Frogwatch wrote:
If the standing rigging has never been replaced, REPLACE IT even if it
looks OK.

Many older boats have had the rigging replaced and the "new" owner has
no way of knowing. Replace it again anyway? Doesn't make sense to me.

... *I thought mine was ok when it was20 yrs old until someone
convinced me to really look at it with a magnifying glass and I was
shocked to find ALL the lower fittings had miniscule cracks.

Bingo, a proper inspection is the key to determine if you need to
replace standing rigging. A surveyor will do this, if there's the
slightest question a dye test will show the condition of the terminals
(most likely weak point). Much cheaper & quicker than "replace it
anyway."


..... *Running rigging
is cheap.

OTOH *good* running rigging is not cheap.
For systems that are critical to handling the boat properly, it's
worth it.



If the furling system is still good then keep it, otherwise go with a
CDI system because you can install it yourself. *Roller furlers really
will make you sail more than you otherwise would, I wish I'd got one
years before I finally did.

Yep

Replace the lifelines too

Now there, I agree. Minor costs & hassle... and BTW lifelines should
be replaced with a low-stretch hi-UV-resistant line, not wire. And
*definitely* not plastic covered wire. That stuff is dangerous for
lifelines, even though it's almost universal on older cruisers & racer-
cruisers.





Why self tailing? *I have a 28' and have never really needed it and I
sail single handed.

Yabut self-tailers are worth it too. When you get them, just like
roller-furling you'll wish you'd gotten them sooner


A new high capacity bilge pump.

Good advice there.... doesn't need to be brand-new, but needs to work
like new

The funny thing is, how much of this good advice from several posters
here is actually going to be put any use? I wonder!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

wrote

BTW lifelines should
be replaced with a low-stretch hi-UV-resistant line, not wire. And
*definitely* not plastic covered wire. That stuff is dangerous for
lifelines, even though it's almost universal on older cruisers & racer-
cruisers.

Agreed on the plastic coated line but I replaced mine with plain rigging
wire and have been very happy with the result. They look great and I've
never been aware of any objectionable feel or chafe. The line will need to
be replaced more often and chafe may not be as evident. Wire is also
stronger and the terminals neater.

I did dispense with turnbuckles at the forward ends and use eyes with nylon
lashings. These work fine, stay tight all season, and do not chafe the foot
of the headsails.

--
Roger Long

On Nov 30, 12:22 pm, "Roger Long" wrote:
wrote

BTW lifelines should
be replaced with a low-stretch hi-UV-resistant line, not wire. And
*definitely* not plastic covered wire. That stuff is dangerous for
lifelines, even though it's almost universal on older cruisers & racer-
cruisers.

Agreed on the plastic coated line but I replaced mine with plain rigging
wire and have been very happy with the result. They look great and I've
never been aware of any objectionable feel or chafe. The line will need to
be replaced more often and chafe may not be as evident. Wire is also
stronger and the terminals neater.

I did dispense with turnbuckles at the forward ends and use eyes with nylon
lashings. These work fine, stay tight all season, and do not chafe the foot
of the headsails.

--
Roger Long

I also like my new spreader level light that illuminates the foredeck
when adjusting the anchor at night. Was money well spent and
reasonably cheap.
A simple Davis radar reflector that is very cheap (learn how to use
it).
A good Man overboard system.
Some cheap strobes that attach to life jackets

On Nov 30, 4:29 pm, Frogwatch wrote:
On Nov 30, 12:22 pm, "Roger Long" wrote:



wrote

BTW lifelines should
be replaced with a low-stretch hi-UV-resistant line, not wire. And
*definitely* not plastic covered wire. That stuff is dangerous for
lifelines, even though it's almost universal on older cruisers & racer-
cruisers.

Agreed on the plastic coated line but I replaced mine with plain rigging
wire and have been very happy with the result. They look great and I've
never been aware of any objectionable feel or chafe. The line will need to
be replaced more often and chafe may not be as evident. Wire is also
stronger and the terminals neater.

I did dispense with turnbuckles at the forward ends and use eyes with nylon
lashings. These work fine, stay tight all season, and do not chafe the foot
of the headsails.

--
Roger Long

I also like my new spreader level light that illuminates the foredeck
when adjusting the anchor at night. Was money well spent and
reasonably cheap.
A simple Davis radar reflector that is very cheap (learn how to use
it).
A good Man overboard system.
Some cheap strobes that attach to life jackets

Also you may need to replace the compass because the old one is
probably unreadable.
Also buy an easy to use non-electronic hand bearing compass (less than
$30).
A Knotstik, which is a device where you drop a drag over the side and
it has a calibrated spring so you can measure your speed. With this
and your compass, you can do DR navigation with NO electricity at all.
In hot weather, ventilation is necessary so get more somehow. Get
some good fans.
A bimini will save your skin and even a cheap one is worthwhile.
Have your old thru-hull fittings checked.
A small solar battery charger is worthwhile.

