improving and maintaining swordfish (albin 33)

[swordfish]

After owned varius boats i was looking for a trawler. As a young boy I was always very impressed by the bold lines of these ships with there flybridge and flared bow, and because there are not many sailing around in the Netherlands.
After a long search I found out that an GrandBanks was way to expensive so i looked for a more affordable solution. I eventually found this albin 33 that fit within my budged. Always well maintained she was for sale because the previous owner had become too old for her. I decided to buy the old lady from 1978.
Because I think there were certain things that could be better, immediately after the purchase i went to work at improving some bits and pieces. Which I will post some pictures from time to time.
I hope you enjoy.

[swordfish]

first I wanted to get rit off the chair. this is much too big for the small salon. the chair blocked the entrance and you could not have a good look around if you are sitting on the bench.
So i started to gently breakdown the helm seat and attempted to preserve as much as possible teak because here is not enough old teak in stock.

[swordfish]

starting to look like something

[Jeremyvmd]

Are you gonna put anything in its place?

[swordfish]

If i have to drive inside i put down a single chair. If i got a few guest onboard i can turn that chair around and face the crowd

[Jay Knoll]

Great job

[swordfish]

Great job

thanks

in dutch... "Dank je wel"

[swordfish]

starting to get rit of leakage. step one, find the leak

when i removed the trim it was al wet and i know i was on the right place.
The previous owner has the same problem already tried to fix with popsicles sticks??

[swordfish]

because water remains behind the trim the popsicles sticks are started to rot.
the wood must first be dried

[swordfish]

first i cut out out the rotten pieces of wood en second i treated the wood with a wood rot stopper. after it settles after a day i started to fil with 2component wood filler

[swordfish]

starting to finish the project i had to chalk and put back the trim. I'm not putting the popsicles sticks back

just using allot of chalk and not mis a spot

[swordfish]

as one leaking problem is solved at the front...


now the leaking rear hatch has to be solved.
I bought a old (2014) model vetus deck hatch for 50%off. and trim down the edge with an angle grinder so it sits flush on the deck.
I had to cut some wood out of the deck so that the hatch levers fit in.
This repair has to be made so no (rain)water can come in anymore and i can assure you no water is comming in... and no water is going out.
The rear section of the "Zwaardvis" was not driet properly when the hatch was closed. so after a couple of days a mold began to build up
After cleaning up there were a couple of vents build in

[swordfish]

there is not much room on a small boat. therefore I do not understand why not al places are used.

in the galley is place for 4 drawers. but there are only 3. just for fun I made in a fourth drawer.
Unfortunately, there is not much teak available so I had to improvise.

[Nancy]

Beautiful work, Swordfish!

[swordfish]

today I wanted to clean the ship's keel (inside of the hull?) i found a few blisters. when I made it open there was moisture underneath it ...of course...
Found out that underneat the bow thruster ware a couple of damage spots in the bottom fiberglass which have to seal de concrete ballast. moisture from the chainlocker and rainwater that came in through the samson post leaked onto the concrete and loosend all the fiberglass and paint from the bow up to and under the motor.
I can tell you that after a lot of years...stagnant water can stink tremendously.
half work does not work, so I'm going to handle this well. First I take everything to the side then i strip of all loose paint and fiberglas, let it dry thoroughly and seal the concrete again. sounds easy