[Public-List] Re-fitting Hull 388

[J B Knapp]

Well, our A30 (Hull 388) has become a project boat.  It is part of my 
Sea Scout Ship in The Houston/Conroe area of Texas.  It is currently 
berthed on Lake Conroe and has been sitting there for a number of 
years.  Over the last few weeks, I have put out the idea of re-fitting 
it for one of three uses.  To this point, the adults have been 
supportive of the idea, though I think they may start having second 
thoughts once the dollar signs look to be more of a reality.  But at 
least the bones are good and it can be re-fitted for any use we want.

It is currently without an engine, the spreaders look like they may be 
original, the standing rigging looks to be in good shape - but that will 
remain to be seen once we step the mast, there is at least one soft spot 
on the deck, all the life line stanchions are loose, and probably leak, 
the chain plates are an unknown, all running rigging will need to be 
replaced, no instrument on board works, the electrical will have to be 
totally re-done, we will go ahead and remove all deck hardware and 
re-seat, same the windows, all exterior bright work needs to be brought 
back up to Bristol shape, though it appears to be in solid shape except 
for the stern toe rail.  We will need to take it out of the water and 
replace all thru-hulls.  The interior is in pretty descent shape and we 
do use it for sleeping at the lake.  There are some things with the 
interior I would like to do, but don't know if it will be practical to 
do them, or if they might too much to the time, effort and cost of the 
project.  It will need to be painted, above and below the waterline. We 
would also be putting on some new hardware - I'd like to have some two 
speed, self-tailing winches.

I am giving the ship three options to consider for the level of the re-fit.

The first option would be to keep the boat on Lake Conroe - an area that 
is really too small for the boat, but much more convenient to us.

The second would be to re-fit it to sail in Galveston Bay where it would 
essentially be a day sailor and any overnighting would be at a marina.  
Where we would berth it would also effect teh re-fit.  If we were to 
keep it at a place like the Houston Yacht Club, Watergate or Lakeside 
Yacht Club, then it would be in fairly salty water.  If it were berthed 
at South Shore Marina, the water there is brackish, but more fresh than 
salt.  Berthing at South Shore would require a 45 min or longer motoring 
to the bay, Lakeside and Watergate about 15 minutes and HYC about 5 minutes.

The third option would be to re-fit it as a coastal cruiser for sailing 
along the Texas to Florida Gulf coast.  That creates a full different 
set of needs than the previous two, but some of which build upon the 
other.  If we do a Bay sailor, we would have the marine radio, depth, 
speed, compass and wind indicator gauges, but that would be about all 
the instrumentation we would do.  For the lake - a compass and maybe a 
depth gauge.  For coastal cruising, we would add a chart plotter with 
GPS and probably radar and maybe an autopilot.

The first thing we will have to do is get a trailer and and a place to 
work on it.  We can keep it at the club we where it currently is, but 
then we would have to be hauling tools back and forth - not efficient.

One of the first things we have to decide on is what type of engine to 
have as axillary power.  I have pretty well decided that I want to go 
ahead and repower it with an electric motor.  I have no real desire to 
become an engine or diesel mechanic at this time in my life.  And in 
thinking about electric propulsion, I am going to encourage this project 
to become a "green" project and re-fit it as a "green" boat as much as 
is practical from a resource and money stand point.  This means all 
lighting will be LED, the current head will be replaced with a 
composting or similar head - and only if re-fitted for cruising, 
otherwise tear the head out and use a porta-potty if a head is desired 
(probably not on the lake, but probably for the Bay).  The bottom paint 
will be chosen according to the sailing environment.  Any thru-hull not 
needed will be removed and filled in.

If the ship doesn't buy into this project and support it, I am likely to 
take it on myself and re-fit from my own pocket.  I am looking forward 
to this with excitement, fear, and uncertainty.  Any thoughts, ideas, 
experiences, suggestions for equipment, parts, etc. that you are willing 
to send my way will be appreciated.  Just hope I won't experience 
information overload.

Bart Knapp
Skipper Sea Scout Ship 777
SSS Vagabond
Hull 388 (to be renamed Sea Eagle or Iolair Mwhara)