40 yr old Cape Dory gets a face lift

[fishsail]

The port rub rail and toe rails are finished, the stbd. side is all fitted and sanded, ready for finish. coaming boards and handrails are finished. I will start to re-assemble them this weekend. Wife says they don't need any more coats of clear. LOL, time to stop cutting bait and start fishing.

[fishsail]

I made some good progress this weekend, installed the rub rails and toe rails, cabin handrails, engine cover board and the stbd. coaming board.
little by little she's starting to take shape

[JPA Cate]

Hey, fishsail,

Wow, she's looking great! I bet you can hardly wait to get her in the water. Be sure and post us a pic of you, your good lady and the boat afloat!

Well done, sir!

Ann

[Don C L]

I don't know if your work is tremendously inspiring or horribly depressing! Ah, I'm only kidding, just jealous is all! I think it is a compliment of the highest order to say to anyone, "you have done a beautiful job on your boat."

[fishsail]

Tnx for the compliments. I am getting excited finally seeing a slight light thru a very long tunnel. I should be able to get more done this weekend, then work starts on the rigging.uggg, more money, more money more money.

[oldragbaggers]

Originally Posted by Xthewater

It's a form of madness I think.
If one has a lot of skills in different areas it is a pleasure that working on these boats provide an outlet to use and develop even more skills as progress is made. Sometimes it seems overwhelming .Then comes the point where the first sea trials begin and all the time and $ come together.

We started on our Cape Dory 31 in April 2013 and so close now to having our first sail. https://capedory31.wordpress.com/

I just went wandering through your blog. Your 31 is looking so beautiful. I know the layouts are quite different but so many things about it are identical to our boat and it warmed my heart to think our boat will be looking like that very soon.

I wish you and Renata many years of happy sailing. What a fine boat you have!!

[oldragbaggers]

Originally Posted by fishsail

I appreciate the kind words of encouragement.
Coats 3,4 and 5 getting sprayed on hand rails, coaming board and port side toe and rub rails.

Just beautiful!!!

[oldragbaggers]

fishsail, please pass on to your lady my compliments on her choice of interior appointments. How very classy!! And your new woodwork looks stunning. You have done an absolutely first class job.

[fishsail18]

I certainly will, she has the fabric for the curtains as well now she just has to sew them. She has never sailed before and is so excited. She is really pulling me along on the project

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by fishsail18

I certainly will, she has the fabric for the curtains as well now she just has to sew them. She has never sailed before and is so excited. She is really pulling me along on the project

Fishsail, make it good for her. Do not take her out and make her cold and terrified, please! Treat her as if she were your very best friend's dearly beloved. It might be that her helping with the interior is a kind of nest building..... don't negate it.

Ann

[fishsail]

Ann, Yur 100% right, I will baby step her all the way. we have two years until we sell everything and sail off. (In a bigger boat) so she really needs to enjoy it. She was a huge power boater so she knows and loves the water, just never sailed before.

[fishsail]

Well I made some good progress. I primed and painted the mast and boom. My wire rigging is all finished. The rub rail w/SS striker is complete. and the GPS and compass is all installed and wired. Also when I removed the wood block from around the rudder post I noticed three large holes where the factory tried to line up the hole, they say 3 times a charm? they finally got it, but left the holes, so I fiberglassed them in to add some strength and made a new wood block

[Don C L]

Beautiful! I hope you put all these in an album in the plastic classics group! They are inspirational and reassuring for all of us other crazy old boat owners!

[redsky49]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Fishsail, make it good for her. Do not take her out and make her cold and terrified, please! Treat her as if she were your very best friend's dearly beloved. It might be that her helping with the interior is a kind of nest building..... don't negate it.

Ann

Truer words were never spoken. Took my pregnant wife for a ride one evening on my racing dingy. Dropped the 'board, sheeted in, and we were off at a ridiculous heel. Took a long time to work my way out of that one.

Still married

[barnakiel]

Simply stunning.

Man I wish I had 10% of your skill and your aesthetic feel!

Very well done,
b.