Which boat for next summer?

[Simpo Two]

Louis Balfour said:

I am given to understand they are called a folding gangway. Great idea, but I don't know where I would stow one when not in use.

You don't... more photos at https://www.harwichharbourferry.com/

[Louis Balfour]

paintman said:

Louis Balfour said:

Simpo Two said:

Seight_Returns said:

I had a massive sense of humour failure the first time I damaged my boat badly enough to need to pay someone to fix it.

I was hit by a hire boat which took a small chunk out of the gunwale. Needless to say it received a volley of Anglo Saxon from the bridge! Luckily I knew the owner and he decently fixed the damage for free.

I can confirm that the owner of my boat will be paying for to repair mine.

I am fast coming to the conclusion that if the boat re-enters the marina still floating and under its own steam it will have been a good day.

Talking to my First Officer this afternoon, he seems to have already grasped it. I told him that I would need to be repaired and he replied, "Doesn't matter, we had a great day. And it's a boat".

If your crew had been paying attention to their duties it may not have happened.
You might want to consider investing in a 'Bosun's starter' to keep them on their toes.
http://firearmscollector.com/index.php?route=produ...

We've a boat hook. I can encourage them from a distance of six feet.

[Louis Balfour]

surveyor said:

Looking back at my parents various boats (I try really hard to forget about the two I owned), there was always an initial 'learning' phase where damage and issues were more regular.

After a while they would get to know the boat and the damage would calm down for a while...

But we all look back very friendly at those times.

In a funny sort of way that is good to hear.

[Jaguar steve]

Simpo Two said:

Louis Balfour said:

I am given to understand they are called a folding gangway. Great idea, but I don't know where I would stow one when not in use.

You don't... more photos at https://www.harwichharbourferry.com/

Back up and running again now too after somebody donated a considerable stack of cash.

Shame they don't use the WW2 landing craft style boat any more though. You used to be able to have your own private D Day moment every time the Skipper ran it up the beach at Felixtowe.

[Louis Balfour]

Ok the GRP man has looked at my handiwork and has said the repair is a minor one. But the fender rail is bolted on rather than screwed, which makes it a major job.

The marina owner has suggested running super glue in the crack and leaving it for another day.

The way we will be using the boat means that further work will be inevitable.

[Badvok]

Im eyeing up this and attempting to talk the wife into upgrading

https://www.boats.co.uk/boats-for-sale/Beneteau-Gr...

2016 Beneteau Gran Turismo 40

[gazzarose]

Louis Balfour said:

Ok the GRP man has looked at my handiwork and has said the repair is a minor one. But the fender rail is bolted on rather than screwed, which makes it a major job.

The marina owner has suggested running super glue in the crack and leaving it for another day.

The way we will be using the boat means that further work will be inevitable.

You're rails are held on with machine screws in to lumps of aluminium embedded in the moulding so should be able to just unscrew all the fixings. I've taken a few off, and even entirely replaced one that someone completely mangled with the aid of a lock wall!

[Simpo Two]

Louis Balfour said:

The marina owner has suggested running super glue in the crack and leaving it for another day.

You may as well use the stuff I linked to, it's designed for it and you just wipe off the excess. Much easier than superglue.

Just got back from a day on mine - everything worked! Now just the spring cleaning to do

[Louis Balfour]

gazzarose said:

Louis Balfour said:

Ok the GRP man has looked at my handiwork and has said the repair is a minor one. But the fender rail is bolted on rather than screwed, which makes it a major job.

The marina owner has suggested running super glue in the crack and leaving it for another day.

The way we will be using the boat means that further work will be inevitable.

You're rails are held on with machine screws in to lumps of aluminium embedded in the moulding so should be able to just unscrew all the fixings. I've taken a few off, and even entirely replaced one that someone completely mangled with the aid of a lock wall!

That is worth knowing, thanks.

Given that the boat is going to be used quite hard, I anticipate a shopping list of repairs by the end of the season. Is there any reason why I wouldn't just seal up the cracks and add it to the list of things to do?

[Simpo Two]

Louis Balfour said:

Given that the boat is going to be used quite hard, I anticipate a shopping list of repairs by the end of the season. Is there any reason why I wouldn't just seal up the cracks and add it to the list of things to do?

Nope, good idea.

You can also get gelcoat filler eg https://www.foxschandlery.com/white-gelcoat-filler... but I haven't tried it.

[vulture_venturer]

Louis Balfour said:

That is worth knowing, thanks.

Given that the boat is going to be used quite hard, I anticipate a shopping list of repairs by the end of the season. Is there any reason why I wouldn't just seal up the cracks and add it to the list of things to do?

I would....bulk buying will probably be cheaper, or by then you will have watched enough YouTube videos on gelcoat repair you will be able to do it yourself!

[paintman]

Simpo Two said:

Louis Balfour said:

Given that the boat is going to be used quite hard, I anticipate a shopping list of repairs by the end of the season. Is there any reason why I wouldn't just seal up the cracks and add it to the list of things to do?

Nope, good idea.

You can also get gelcoat filler eg https://www.foxschandlery.com/white-gelcoat-filler... but I haven't tried it.

Either the superglue suggested by the marina or the Captain Tolleys.
The gelcoat filler is for larger missing chunks or if you've ground the cracks out & are restoring the surface - I do a lot of caravan work & a lot have GRP front & rear panels.

