Refitting an Alberg 37 Complete Newbie

[SailnParadise]

Based on info from a local mechanic and a thread I started, it looks like I wont be going to get that engine. But I’ve got the replacement figured out. So now on to more pressing concerns!

Ive got a bronze thru hull that the previous owner had screwed in but not set with 4200. It looks like some epoxy got stuck on it back then and now it wont come out. Ive tried everything I could think of (two wrenches in a T, a pipe wrench and pipe and a thru hull tool) nothing will get it out. Anyone have suggestions. Im gonna tape it up and start sanding and painting until I figure something out. Wasted enough time figuring out what tools I needed and realizing if I just dug deep enough they were already somewhere here.

[SailnParadise]

Also trying to find an option for a dinghy outboard that doesn’t cost me $1,100 from West Marine (2.5-4hp is adequate).

[SailnParadise]

Gonna try to soda blast the old paint. Did it for about 2 hours and arms are dead and only got 1/100th of the way done lol.

[Rowglide]

You can use a holesaw and cut out the old bronze thruhull. Take your time to set up a Center and cool the blade with running water while you cut.
They often come apart easily after the mushroom part is cut through

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by Rowglide

You can use a holesaw and cut out the old bronze thruhull. Take your time to set up a Center and cool the blade with running water while you cut.
They often come apart easily after the mushroom part is cut through

Then you have wasted a new through hull.

Much better to get a wire brush for an electric drill and go after the epoxy in the threads.

[Rowglide]

It’s all about access.

[SailnParadise]

Originally Posted by stormalong

Then you have wasted a new through hull.

Much better to get a wire brush for an electric drill and go after the epoxy in the threads.

Some the epoxy isnt reachable as its in the threads inside. I was thinking of using a longer piper and two people to pull. Would this damage anything?

[SailnParadise]

Tried the soda blaster from Harbor Freight. It wasnt strong enough consistently to get the job done. Since taking 4-5 days to do it by hand isnt in the my time budget I was thinking of just stripping as much as I can and then applying 2 layers of anti foul. Then once in the bahamas I can just pay to get it blasted and repaint. Is this a viable workaround? My wife induces on Monday and I need to finish getting the interior mama and baby ready.

[Don C L]

You can certainly sail without bottom paint. Just have a diver scrub it before you go if it's even needed.
But, really, the more important issue here is not engine or bottom paint or time schedule. Is your wife really in agreement with you on everything? Is she happy about the prospect of all this?

[SailnParadise]

Originally Posted by Don C L

You can certainly sail without bottom paint. Just have a diver scrub it before you go if it's even needed.

But, really, the more important issue here is not engine or bottom paint or time schedule. Is your wife really in agreement with you on everything? Is she happy about the prospect of all this?

We are two peas in a pod. Shes all in with me. Weve dreamed of this together for a while.

[SailnParadise]

I just want to make sure that if I move on to the other projects that it wont negatively effect something by the time I can get it done in the Bahamas

[Jim Cate]

In your place (and I'm kinda glad I'm not) I would simply scrape any loose paint off, apply a tie coat (here in Oz that would be Jotun Vinyguard) and apply one or more coats of the anti fouling of your choice.

Won't be a racing bottom, but will keep the growth off for a season or so. At this point in time, you simply can't afford to futz around stripping old paint.

Jim

[Don C L]

It sounds like you are going electric. If it were me I'd consider that only a little better than going engineless, because realistically how many miles can you get out of the battery bank you can pack into the boat? And at what cost? It will get you in and out of harbors but it is probably considerably cheaper, and not much worse, to get a good sized RIB and a 10 or 15 hp engine and use that tied off your quarter to get you in and out of harbors and out into the breeze. Once in the Bahamas you may then decide a replacement diesel is the better way to go. You'll want that RIB anyway once you are there too. (You'll need a good one to make runs to get baby food and formula.)

[Don C L]

BTW, if you haven't yet, you may contact these folks:
Alberg 37 Owner's Association

[Scaramanga F25]

From 2 top US brokers: "an electric motor is the kiss of death on resale".

Finish the anti-fouling job right, I did not save much on doing it in the Bahamas where my boat was stored one summer.