The Gaffer's water barrier is compromised, volunteers needed

The_Gaffer · May 15, 2009, 12:43:50 CET

I shipped her all the way from Savannah Giorgia USA. In 2002, I decided to move up to a bigger boat, I had a Bucanneer 205 with an Iveco 130 HP marine diesel engine. I searched the net and came across the Trojans. I got particulary attracted to an advert on Boattrader online, for an F-26 (F=Flybridge) for sale in Savannah. I got in touch with my compay's shippers, P&0 Nedloyd, and requested a quote. Luckily for me, they operated out of Savannah Giorgia and proceeded to contact the seller. He could not believe me at 1st. I told him I was for real, and would soon send a surveyor over to inspect the boat. I also engaged the services of a solicitor in Savannah to prepare the legal documents and open a bank account to send over the money. When I received the OK from the surveyor, I asked the solicitor to draw up a promise of sale, and wired the deposit to the account. Meanwhile I received the quote from the shippers, and accepting their quote, made arrangements to get the boat safely shrink wrapped and mounted on a cradle which was then mounted on a flatrack. This facilitates the trasfer of the boat from the marina to the harbour.
As soon as that was finalised and the boat was safely secured to the ship, I instructed the solicitor to release the payment to the seller and at that point the Gaffer, still in the US port, was mine. Shipping duration was 12 days, and sure enough, on the 12th day the ship sailed into Freeport at M'xlokk with a trojan at the top!.
That is a very short version of how I aquired the Gaffer....I left out numerous email correspondence, telephone calls to the seller and agents for shipping, shrink wrap, securing to craddle, US Cast guard authorities to get the boat de registered in the US, and also making sure that there was no claim on the boat. All in all, a great experience...and would do it again someday as I'm dreaming lately of moving a bit upward in size.
I have my eyes on a 33 footer sport fisher Bertram, the queen of the seas. This boat is certified as offshore Cat 'C', i.e. in US terms, it is allowed to fish the Grand Banks, some 150miles off the coast of the US in the Atlantic....and beleive me, I have seen footage of this boat in very rough weather (F-6 to 7) and still rushing through the waves headon at 25knts. That however is very conditional in me selling the Gaffer, which at present, I would not accept anything less then 50,000 Euros.

skip · May 15, 2009, 13:08:27 CET

Joe, great read and nice update. With the current economic situation especially in the boat world, existing owners have to hang on to their boats as they will get no where near their asking price....new boats are being sold at 30% discount, leaving second hand boats with a similar plight to second hand cars at the moment, 50-70% off their expected value, effectively meaning giving them away! So if you don't need the money hang on to your boats.

mellieha · May 15, 2009, 13:12:12 CET

Hi Gaffer,

I have read you interesting article especially on the tools you plan to utilise. As some may know I work in the tool sector importing and reselling both hand tools and powerr tools. I just wanted you to know that whilst utilising a rotary sander especially on the boats and wood utilise an industrial hoover as this will increase the tools ventilation and will ensure that no residuals are on the bearings. 98% of the faults are due to bearing failures.

The_Gaffer · May 15, 2009, 13:31:47 CET

Thanks Mellieha. I just bought a small angle grinder. If I'd known before, you'd be the man to do business with. However, now that I know, I'll keep you in mind

jessijames 2 · May 16, 2009, 04:22:13 CET

Hi Gaffer

It is the queen of the sea the bertram 33. I had the opportunety to go shark fishing competition sevearl times on a bertramm 33 powerd with two V8 cummins.We left from free port long iland new york 4-5 f doing 30 knots. It is a great boat.

The_Gaffer · May 25, 2009, 20:48:23 CET

Here's the latest update on the works:

Follwoing the sodablast, I filled in all pits, uneven surfaces with West System epoxy and low density filler. 5 days later, using an orbital sander, I faired down the excess filler. In between the five days, so as not to waste time, I gave the gelcoat hull a cut and polish. A cut means that I sanded down the hull with 400 grit sandpaper, then proceeded with 1,000 grit water sand down, then G6 buffer and polish. I had to sand off all the oxidised gelcoat. 31 years is a long time. I wouldn't say the sides are now optimum, but they're much brighter then they ever were. Next was a good wash down with a power wash water gun and left the hull to dry for a further 2 days. On Friday, I proceeded to apply the 6 epoxy water barrier coats and 1 copper based epoxy coat. These 6 coats have to be applied in succession. The 1st coat is a mixture of epoxy and hardner only. Subsequent coats you add the West System barrier powder. With each subsequent coat, you always add a little more barrier powder. The last and final coat is a mixture of epoxy and hardner to which you add the copper based powder. This is effective as a primer coat for antifouling. We had a sort of scare on the 3rd coat. While applying the 3rd coat, the 2nd coat was drying out rapidly. I had to call in some help to finish the 3rd coat, otherwise the 2nd coat would have dried up, effectively meaning that I would have had to stop all the work, allow the 2nd coat to dry completely, sand down to remove the epoxy glaze, and restart the coatings. It is important that between coats the hull remains tacky, just dry enough to hold the weight of the newly applied coat, but not dry enough to NOT allow a sufficient bond to take place between coats.

