looking for input b4 starting a big project...

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  • March 28, 2011 11:30 AM
    Message # 556211
    Deleted user
    hi all...

    so ive stumbled upon a W42 (long neglected bare hull/deck and nothing else) that im considering :

         1)  converting to rear cockpit, either with salvaged intact W43 parts or    sawzall/glass   over ply core custom refit. (yes, i know its a huge job)

         2)  shipping a schooner rig.

         3)  live aboard and cruise indefinitely.

    and so here i am, looking for insight/experience/drawings/possible sources for parts etc.


    thanks in advance

    rob


  • March 30, 2011 6:59 PM
    Reply # 558139 on 556211
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    rob wilkinson wrote: hi all...

    so ive stumbled upon a W42 (long neglected bare hull/deck and nothing else) that im considering :

         1)  converting to rear cockpit, either with salvaged intact W43 parts or    sawzall/glass   over ply core custom refit. (yes, i know its a huge job)

         2)  shipping a schooner rig.

         3)  live aboard and cruise indefinitely.

    and so here i am, looking for insight/experience/drawings/possible sources for parts etc.


    thanks in advance

    rob



    Rob:  I've posted quite a few W43 scans of original construction drawing in the Westsail Vessel Info > Members only page. Bud also provided a sketch of a W43 Pilot House version that looks very interesting but was never built.

     I would also recommend the following bloq http://westsail42.blogspot.com/   where Robert is building up a W42 in fine style.

    WOA members Greg Johnson and Alan Johnson (not related) are each building up a from almost bare hulls a W32 and a K32 here in California. 

    LeFiell is still making masts from the original WS32 molds in 2007 as I purchased a new mast for Pygmalion W32.

    I think most of the members are in shock thinking of all the work you have ahead of you!

    You might repost in the In the Yard forum...

    Jay Bietz 

  • March 31, 2011 5:00 AM
    Reply # 558344 on 556211
    I'll add my .02c worth... we did something similar to this and it ended up being a LOT more work and money than we anticipated. I would not do it again, rather I would buy one of the bargains that are on the market. It is a buyers market right now
  • March 31, 2011 6:02 AM
    Reply # 558372 on 556211
    Anonymous
    Thanks to Jay for the referral link. I will add my comments.

    Rob, great to hear about the new project. Yes, it may cost more than you are planning. Yes it may take longer than you are planning. But I can think of no better way to "get what you want" for your next boat, other than to build it yourself. I talked to a number of home builders a couple weeks ago and discovered we all felt the same way.

    -rob

  • March 31, 2011 12:43 PM
    Reply # 558682 on 556211
    Deleted user
    Rob: My project is drifting into its 3rd year. If you have the time and enjoy each system/ project into itself then it is not so bad. I keep setting small achievable goals and timelines and am satisfied with my progress. My boat had everything to make it go, it just needed upgrades, tlc, and paint. Of course I got to take it all apart to see how it goes back together. I would say it depends on what more stuff you need to purchase to get all the systems and things working. If this boat needs fixtures, rigging and repower you might do better to shop around. But if you have a place and time with your heart set on a Westsail then go for it!
  • March 31, 2011 3:30 PM
    Reply # 558797 on 556211
    My few cents, too.

    It will take longer and cost more than you expect! When we got our W32, we had a lot of stuff we wanted to change about her and we had a good idea how long it would take. The reason it worked well is I've been in college a few hours from home for the past few years, making it easy to go home and work on the boat.

    Being a trumpeter studying music, I've known since we bought our boat that we couldn't practically "go cruising" as I have to have a stable schedule for playing, gigging, etc. So we made a long-term plan; spend a few years doing major projects in phases (rewiring, repowering, replace tanks, electronics, counters, cushions, covers, rigging, paint, etc, etc.) that would allow us to keep the boat usable for short trips. All of it has been working toward where we are now: a few years down the river with a boat that is cruise ready, just in time for me to move off for graduate school, leaving the boat ready to use for my folks.

    Don't really know how this relates, but thinking long-term made our "project" boat a perfect reality for our family and needs.

    Good luck,
    Aaron
  • April 01, 2011 10:00 AM
    Reply # 559380 on 556211
    Deleted user
    Some additional 2 cent comments

    What you are looking at is (a hull & deck and is about 15 to 20% of your cost) 

    It will take 3 to 5 times longer than you guess. (3 to 8 years) this number is inversely proportional to your current plan ie. think you will be faster = you will be in the 8 years+ group.

