
We’ve hauled Phoenix and moved her to a boat shed. Jon has started the final refit for leaving the west coast for Hawaii next spring. He will do the extensive carpentry and mechanical work on the list, plus hire and oversee the welder / metalwork. I am still working, but will contribute to the later stages in my “specialties”: paint, varnish, canvaswork, and systems.
We have a “few” things to do, starting with some major steel work. Seven years ago we replaced the sheer clamp on the port side and stern, replacing some of the hull where it attaches to the sheer clamp as well. (Wood/fiberglass decks on steel hull/sheer clamp = trouble, but hey, it’s lasted 50 years so far). That’s all in great shape but the starboard side and bow has to be done now. Some of the foredeck beams were a bit iffy, so we decided to redo all those in steel, beef up the sheer clamp to at least 6″ wide, and add a center strip to support the windlass and additional cleats. After this the boat should be good for another 50 years – longer than us at any rate. I’ve included some of the scary images.
Also on our list:

- remove all fuel, clean the tank, polish the fuel, add a second fuel filter to the system
- diesel heater needs diesel supply hose, but otherwise done
- Battery / solar work including including starter isolation to ACR
- Add inverter / charger into system
- Fuel system fix (a bit of leak)
- Repair and improve bilge pumps
- Install new AIS (burnt out the last one)
- Reinstall 4 ports that leak
- replace propane tanks with fiberglass tanks
- Raise / replace boom gallows
- new fridge install
- Make and install watermaker
- install internet booster
- add bimini
- replace canvas/frame dodger with hardtop / canvas dodger
- Install dinghy brackets to store dinghy under boom
- simplify / improve preventer system
- wind generator / towed generator
- Canvaswork: bimini, dodger, awning repair/replace
- repaint entire exterior
- cockpit refurbish
- new sail track for storm trysail; replace slugs on storm trysail to fit new track

On the probably-not-now list:
- upgrade galley counters and replace sink with double sink
- reconfigure dinette to allow for double bed in cabin