Grasshopper for Guru (Cal25)

Hello Cal'ers! I've been a list member for a bit but haven't had much time online to participate in the group. I bought an old dilapidated '65 Cal25 and have finally hauled her out. Between working for money and working on her, I haven't had much time left for online activities. But now that she's out, I need help. I'm new to sailing and the renovation of boats but have been learning as I go. I took an intro course on sailing and have sailed with my buddy for a grand total of around 10 times. I owned an old 14 foot runabout that I did a few minor repairs on. After reading too much and getting the cruising bug, I decided to start somewhere in the sailing world by buying myself an old sailboat, my Cal. She needs everything. While in the water I saw that the deck core was rotten from many previous attempts at stopping the leaks by applying adhesive from the inside. This obviously created a nice wet pond for the wood to rot in. So I started scraping the deck core from the inside. Since then I've hauled her out and am now doing bottom work. Per the law down here I used an orbital sander attached to a shop vac to get all of the many layers of bottom paint off of her, removed the thru-hulls, grinded down a layer of the glass (woven roving) on the keel that had wet spots underneath, filled an area of the keel that was damaged due to what appears to be a grounding on a flat surface (as in storm surge and a resting spot, I'm in the Keys), filled in several old holes from transducers and un-needed thru-hulls, and much more. I've read a lot and am practicing on small repairs first before going to larger repairs. I use West System epoxy for my repairs. I try to do what is right. But I need help. Would anybody be willing to volunteer to be like a guru to me in the area of sailboat repair. I have so many questions as the work continues and I am a good "grasshopper". As I work I've been taking pictures of my boat so I can share visual communications of the repair in question. I DO want to repair her right so I follow directions. I've read many books, manuals, and anything I can get my hands on pertaining to boat repair. But there're always many questions and I wouldn't mind sending pics of the repair for a "pat on the back" as well as to show I have followed directions and am proud of my work. Would any of you knowledgeable sailing folks like to teach a grasshopper who wants to learn, via email? Just a few questions here and there ... I've loved my minor bit of sailing time I've had and very much enjoy working on my boat and even moved to the Keys to follow my dream. Hope one of y'all has the heart and time to help me with my questions so I can last at sea. Peaceski Matt Collins s/v Lost Sailor '65 Cal 25 lo… [at] yahoo.com

Check these out, Matt -- http://www.anzam.com/refurb_index_001.htm and http://www.anzam.com/images/fuji/project/work_begins/welcome.htm and yes, be sure to ask the list. There are a lot of really knowledgeable folks on this list. Thanks. \Rog Cal 29+ #1 Swiss Navy Cal 2-30 #77 St. Lori's Comet