    It will cost 3 times as much as you think. on a W32 expect 75K after buying the hull, not counting labor. I would guess 120K for the 42, and 130K+ converting a 42 to a 43.  One thought on a blank sheet, the Corbin 39 aft cockpit layout in a W42 hull would be a really nice one.

    I will make a bold statement (In my opinion) if you plan to live aboard during construction you are indeed a dreamer, and also are making a statement that you are not so very smart !!  You might ask Eric Orland SP? what he thinks about projects.  He is just rebuilding parts on a w28 (1/2 the work of building from scrap.)

    The best way to do a dumb thing,  
    1.) setup a boat building company (wholesale stuff)
    2.) Get rid of all other hobbies, girlfriends (Unless they sand),  wife (unless they are a saint and can put up with anything). 
    3.) set up a shop or trailer near the boat  (see the excellent web blog on the w42)
    4.) if you can use, and have high tech equipment (CNC, laser levels, etc.)
    5.) hire a full time wood worker to help out @ 40K/ year they will cut your build time in half (you just have to find a good one that does not drink to much)

    lastly: I know it would not happen to you; but assume you broke your legs mid build, what would be the cost to finish it? would you want to? would you still be able to pay for storage? life is finite, so we all need to chose where we spend it. Building a boat is fun, but after about the first year it starts getting really old and you are only 30% of the way done, yes speed falls as time progresses.

    And NO it may not be worth it.

    Norm  

    Like me, if you are a blinded dreamer, you will still go for it, just try not to loose to much, $$, friends, or loved ones.
    Last modified: April 01, 2011 10:00 AM | Deleted user
  • April 01, 2011 9:07 PM
    Reply # 559770 on 556211
    Deleted user
    thanks all for the comments.

    i should maybe back water a bit and fill in some detail.  this is not my first rodeo. ive had about 25 years of building skills, accumulating tools and equipment, prepping a build site on my property, collecting boat jewelery, marine ply, biax, mat, epoxy etc. all in prep to rescue or build a boat to cruise. im actually new to the westsail hulls however. as a racer i  looked down my nose at the canoes for being marina queens and slugs. but the more i researched the 42/43 hull form my prejudices began to fall away and i came to see it had real potential as a reasonably weatherly cruiser. yes it is a big project. with some pride i can say that there is nothing on a build of this size that i cant do, and havent done many times before. keeping focused and organized are the challenges for me, not the build or systems.

    yes, ive had my own boat building business for some time so can buy wholesale. im also an excellent scrounge.
    yes, i can work at home and avoid marina/yard/storage fees.
    no, i wont be living aboard and trying to make the big mods.
    and yes, ive already got most of the shiny bits. not to carry through to bristol  but enough to get solidly coastal and presentable for the marina, where i can finish the little stuff.

    putting an intact W43 aft cockpit section on a W42 was a long shot. it was just one possibility. its more likely ill leave the hull/deck joint intact and make the mods i want from the side decks inward. but im open to ideas. ive never liked the motion of center cockpit boats, it seams muted or damped. im 6'4" so the aft stateroom configuration doesnt really do anything for me. im looking for a hans48-ish aft cockpit.

    my practice in the past has been to make reasonable and informed estimates, and then double them. time, money whatever. its served me well with few surprises.

    so, thanks for all the input to date and please keep it coming. anyone with a seaworthy w42/43 in so cal id be happy to buy the diesel/pussers/guiness if youll take me for a sail and let me pick your brain for an afternoon.

    cheers,  rob

  • April 02, 2011 5:20 AM
    Reply # 560708 on 556211
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Rob:  Sounds like you have the experience and the expectation level is just right... What part of the country are you in - that would help with the day sail on a W42/43 which is an excellant idea IMHO. 

    - you can email me directly if you wish or fill in your membership info.

    Jay

  • April 02, 2011 2:07 PM
    Reply # 561886 on 556211
    I also answered Rob directly by email.  Let him know about the W42 schooner I built.  Also found out that in San Diego he has sailed on, and skippered, one of the 44' schooners I designed and built.  Small world.
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