Oct
23
2009
Posts Tagged ‘Peter Ibold’
Oct
23
2009
Haul Out..Endurance 40 Ferrocement
Author: Los VagabundosI got the boat out of the water today! …and took a look at the hull! The boat was nasty to say the least, but the hull looked fantastic.
I don’t know what all the hype is about when talking about a “properly” built ferrocement boat, but so far (knock on wood), I have no complaints. While cleaning the hull we found 2 clams and a small crab and some other thing that looked like a sea cucumber. No rust or exposed wire frame or any other horror stories associated with ferrocement sailboats.
I did, however, find that the shaft is moving a bit and the rudder needs to be removed and repaired a bit. Apparently, it’s fiberglass and needs to be fixed. All the anodes looked good and I was surprised that there were any left at all given the last owner’s non-boating skills. There was a place where there were supposed to be some anodes and someone took the cheap route and didn’t put anything! I’ll be putting those in, as well as a couple extra big ones.
There are also a couple of places that looked as if someone ran aground, which actually made me smile. Knowing that the boat didn’t crumble at the point of contact with something other than water made me feel comfortable in knowing that some of the BAD PRESS that ferrocement has gotten is just that…BAD PRESS.
It’s really comforting to see everyone that I have told this boat is cement have not turned their noses up or even flinched, for that matter. All I get is “Wow, that’s a strong boat” or “It will take care of you”. There was a Scottish couple on the yard today actually admiring the boat and even asked to go aboard and take a look. They were amazed at how big it was and loved the roomy interior.
I saw the speed paddle and depth sounder transducers and hope to replace both this coming week. I have also asked them to give me a quote for repairing some of the paint work above the water line.
As far as I can tell, this boat has all the same problems that fiberglass, wood or steel boats would have and nothing more! Sure, we have a lot of work to do, but so does everyone else with a sailboat!
EL V
Oct
8
2009
Bilge Repairs….Endurance 40 Ferrocement
Author: Los VagabundosI wanted my first job on El Vagabundo to be an easy one. The shower would not drain and there was water in the engine room and the forward bilge area. I checked the bilge pump and it just wasn’t doing a good enough job in the engine room and no water at all was draining from the shower.
So I set out to get the job done. I was hoping to have the help of a local mechanic, but he was busy, so I had to man up and do it myself. Mind you, I am not a mechanic and, although I know my way around a tool box, I’m far from a DIY Guru dude. The idea was to install a new pump and run new hoses. Well, it’s a bigger job now. Four pumps and a new system is in order! So far, I have replaced the main pump and the water is out of both bilge areas and the shower is draining.
Now that a new hose has been run, all I have to do is install the new pumps!
Oct
2
2009
Learning to Sail…Our Circumnavigation
Author: Los VagabundosDay Number 2 and we had perfect conditions!
Oct
2
2009
Sailing Class…..Our Circumnavigation
Author: Los VagabundosI started my sailing lessons yesterday! The first day sucked though, because there was no wind to speak of, which is weird here in Barcelona. The guy has a 21-foot racing-type sailboat that doesn’t tip over when I move around, so I was happy about that.
We took off at 4 p.m. and he showed me a few “dinghy maneuvers”. We also tacked a few times and tried sailing to windward, but there just wasn’t enough breeze. I’m heading back out today and hopefully I will have more to report.
I want to talk about El Vagabundo for a minute. Man, there is so much work to do, I don’t know where to start! One thing is for sure, I’m starting with that damn head! There is stagnant water in the shower because the pump needs to be replaced, so I am setting out to replace the hoses and pumps this weekend after “La Vagabunda” gets settled in.
Sep
28
2009
El Vagabundo…Our Circumnavigation
Author: Los VagabundosIt’s been a while since we last posted because…WE GOT HIM! El Vagabundo is official and already registered!
Over the past few days I have moved my things off Pussy Galore and said my goodbyes to her. I really am going to miss her. It seems as if I was just getting to know the boat and now I’m moving on…… It was a sad day when I finally moved all my things.
I have been sleeping on board for the last week and getting to know El V. The first couple of nights were rough as I didn’t have my own bedding. Sleeping is a chore for me as it is and not having proper sheets and blankets just wasn’t going to cut it! My back was hurting on the second day so I went over to Pussy Galore and grabbed the extra padding we bought and my bedding and have been getting better sleep. I am slowly warming up to the boat, and sleep has been patchy at best, but it’s getting better.
