Winter Projects

[Tortuga James]

During the down time this winter I am planning on several fairly large projects:

1.) Replace a damaged section of rub rail on the starboard side.
2.) Prep and paint the hull topsides. I am going to use Petit's Easypoxy and roll and tip with a brush
3.) Replace my cockpit deck to fix some soft spots
4.) Prep and paint the bottom
5.) Apply my Tortuga Logo midships and name and hailing port on the stern using new vinyl graphics.

Any suggestions or helpful hints? What have you got planned?

 

[SkipperJohn]

Last year I took off all my seats and rebuilt them. I replaced most of the hardware, some of the wood, re-glued the foam (I used liquid nails) then reupholstered using fabric left over from a recently rebuilt ball park (not sure which one, I got it from a friend). It was a huge job and one I had to learn as I went but my 20 y/o seats look brand new now and the big boys I fish with (some weighing more than 350) can sit with confidence with the old worn hardware being replaced.
Then, for some reason, all the stitching on my 6 y/o canvas started to let go. I think the marina sprayed it with some bleach-type spray for some mold that may have built up over the winter while covered. My canvas guy wanted a small fortune to restitch this so I bought an industrial needle, took some 20 pound test spectra and resewed it all by hand.
What remains to be done now to the megabyte pretty much requires the boat. My GPS flakes in and out, I think I know the connection responsible for this & my radar is totally on the fritz. Again, I need to plug all this stuff in to debug it. So I'm pretty much taking the winter off! (however already making plans to start my waxing in late February. I want to get the boat launched by mid March.
Good luck on your projects James.

 

[Tortuga James]

I have always been a "do it yourself" kind of guy, even when I didn't have the skills to do something I would try to learn. I have completed several small marine painting efforts with good results.

Painting Tortuga is a totally different deal. The yard wanted $1800, based on $200 in materials and 24 hours labor. I figured, what the heck, I haven't got all that much going on and saving money is almost as good as making it these days.

Half way through the sanding with a cheap orbital sander, the yard owner comes over and "intervenes". He said he can't watch me torture myself or my boat any longer. Then he brings out a random dual action sander and demonstrates it's use. He sands a perfect patch of hull in about 3 minutes that would have taken me 30. "You need to get one of these."

An hour later and $180 down, I was the proud owner of a Porter DA random sander. I wish I had that dang tool 15 years ago. I must say that my shoulders and arms are sore from holding that 8 lb beast over my head and sanding. She is prepped and primed and ready for a dry warm day to put the first coat on.

Here is the story with pictures on my on my website http://tortugacharters.net/content/?cat=14

 

[bottomfinder]

The prep work looks real good, that is the most important part of any paint project. Take your time with prep work, I use the saying "just when you think your done, have somone else inspect" I have been involved with several boat refirbish projects, (paint touch ups to total rebuilds). patiance is always the key. Good luck.

 

[SkipperJohn]

cool. I am a strong believer in technology. I have 4 pieces of equipment I use to compound, wax and buff the megabyte (you should see the mess of extension chords when we set up).

I'm surprised your yard lets you do that work, my yard said it violates their insurance and no owners may go under their boats nor are they allowed to touch any bottom paint (environmental issues there)

 

[Tortuga James]

I'm surprised your yard lets you do that work, my yard said it violates their insurance and no owners may go under their boats nor are they allowed to touch any bottom paint (environmental issues there)

Let me plug them, they are AWESOME. It is Shepard's Point Boatworks on Evans street on the Morehead City waterfront. They are definately grandfathered in, no yard could ever get set up on that property today. It is the only yard in Morehead that lets you do work on your own boat. It is more for sailors than power boaters.

 

[Tortuga James]

First and second coats are on. Looks pretty good. I updated the blog with pictures at:

Tortuga gets a facelift | tortugacharters.net

 

[Tortuga James]

Graphics are on, the bottom is painted and I am ready to go back in the water. I updated the blog with pictures. I really like the new graphics.

Tortuga gets a facelift | tortugacharters.net