Chas231

My attitude was not to overthink every detail before jumping in. Otherwise, I’d still be trying to figure out every diagram before making any sawdust. I built my BJ28 as my first foray into boatbuilding. I did complete the Wooden Boatbuilding night course at Cape Fear Community College, which provided a good basis for handling wooden boatbuilding tools. The Betsy Lee was built in the breezeway under the house until it was time to attach the cabin top, when it was moved out into the driveway. Of course I made more than my share of mistakes, with the motto “Hey, it’s wood. I can fix it.” The most valuable resources are Mr. Lathrop and the community of Bluejacket builders who will help with any issue, and let you know when you try something that’s not too smart. (Remember my bright idea of covering the hull with mahogany strips?) I've sold the Betsy Lee because I don’t have a place to keep her, but the years spent building her were wonderful. Chuck Smith www.flickr.com/photos/chas231

Finally replaced the flapping curtain I’d been using for the head. Maybe too much time over the winter resulted in a fancier door than I planned. Sort of looks like a confessional door.

VB Cruiser: Probably more pictures than you want to see on my Flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/chas231 Action Tiger: Thanks for the compliment. She is pretty, and I’m torn about possibly losing her.

Getting out on the water is great, but making sawdust and schleppimg epoxy can be a good time!

I’ve had a great time building the Betsy Lee, a Bluejacket 28. I have also enjoyed cruising, and have found the boat to be a comfortable and capable cruiser for two. But I’m discovering I like building even better than cruising. I really want to start another build, but can’t justify keeping two boats. I’m keeping the Betsy Lee in a slip, and storing the trailer off-site - just don’t have the room to keep the boat or trailer at the house. So, I’m considering selling Betsy Lee. Looking for suggestions or advice. I’m a terrible salesperson and am not looking to make money selling the boat. I figure conservatively that I have over $40,000 invested in the boat and trailer. The survey came up with a market value of $55,000, but he admitted the price point of a custom boat is not a precise figure. Everything I wanted to do has been completed on the boat and it all works fine. I’d be satisfied with $25,000 for the boat and trailer. Sound reasonable?

Thanks Egbert. Think I’ll setup the wash down pump temporarily and carry in a couple of 5-gallon buckets of fresh water.

The Betsy Lee is in in a small marina close to our home. After the recent cold spell the water has been shut off at the marina. Still plenty of nice days to enjoy on the water, but without a water source, I’m trying to figure out how to flush the engine. The Yamaha 90 has a hose port to flush the motor. If I carried some fresh water, say 10 gallons, to the cabin top, would gravity provide enough pressure to flush the engine? A future project is to install a wash down pump, but I’d still have to carry fresh water.

My BJ28 has been in a marina for the past five months. We pulled the boat onto the trailer in preparation for hurricane Irma. Fortunately for us, the storm looks to have moved west far enough to spare us. While the boat is out of the water, I want to clean the bottom. I used Petit Hydrocoat bottom paint. No barnacles, except on the stainless steel keel protector, but there is quite a bit of green "scum', especially from the waterline to the chine. I removed the green scum on the sides with a stiff brush and lots of water, but must also be removing a layer of bottom paint, judging by the color of the rinse water. The bottom is pretty clear, just sort of stained green. I can clean it, but am I doing more damage than good? After I get all the barnacles off the keel protector, can I use bottom paint to keep it clear? Chuck

Had great time at the Wilmington Cape Fear Community College Wooden Boat Show. And, got a plaque to hang in the boat!

Resurrecting an old thread. The Betsy Lee has a mast and boom! I'd been wanting to try the birdsmouth joint, and really enjoyed making the sticks. I can't put more on the boat, so am thinking I need a flagpole in the front yard. The mast is about 20', stepped on the cockpit floor and also bracketed to the cabin top. It lays on the cabin top for trailering. No staysail yet; I'm going to need some rigging help if I want one. More pictures at www.flickr.com/photos/chas231

Thanks Tom. I'll go with varnish on these pieces rather than trying to remove the epoxy. I've gotten to like Cetol. I used Cetol Light and Cetol Gloss on my handrails and the mast and boom. I like its looks and expect it to last longer than varnish. My varnished rubrails already need redone.

I have some wooden parts made for the mast I'm working on. I coated the wood with clear epoxy, but they will be outside and need UV protection. Can Cetol be applied over epoxy? Instructions on the can say to remove all previous coatings. Chuck

Considering the reported conditions on the ICW and a few other issues (I still need a survey in order to get insurance) we decided to cancel the cruise to the Georgetown Boat Show. Hope the show is great; sounds like Georgetown will be ready for the show. Chuck

Our plan was to cruise from Oak Island to Georgetown for the show. Considering the storm and flooding concerns in this part of the ICW, I'm thinking we might trailer the boat. Any suggestion for a ramp and parking for three days?