Matt, I've gouged around the insides and outsides of more CAL 25s than I care to mention. As a matter of fact, I presently own 3. I've got some how-tos on specific elements (beam making, redecking, and such). Would be good to get some specific questions, because otherwise this List Group would be creating a novel. Some items are specific to CAL 25s and others (like epoxying, bottom treatment, and painting) are general to all CALs. There is a lot on parts sources too, and there are safety items, since there are many weird chemicals and strange dusts involved. Fire away with questions. Besides, I'd always wanted to meet Jerry Garcia. One suggestion. As a new boater, you obviously would like to experience some sailing. Will the boat be at a dock or a mooring? You would like to get the parts that need to occur on land done first, then the items critical to sailing, so you can get the boat in the water, and finish up the rest in between sailing times. You'll love the boat more that way, I believe. Cheers Charlie CAL 25 460 Fahrvergnügen CAL 25 1657 Chicken Little CAL 25 1845 Hasty CAL 40 58 C-Hawk All in Annapolis, MD From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jerry Garcia Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 8:27 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Grasshopper for Guru (Cal25) Hello Cal'ers! I've been a list member for a bit but haven't had much time online to participate in the group. I bought an old dilapidated '65 Cal25 and have finally hauled her out. Between working for money and working on her, I haven't had much time left for online activities. But now that she's out, I need help. I'm new to sailing and the renovation of boats but have been learning as I go. I took an intro course on sailing and have sailed with my buddy for a grand total of around 10 times. I owned an old 14 foot runabout that I did a few minor repairs on. After reading too much and getting the cruising bug, I decided to start somewhere in the sailing world by buying myself an old sailboat, my Cal. She needs everything. While in the water I saw that the deck core was rotten from many previous attempts at stopping the leaks by applying adhesive from the inside. This obviously created a nice wet pond for the wood to rot in. So I started scraping the deck core from the inside. Since then I've hauled her out and am now doing bottom work. Per the law down here I used an orbital sander attached to a shop vac to get all of the many layers of bottom paint off of her, removed the thru-hulls, grinded down a layer of the glass (woven roving) on the keel that had wet spots underneath, filled an area of the keel that was damaged due to what appears to be a grounding on a flat surface (as in storm surge and a resting spot, I'm in the Keys), filled in several old holes from transducers and un-needed thru-hulls, and much more. I've read a lot and am practicing on small repairs first before going to larger repairs. I use West System epoxy for my repairs. I try to do what is right. But I need help. Would anybody be willing to volunteer to be like a guru to me in the area of sailboat repair. I have so many questions as the work continues and I am a good "grasshopper". As I work I've been taking pictures of my boat so I can share visual communications of the repair in question. I DO want to repair her right so I follow directions. I've read many books, manuals, and anything I can get my hands on pertaining to boat repair. But there're always many questions and I wouldn't mind sending pics of the repair for a "pat on the back" as well as to show I have followed directions and am proud of my work. Would any of you knowledgeable sailing folks like to teach a grasshopper who wants to learn, via email? Just a few questions here and there ... I've loved my minor bit of sailing time I've had and very much enjoy working on my boat and even moved to the Keys to follow my dream. Hope one of y'all has the heart and time to help me with my questions so I can last at sea. Peaceski Matt Collins s/v Lost Sailor '65 Cal 25 lo… [at] yahoo.com

Jerry Garcia wrote: > But there're always many questions and I wouldn't mind sending pics > of the repair for a "pat on the back" as well as to show I have > followed directions and am proud of my work. Would any of you > knowledgeable sailing folks like to teach a grasshopper who wants to > learn, via email? > > Peaceski > Matt Collins > s/v Lost Sailor > '65 Cal 25 > Matt: I'll leave the Cal 25 questions for the big-boat skippers out there but would suggest that you post general questions to the list, as various people have various experiences & skills. Besides, as in most things associated with sailing, there are usually about 8 opinions on the best or the only way to do something. If you've been following the publications of the Gougeon Bros. for epoxy repair, you're on the right tract there. Their technical advising staff are first-rate and most of them are avid (obsessed) boat people. That's why I use their products. Chris Campbell Cal 20 #1220, "Martha C"

Husar Charlie wrote: > > You would like to get the parts that need to occur on land done > first, then the items critical to sailing, so you can get the boat in > the water, and finish up the rest in between sailing times. You'll > love the boat more that way, I believe. > I'll second that. There's no better way to maintain enthusiasm than being able to sail the boat, even if it's not perfect. Sometimes you see project boats sitting in a yard. And they sit and they sit and pretty soon 30 years have gone by. There's a steel hull a-building where I live. It's been progressing little by little for about 30 years. The builder will probably be too old to sail by the time he's done. I'd much rather have my little old boats, imperfect but sailing. Besides, sailing gives you lots of time to contemplate improvements and changes. I've re-rigged my Cal 20 mentally about 45 times. Mostly, it's all about being able to get out sailing. That's why we own boats, isn't it? My boat may lack the technical dazzle of the big go-fast racers, but if I waited until I could afford one of those, I wouldn't have sailed an hour. So get those things done that must be done to be safe--the structural things, the basic things. The launch and sail and work when you have a chance. Chris Campbell