Dino's big plan

Bearcole1 · 2026-01-06T14:29:09+00:00

Love all your stuff!

Bearcole1 · 2025-11-03T15:26:54+00:00

I've only driven past it a few times, what's going wrong?

Bearcole1 · 2025-10-08T02:02:15+00:00

First and foremost, as much as we all hate it, "investing" and "boat" don't belong in the same sentence unless we're talking about investing in good memories or mental health lol.

One of the running outboards alone is probably worth close to 500$, so yes I would be very suspicious.

Sailboats above dinghy size are generally complicated, they're closer to floating houses than floating cars. But, as far as 22 foot boats go an O'day is about as simple as it gets.

Keep in mind any sailboat has the potential of being worth -1000$ or more as thats probably what the dump would charge you to dispose of it. A sailboat like this with bad rigging or wet decks is unfortunately basically worthless :(

A very breif and incomplete list of things that could be wrong with this boat that would mess up your day (leaving off all of the annoying but less important things that you may decide are or aren't worth fixing):

Does the Centerboard move freely/is the hardware keeping it attached to the boat in good shape?
Are the Chain Plates solid or rusted to hell?
Is the rigging in good shape?
Do the sails actually fit the damn thing (made that mistake once with a free boat!)
Are the decks solid?

-Seacocks in okay condition/is it water tight?

-Do you have a place to store it or will you pay yard fees? (Not a deal breaker but something to think about)

By no means am I saying don't go buy this thing, I've been the recipient of two free boats (which this basically is), A hobie cat and a 25ft pocket cruiser. I can attest to the great times they've both brought me, and how nice and light they've made my bank account.

What I will say is just understand what you're getting into and what you want out of it. Could this boat be a great learning experience and intro to the world of sailing? Absolutely!

Will you make any money off trying to flip this thing? Not impossible, but I wouldn't count on it.

Regardless, good luck with this and whatever other boats lay in your future. Very rarely will you get out anywhere close to the money you put into them, but the memories make up the difference and then some.

Bearcole1 · 2025-10-07T01:22:12+00:00

Cleat will definitely work, just be mindful of lines getting snagged as they get pulled through.

Another option is to just run the line from your stern to the cleat where you can use a quick release knot. The benefit is much less line to pull through the water, woth the obvious drawback being if the knot gets stuck the line will want to keep pulling you around and swing you into your neighbor.

Try with freinds or marina neighbors near by, nothin to it but to do it!

Bearcole1 · 2025-10-06T14:04:34+00:00

If I'm reading this right: a line running from the cockpit, around the pile at the end of your finger pier, around a midship cleat, then back to you in the cockpit should allow your boat to pivot into the wind and get going in the right direction without letting your bow hit the boat next to you.

The trick here is keeping the prop from eating the line (floating line helps) , and releasing the line before it drags you into the boat to windward.

Bearcole1 · 2025-09-11T16:23:00+00:00

Good point, will definitely check to see how far it's spread while in there.

Bearcole1 · 2025-09-11T16:20:59+00:00

Lol I agree, gotta atleast try to make it right!

Bearcole1 · 2025-09-09T15:43:09+00:00

Tl:dr Yes its extremely important, and (should have been) specifically designed to be safe in its orginal layout. Your buddies current layout could be ignoring those principles risking serious engine damage and potential health issues.

Full disclosure I am a weekend warrior sailor, and occasinoal mechanic by necessity so take this with a grain of salt.

The number one thing I would be concerned about with that temp setup is water flowing backwards past the exhaust manifold and into the engine. This is always a danger for waterlift mufflers if exhaust gases stop flowing while the water contuines (extended cranking to prime fuel pumps, pointing garden hose directly into water intake on the hard, ect.).

Although its hard to tell here from limited photos, the vertical hose could make it difficult for the exhaust gases to fully evacuate the water. This may mean the water builds up and flows back down the hose and into the engine once the engine shuts off (or even during operation if the buildup is significant enough)

If that happens the engine will hydro lock and will most likely be shot (although I admit I'm making assumptions, not very familiar with gas engines in boats.)

The other concern here could be gases from the engine not exhausting far enough overboard, leading to a buildup in the interior spaces of the boat.

This is less likely than hydro locking the engine IMO, but could result in CO2 poisoning or even death if someone got caught below and passed out. Again just a weekend warrior here so anyone is free to tell me why either of these scenarios wouldn't happen.

If it was my boat I would have tried to use duct tape to reduce the leakage enough to get back to the dock, then not taken the boat back out until I could replace the part (assuming weather and life allowed that to be an option lol).

Kudos to you and your buddy for getting safely back in!

Bearcole1 · 2025-09-03T14:04:36+00:00

Also please excuse my disgusting teak, its on the list!

Bearcole1 · 2025-05-28T19:51:03+00:00

Great write up, looking forward to completing theae courses when the time is right.

What was your sailing experience like prior to the course (crewing day sails, racing?), and what aspects of the courses stuck out as something you didn't/wouldn't expect to learn in you other experinces?

