It's hard to believe I'm nearly finished, because there were times I never thought I'd get there. Somehow, I'll be sorry when I won't have this 'project' to challenge me, so I'll have to go sailing to ease my boredom. :o) Of course, that was the whole point, wasn't it?
Looking back, if I had it to do over again, I don't think I would remove the gelcoat below the waterline. The blistering I found wasn't that severe, and I could have just put an epoxy barrier over the gelcoat. That would have saved me a lot of work, because removing the gelcoat was a major job, and rebuilding an equivalent thickness with epoxy was both a lot of work and very time consuming.
If you look at the middle of the keel portside, you will see the grounding plate I installed. The masthead lightning dissipator, the mast, the stays, shrouds, bow rail, and stern rail are all grounded to this plate to prevent a charge accumulation and thereby deter a lightning strike. No lightning protection is failsafe, but I'm hoping it is effective because we have some horrendous lightning storms in South Florida. The boat's electrical system is not grounded to this plate, but I'm not sure if that's good or bad. If I find out that it's best to tie the electrical system to the grounding plate, I can do that at any time.
Actually, she's not quite finished, because there are three spots on the hull that I was not able to reach while she is on her trailer. I will take her to Playboy Marine boat yard and have them put her on blocks so I can finish those inaccessible areas before she is launched.
It struck me, seeing her all renovated, that she looks exactly as I envisioned her when I first saw her. It is rewarding to see that I was able to accomplish my goal. Had I known how much time, how much work, and how much money it involved, I wonder if I would have endeavored. But, it is as they say: Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. I'm glad I did it because I learned a lot, and now I can enjoy sailing her.
Here are photos of her, sitting pretty, portside, and starboard side. The trailer is on jack stands, because I had to level the boat to shoot the waterline and bootstripe with a laser level.
Since very early in the reconstruction, I had intended to re-name her "Exit Strategy", mainly because of marital instability. At this point, I have changed my mind for two reasons. First, my marriage is essentially over (except for the paperwork) and I no longer need an exit strategy. Second, and most importantly, one of my dear friends on the Cape Dory Sailboat Owner's Association (CDSOA) message board, Zeida, suggested that I reconsider the name to better reflect the outcome of my efforts. She recommended "Jewel", which I very nearly adopted, but instead I settled on "PEARL", as the Jewel of the Sea.
After performing a denaming ceremony from her original name of "Blythe Spirit", I then conducted a naming ceremony to rename her "PEARL", with the requisite libations and some appropriate goose bumps, which I consider a good sign.
I then applied her new name to her transom. I am proud to present S/V PEARL:
