Gentlemen, break out your fenders!!

[DuaneGraham]

So I've just purchased my first sailboat, a 1978 bayfield 25 and having no experience I'm both excited and nervous of my new undertaking, but living in Toronto I figure I've got about 6 months before the snow falls/melts!! Gives me plenty of time to get some work done before wreaking some havoc in the spring lol. My aim is to replace most of the aged wood on the deck,..Maybe. Granted it's a huge job but I'm much more experienced with wood then sailing so shouldn't be as bad. But that being said the sheer age of the vessel brings me to the question of what I can expect, best case worst case scenario as to what lies beneath. One area I want to focus on are the pillars under the traveller, they're quite aged and needing more work than they appear to be worth, also would "like" to replace the trailboards but that task I may not be up to par for. All the wood I'm looking to replace on the deck I'm thinking to do in purpleheart hardwood, if anyone has any yay's or nay's on that idea I'd love to hear them. Oh and I chose purpleheart because we'll, it's a 78 so I'm not exactly rolling in the dough and I don't want to do it bit by bit which is the route I'd have to go if I splurged for teak, and in fact I believe it's a very nice looking wood anyhow. Thanks all, look forward to seeing you in the spring!! (keep your distance though) bwahahhaahaaa

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[krafthaus]

Congrats on the new boat Duane.

[gunkylump]

Hey fellow Canuck:

There's a Bayfield owners group over on Yahoo...

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/bayfieldyachts/info

Lots of great info there for you. The Bayfield 25's are a good boat, a lot of woodwork on the topside to keep you very busy.

Have fun with it!

gunk

p.s. Welcome to CF

[a64pilot]

Congratulations, now the heart ache begins
first determine the condition of the decks, any soft spots, "dead" areas when sounded that may indicate water intrusion?

[DuaneGraham]

Thanks all, and yes Gunk I've already invested some time in the yahoo group and signed up- after all, you were first to send me there a few months back!

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[HappyMdRSailor]

Many congrats on your first boat.... If done right, she should bring you equal amounts of pain and joy!!!

I'd revisit replacing all the wood until you show us some pictures of what you have going on.... You would be surprised what can be restored to bristol...

Also, surely you are talking caprails or toerails???

Get that camera out!

[D.D.]

Congrats on the boat! Teak is THE choice of deck woods due to it's resistance to rot. Yes, it's $$$$, but to use any other type of wood would be less than ideal. I believe if there was a lesser alternative, it would have been used in production boats. You need to do your homework on the type of wood, preparation of the deck, and installment. Good Luck...They are wonderful boats...Enjoy!

[DuaneGraham]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Many congrats on your first boat.... If done right, she should bring you equal amounts of pain and joy!!!

I'd revisit replacing all the wood until you show us some pictures of what you have going on.... You would be surprised what can be restored to bristol...

Also, surely you are talking caprails or toerails???

Get that camera out!

My apologies I'm new to this so proper lingo is on my to do list. But I'm referring to the wooden supports under the (traveler) I believe is the proper label. Yes some of it could be repaired I'm sure but being my new boat I'd like to get my hands a little dirty and for bragging rights so to speak, but I will post pictures and let you all decide if maybe I'm a tad crazy. Working with wood in the past I understand with some sanding there's always something beautiful underneath, but can't sand out a crack or split as the deck trim has done above the galley. But pics coming soon!

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[DuaneGraham]

Originally Posted by D.D.

Congrats on the boat! Teak is THE choice of deck woods due to it's resistance to rot. Yes, it's $$$$, but to use any other type of wood would be less than ideal. I believe if there was a lesser alternative, it would have been used in production boats. You need to do your homework on the type of wood, preparation of the deck, and installment. Good Luck...They are wonderful boats...Enjoy!

Thank you, point taken. I've always wanted to be a bit different, but maybe not so much at the expense of longterm costs. I would believe, and I definitely stand to be corrected that property sealing a strong hardwood would ensure decent longevity?? And my main source for choosing purpleheart is one it looks great, a definite eye catcher, and two if you were to type teak into Wikipedia it states it's an "alternative" along with iroko and another I can't remember. And lastly price of course, only 1/4 the price. Granted a purpleheart grower could have recorded that on the site,...

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[sy jolly dodger]

Congrats on the new boat!!!

[DuaneGraham]

Originally Posted by sy jolly dodger

Congrats on the new boat!!!

Many thanks! Cheers!!

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[DuaneGraham]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Many congrats on your first boat.... If done right, she should bring you equal amounts of pain and joy!!!

I'd revisit replacing all the wood until you show us some pictures of what you have going on.... You would be surprised what can be restored to bristol...

Also, surely you are talking caprails or toerails???

Get that camera out!

Oh! Yes after googling I am also refering to the cap rails, they definitely are showing signs of aging, but not as split as other areas.

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[DuaneGraham]

okay here's what i've got to work with

[Peter1949]

Duane
A lot of the wood looks ok
Cleaning and sanding
The 'pillars' that support the traveler maybe could be replaced with stainless if the wood is suspect
Good luck with your winter projects
Pete


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[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by DuaneGraham

My apologies I'm new to this so proper lingo is on my to do list. But I'm referring to the wooden supports under the (traveler) I believe is the proper label. Yes some of it could be repaired I'm sure but being my new boat I'd like to get my hands a little dirty and for bragging rights so to speak, but I will post pictures and let you all decide if maybe I'm a tad crazy. Working with wood in the past I understand with some sanding there's always something beautiful underneath, but can't sand out a crack or split as the deck trim has done above the galley. But pics coming soon!

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NOT A WORRY on the lingo! You'll be up to speed soon enough...

I was a bit disconcerted (read scared shi**ess) when you said "wood on the deck" ... I thought... A) surely this boat does NOT have wood decks... And B) You will gouge your eyes out... sell the boat... and slit your wrists if you do a deck replacement on your FIRST boat...

Originally Posted by DuaneGraham

Oh! Yes after googling I am also refering to the cap rails, they definitely are showing signs of aging, but not as split as other areas.

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+1

Originally Posted by Peter1949

Duane
A lot of the wood looks ok
Cleaning and sanding
The 'pillars' that support the traveler maybe could be replaced with stainless if the wood is suspect
Good luck with your winter projects
Pete
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I'm with Pete on this one..... The majority appears like it would look like new refinished correctly! The split stuff can PROBABLY be repaired successfully with epoxy too, and would look great if it can be...

Do some research on repairing split wood or teak with epoxy resin...

Your pics are fantastic... Great job!