Fix It and Sail

Brian Gilbert (Chattanooga, TN) is a lifelong sailor who lived aboard a Catalina 27 for four years. His total restoration of a basket-case trailer-sailer is documented in International Marine's forthcoming title Fix It and Sail (January, 2006). He recently sold Fluke, the MacGregor Venture 222 sailboat that was the subject of that book, and purchased another used trailer-sailer, a Montgomery 17. He is a frequent contributor of how-to articles for magazines such as Good Old Boat, Small Craft Advisor, and DIY Boatowner, and he writes and edits a newsletter for blacksmiths.

Acknowledgments Preface 1.Why Restore a Small Boat?: Economics, Practical Considerations, and Having It Your Way Reducing the Costs of Sailing Cash Value Emotional Reasons Which Boat? Physical Location of the Boat The Self-Survey 2.Resources and Choices for the Small Boat Sailor: Books, Websites, Magazines, and a Look at a Few Boats Where to Get Good Information My Short List of Commonly Available Boats to RestoreCal 20Cal 25Oday 22Catalina 22Com-Pac 16Pearson 22Tanzer 22Bristol 24Irwin 23 MacGregorsVenture 21Venture 22MacGregor 23 (Venture of Newport)MacGregor 24 (Venture 24/Venture 224)MacGregor 25 (Venture 25) What I Finally Chose 3.Getting Ready: Safety, Tooling, and Setting Up Shop Safety 1: Getting the Boat Home and Getting It Ready Safety 2: Boat Restoration without Restorative Surgery Getting Tooled Up Other Miscellaneous Tools Setting Up Shop 4.Getting Started: Restoration Strategies, Tooling Up, Cleaning, and More The Plan Strip Search Scraping the Exterior About Epoxy and Fiberglass Rebuilding the Keel Moving Right Along: The Interior Small Boat Wiring Painting the Exterior Bottom Paint Painting the Deck Hardware Mounting Sealants 5.Boat Joinery and Woodworking: Materials, Techniques, and Procedures Wood Choices Marine Plywood and Alternatives Adhesives and Fastenings Techniques Flotation 6.Marine Metalwork: Cost-Effective Solutions for the Small Sailboat Simple Corrosion Painting Galvanizing Surface Preparation Electrolytic Rust Removal Galvanic Corrosion Electrolytic Corrosion About Stainless Marine Metal Fabrication Welding Stainless Fabricating without Welding 7.Canvaswork and Upholstery: Sewing Basics for Small Boats Sewing Machines Canvaswork Upholstery Odds and Ends 8.The Rig: Inspection, Repair, and Replacement Standing Rigging Inspection and Repair End Fittings Restoring Tangs and Chainplates Running Rigging Mainsheet Traveler Relocating the Winches Replacing Halyard Cam Cleats Replacing Jibsheet Lead Blocks The Sails 9.Outboard Motors: A Cost-Effective Power Plant About Outboards Research Evaluating a Used Motor Buying Locally Visual Checks Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines . . . Checking Compression Principles of Operation Regular Maintenance Electric Outboards 10.Sea Trials and Commissioning: Finishing It All Up Outfitting for Sailing Electronic Equipment for Small Boats The Payoff Appendix 1: A Replacement Rudder Appendix 2: Making Oars Appendix 3: Trailer Restoration Appendix 4: Costs to Restore a 1972 MacGregor Venture 222 Appendix 5: Restoration Log Appendix 6: A Boat Restoration Photo Album Appendix 7: Restoration Resources Index