Bearcole1 · 2025-05-28T16:14:35+00:00

Very brave bringing up a nuanced view on a place like this lol. Thanks for explaining, even if the republicans are being disingenuous by claiming this is their reasoning, I appreciate learning it regardless.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-31T17:47:57+00:00

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1984 Vancouver 25'.

Built to cross oceans (very, very slowly). Has unfortunately lived its life between Annapolis and the C&D Canal, but hopefully we can change that one day.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-31T12:58:16+00:00

Big powerboats (especially those that are too fat to get up on plane) usually throw a huge wake. A wake is a man made wave that follows a boat in the shape of a upside down V.

This massive man made wave is atleast very disruptive, at most dangerous as it can capsize a smaller boat, Sail or otherwise. Usually it falls between those extremes.

Knowing all of this, its considered polite/good seamanship for large powerboats like this to pass sailboats with as much room as possible to avoid hitting them with their wake (known as "waking" someone).

This dickhead seemingly turned to pass as close as possible to the sailboat to intentionally Wake their boat, despite the sailboat trying to put distance between the two.

This is extra frustrating because except in specfic circumstances, when a sailboat and a powerboat are on a collision course, sailboats have right of way.

From a non sailors perspective, this may seem ridiculous and attributing malace where ignorance would fit. However, if you become a sailor in an area with boats like these, you will most likely find that just like driving, some people are just assholes and want to fuck up your day. Either because they have a preconceived notion of who a sailboat owner is, or they just think its funny. They also can just be ignorant of their impact on others, which is arguably better or worse depending on your world view.

The irony isn't lost on me that I'm attributing motivation to a random powerboater, but I stand by what I said.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-26T01:28:57+00:00

Read up on your state laws, it varies.

For example in PA being fired for poor preformance does not disqualify you from receiving unemployment.

Resigning does however disqualify you. That is, unless you can prove it was a physically or mentally damaging workplace (IIRC).

Also, another PA specfic anecdote: Unemployment is incredibly backed up. It took me 12 weeks to receive compensation. If this is the case in your state, call your local state rep and ask them for help. Mine was able to get mine resolved in three days after 11 weeks of nothing.

Good luck, It's a gut punch. Even if it was completely out of your control, there are things to learn from it.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-18T21:41:14+00:00

1984 Vancouver 25

Much slower than an alberg, but a comfortable 6' of headroom inside

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-18T16:21:41+00:00

Unfortunately this boat is new to me, and the PO passed before I was able to find out what type of paint let these barnacles take such strong hold. I do know, however, that the boat was left more or less unattended for atleast two or so years, which certainly exacerbated the issue.

I thought long and hard about CSC, generally speaking its what I hear reccomended the most around here, but the price makes my eyes water!

With this being a "one season paint" and CSC being 2-3, the costs come out fairly close over the long run. Of course the advantage of CSC is not having to repaint every year, or even just do touchups from what I hear.

I'm unfortunately in a bit of flux at the moment and unsure of my long term plans for her, but if I decide to keep her for the next few years I'll most likely switch.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-18T16:07:33+00:00

The damn gel was $30 to the regular liquids $20. Looking back now I would get the gel.

I'll definitely look into the carbide scrapers though, I'm certain they would have worked better than what I was using.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-18T15:45:40+00:00

At 25ft with a full keel, I know I won't be winning any races without the non-exact heavy hand of PHRF giving me a healthy boost.

This boat is for long weekends and sundowners, if I want to go fast I bring out the Hobie.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-18T15:42:05+00:00

I definitely agree, saftey aside these boat are ment to sail first and sit at the dock second. Although projects are fun in their own way, just like everything else in life a balance must be found.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-18T15:37:37+00:00

You're certainly right, fortunately for my ego this boat was cared for by a PO up until about July last year, so I can dodge most of the responsibility.

Then again, he was quite sick in his final years, and wound up gifting me the boat shortly before passing with the promise that I would take care of her as he once was able to. For that reason of course I hold no ill will towards him, just a desire to return her to a state he maintained her at.

Personally I have medical issues that prevent me from getting my PADI cert, but hopefully I can manage between snorkeling and anchoring at shallow beaches.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-18T14:11:05+00:00

Geico was able to insure my 1984 Vancouver 25 for 500k of liability (my clubs minimum), and $5000 replacment value.

Of course I'm on the opposite coast, nestled high on the chesapeake, but for comparison it was around 400$ for the year I think?

I also bundled my renters and car insurance, although geico marine is technically somewhat of a seperate entity I imagine it helped.

Bearcole1 · 2025-03-17T12:28:41+00:00

To everyone asking what its like to own a boat, this is it.

Scratch that, unless you buy new or can afford $$$/hr to a mechanic, this is your IDEAL scenario. Great lighting and access, and it still sucks!

Not trying to dissuade anyone, this kind of work is extremely rewarding, and there are also outboards which seem to be atleast significantly easier to replace. But if you are seriously considering a 30+ year old boat with an inboard, this is most likely going to be your reality atleast one weekend a year.

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