I have a 1972 Fraser fibreglass sailboat. The interior is huge and has
potential, the mechanics all work, but the interior is from 1972 also. The
layout is just so wrong. I have hit a wall. I know I want to gut the
interior, I just don't know where to start or where to go from here. I
don't want to spend a great deal of money, so would rather not hire a
shipwright.

Please any ideas could help me.

On Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:02:07 GMT, "Bob S."
wrote:

I have a 1972 Fraser fibreglass sailboat. The interior is huge and has
potential, the mechanics all work, but the interior is from 1972 also. The
layout is just so wrong. I have hit a wall. I know I want to gut the
interior, I just don't know where to start or where to go from here. I
don't want to spend a great deal of money, so would rather not hire a
shipwright.

Please any ideas could help me.

You don't give much information but ripping out the interior of a boat
is pretty easy - just start.

There are two areas to beware of: The mast requires some sort of
support resting on the keel, whether directly or through a post of
some sort; and, at least some of the bulkheads probably act to stiffen
the hull, particularly near the chain plates so be a little cautious
about ripping them out.

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

Bob,

This is pretty big undertaking. I have finished interiors of provided
hulls and done some pretty serious refitting, but you better first
figure out what has to stay, what you want to leave and (of course)
where you want to end up.

Most boats built in that time were built based on classic expectations.
Few people use boats that way anymore. This is why the "travel
trailer" interior design took over in the early 80's.

You have to figure the rest out.

Matt Colie
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and the Odd Boat Builder

Bob S. wrote:
I have a 1972 Fraser fibreglass sailboat. The interior is huge and has
potential, the mechanics all work, but the interior is from 1972 also. The
layout is just so wrong. I have hit a wall. I know I want to gut the
interior, I just don't know where to start or where to go from here. I
don't want to spend a great deal of money, so would rather not hire a
shipwright.

Please any ideas could help me.

Perhaps I should clarify.

Mostly I'm looking for ideas. Models or pictures of boat interiors that
work. Places to start. I know most of the structure, what I can remove and
what I can't.

For instance: The dinette is this monstrous 6 seater that takes up about
50% of the salon. Big, stuffy, moldy cushions that fold down into a bed.
I've thought about tearing it out and replacing it with a couple of comfy
chairs that would fold out to a bed. I'll never see more than 2, maybe 4
people on the boat and this huge, ugly mass has to go. Problem is, I need
some ideas on what it could look like.

"Bob S." wrote in message
news:PxTJj.159063$pM4.59559@pd7urf1no...
I have a 1972 Fraser fibreglass sailboat. The interior is huge and has
potential, the mechanics all work, but the interior is from 1972 also. The
layout is just so wrong. I have hit a wall. I know I want to gut the
interior, I just don't know where to start or where to go from here. I
don't want to spend a great deal of money, so would rather not hire a
shipwright.

Please any ideas could help me.

A good place to start would be the library / book store. Consider
'Fiberglass Boats' by Hugo Du Plessis or 'Upgrading the Cruising
Sailboat' by Dan Spurr.

If you're truly going to 'gut' the interior, and you don't want to
spend a lot of time, stop. No point in proceeding. If you've got 6
months of 8 hour days, it's likely a matter of removing all of the
interior fittings, plumbing, joinery (cabinetry), tanks, electrical
wiring and devices, etc. It's unlikely you'll be able to reposition
the engine, but this would be a good time to consider re-powering
(especially if the engine is from '72) which may also mean
reconfiguring the engine bed (motor mounts),

With all of this removed, you'll likely be down to full (structural)
and partial bulkheads - probably plywood - which have been 'tabbed'
onto the hull with a layer or two of fiberglass strips. If done
properly, the bulkheads actually rest on a foam /balsa beveled spacer
(see Du Plessis) that prevents the bulkhead from forming a 'hard spot'
where it contacts the hull.

Now comes the fun part. With a large grinder equipped with a sanding
pad and 24 grit paper and you wearing eye, ear and lung protection,
grind away at the junction of the bulkhead and hull-side (carefully)
to cut away the tabbing, thus freeing the bulkhead for removal.

If it's a structural bulkhead (one that is attached to all points of
the hull and cabin / house) consider adding temporary bracing fore and
aft of this bulkhead prior to its removal.

If the hull is cored above the W/L, it's likely balsa (...'72) which
should be inspected for water ingress / rot.

Good Luck.

