Gdavid
Guru
Once again, I'm sharing my off-season projects on my old 1980 Mainship 34 via a thread. Previous editions have provided me with some great feedback and suggestions as so many of these projects have been taken on by others. There are still a few of these boats kicking around and a few members that have owned them in the past (I can think of at least 4 immediately).
I'm trying to get a bit earlier start this year as my list is pretty long, there are usually a few unseasonably warm days in the Mid-Atlantic winter season and I hope to take advantage of them.
1. Replace bulkheads outboard of sliding glass door to salon. These include both and inner and outer 3/4 plywood panel. Mine are not tied into the hull, nor side deck. The threshold of the sliding glass door has been reinforced from below deck by a previous owner and the door slides freely but the flybridge does not have adequate lateral support and sways in cross seas. The aft/outer bulkhead has been patched at the bottom on both sides and this non-continuous panel seems to be exacerbating the problem. I believe mine should have been tabbed to the hull and deck but was not for some reason. Also, my deck/cap structure is sagging down due to bearing the weight of the flybridge without adequate support. Other mainships side decks are level, my slope inward.
2. Re-core side decks from cockpit to front of trunk cabin. I'm planning to use coosa board and also plan to correct inward drooping of the deck while I have the coring removed and replace the forementioned bulkheads.
3. Refinish exterior of flybridge - flybridge brow where gelcoat is wearing thin. Relatively straightforward project once I decide on the product I will use. Will be rolling and tipping as necessary. This project may get postponed.
4. Lift motor, replace oil pump, main bearings and rod bearings. Thoroughly clean engine compartment. My oil pressure runs on the lower side of the acceptable levels and drops on longer runs. I've confirmed mechanically at the motor. It produces 40 psi at best and low 30s after run to operating temp and slowed to idle. Not catastrophic but not acceptable to me either.
5. Standard bottom paint refresh and zinc repair.
I have already received some great info from Captain Bildgewater, who has shared several of his past projects on mainship34.com So far I've removed all my lifeline stanchions and fuel fills in prep for my side deck project as well as disassembled my sliding glass door. My next step is building bulkheads outboard of the stringers below the sliding glass door bulkheads.
I was aware of this boat's warts when I bought her at the height of the covid market, perhaps not the extent but nothing has been a huge surprise and I have been able to use it along each season. So, no buyer's remorse, just plenty to keep me busy. I'll add some pictures in another post.
I'm trying to get a bit earlier start this year as my list is pretty long, there are usually a few unseasonably warm days in the Mid-Atlantic winter season and I hope to take advantage of them.
1. Replace bulkheads outboard of sliding glass door to salon. These include both and inner and outer 3/4 plywood panel. Mine are not tied into the hull, nor side deck. The threshold of the sliding glass door has been reinforced from below deck by a previous owner and the door slides freely but the flybridge does not have adequate lateral support and sways in cross seas. The aft/outer bulkhead has been patched at the bottom on both sides and this non-continuous panel seems to be exacerbating the problem. I believe mine should have been tabbed to the hull and deck but was not for some reason. Also, my deck/cap structure is sagging down due to bearing the weight of the flybridge without adequate support. Other mainships side decks are level, my slope inward.
2. Re-core side decks from cockpit to front of trunk cabin. I'm planning to use coosa board and also plan to correct inward drooping of the deck while I have the coring removed and replace the forementioned bulkheads.
3. Refinish exterior of flybridge - flybridge brow where gelcoat is wearing thin. Relatively straightforward project once I decide on the product I will use. Will be rolling and tipping as necessary. This project may get postponed.
4. Lift motor, replace oil pump, main bearings and rod bearings. Thoroughly clean engine compartment. My oil pressure runs on the lower side of the acceptable levels and drops on longer runs. I've confirmed mechanically at the motor. It produces 40 psi at best and low 30s after run to operating temp and slowed to idle. Not catastrophic but not acceptable to me either.
5. Standard bottom paint refresh and zinc repair.
I have already received some great info from Captain Bildgewater, who has shared several of his past projects on mainship34.com So far I've removed all my lifeline stanchions and fuel fills in prep for my side deck project as well as disassembled my sliding glass door. My next step is building bulkheads outboard of the stringers below the sliding glass door bulkheads.
I was aware of this boat's warts when I bought her at the height of the covid market, perhaps not the extent but nothing has been a huge surprise and I have been able to use it along each season. So, no buyer's remorse, just plenty to keep me busy. I'll add some pictures in another post.