Salut makes week-long San Juan trip!
Spring Cleaning Salut
Newest of boat projects. Our intent is to restore a US Yachts 22 built in 1983. She will be christened Salut in the process of welcoming her into our family as our cruising sailboat.
Salut has a fixed keel, and is solidly accomodated. We have not seen her bottom yet, but topsides, she looks in good shape in spite of cosmetic issues.
To do:
- Haulout to clean and polish hull, minor repairs (to do)
- Install windvane (to do)
- Install topmast anchor light (to do)
- Epoxy and finish minor items such as screw holes in latches, etc. (to do)
- Clean main sail (to do)
- Build and install a new rudder (to do)
- Repair or replace Optimus alcohol stove (to do)
- Refinish teak topsides and replace as neccessary (to do)
Completed:
- Mount DC accessory charger to inside bulkhead for cellphones, etc. (done 2/19/12)
- Check lights and repair as necessary (done 8/11/11)
- Replace marine battery (done 8/6/11)
- Shakedown sail (done 7/2/11)
- Repair starboard lifeline (done 7/2/11)
- Replace motor mount (done 6/24/11)
- Scrub the sides down to the waterline (done 6/4/11)
- Move boat to new slip (done 5/1/11)
- Check out and fire up outboard (done 5/1/11)
- Purchase and mount lazerett latches (done 5/1/11)
- Upgrade curtain sliders (done 4/17/11)
- Repair main sail cover (done 4/2/11)
- Build new companionway step (done 3/10/11)
- Clean main sheet (done 2/20/11)
- Refunish tiller handle (done 1/9/11)
See an assortment of fenders found aboard Salut
J.R. Hudson
Pingback: Our first look inside Salut | JRWave's Sailing Experiences Old and New
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Furthering my intention of returning to sailing and involving my family, I took my two girls and went to Salut to see if there was something that could be done advance the cause. We returned back home with an intensely-weathered tiller handle, gangway steps, a stern light with rod, battery, and the main sheet. The latter was slimy with algae and I plan to soak then wash it with detergent along with fabric softener in anticipation that it will become pliable and bright, and nice to “sheet in and out”. More >
Seems like in order to do one thing I must do another, then another, and another. I was sick through the holidays, this is the first day I’ve felt better. Officially a day of rest for us, but a lot of rest I’ve had so I will leave my ‘accounting’ toils to the week ahead (accounting is my profession) and do what I find is more pleasurable efforts. Debatably, as you will find out below.
Land Log – Salut – Sunday afternoon, January 2nd, 2011:
First I need an area where I can oil, varnish, and work on the boat parts that are removable. My wife says, “You may not do any of that in the house!” My next choice is the garage, but, we don’t have a garage. So I eyed our relatively spacious back porch for an area. No good – it’s full of household stuff, plus my wife is considering using it for sewing and other projects.
The Shed:
What about the back yard shed? It is 9 feet by 12 feet. Possibly! I cleaned it out fairly well last fall and when I looked at it today I was pleasantly surprised at how much I earlier accomplished. So, after a bit of additional organizing, I think it will suffice for several of the projects required in to restore Salut.
But alas, the shed has no power – no light, no heat, so none of my regular power tools will run there. A riding lawn mower that takes up the entire middle floor space of the shed is another obstacle. Perhaps I can sell the riding lawn mower since we only have a modest yard. Perhaps then even Pogo can fit in the shed! Hmmm.. More on Pogo..
Decision making time for the shed: For lighting I’ll wire it for 12 volt lighting. For power tools and heat I will run an extension cord from the house when I need those things. That’s now a project before the projects on the boat. At least I won’t need to add an additional circuit or dig a trench for the line which would be too much – the other work would stall if I were to do that.
Main Sheet and Battery:
My wife is sick today which means I must attend to monitoring and supervising the girls (ages 10 and 11). There are meals to organize, and miscellaneous fights to settle. Nothing serious, just distractions at roughly half-hour frequencies. Somehow I found slices of time to begin charging the marine battery and remove the latch from shed to take to the locksmith during the week to replace missing keys.
After “hand” washing the rope, I rinsed it and began to soak it in a, “safe / scented,” laundry bleach. Some say bleach may be too hard on lines but I’m willing to take the risk. A new main sheet is not too costly, but first it’s worth a try reconditioning the old one. There will be plenty of other expenses later.
Tiller Handle:
There’s just not enough time in the day to do much at all. I seemed to run out of time to work with the tiller handle, except to use it as a stick to stir the main sheet while it was in the bucket. At least there was some “synergy” there. I am hoping to modify this section of the log to say that I completed sanding and cleaning the teakwood in preparation of oiling and staining it. I am grateful to own it though. A new teak handle would over $100 to purchase. In the shed I found teakwood oil and Verathane for the tried and true finish that I had relied on with my earlier boats. Another boon. The two cans of oil (Watkins) are probably more than 30 years old! I’ll do a test patch with it before I rely upon it for the entire handle.
Just as I had figured, the ‘ol marine battery will not hold a charge (max 10v). So will be looking for a replacement. But since we don’t have an engine with an alternator, and intend to cruise, how will we expect to keep a battery charged? So considering a small (emphasis on “small”) portable generator. Not sure if this makes sense, though. I can’t imagine being anchored in a beautiful bight on Sucia Island and having to power up the generator. What about when running? Could I power it up and set it aboard the dinghy and send it aft a way? Can’t keep it below, no way, we’d kill ourselves. What to do???
Hoisted the mainsail on Salut today for the first time. Lifted smoothly. Just before had reinstalled the mainsheet after cleaning the algae out of the rope. Took off the mainsail cover. It is dirty, grimy. Will launder it and return it. Since the mainsail is now exposed on the boom, covered it with a tarp and bunjies.
Checking out your boat site, looks like the water around your boat has oil sheen and other floating stuff getting on the boat. But nice looking fixer upper. If you ever need some wind for your sails I have plenty to export from the burg. How about a wind charger for the battery? Have fun on the project.
Bill, the marina owner, is offering us a nicer slip farther out on the dock after she spends some time in the boatyard this spring.
Congrats J.R. She’ll be a beaut when you are finished, no doubt.
Thanks Marty. Giving it our best!
Almost lost our outboard last weekend. The motor mount for the kicker virtually disintegrated. Glad we found out it was falling apart now and not on a day or weekend cruise!