What is this project?
In the simplest of terms, this project will convert an incomplete sailboat into a complete power boat that is not only well-equipped but uniquely suited to making a trip around The Great Loop.
After initial cleanup and removal of all pieces that need restoration or to be scrapped, we will make a shopping list, begin construction and modification and make the complete conversion.
Since sailboat operates differently under power alone and does not have the topside weight or mast, boom and rigging, particular attention will be paid to adding any weight as low as possible and making any additions above the waterline be as light as possible.
While nearly everyone might believe that only a full displacement hull trawler is the only way to make such a trip, a sailboat hull under a modest amount of power gives the best economy in terms of overall fuel use. While an inboard diesel might be more economical regarding fuel use, a modest sized 4-stroke outboard is more reasonably priced and possibly more economically efficient in terms of maintenance and potential breakdowns.
What Are We Doing To This Boat?
In the simplest of terms, we are preparing the best equipped, most comfortable and affordable boat for making the loop trip.
This hull was originally designed to have a pop top which was closed at anchor or in weather and then raised to give an area in the center of the main saloon (living area between main bulkhead and companionway) full standing headroom. Instead of the pop top, we are building a cabin extension which will give full weather protection, standing headroom, forward and side visibilty and storage. This cabin extension - really the forward portion of the "pilothouse" will be constructed of foam/fiberglass composite construction and will be solid enough to allow mounting some of the required solar panels. The "hole" to be covered in the cabin top is about 36" by 50" and this top will be attached with a weatherproof flange that will make it about 48" wide inside and 63" long. The interior height will be about 19" and will allow some additional storage without restricting headroom or visibility.
This cabin extension will join up with a fully-enclosed hard dodger which will give full headroom at the helm and extend aft about half the length of the former sailboat cockpit. The aft end will have a bridge deck which will provide protection in the cockpit from following seas and will provide custom rigid fiberglass doors to provide cabin security and a fully weatherproof cockpit.
The aft portion of the existing cockpit will be converted to a flat deck seating area with fuel tankage on the cockpit sole and water tankage between the hull. This area will also be enclosed with a soft enclosure made from Sunbrella and vinyl glass and screen panels.
We start the project by removing everything from the deck that we don't need or will reinstall, fill all the holes, paint the deck and then reinstall things like pulpits, lifeline stanchions and cleats. Making the boat as watertight as possible is very important!
With modifications as needed, we will install a helm on the existing bulkhead at the forward portion of the cockpit and long with a dash for instruments, controls and navigation equipment. Comfortable helm seating will be installed on the starboard side with a seating/lounging area to port.
The outboard will be mounted on the cutaway transom and will incorporate a modified tiller autopilot to allow remote steering and holding course. The outboard will have electric start and an alternator to charge the single starting battery.
The existing wiring will be removed and replaced with all new wiring that will provide all needed functions. The main "house" battery bank will consist of one (or possibly two) banks of four 6V golf cart batteries in series/parallel which will yield a 12 bank with a huge 460 amp hour capacity.
This will be adequate for all house loads and with the solar panel (s) and controller, will make the craft totally "off the grid" when it comes to all electrical loads - particularly for the Engel high efficiency refrigeration.
The galley will have the advantage of AC power through the use of a 2000W inverter to allow the use of a toaster, coffee pot and occasional use of a small microwave.
While the house bank will be primarily charged by the solar system, a provision will be made to allow trickle charging from the outboard's alternator and AC charging with a 3-bank onboard charger when shore power is plugged in.
An anchor windlass will be installed to make it easier to deploy and retrieve the anchor, chain and rode.
An ABYC-compliant propane locker will be built on the stern with propane safely available to power the rail mounted grill and range/oven in the galley. Along with an electric pump for on demand fresh water use, there will be a manual pump as well. An onboard washdown pump will be mounted to allow the boat to be cleaned as needed and anchor chain rinsed as the anchor is hauled aboard.
A permanent head will be be used with a fairly large holding tank installed below the V-berth. Fresh water tankage will be installed aft.
Electronics will include a VHF radio with AIS, a chartplotter and AM/FM. A small TV and DVD player will be coupled to an off-air antenna and WiFi booster for streaming delivery where possible.
Interior layout and materials will be configured as needed to accommodate the revised layout of the boat and installed features.
Is It For Sale?
Yes. No. Maybe.
It depends on how much is spent to meet all of the equipment and design change needs and at what stage on makes me an offer for purchase. At the beginning (Fall of 2016) the price for the hull and trailer would only be about $1200.00. As more work is done and equipment is added, the price would go up. Without making a detailed budget analysis, the "bogey" for a fully-equipped looper boat, ready to go would be $10,000. to $13000.
This would be for a boat that has been over from stem to stern, with fresh paint, new electronics, new upholstery, galley equipment and a 9.9HP 4-stroke (Honda or Mercury).
The possibility of keeping it for fall trips down the rivers and a spring trailer trip home is a very real possibility unless someone wants it more than me.
If you have any interest in picking this boat up at any stage of the progress (watch this blog), please contact me at sailorman@mascom.com.
