My 1977 Albin 25 Deluxe rebuild thread

[Dieselram94]

I say corian or something of that nature. That wood countertop in the rv is sweet! I’m definitely planning on removing my original Formica top at some point down the road.

[hetek]

Time for my "weekly status update meeting..."

Basically, I'm doing a head-check, to see what I've done and what I have to do. Yeah, still talking woodwork here.

Done:

20200711_130106.jpg

To do:

20200711_123144.jpg

Now, I'm a "glass half full" kinda guy, but I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised at the amount of work that's still left. Maybe it's just exhaustion setting in. Lots of late night double shifts at work.

But, as my brother would say: "It isn't going to finish itself... Get moving and do something!"

[nebulatech]

Your woodwork looks really nice!

[hetek]

Thanks, nebulatech. I'm hoping that since it is interior woodwork that it will last. I cannot fathom the work involved keeping up with a classic mahogany Chris Craft runabout!

I timed how long it takes me to apply a coat of varnish - 2 hours! That's all the wood, not just what's shown here.

Let dry overnight, then sand, vacuum, wipe down and add another coat... The brightwork version of "lather, rinse, repeat".

[DesertAlbin736]

Purdy! Now just have to remember how it all goes back together!

[DesertAlbin736]

Just realized the above reply was my 2,000th post! Somebody here needs to get a life!

[tribologist]

Wow. That is some amazing woodwork. It looks fantastic! I remember I was interesting in buying that boat when you put it up for sale a few years ago. It is looking a lot nicer now than it did then.

[hetek]

And here she is tonight...

20200719_201920.jpg

Can you tell I've been varnishing a lot lately? I knew you could.

It's getting there.

I'm sure Quincy would approve. "Quack".

[hetek]

Tribologist - I agree. Even though I had made good progress with the repower and mechanicals, it was cosmetically rough.

Very rough.

[nebulatech]

Snazzy!
Your boat is gonna look great!

[tribologist]

Very nice!! Love it! Is the engine and drive line installed? Now when you have the wood around the bathroom in you can get the electrical done and make ready for the water and start using it. The longest ours were out of commission was about 3 weeks when I did the electrical. Rest of our renovation we did over a week or so so we never lost use of it.

[hetek]

Ah, but that's the rub... It IS ready for the water now. My problem is working on it when it's in the water. Working dockside is never fun. And unfortunately I no longer own a tow vehicle. ...Long story.

I do feel that internal cabinetry adds some structure and support to the hull. Those 2-1/2" wide fiberglass tabs add next to nothing. But when you bolt them to an 18" wide galley or wardrobe bulkhead... you get the picture.

So... Here I am. I will go boating this year, but I do enjoy working on boats almost as much as cruising in them.

Did I just say all this work is fun? What was I thinking?!

[Dieselram94]

Looking awesome!

[dkirsop]

I really like how you can lock passengers in the head until they contribute $10 to the boat improvement fund before you let them out!

[tribologist]

And unfortunately I no longer own a tow vehicle. ...Long

So... Here I am. I will go boating this year, but I do enjoy working on boats almost as much as cruising in them.

Did I just say all this work is fun? What was I thinking?!

Thats a bummer! You need one to do DA stuff! You can probably cover the cost of owning a tow vehicle for what it cost to keep a dock. In our case its a double good. My wife always joked about wanting a sequoia when she had the highlander. Now she got that and gets out on the water. It probably uses $2000 more per year than a smaller car does just in fuel but it would not save having a extra car due to tax and insurance. We don’t have space either.(6 cars already with 5 driving people and one Classic -67 volvo 1800)

Im with you on working on them. Boats a greatful to you. The effort really pays off and most of the time its not backbreaking and dirty like working on a car. That said.. I assume you read “Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance” at some point? When Im out in Driftless I’m constantly messing with the electronics, bilge pumps, autopilots, listening for noise, measuring vibes.....