Today I fiited on all underwater fittings which I had removed to allow for a good cover with the water barrier. These included the rudder fittings, trim tabs, all water, WC and drain outlets. Tomorrow The Gaffer is back on the road trailer, followed by a good washdown with soap and water. Next is to apply a teflon based polish to all the exposed areas, a final hull polish and wax, engine service (oil and fuel filter change, and an oil change) a coat of antifouling, fit on the outriggers, and we're ready to go in the 1st week of June!!!!

benri · May 25, 2009, 21:05:08 CET

Great news The_Gaffer. Glad you sorted everything out - and right on time too!

ramio · May 26, 2009, 06:50:39 CET

Well done Gaffer. Was the epoxy applied by brush or roller?

The_Gaffer · May 26, 2009, 08:01:10 CET

The Epoxy is applied by roller Mario. Also, you have to change rollers every so often as the epoxy starts to set.

The_Gaffer · June 12, 2009, 14:02:50 CET

Project successfuly delivered!!!

As of yesterday, The Gaffer is in the sea again, lying at her berth in Msida Pontoons. Its been a terrific 2 months, but alls well that ends well. Special thanks goes to Jonathan, who dedicated a whole day t owork on the Gaffer, scrapping off the old epoxy.
Planned projects for the coming winter:
The Gaffer comes out of the water early, sometime in October 09.
All interior linings (tapizerija) and teak wood comes off too.
Strip off all wiring
Install complete 12v DC wiring on the boat, complete with new MCB's distribution panel - Blue systems distribution panel
New interior finish.
New teak lining and furniture

The hull finish of the Gaffer is now showing her age. Like a graceful lady, although still attractive, she needs some makeup to restore her shine. I have been pondering this for ages, give the hull a new paint job, I guess the time is now right. After 32 yrs, no amount of cut and polish can restore the gleam she once so proudly displayed. I'll be using either International's Perfection paint, or Awlgrip. Both are 2 part marine paints, Awlgrip the more expensive, but with better reviews for duration. The main question which gives me sleepless nights (and I'm not kidding either) is the hull colour. It will be either white, or marine blue. My heart tells me marine blue, my common sense and logic goes for white. The blue will attract the heat more, rendering the paint more prone to becoming dull, however, I have seen blue hulls on sport fishers, and they look fantastic. Also, because the blue will be sprayed onto the hull, a deep scratch to the hull will reveal the white underneath. Whereas the white colour, well, what can I say, white is beautiful as well, however, same colour. I really don't know

What do you guys think?

mellieha · June 12, 2009, 14:28:25 CET

I would definitely go for the white. Still nice in the eyes but more practical. Also white is easier to repair for the same reasons.

fishfinder · June 12, 2009, 15:00:10 CET

I would go for Blue even if white is 100% much more practical.

The_Gaffer · June 12, 2009, 15:22:19 CET

why go for blue fishfinder?

Jonathan · June 12, 2009, 16:20:45 CET

It was my pleasure to help you out a bit Gaffer - that was just a small token of appreciation for the great fishing experiences which your boat has given Kathleen & myself

As for hull colour I can speak from my experience on sailing boats.

In my opinion, nothing looks nicer than a dark navy blue hull... but....

... on boats which are in the water and sun for most of the year (unlike trailered boats which spend most of the time in a grage), blue hulls tend to fade within a period ranging from 3 years for the poorest of gelcoats to around 10 years for the best of coats. Some boat owners try to delay this effect by laying a topside cover over their boat (either the cheap green gardening mesh or more expensive sunbbrella material).

If I were you I would consider the number of years ahead for which you intend keeping the boat and the expense / work involved in spraying the boat (in view of a possible repeat in 5-10yrs), then decide accordingly.

The_Gaffer · June 12, 2009, 16:56:13 CET

Thanks Jonathan. Looking forward to some thrills this year too.
I've always been facinated by navy blue hulls. Gives the boat a certain look. I am aware of the downside as well. I've already got a quote from a spray painter...it'll cost me Eur:815 just for the works. I figure another Eur 300 for paint. Maximum life is between 6 and 10 years, depending on the paint used, care, exposure to direct sunlight. But I've seen some beauties painted in navy blue...Sunseeker and Fairline come to mind, with a top deck in white!!!