This is a finished photo...our first sailboat! Although we have always had a powerboat in the past, the sailboats on the lake held a certain fascination for us. Our two kids are teenagers, and eager to learn to sail, too. After much searching, we found (August 02)what seemed to be the perfect,ready to sail boat, at a reasonable price.
She was clean, interior looked brand new; just needed a quick coat of bottom paint and some teak oil.....
As it turned out, Murphys law prevailed and we discovered :
*The Ablative bottom paint was soft and smudgy, at least 9 years old, with thousands of tiny superficial bubbles.(!!!)
*The teak had been washed down repeatedly with bleach over the years, and would require hours of sanding.
*The 4hp sailmaster wouldnt idle, had no reverse,and was more frustrating than it was worth.
*The Centerboard control line was severely chafed, and needed replaced.
*One of the winches was locked up.
*VHF radio and knot/depth gauges dont work.
*The sails are useable, but dirty and mildewed, numbers peeling off.
*All rope/lines needed replaced.
*Trailer needed centering device for keel, carpet for bunks, lights/wiring that worked, and decent tires.
Thankfully, these needs were all fairly cosmetic, but enough to overwhelm a couple of newbie sailors like us.
We didnt want to leave her in the water for an extended period in her current condition, and trailering to the lake /launching/stepping the mast/loading /unstepping the mast /trailering home
took away alot of the sail time, as well as decreasing the fun factor. While changing a flat on the trailer along the shoulder of the highway, we made a pact: No more trailering until we can leave her on the water...
An hours drive away from home, a sailboat broker offered his lift to use for $200 if we buy our paint from him. We decided that 2 hours road time would prevent us from finishing the job any time soon.
We carefully (with masks,goggles, gloves,etc)sanded her down to the good paint, and filled the 2 blisters that had eaten into the gelcoat. 2 coats of VC Tar epoxy was applied with a roller. We removed the centerboard and rudderblade and gave them the same treatment as well. The rudder has been repaired with fiberglass at least twice, and is about as hydrodynamic as a 2X12; well use him for a while anyway, or may build a replacement this winter, as a new one is $370 $hipping....

Our lovely lady, 84 OD222,

We did what we could with her on the trailer first. We rigged up a homemade lift and worked on our new baby in the back of our house. Jeff had a mechanics A-frame, and rigged up a framework of 6x6s.We also supported the keel with jackstands.
Jeff and I wore protective gear while sanding the bottom. Kristin is demonstrating the most helpful DA orbital sander, although we wouldnt let her use it. See the gray undercoat of paint on the hull. We sanded down to a good surface and wiped her down with lacquer thinner before applying the epoxy barrier (VC Tar)paint.

Kristin the sander monkey

The (original) mainsail was scrubbed with sailcleaner (not much of a cleaner), let set, rinsed, then cleaned twice with white vinegar, let set, then rinsed. A much better result. I hung the sail by the luff attachments in a zig zag inside the garage to dry. The new sail numbers (Dk Blue) were applied the next day.

Aft on frame, mainsail in forground

The exterior teak was like hard white barnwood after years of repeated bleaching. 3 long days of sanding, then 3 coats of golden teak oil. Also cleaned and orange oiled the interior teak, then a coat of the golden teak oil. The step and bilge cover were given 2 additional coats. The companionway door (the 2 pcs laying on the port cockpit seat)had been replaced with dark smoke plexiglass before we bought her. A very nice upgrade; private yet allows you to see out.

Oiling the teak

Thank goodness Jeff is a super handyman. He installed a new VHF radio, antenna, control panel with lighted switches, a stereo (AM/FM/CD). He bound the wires together with spiral wrap, then tucked them away under the carpet behind the bulkhead.

We bought a used 8HP Johnson longshaft with FNR, and battery charging system. Drilled a couple of holes in the transom above motor mount to run fuel line (starboard storage compartment)and the charging line (to the port storage compartment)

The mast lights plugs were replaced, shrink wrapped, and siliconed into place. We still need to run the antenna cable through the cabin top.

Electrical nightmare

Red VC17 paint x 4 coats with roller. Very fast drying, slick finish paint. Pretty coppery red color. The sling and rack areas were painted after boat was put back on the trailer. We also replaced the centerboard line while we had her on the hard.

Nearly finished bottom paint

After 3 weeks of daily-after-work-and weekends fingers to the bone work, we finally have her finished to the piont that she is water ready. We have also tightened lifelines and installed lifeline covers. The rotten plywood motor mount was replaced with a new black pvc one.
A life ring holder was installed on the starboard lifeline stanchion, all exterior rope lines replaced, and a boathook was purchased. The old girl even got a name finally! She is Just Chillin. While the boat was on the lift, the trailer got new carpet, and better tires,wires,light bulbs. Jeff also installed a centering machanism for the keelboard. He used some relly long bolts like are used by elec utilities and a couple of roller wheels like on a mower deck. It works great!

Ready to roll!

She is moored at Beaver Lake Sailing Club in NW Arkansas.

Jeff rowing to the sailboat

Sept 29 was her maiden voyage under her new name Just Chillin. We motored out into the middle of the lake, and christened her properly before setting sail. As you can see, it was a lovely evening on the lake.

Capn Jeff after christening ceremony

Lost Bridge Village, on the North Shore of Beaver Lake, is a beautiful drive on your way down to the water.

Autumn in Arkansas