Thanks for the welcome Rick,
What mods and upgrades have I done? The early things are roller furler,
lazy jacks, all lines aft with clutches, adjustable topping lift, Harken
traveler and spinnaker gear. Then Bimini Top, cockpit cushions, folding nav
table and stereo system. Breaker electrical panel upgraded wiring,
instruments, it still has the Loran installed, GPS, VHF and Ham radios.
Put pump on the ice box to pump overboard through the galley drain instead
of draining in the bilge. Installed sea (lake) water pressure wash down
pump with outlet in cockpit. I put a large padeye in the cockpit for
temporary installation of a mainsheet so I can single hand easier.
I have rebuilt all of the pumps on the boat including the head several
times. The engine is original in all respects other than filters and one
throttle cable. It still runs like new and will start in below freezing
weather with only a few cranks. I have taken the boat down the river to
Kentucky Lake (200 miles one way) several times and have run the engine for
12 hours a day at 3200 r.p.m. without a miss or hiccup. My boat will cruise
at about 6.5 knots unless I overload it, I did get 24 statue miles per
gallon on one of my trips average upstream and downstream.
The interior still has the original cushions and drapes. We take them home
every couple of years and clean everything up. I have had to re-glue the
headliner several times but it is still original as are the cushions and
curtains. I have had to re-bed the chain plates every couple of years and
the deck hardware only once. I have replaced the running rigging every five
or six years. Since the boat is in the water all year long it takes a
beating from the elements but has held up very well, I have it pulled every
4 or 5 years for a bottom job. The only blisters have been on the keel,
never one on the hull or the rudder. I have a two blade fixed prop and have
always thought I would put a feathering on it but never found the deal I was
happy with.
Sails are 110, 155 heavy, 155 Mylar, 150 nylon light, 3/4 oz spinnaker, and
shopping for a new main.
I live less than a mile from the club so I can get there after work and
before dinner. It makes a huge difference it my ability to take care of it.
We have toyed with the idea of taking it to the Florida Panhandle for a year
or two but not yet, maybe when I retire, which is not far away.
I tried to upload a picture but I am apparently limited for some reason. It
let me create an album but not upload.
Mark
