Re: New (to me) Cruise Liner III
It was a BUSY winter last year, doing a major re-fit on the Lonestar - moved batteries forward, moved fridge forward (to improve centre of gravity), replaced the helm (the old one was a mess!), re-wire (fire hazard!), extended hardtop, water system, new canvas, and Gluvit the keel! (Details on my web page.)
The boat had leaked as long as I had it and the bilge pump would run every couple of hours. I found "the spine" had been broken just aft of the bow and been welded but there were some gaps between the hull and the keen as a result of the damage. Scratching out a 2 gallon pail of silicon and 30 pounds of fibreglass (where someone had tried to stem the leaks from the inside!) and giving the keel a coat of Gluvit on the outside completely sealed the hull - it doesn't leak a DROP any more!
When I launched in early June, it didn't run worth ####!
I had problems with the cooling system not picking up and the engine ran worse than ever. I found a worn-through section of vacuum hose (where 2" of the bottom of the hose was MISSING!) and that the compression was all over the map! I don't think the poor thing had the tappets since 1970! It was mid July before I got the head pulled, the valves done, and got it back together but it now runs like a Swiss watch ..... well, okay, a noisy one! (But it is 1966 with solid lifters LOL!) .... but it runs well and I trust it now.
This winter there is only a short list of "clean up items" and repaint the hull in the spring. I have the boat I always wanted!
