There is something satisfying to bringing an old boat back. Yes, even a plastic one. Gull is approaching the 46 year mark. Aside from the last owner’s care, the list of others is unknown. Judging from the condition, the boat had not been abused. However, with such age there are things to get right and some details needed fixing or adding. Most can be spied in the last video.
The trailer is a separate thing, We replaced the lights, keel rollers and mast crutches. A keel plank with aft roller was installed while the bunks were modified for adjustment to them.
Boat improvements thus far are:
- New wood tiller. That original aluminum tube felt horrible in the hand. Buzzed down a salvaged laminated stick, added a revamped extension with cork ball and suede grip (didn’t work. Now has micro paracord) and put small cleat under tiller for rudder controls. Removed pin on rudder head to allow raising of tiller and added wood roller on aft end of head for ease of raising and lowering rudder. Big improvements.
- Added 3 deck cleats. Using SS rivet nuts, mounted 2 nylon cleats on the cockpit chamfers aft and one on the bow.
- All lines were replaced. Halyards must have been original! Added topping lift and reef lines too.
- Reworked centerboard controls. Removed ratty cams and made a new wood cap with wood jam cleat instead. Works!
- Added a turning block for the jib furler line. That now runs properly with new, less stiff, line.
- Took UNA’s latest tent and added snaps under Gull’s gunnel to facilitate use.
- Sails were filthy and original. A double scrub with a bleach solution and, in some locations, a TSP paste followed by thorough rinsing and hung to dry made things very presentable again.
- Reused a masthead fly that was in the garage for years. Perfect for this boat, but no longer made.
To do list:
- A better winch strap and hook are needed.
- Paint (Epifanes “medium grey” = gull) has been ordered for the hull. Beige is not a color.
- Would like to paint spars white, but that is a big project.
Every boat is different. Gull is no exception. What were frenetic demands initially are becoming prompts to pay attention to this or that. Let go of the tiller and she is going to weather NOW! She is getting me trained. She is persistent, but becoming predictable. We are a good fit. We’ll see how the pup likes her. Camille was more his speed and UNA passes too.
I pulled the boat from the clothesline yesterday. The water has really chilled in a few days. The cold is setting in, but Sunday may be in the high 60’s! So, we’ll reserve hope, leave the stick in and add Gull’s cover for a short while.
Lingering Lunacy 