Part 2 - Columbia 29 refit, in the Rocky Mountains

[406Columbia]

Hello,

Back at boat work in-between surfing. Got the bottom of the companionway slider sanded and sprayed. Also, got the door that replaced our drop-boards masked off and primed, then sprayed with three coats. Sadly, as it was drying the tarp I was painting on blew up in a gust of wind and covered it with leaves and dirt.

Guess what I will be sanding and re spraying tomorrow? Yes, the door go figure. That sounds so much more fun than surfing though right?

Something we just learned about removing varnish, use a heat gun instead of sanding the bulk of it off. All this time we had been sanding it all off which makes a mess and takes down the wood. Instead you can get some heat, it bubbles right up then scrapes off so easy. Wish we had known this sooner.

Cheers for now

[Don C L]

I really hate seeing your photos!
Seriously, great to see all the beautiful progress yer making.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

I really hate seeing your photos!
Seriously, great to see all the beautiful progress yer making.

Thanks Don, Going to try and mask off the deck this weekend and rollout some non-skid. Mount up the chain plates and a few other jobs. Big weekend, should have lots of photos.

[406Columbia]

Not quote done masking out the non-skid. Got the vent holes cut for the two forward vents. Holes tapped for the lazerette access screw out plates. Realized we didn't have sufficient supports on the lips of the quarter birth locker doors. So addressed that with additional ply strips with wood glue and some stainless wood screws.

Lots of general cleaning and such things.

[406Columbia]

More of the same. Anyone have advice on placement masking tape for water channels? Also, what are you folks using for spring line cleats? We have a few whitecap folding cleat 4.5'' but not so sure now they are robust enough for a boat our size and displacement. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/white...leat--17282997
thinking these might be better for the 17 foot whaler.

So looking for robust ideas that don't take up our already narrow side decks.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

More of the same. Anyone have advice on placement masking tape for water channels? Also, what are you folks using for spring line cleats? We have a few whitecap folding cleat 4.5'' but not so sure now they are robust enough for a boat our size and displacement. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/white...leat--17282997
thinking these might be better for the 17 foot whaler.

So looking for robust ideas that don't take up our already narrow side decks.

I run my spring lines from the bow and stern cleats to the dock cleats .

Bow line to a dock cleats just aft of midships if possible of further aft . And the reverse for the stern spring lines .

Such as in the following diagram . No need for midships cleats except to hang the fender on. I only use ones placed amidships.

[Don C L]

The PO of my boat put a big cleat in the center on the deck and chocks about three feet forward and aft on the rail. Seems to work fine.

[Orion Jim]

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...88?recordNum=2

Something like this would be much more appropriate for your boat. The Herreshoff style cleat has never been improved upon. You will never be sorry you installed a real midship cleat.
Nice work! Glad to see you are still at it.

[406Columbia]

Thanks everyone for the info, pics, diagrams and links. Will take a look at this all and make a plan.

[406Columbia]

Hello,

Made a little progress. Drilled the holes for the access plates to the front and rear or our water tank. Did the same for the two plates in the lazerette as well. Finally, glassed in the last salon window and laid in some thickened epoxy around all 7 of the small Lewmar opening port-lights. Glassed in three of the seven small ones and started on the backing blocks for thru-hulls that are made out of G10.

Sanded the door back on the outside and will repaint, laid some stain on the teak trim.

Most importantly, took the RIB up a few miles and dropped the mini Mantus anchor and swam for a few hours. What a nice afternoon, such clean water away from the normal waters here and temp has been about 70 degrees.

[406Columbia]

Access Plates

[406Columbia]

Anyone have an idea where to locate stainless steel winch mounts for the combing? I will make some if I need to but prefer not to have to do that. Something like this or at least similar but in stainless.

[Don C L]

That first photo up there, the clear deck plate there, is that forward near the v-berth or aft behind the water tank? That is something I'd like to do to store the chain low and centralized.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

That first photo up there, the clear deck plate there, is that forward near the v-berth or aft behind the water tank? That is something I'd like to do to store the chain low and centralized.

Aft behind the factory water tank access point. The factory access on our boat is so small its hard to inspect or clean the whole tank. So we cut into it under the companionway and put the biggest plate in we could. I will be adding another one forward near the v birth for additional storage as well.

[406Columbia]

Made some progress on glass, its all done actually. Glassed in everything. Fairing the inside now and getting ready for epoxy barrier coat. Scuffed up the entire hull today in preparation for priming and painting the blue glow white.