Restoring the LOST PERL

I had varnish on my last boat decks and loved it. I don't think I would call it a band aid.
If you have not worked with teak I understand why you don't understand teak and a top shelf varnish. I have worked with teak for years in Tennessee and seen other people use oil or let it gray and I will take my varnish any day. Now if I was in Florida then I might use something different.

With teak oil it is every 4-6 months out in the open, but with Epifanes Clear Varnish it is only once a year. I am a long time woodworker and I love the look of a varnished deck, Yes I know some of you would never do it but I am on inland lakes not the Great Lakes or North Sea, so walking on my decks when wet is easy. Not even bad with snow, witch we have had a lot of this year.

Bill,,, Ft. Lauderdale is not Tennessee. I love it there but no matter how many times of how different you say it I will always love a varnished deck. I use Epifanes Varnish and it only takes three coats.

Are we still talking about my varnished decks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

This boat spent many years in Ft. Lauderdale. That is where I fell in love with big boats. I use to go there to ride my jet ski when it was two cold here.

I'm sure some people will hate me, I found about six quarts of Sikkens Cetol and I started to trow it away but I kept it. I use it to under coat the hard wood in the bath rooms and in cabinets and places where you don't see it much. I'm sure it is good for some people but I would never use it on teak. I'm not afraid of a little work but I only use Epifanes Clear Varnish on the outside. I am saying this to anyone you have never used Epifanes, you should try it once and you will kick yourself for not trying it sooner. I will block sand my decks and when I get then where I want then I only have to put one coat of Epifanes varnish a year.

I found her on Yacht World, she was in Jeffersonville, Indiana. They were asking 159.000 and I got her for a little bit less.
The last owner Installed the new Cat's and Norpro 30kw I installed the Westerbeke 7.6

The boat has a lot of history under her I know by reading the logs she has been through the great loop at least three times, I need to reed more of the logs. The earliest was 1974-75 I don't have info or logs before 1974 I will soon post some of the logs in maybe someone may know the previous owner.

The last owner bought her from Mario in Nashville for $250,000 He gutted her in Nashville and then took her to Jeffersonville, Indiana to rebuild her. He put in the engines and generator and ran out of money. She has been sitting sense, really she has sitting for about fifteen years.

I did get my shore power last week after six months and about $2,500, but it is worth every penny. Now the real work can began.
I making a bit of progress. I got in my electrical panels and I have been installing them, it will take a long time but they look great much better then the photos and are much safer. So far I have bought 3,600 feet of marine wire and will need more. I will be wiring for a long time.
I got in my three Sealand 8759 toilets, I have to say they are the nicest marine toilet/head I have ever seen. they just as big as a land toilet and you can't hear them run. Toilet paper in the toilet is no problem. I have one Raritan Atlantes I may sell or put in the front for crew. I took a photo of the two next to each other so you can see the size of each of them. After seeing how the Sealand 8759 work so great I would never have anything but a Sealand.

Been a long time sense update. I love where we are going.

I have done a lot in fiberglass but this boat has taking my fiberglassing to another level. over a hundred gallons of resin and counting, two huge rolls fiberglass and so much sand paper I cant count.

I know you have to be real careful when you change things on a boat I do like my changes. I did change the lines a bit by raising the trunk and the new pilothouse windows, but I think this is for the better. I also removed the window in the front of the trunk and added nice sitting seats and stairs to the top of the trunk. I will be be putting the side windows back as soon as there ready. I also raised the roof over the walk way and will have no painted wood, it will be painted metal or or gelcoat.

tirekicker11........... ( You ask how do I keep going )
I wonder what keeps me going too sometimes, but I think it is you guys pulling for me and everyone saying I can't do it. I don't think I could do it without the support from everyone. I do understand It takes a long time and the labor will kill you. I have two guys that needed a place to stay one 36 one 41 both are great workers and work for what they need. They sleep in the crew quarters, they have what need and beer every afternoon and I get a lot of work done. one of the guys has been with me for about two years. The other I saw holding a sign. I knew him, he had been a cook for waffle house for years and got drugs lost job. But now with Bill as a room mate he is clean and works longer then all of us. (36) I could never do this without these guys. But I could find more guys all day long at the shelter that would love to have a place to live and work.

gelcoat.. Not sure I was going to try a roller. I am all ears to learn more from you guys.

I fixed the slideshow. Now regarding the tools lying around I would have to clean for the photos and photos would never get taken, it is often dark when we quit and clean up.... kinda it is what it is.


bernd1972 ........ I have heard of using sand, but the salt sounds better I will have to try that some day.



K1W1.......... I have some log books and this boat has been everywhere it seems like. I know at least three sets of engines. So there has been some major travel. I would love to to previous owners or people that knew this boat.