A second to the steering... make sure you're emergency tiller works and you
know how to attach it.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
wrote:

Thanks all. The points of view on this forum are, needless to say,
colorful. So far there has been the "go for it", the "hell no I
wouldn't go", the "it COULD make it", the "it WILL make it". But
underlying all of these points have been "IF you do go, THEN you should
do______." And that is what I've been looking for. I've considered
selling and buying something else - but so much freakin' hassle. And
I've considered upgrading all systems on the boat I've got.

That can be at least as expensive a buying another boat.

Definitely have a rigger go over both standing & running rigging. Make
sure that whatever type of reefing system you have, that it works well &
that the crew is familiar with it.

On deck, go around & rebed & upgrade backing plates to all hardware...
checking for delam/core problems at the same time... and consider beefing
up the hatches.

One thing I'm not sure anybody else mentioned is steering. I'd recommend
replacing the bushings & bearings, and replace anything that looks worn in
the workings; inspect & tune up the sheaves, alignment, etc etc. On an
ocean passage the steering gets a real workout!

Whatever you do, make sure that you get enough time aboard with all new
systems to get familiar with it & work the bugs out. It is very unpleasant
to be offshore trying to decipher an owner's manual by flashlight!


.... I'm going
to haul her out for several months and then make a decision. I'll
definitely talk to you guys soon. I've found more info and opinions on
R.B.C. than on any other forum.

And many of them are worth exactly what you pay for them!

.... Have a good new year. Rob Minton


And best wishes for 2006 to you.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King