Progress

Finally, an update.

It's been so cold most of the time, I hesitated to send boys down into a frozen bilge. With a couple weeks of favorable weather now, and a forecast of a clear cool day, I sent out a call for volunteers to work on our little craft.

Before:

After:




A full pickup bed to the dump, we took.

A lot of scrubbing was involved, to get the funk of nearly forty years out of there:







Next up is a complete re-wire. There's lamp wire, crimp connectors, and corroded wire all over the place. I'll tear everything out, solder and shrink-wrap all the connections and put up better anchors to bring it up to code. I think I'm going to install some LED interior lighting, so we have plentiful house lights for overnights with minimal draw... one over the dining table, one where the new galley will stand (old head location forward of the starboard seats), one for the V-berth, one for the portside quarterberth, and maybe even something for the cockpit.

After that, I need to cut new storage hatches along the portside bench, so I can use some of that abundant space under there. I'll install hinged lids, and make sure everything's supported well for sleeping or sitting there.

Then we'll repaint the interior with white latex exterior paint, semigloss. That ought to brighten it a bit. Install some new trim, replace the dinette wood with new boards, and build a galley cabinet. Get new foam and sew covers for everything.

and, and, and... the list seems endless. But that ought to get us to a strong usable point.

Want to donate?

Want to donate to Troop 1183?  We've set up a Paypal button to help you do just that.

We're not without some funds, but every bit of extra help will get these boys on the water faster. Thanks.

The work list

I made a list last night of the things the Buccaneer will need done.

1. Pump out
2. Tear out of cushions, old wood
3. Clean out / Dry out
4. Inspect/replace Sails
5. Replace Running Rigging (including trailer cable)
6. Inspect and test rig mast fittings
7. Inspect/replace wiring for all lights, install battery and charging lines
8. Repair loose deck fittings (including bow eye)
9. Install Winch and new fittings
10. Replace deck woodwork (grab handles, hatch rails, new hatch and door?)
11. Inspect/repair keel lock mechanism, smooth winch operation
12. Build new table, new gear locker (portside)
13. Build upper bunks
14. Build stove table and cockpit table
15. Build head cover/berth extension, head shelves
16. Build cooler hole under V
17. Build floor for cockpit locker
18. Build chart holders
19. New foam and covers
20. Outfit for sailing with safety gear, galley gear, navigation gear

We're going to try to save money where we can, but some of these items are going to cost us some primo coin to do right.  I reserve high quality equipment for critical things, such as safety equipment, the running rigging and sails, and other structural issues.  Cabinets and other woodwork can be done cheaply for now - but it's going to be a long winter and spring.

Restoring the Buccaneer

Troop 1183 has recently acquired a 22-foot Macgregor sailboat, to be used as the centerpiece of the 2011 High Adventure season. 





On the outside, it looks pretty good... but inside, it's another story altogether.



Clearly, we have a lot of work ahead of us.