Well, I finally have the time and money to start the restoration of my
F21! Wow, it has sat in my driveway for two years. First, I plan on
replacing the tires on the trailer and taking her for a little ride
around the block to see how the trailer handles.
I really need to work on the trailer. This will be my first place to
start. I was thinking of working from the bottom up. The trailer is
rusted, but not pitted. Then it will need new paint. Any suggestions
on type of paint?
I have not found much help around town on what to do restore the boat
or trailer. Everyone just wants to sell me new or “slightly used”
boats and trailers. I have a Triad trailer - an excellent trailer -
and a 1982(?) F21. If I start working now, she might be ready to get
wet by 2009 ;).
I am thinking of posting pics and stories of the restoration project.
I just hope I don’t make her worse.
Trailers deteriorate over time mostly from
rust and corrosion from the effects of salt water. What you do to restore
depends on its current condition. Sometimes they are so badly rusted and
corroded that they are no longer structurally sound. Often brakes and the
lights will need to be totally replaced. If you don’t there will be
problems. Even new equipment can fail with just a few dinks in salt water. It
is really important to flush the trailer thoroughly with fresh water after each
launch and retrieve. As far as paint, I have always used Rustoelem. The oil
based primer for heavily rusted metal and the water base for lightly rusted
metal. Then you can use silver, black or grey to somewhat match the original finish.
There are lots of books and articles directed towards trailer sailors that
cover many topics around trailers. Bearings and their maintenance and condition
is an important topic. Also the weight of the boat in comparison to the capacity
of the trailer, and the capacity to tow it, tongue weights are also issues.
I am sensitive to all this as my wife rolled our SUV and our Catalina 25 on the
freeway a few years back. No one was hurt, but the whole rig was totaled.
Trailering a boat, even a small one with a small vehicle is serious business. Good
luck.
Well, I finally have the time and money to start the restoration of my
F21! Wow, it has sat in my driveway for two years. First, I plan on
replacing the tires on the trailer and taking her for a little ride
around the block to see how the trailer handles.
I really need to work on the trailer. This will be my first place to
start. I was thinking of working from the bottom up. The trailer is
rusted, but not pitted. Then it will need new paint. Any suggestions
on type of paint?
I have not found much help around town on what to do restore the boat
or trailer. Everyone just wants to sell me new or “slightly
used”
boats and trailers. I have a Triad trailer - an excellent trailer -
and a 1982(?) F21. If I start working now, she might be ready to get
wet by 2009 ;).
I am thinking of posting pics and stories of the restoration project.
I just hope I don’t make her worse.
Much less formal, more meandering off-topic and irreverent than any
other boat list out there. Most fun, too (present company excepted).
it’s hard to believe any group is more irreverent and off-topic than
sailing anarchy (www.sailinganarchy.org - forums generally not for the
faint of heart).