Starting our Project: 1975 Morgan 51 Ketch

[riverratz]

Got a tough survey, but thought her worthy of a refit. Price was agreeable and now she is mine....Currently on the wall on the west Coast of FL for at least 6 months.. maybe more. In the process of stripping wires, (sure alot of old ones), 1970's era fire systems, total engine room rebuild.. (not the engine tho.. a stout 6 cyl Perkins got alot left in her). Total rewire to the new codes, upgrade the solar and wind systems on board, rebuild a mast step, do the major mast maintanence and re plumb the head(s).. (including a total rebuild of the aft head with bathtub..)....a start anyway...

Feel free to post constructive or helpful comments. I'll try and get pictures up occassionally of the major jobs. Should be interesting if anything...

[Artful Dodger]

We refit a 1974 33 O/I Morgan bought her for 20,000 and put 45,000 into her and when we sold her 7 years later we got 40,000 for her was sad to see her go but the refit was a total enjoyment. We rented a warehouse for one winter and completed everything which include new engine all new electronics two windlass and much more. We are now in the process of refitting our new boat and enjoying it again.

[Bash]

Congrats on the "new" boat, and welcome to the forum.

[Julie Mor]

Just curious, how long do you plan to work on the refit? Will you be doing it solo or will you have help?

[riverratz]

Hi Julie.. Kind of solo.. My dad is in the area and he comes by to assist.. my son comes by a couple times a month when he is off work and the "admiral" comes over two weekends a month.. Planning on 6 months on the wall, then another couple years in the water doing the finishing touches. as always money is an issue, so I am doing this on show string.. hope it is all worth it when I am finished.. fortunately I am cheap labor..

[Julie Mor]

A few years is what I expected. We were looking at taking on a project boat but in a few years I'll be collecting Social Security. So we're going with either a smaller boat we can buy outright (and a smaller house) or a larger boat for liveaboard with a small loan.

I don't know if you've ever seen this video but it might inspire you!

The Oceanaire, a Custom Irwin Sailing Yacht - YouTube