Mike Worrall
Los angeles

"Bob S." writes:

Perhaps I should clarify.

Mostly I'm looking for ideas. Models or pictures of boat interiors that
work. Places to start. I know most of the structure, what I can remove and
what I can't.

For instance: The dinette is this monstrous 6 seater that takes up about
50% of the salon. Big, stuffy, moldy cushions that fold down into a bed.
I've thought about tearing it out and replacing it with a couple of comfy
chairs that would fold out to a bed. I'll never see more than 2, maybe 4
people on the boat and this huge, ugly mass has to go. Problem is, I need
some ideas on what it could look like.

What about visiting a few boat shows and check out boat interiors
there? Steal the ideas you like.

--
Martin Schöön "Problems worthy of attack
show their worth by hitting back."
Piet Hein

On Apr 6, 9:35*am, "Bob S." wrote:
Perhaps I should clarify.

In journalism, forgetting to come to the real point until the 6th
paragraph is called 'burying the lead'... sigh

See: the World's Best Sailboats Volume 1 & 2 by Ferenc Mate. Lots of
glorious color photos of how its done by Morris, Shannon, Hinckley,
Pacific Seacraft, Benetau (!), Cabo Rico, Island Packet etc.

Your head will be spinning, with drool spilling from the corners of
your mouth.

MW

wrote:

On Apr 6, 9:35 am, "Bob S." wrote:

Perhaps I should clarify.


In journalism, forgetting to come to the real point until the 6th
paragraph is called 'burying the lead'... sigh

See: the World's Best Sailboats Volume 1 & 2 by Ferenc Mate. Lots of
glorious color photos of how its done by Morris, Shannon, Hinckley,
Pacific Seacraft, Benetau (!), Cabo Rico, Island Packet etc.

Your head will be spinning, with drool spilling from the corners of
your mouth.

MW


I have a copy (most of Ferenc's books in fact) and love it.

Dreamin' and droolin!

Richard
--
(remove the X to email)

Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
John Wayne

On Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:35:36 GMT, "Bob S."
wrote:

Perhaps I should clarify.

Mostly I'm looking for ideas. Models or pictures of boat interiors that
work. Places to start. I know most of the structure, what I can remove and
what I can't.

For instance: The dinette is this monstrous 6 seater that takes up about
50% of the salon. Big, stuffy, moldy cushions that fold down into a bed.
I've thought about tearing it out and replacing it with a couple of comfy
chairs that would fold out to a bed. I'll never see more than 2, maybe 4
people on the boat and this huge, ugly mass has to go. Problem is, I need
some ideas on what it could look like.

"Bob S." wrote in message
news:PxTJj.159063$pM4.59559@pd7urf1no...
I have a 1972 Fraser fibreglass sailboat. The interior is huge and has
potential, the mechanics all work, but the interior is from 1972 also. The
layout is just so wrong. I have hit a wall. I know I want to gut the
interior, I just don't know where to start or where to go from here. I
don't want to spend a great deal of money, so would rather not hire a
shipwright.

Please any ideas could help me.


If you are in a yard or marina walk around and tell people that you
are looking for ideas and ask if you can have a look at their boat.
Most people are proud to show you their boat.

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

Bob S. wrote:

Perhaps I should clarify.

Mostly I'm looking for ideas. Models or pictures of boat interiors that
work. Places to start. I know most of the structure, what I can remove and
what I can't.

For instance: The dinette is this monstrous 6 seater that takes up about
50% of the salon. Big, stuffy, moldy cushions that fold down into a bed.
I've thought about tearing it out and replacing it with a couple of comfy
chairs that would fold out to a bed. I'll never see more than 2, maybe 4
people on the boat and this huge, ugly mass has to go. Problem is, I need
some ideas on what it could look like.

"Bob S." wrote in message
news:PxTJj.159063$pM4.59559@pd7urf1no...

I have a 1972 Fraser fibreglass sailboat. The interior is huge and has
potential, the mechanics all work, but the interior is from 1972 also. The
layout is just so wrong. I have hit a wall. I know I want to gut the
interior, I just don't know where to start or where to go from here. I
don't want to spend a great deal of money, so would rather not hire a
shipwright.

Please any ideas could help me.



Have you done much boat building before, Bob?
If so, you'd know how much time, effort, and money are involved in a
project like this.

If you do, and are really just looking for ideas, head down to Half
Price Books and see what you can find in the transportation section.

Richard
--
(remove the X to email)

Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
John Wayne