Messin' with jpegs...46 Roamer aft enclosure plan

q240z · 05-03-2008, 09:02 PM

Our Roamer refit is moving along pretty well. In July, the welder will show up with a trailer full of aluminum and begin work on the aft enclosure and side decks. As all 46 Roamer owners know, the transition from aluminum to teak on the side decks is notorious for leaking and destroying the aft salon bulkhead and adjacent cabinetry. We're having the side decks redone in aluminum to solve that problem forever. As part of that job, the welder will also build the aft enclosure.

This is how Sa Va looked when we got her

And this is how it looks now, except that the tarp is gone and the boat's been tented with shrinkwrap

And this is kinda what I'm thinking it should look like when it's done. No hacking on my uber-skills with MS Paint, please.

The plan is to have a single slider door on each side of the helm station, up-down slider windows on the sides and rear of the aft deck. There will be a single small door on the port side of the aft deck to access the swim platform. In addition to being a slider, the window there will be hinged as well, so it can be swung open in order to exit aft. That's the plan right now, anyway. Any constructive thoughts, comments, etc?

NYCAP123 · 05-03-2008, 09:20 PM

Not that I don't understand the love for the Roamer lore and history, but that first picture reminds me a an ad for a 70 footer I once saw that said "Divorce forces sale". When we saw this F/B M/Y project with a 115 Merc OB hooked onto the swim platform we laughed and said "Yeah, and boat causes divorce".

In all seriousness, work hard and have fun. Dream the life and live the dream. Looking forward to seeing pics of the progress. Good luck.

acellist · 05-03-2008, 10:00 PM

I Like It!
Keep up the good work!

q240z · 05-04-2008, 05:44 AM

Thanks!

Acellist, how's yours coming along?

woodlund94 · 05-04-2008, 11:52 AM

I like your work with MS Paint. Could you do this to mine. I think it would be cheaper then an entire restoration.

acellist · 05-05-2008, 09:05 AM

Acellist, how's yours coming along?[/QUOTE]

q240z,
She's waiting and we're preparing to touch-up all paint dings and bring all bright work up to snuff.
Hope to be completed for vacation time boating from July to Sept.
When do we see the projected interior layout plan for yours?

acellist · 05-05-2008, 09:20 AM

q240z,
I forgot to mention one thing. When I redo the mast, it will be stripped down to the bare wood with a good clear, matte protection. Because when you aim that ITT half mile ray and it hits the white on our mast at night there is a tremendous amount of white glare reflected back into the helm station.
That was not a good thing while coming down the pitch-black Illinois River at 11 PM.

q240z · 05-05-2008, 10:10 PM

acellist, your boat's looking mighty fine there.

The decision to convert the aft deck to an upper salon happened just last weekend, so we'll have to rethink the interior now. I'll post something here when "light dawns on rocky dome."

AMG · 05-06-2008, 02:30 AM

Hi q240z,

If I were you, I should rethink this whole idea...

At least on this side of the pond, the value of your classic yacht will drop to half if this is not something you can remove in a day. I see conversions of old boats that are for sale forever.

But if you want to keep her for a very long time, go ahead.

Ken Bracewell · 05-06-2008, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG

Hi q240z,

If I were you, I should rethink this whole idea...

At least on this side of the pond, the value of your classic yacht will drop to half if this is not something you can remove in a day. I see conversions of old boats that are for sale forever.

But if you want to keep her for a very long time, go ahead.

Ditto. I hate to squash dreams, but you'll be better off keeping things as close to original as is practical. There are very few conversions that aren't obvious at first glance.

NYCAP123 · 05-06-2008, 07:29 AM

Have to agree with AMG & Ken. There is much you could do with a Roamer to make it more comfortable and practical, but then you just have a fixed up old boat. Keep it as close to original as possible.

Laurence · 05-06-2008, 02:09 PM

I disagree. Make your Roamer as comfortable and easy maintenance as possible. It is for your enjoyment not for resale.

NYCAP123 · 05-06-2008, 02:28 PM

That would involve glassing it over and putting a Sea Ray logo on it.

q240z · 05-06-2008, 10:32 PM

Well, I understand the traditionalists' perspective. In fact, you can see the fine aft deck enclosure that was on the boat when we got it. It came off in a couple of hours with a chainsaw, and the boat did, indeed, look better for it. lol

But Laurence thinks more like I do. Practical usefulness, comfort, and economy are our priorities. Keeping the boat original has never been on any page of the plan. It was not original when I got it. It's missing loads of original parts. Sections of the helm station superstructure have been cut away, so the shape isn't like a proper Roamer. Unlike Acellist's vessel, this boat is not a good candidate for an original restoration.

Also, resale value is really moot. This is the last boat I will ever refit, and building my retirement boat to satisfy current market desires seems like a bad idea. I'd like to think that practicality, comfort, and economy that's well-executed will always be desirable. I'm less certain that in 25 years or more, nobody will want to buy my then 65-year old boat because the aft deck has been enclosed.

I'm curious, though...in Europe, classic yachts in the 14-18 meter range that have been modified fetch half of what unmodified ones get?

Seafarer · 05-06-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by q240z

I'd like to think that practicality, comfort, and economy that's well-executed will always be desirable. I'm less certain that in 25 years or more, nobody will want to buy my then 65-year old boat because the aft deck has been enclosed.

I'm curious, though...in Europe, classic yachts in the 14-18 meter range that have been modified fetch half of what unmodified ones get?

Our old Huckins (I know, you don't care to hear about it, from previous threads...) has consistently resold for lower value since being re-fit to add weight and enclosure up high... a wet bar was added to the aft deck, then stanchions for the flying roof, then more railings, then enclosures, then ripping out original fixtures and fittings belowdecks to install home furnishings rather than marine furnishings... we sold it for approximately triple the last resale (an even trade for a 29' Grady-White) over fifteen years ago. There is some value in originality and careful forethought.

If you're happier the way you envision and execute, then more power to you. Enjoy the boat as you want it to be.

If you're keeping an eye to resale, then restoration rather than renovation is almost always the way to go.