Fix It and Sail, 1st Edition

Acknowledgments

Preface

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

Reducing the Costs of Sailing

Cash Value

Emotional Reasons

Which Boat?

Physical Location of the Boat

The Self-Survey

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

Where to Get Good Information

My Short List of Commonly Available Boats to Restore

Cal 20

Cal 25

Oday 22

Catalina 22

Com-Pac 16

Pearson 22

Tanzer 22

Bristol 24

Irwin 23

MacGregors

Venture 21

Venture 22

MacGregor 23 (Venture of Newport)

MacGregor 24 (Venture 24/Venture 224)

MacGregor 25 (Venture 25)

What I Finally Chose

3.Getting Ready: Safety, Tooling, and Setting Up Shop

Safety 1: Getting the Boat Home and Getting It Ready

Safety 2: Boat Restoration without Restorative Surgery

Getting Tooled Up

Other Miscellaneous Tools

Setting Up Shop

4.Getting Started: Restoration Strategies, Tooling Up, Cleaning, and More

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

5.Boat Joinery and Woodworking: Materials, Techniques, and Procedures

Wood Choices

Marine Plywood and Alternatives

Adhesives and Fastenings

Techniques

Flotation

6.Marine Metalwork: Cost-Effective Solutions for the Small Sailboat

Simple Corrosion

Painting

Galvanizing

Surface Preparation

Electrolytic Rust Removal

Galvanic Corrosion

Electrolytic Corrosion

About Stainless

Marine Metal Fabrication

Welding Stainless

Fabricating without Welding

7.Canvaswork and Upholstery: Sewing Basics for Small Boats

Sewing Machines

Canvaswork

Upholstery

Odds and Ends

8.The Rig: Inspection, Repair, and Replacement

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

9.Outboard Motors: A Cost-Effective Power Plant

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

10.Sea Trials and Commissioning: Finishing It All Up

Outfitting for Sailing

Electronic Equipment for Small Boats

The Payoff

Appendix 1: A Replacement Rudder

Appendix 2: Making Oars

Appendix 3: Trailer Restoration

Appendix 4: Costs to Restore a 1972 MacGregor Venture 222

Appendix 5: Restoration Log

Appendix 6: A Boat Restoration Photo Album

Appendix 7: Restoration Resources

Index