This Old Boat

About this book

Lets say youre a typical low-paid working stiff. Youve sailed small boats all your life youve saved a little money--youre finally ready for a real cruising boat. You drop in on Tadd your friendly neighborhood yacht broker who is more than happy to sell you that brand-new Trickledown 32 for only $90 000 plus a few optional extras like anchors sails cushions a compass instruments--stuff like that; say $115 000 ready to sail. "One hundred and fifteen thousand . . . dollars?" "Not to worry " says Tadd. "Only 20% down and 10 years of easy payments and youre off into the sunset. Lets see thats $23 000 down and at 10% interest only $1 215.79 per month--plus insurance of course. Send me a postcard from Tahiti." "How much per month? Thats half my salary! Dont you have anything in my price range?" Tadd glances conspicuously at his Rolex sighing and points to a characterless Clorox jog with a spindly mast--a hyperthyroid daysailer with bunks for the seven dwarfs; NOT what you had in mind! And then you see it in the back of the yard varnish hanging in strips off weather-beaten trim rigging frayed sails ripped and stained dank interior with dangling wires and scurrying anonymous inhabitants. But underneath all the squalor you see the lines of a real cruising boat--a sturdy hull with a sprightly sheer from the pen of a Philip Rhodes or a Tom Gillmer--a fiberglass boat built back when craftsmanship still meant something. You remember when you bought your house--it looked a lot like this boat and you and your all-thumbs husband managed to breathe life into it over time painting papering spackling--lots of spackling. This boat has possibilities. "How much?" you ask. "Youre kidding right?" says Tadd flicking a bit of cobweb from his spotless Breton Reds. "Take it for say $8 000?" Sold. Well now youve got it home but Bob and Norm arent there every weekend to help guide you through this restoration. Where to turn? Turn to This Old Boat. Don Casey co-author of Sensible Cruising: The Thoreau Approach assumes you know nothing--not even how to use tools--and leads you methodically and good-naturedly through every step of turning a cast-off fiberglass boat into a real show-stopper including the simplest and most comlete explanation yet of sailmaking--the sailors darkest and most expensive art. Caseys step-by-step drawings guide you through a simple project--laying up a fiberglass instrument case for example--then show you how to apply those skills to something more ambitious--like building a new hatch. With this book and the best buyers market in boating history you can send Tadd that postcard from Tahiti--and have money to spare. Cant afford that brand-new boat? Take advantage of the best buyers market in boating history. Turn a rundown production boat into a first-class yacht with This Old Boat. Whether you are skilled or unskilled whether you like sail or powerboats here is everything you need to: Find the right boat at the right price Map out a logical affordable renovation plan Work with fiberglass--everything from minor cosmetics to major structural repairs Renovate rigging winches engines and other mechanical systems Work with wood canvas and plastic Change the interior from a cramped dingy dormitory to a light spacious livable home Repair and modernize the electrical plumbing and refrigeration systems Add a stunning mirror-like finish Make your own dodgers sail covers and SAILS--and much more! "Caseys intelligent practical advice covers just about everything and his style is just what the doctor ordered for anyone daft enough to want to fix up an old boat."--Southern Boating "A great book for anyone on the water."--Maine Coastal News