G'day All - Just Bought a Hardin 41

[carlheintz]

Hello to all!
Well, I did it. Bought a fixer -- Hardin Seawolf aka Formosa 41 CT 41 -- a traditional looking older boat -- after the 1st mate actually said "do it!" I teak she liked the wood.

I'm semi retired. I've sailed since I before I could walk, but haven't had a sailboat since I moved to the Midwest in the mid 90's, so I really needed this boat. Ok, here's the ketch -- I live in Kansas City and the Boat is in Baltimore. Frequent flyer miles, anyone?

This is not as crazy as it sounds, since we plan on using this boat as our "home away from home" to do the Chesapeake, and later, other areas.

We've got a season of fix-up ahead, and I will be needing some good advice and counsel.... other than the boatyards' helpful (=costly) recommendations. (the boatyard I have is really excellent, I will say)

So, while it is cold and wintery outside, I'm reading everything I can get my hands on, and becoming good friends with Don Casey and Nigel Calder, as I read their books. Also, doing some window shopping on all the neat stuff you can spend your childrens' inheritance on.

The boat is very sound, had lots of tender loving care, up until 5 years ago, when 2nd owner apparently didn't know the meaning of the word maintenance. Brightwork is sad. Spars need painting. Sails need cleaning and refurbing. Instruments are so 1990's. Bottom has to be sanded - you can't just keep putting coats of bottom paint on forever. The masts... oh, the masts... they are wood... and I worry about rot. Survey found nothing. Of course, they didn't sail her in 25 knot winds and do a hard tack. Plumbing is interesting... lots of custom "whats that" stuff. Electrical is needing some simplification (like how about a new, organized panel?). 2nd owner took the air conditioning units off the boat, which seems strange given that the Chesapeake gets a little warm and humid in the summer.

Other than that, I'm a West Coast sailor about to tackle a new ocean. Any suggestions are welcome, including referrals to psychological counseling for buying the boat, financial counseling for the hole in the water, etc. etc.

Carl

[boatman61]

Greetings, Welcome to CF and congratulations on the new boat...

[carlheintz]

Thanks!

[Connemara]

Is that the Hardin that was flagged in the classified section here?

Connemara

[carlheintz]

It was, indeed, that boat.

[Jim Cate]

Welcome aboard, Carl,

Sounds like you have your future well encumbered! With that many things on the to-do list, you'll never be bored, nor will you have any spare change for the panhandlers.

As far as the masts go, I'd think that one would pull them, strip all the remaining paint off, remove all metal hardware and do a careful inspection for rot. If there is a lot, replacement might well be cheaper than (good) repair, unless you have the required skills yourself. $100/hr shipwright time adds up fast! If the masts are sound, repainting and remounting hardware is an easy DIY job. Might as well consider replacing the wire at the same time... sounds unlikely that it has been renewed recently. If money will be really tight, consider using galvanized wire and rigging screws. Kinda agricultural in appearance, but will hold the sticks up for far less money than s/s, and the poorer stretch figures won't be too bad on your type of rig and boat.

Do enjoy your new vessel, and remember that we all have our versions of the hair shirt to wear!

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Morning Cove, NSW, Oz

[zeehag]

lol i have a formosa yankee clipper 41. join leaky teaky yacht club, a yahoo group as well as this bunch-- both have priceless info. you will love your hardin-- these boats have such easy to access places most boats have tiny lil crawl holes... welcome to this world and cf and hardin--awesome boat!!!!

[carlheintz]

I've searched Leaky, Leakey, Teaky, Teakey, Yacht, etc and can't find this group! What's the real name? Or am I just dull?!

[Adax]

LeakyTeakyYachtClub : LeakyTeakyYachtClub

It is a bit difficult to find. I found it last night after rummaging in old messages. I don't have a Formosa but was talking about leaky wooden boats yesterday so the title caught my attention

And congratulations! She sounds like a lot of work, but what a stunner of a boat .

[zeehag]

LeakyTeakyYachtClub : LeakyTeakyYachtClub
group is difficult to find--also has a facebook page..LOL
these guys have a lot of good info regarding our boats and the specific problems they get. we chose the name of the group ourselves.. we LOVE our boats--passion, ye call it!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard,
Get yourself hoisted up the mast. Tap around to look for rot. Check the spreaders thoroughly. Any black spots where the finish has come off should be checked thoroughly. Check screw and bolt holes. Look for wear around the areas where halyards slap and are led through blocks. If all looks good and there definitely is no sign of rot at the mast bases I'd do a really good job of repainting them and not worry.
Kind regards,

[Just BS]

Congrats!

You said you had a survey and there was no mention of rot, so I wouldn't stress over it, especially since you're not planning on undertaking a circumnavigation anytime soon. Normally I might caution otherwise, but since your intial sailings will be around the Chesapeake you'll have plenty of time to find all the nuances of the ol' girl.

Have fun & best o' luck!

[zeehag]

you will love her-- she will make passion in you.... enjoy and smooooth sailing--dont worry about the masts-- no longitudinal cracks is good. slight rust leak is mezzo ... look at it by going up them .. these are so repairable--is not difficult to repair these.