I have had a couple of visitors since I’ve been aboard and haven’t had much time to do anything. I have cleaned, but I’m sure when “La Vagabunda” gets here in a few days, she will do a full “spring” cleaning and hopefully she and I can knock out a few projects during her 10-day visit.
When I first came aboard the motor wouldn’t start, so Carlos (our new best friend and local mechanic) and I stayed up one night til 2 am rebuilding and reinstalling the starter. Once installed, it only took one crank and El V started right up! I was very impressed with the motor. It’s a Perkins 4.236 85 HP. I’m going to replace all the hoses and belts and throw on a new alternator and it should be fine.
I have since worked on the water pressure pump and I’m now getting ready to tackle the bilge and shower pump. My plan is to install a foot pump in the galley and head and bring in sea water to wash dishes while underway. I plan to to clean the bottom and do antifouling in the next 2 weeks.
Sep
6
2009
Searching for a Boat… Our Circumnavigation
Author: Los VagabundosOur search for a sailboat started before Miguel had even left St. Tropez. For a brief moment, we considered getting a catamaran, but due to the initial cost and the dangers of breakage, inability to right itself, the cramped interior space, and higher costs of berthing and haul-out, we decided it was impractical for our needs. Miguel talked to an American catamaran enthusiast while in La Grande Motte, and we read the account of the Bumfuzzles’ circumnavigation, but in the end, it was more the cost than anything that made us decide to go the route of the monohull.
These are our requirements:
1. It has to be affordable. With the sale of our motorboat, we have a budget of about 50,000 euros. The economy is not so great right now, so we are prepared to lower our asking price for a quick sale.
2. We would like a 40-footer. This gives us enough room to live aboard for an extended period of time, while still being small enough for us to handle ourselves.
3. Miguel is a big guy. He stands 6’5″ with broad shoulders. He has to be able to move around comfortably, so a broad beam, sufficient height inside, and a flat deck are preferable.
Everything else can be fitted to our specifications later. We would actually prefer to refit the boat with what we want, giving us full knowledge of how any equipment/rigging/pumps, etc. works and can be repaired.
We read on the Internet of a guy who suggested we look at 100 boats before buying one. I don’t know how much time HE had on his hands, but we don’t have the time for that. We’ll shop around, do the proper surveys, but the way we see it, when you feel you have found the right boat, whether it be the 12th or the 99th boat you’ve looked it, that’s the one you should buy.
Speaking with an experienced captain (2 transatlantic crossings, numerous regattas, etc., etc.), he suggested we look at a Beneteau First 42, a Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47, or a Wauquiez Anphitrite. These are all great boats, but they’re hard to find…
While in Cap d’Agde, we looked at a Beneteau 390 and an Oceanis 411. They were both really nice, but not quite for us. For the 390, the seller was asking 85,000 euros and the 411 was 99,000. Both of these were a little out of our budget and seemed too dainty. We wanted something that was a little more suited to blue water.
Once in Barcelona, we renewed our search. While scouring the Internet for that perfect deal, we came across an Endurance 40 ferro. We did not know anything about ferroboats, so we did some research. They have a bad reputation, but everyone who actually owns one is thoroughly happy with it and have absolutely nothing bad to say about them. This particular boat was professionally built following the Peter Ibold design. It has actually been surveyed by a famous sailor here in Spain (whose email was forwarded to us by the seller) who had recommended it to a friend.
It has a 12′ beam, is actually 42′ in length, has 3 cabins, 1 head, and is outfitted well, including a 70 hp Perkins diesel engine.
The seller was not available to meet with us, but told us where we could go see the boat. The marina wasn’t far from our own, according to our neighbors, so we set out on foot to Port Badalona. One nuclear plant, trash-littered party haven, nudist beach, and hour later, we were there. OF COURSE the entrance to the pontoon was locked, so I had to climb onto the deck of the nearest boat, balance on the anchor, and jump across to unlock the door.
At first sight, it didn’t look like much. It was in serious need of a paint job, and we spied rotten wood around the cockpit. But getting past the exterior, when we stepped onto the boat, it was apparent by the design that this was a seafaring vessel. Dwarfing his fiberglass neighbors, there was no denying that this boat could cross oceans. The foredeck was one large expanse of SPACE. More than anything, he felt SOLID. Discussing it later, we both felt that this boat had spoken to us. For me, I felt he was saying, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” For Miguel, he said, “Get me the hell out of here. I want to go sailing.”
We have an appointment to see the interior on Tuesday. We’ll let you know how it goes.