[Louis Balfour]

paintman said:

Simpo Two said:

Louis Balfour said:

Given that the boat is going to be used quite hard, I anticipate a shopping list of repairs by the end of the season. Is there any reason why I wouldn't just seal up the cracks and add it to the list of things to do?

Nope, good idea.

You can also get gelcoat filler eg https://www.foxschandlery.com/white-gelcoat-filler... but I haven't tried it.

Either the superglue suggested by the marina or the Captain Tolleys.
The gelcoat filler is for larger missing chunks or if you've ground the cracks out & are restoring the surface - I do a lot of caravan work & a lot have GRP front & rear panels.

I have GOT some super glue I don't have any Captain Tolleys and would have to order it. It would be nice if I could do it today, but is there something I can use to wipe off excess super glue? I don't want it to look like I have sneezed on it.

[Jaguar steve]

paintman said:

Simpo Two said:

Louis Balfour said:

Given that the boat is going to be used quite hard, I anticipate a shopping list of repairs by the end of the season. Is there any reason why I wouldn't just seal up the cracks and add it to the list of things to do?

Nope, good idea.

You can also get gelcoat filler eg https://www.foxschandlery.com/white-gelcoat-filler... but I haven't tried it.

Either the superglue suggested by the marina or the Captain Tolleys.
The gelcoat filler is for larger missing chunks or if you've ground the cracks out & are restoring the surface - I do a lot of caravan work & a lot have GRP front & rear panels.

If you do need gelcoat filler I'd get it from the manufacturers or owners association if you can rather than some generic stuff off the shelf. That'll do just the same job and chances are they'll be able to provide a specifically colour matched product to your boat.

You won't believe how many different shades white comes in...

[paintman]

Louis Balfour said:

I have GOT some super glue I don't have any Captain Tolleys and would have to order it. It would be nice if I could do it today, but is there something I can use to wipe off excess super glue? I don't want it to look like I have sneezed on it.

You can get superglue remover.
Common recommendation - not tried it personally - is acetone or nail polish remover.
Test on an out of sight area to be sure it won't affect your nice shiny surfaces.
If all is OK then a clean white cloth wrapped round a flat backer will help to remove the lumpy bits but not pull it all out of the cracks.

You could always use the stuff that holds the universe together - duct tape, it does come in white.........

[Simpo Two]

Louis Balfour said:

I have GOT some super glue I don't have any Captain Tolleys and would have to order it. It would be nice if I could do it today, but is there something I can use to wipe off excess super glue? I don't want it to look like I have sneezed on it.

There is superglue solvent - but you'd have to order that too...

Then again you could find a hardware/DIY shop, or a chandlery which could be today. Does your marina have a small shop of bits?

[Louis Balfour]

Simpo Two said:

Louis Balfour said:

I have GOT some super glue I don't have any Captain Tolleys and would have to order it. It would be nice if I could do it today, but is there something I can use to wipe off excess super glue? I don't want it to look like I have sneezed on it.

There is superglue solvent - but you'd have to order that too...

Then again you could find a hardware/DIY shop, or a chandlery which could be today. Does your marina have a small shop of bits?

I've ordered some Captain Tolleys from Amazon, which I hope will arrive by the weekend. Many thanks.

[Seight_Returns]

As others have said - be absolutely sure that there's no water ingress through to the inside. It only takes a tiny leak to cause an ugly stain on the headlining or upholstery which looks awful on an older boat let alone a new one.

And FWIW get some Captain Tolley's Crack Sealer on next day delivery and don't mess around with superglue. Captain Tolley's is designed for the job and flows into cracks whilst superglue doesn't. If you need to do something today use silicone bathroom sealant and peel it off when you've got the proper stuff.

Edit - X posted with your post above. You made the right decision !

[HocusPocus]

We're only in Spring, but I have to say the speed of LB's progression in boaty life is impressive. Budget denial purchase, lockdown delivery, demisting with CO poison device, high wind mooring, prop redesign, single handed, river bank docking, and lock crunch. All good so far.

Next up LB should entertain us all with tales of MOB and fog bank. By end of the year we should target LB with trading in his then totally whacked out barge for a well appointed gin palace.

[Louis Balfour]

Seight_Returns said:

As others have said - be absolutely sure that there's no water ingress through to the inside. It only takes a tiny leak to cause an ugly stain on the headlining or upholstery which looks awful on an older boat let alone a new one.

And FWIW get some Captain Tolley's Crack Sealer on next day delivery and don't mess around with superglue. Captain Tolley's is designed for the job and flows into cracks whilst superglue doesn't. If you need to do something today use silicone bathroom sealant and peel it off when you've got the proper stuff.

Edit - X posted with your post above. You made the right decision !

Thank you. No rain forecast for the next few days, so fingers crossed.

I am not quite sure where the water would present itself if it did enter. Being at the more economic end of the boat spectrum there is a limited (very limited) amount of luxurious finish that might become ruined.

On which subject, as I reclined on my afterdeck with a beer last night, I pondered that it was much like having a beer in the bath, but without the taps. It was absolutely the right boat to buy and I anticipate that we will own it for years, But I can well imagine buying something better appointed in the future and the current one becoming a runabout.