks. At a minimum that sounds like what I need to lubricate the drive and idler shafts where they pass through the bushings.

Regards,
John

Rachel, Thanks for the reply. Yes I have seen that thread. But the ABI 1000BR is a totally different winch than the SL 555. The SL is a two speed winch and is sealed. The 1000BR is a one speed open winch. So oil is not the solution. Some kind of grease--lithium or otherwise. Not sure. Here is a link...

Hi All, I have aquired a used bronze ABI single speed double action windlass refered to as the ABI 1000BR. I have taken it apart and cleaned it up. Pretty simple to work on. Anyway, it didn't come with an operator's manual and I can't locate one on the internet. I was able to download an exploded di...

Dave,
Knowing what you like is half the battle. Glad it works for you.

Regards,
John

Dave, Sure. Some water will find its way in there no doubt . . . but what I think we should try to avoid is designing/building water flow into the bilge as a matter of course. There are better ways. I also agree that we need to make it easy to clean our bilge too 'cause stuff is just going to get in...

Hi Everybody, I am in the middle of a major restoration/refit of my Cape Dory 36. I have been looking at the same issue--how to drain water from the anchor locker so it does not collect inside the boat. I want to avoid a design that allows any outside water (or water of any kind for that matter) to ...

Hi All, I have read the strings on soda blasting. Most info was about outside of the hull. My boat is completely gutted. I am faced with stripping thick paint out of the bilge area--pretty extensive area--Cape Dory 36. I can't paint over it for various reasons. I have used Marine Safety Strip with p...