On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:25:23 -0800 (PST), wrote:

Frogwatch wrote:


Replace the lifelines too

Now there, I agree. Minor costs & hassle... and BTW lifelines should
be replaced with a low-stretch hi-UV-resistant line, not wire. And
*definitely* not plastic covered wire. That stuff is dangerous for
lifelines, even though it's almost universal on older cruisers & racer-
cruisers.



Fresh Breezes- Doug King

STRONGLY disagree about non-metal lifelines. Far too easy to damage.
You (or someone else) may nick one without ever even realizing it
until you fall against the line and it parts.

If you want something more comfortable than bare stainless wire, there
are split covers that can be removed for inspection, as well as clear
plastic covers.

On Nov 30, 5:42 pm, Gogarty wrote:
Congratulations on your gift. It is the gift that will keep on taking.

This probably is not very helpful. But your budget of $15,000 will get you
nowhere.

Get a survey. Ignore Wilbur. If you want to insure the boat you will have to
get one anyway.

Then resign yourself to the fact that you will have $30,000 in that boat
within the year. Heed the voice of experience with a surveyed 1976 Dawson 26.
And that was twenty-five years ago. You could read all about it in an article
entitled "We'll never fall in love again" in a magazine called "Messing About
in Boats," long defunct.

$30,000, what nonsense, what are you doing, gold plating everything?
If your budget goes over $12,000 you are wasting money on BS. Its a
1976 boat probably worth maybe $10,000 guys, get a realistic grip.

On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:03:38 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

$30,000, what nonsense, what are you doing, gold plating everything?
If your budget goes over $12,000 you are wasting money on BS. Its a
1976 boat probably worth maybe $10,000 guys, get a realistic grip.

Doesn't matter, they are talking about preparing a boat for serious
cruising and/or living aboard. The age of the boat and its value are
irrelevant to doing the job right. It costs what it costs.
Outfitting a boat is never a good financial investment.

Wayne.B wrote:
On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:03:38 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

$30,000, what nonsense, what are you doing, gold plating everything?
If your budget goes over $12,000 you are wasting money on BS. Its a
1976 boat probably worth maybe $10,000 guys, get a realistic grip.

Doesn't matter, they are talking about preparing a boat for serious
cruising and/or living aboard. The age of the boat and its value are
irrelevant to doing the job right. It costs what it costs.
Outfitting a boat is never a good financial investment.



There is a world of difference between cruising and living aboard.
Live aboard awhile, then if you want to go cruising, outfit the boat
accordingly, IE; A circumnavigation has different needs then a coastal
hopper.
Gordon

On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:03:38 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

On Nov 30, 5:42 pm, Gogarty wrote:
Congratulations on your gift. It is the gift that will keep on taking.

This probably is not very helpful. But your budget of $15,000 will get you
nowhere.

Get a survey. Ignore Wilbur. If you want to insure the boat you will have to
get one anyway.

Then resign yourself to the fact that you will have $30,000 in that boat
within the year. Heed the voice of experience with a surveyed 1976 Dawson 26.
And that was twenty-five years ago. You could read all about it in an article
entitled "We'll never fall in love again" in a magazine called "Messing About
in Boats," long defunct.

$30,000, what nonsense, what are you doing, gold plating everything?
If your budget goes over $12,000 you are wasting money on BS. Its a
1976 boat probably worth maybe $10,000 guys, get a realistic grip.

The OP was talking about "upgrading" the engine, which would be 8-14K
all by itself.

The bottom line is that what you paid for a boat that age doesn't have
much effect on what it costs to bring it up to snuff. On a boat in
better condition, that costs more to aquire, you will be replacing all
the same things within the first few years regardless. People don't
usually do a complete refit right before they sell. Usually it's the
opposite. They know they will be getting rid of the boat and stop
doing even basic maintenance, let alone major replacements - sometimes
a few YEARS in advance.

On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:43:47 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:03:38 -0800 (PST), Frogwatch
wrote:

$30,000, what nonsense, what are you doing, gold plating everything?
If your budget goes over $12,000 you are wasting money on BS. Its a
1976 boat probably worth maybe $10,000 guys, get a realistic grip.

Doesn't matter, they are talking about preparing a boat for serious
cruising and/or living aboard. The age of the boat and its value are
irrelevant to doing the job right. It costs what it costs.
Outfitting a boat is never a good financial investment.

Unless you consider your life to be worth something, of course!

(yes, Wayne, I know that you meant it wouldn't be a money maker)