Repair and repaint deck

[TBeyer]

I realise there are a lot of vairables that need to be factored in but generally what would be a ball park estimate to do the following work:
Remove deck ware
Repair areas of core rot two section, one cabin top, 12 x 36 one side deck 10 x 12, others?
Reinforce cockpit sole,
Prep deck for painting
Paint non skid areas, roll and tip
Paint skid areas
Re Install hardware
The boat is 26' 7" LOA with beam of 9' 6"
I know things alway take longer than planned and it is skill dependent as well.
I am wondering if reasonable to do this work between fall haulout, OCT and spring relaunch, late may or early June? Keeping in mind that I work full time, two juniors in high school, and the boat will be at our house in upstate NY.
As I write this I think I answered my own questions, No Freakin Way!
Thanks Ted

[Figment]

I wouldn't say "no freakin way" right off the bat.

Having the boat at the house is a HUGE step in the right direction. What sort of shelter are we talking about? Are those high school juniors available for occasional slave-labor?

Exactly what do you mean by "reinforce cockpit sole"? Core and new skin on top (shouldn't be too hard) or stringers underneath (far more tedious I think)?

I think you can pull it off IF you can have the hardware off, and the cockpit and recore work done (rough-faired at least) before winter weather halts your progress. This may mean hauling out a week or two early, but if spring arrives and you can immediately focus on prepping and painting, you should be in good shape for a June launch.

[Tim]

Well, it wouldn't be impossible, but based on your other commitments, and your location, it'd be downright difficult to complete that work list within the time frame proposed--mainly because the winter weather would get in the way of the work during most of that period.

Your best chance for success would be to go for an earlier, rather than later, haulout, and commit yourself to some serious work in October to get as much work done as possible. Then, you could use the May/June time period to do the final work. But this would require major commitments on your part to work on the boat during any and all free time...whether or not you can do this is a question only you can answer. But most likely, your job and other commitments would end up interfering with boat work during the clement weather as well, so this would tend to slow down the entire process.

If you could count on working throughout this 7-month period, it might be a different story. Certainly some of the work can be done in any temperature, but epoxy and paint work need reasonable warmth for sure. You pretty much have to write off December, January, and February when trying to work outdoors. And the transitional months--November, March, and April--can be be frustratingly inconsistent, and therefore are tough to rely upon either.

Realistically, for most people with the commitments of real life and the concerns of winter weather, the list you've proposed would probably end up taking you through next summer. If you can accept that, then by all means dive in this fall. Better to be done earlier than expected than to have the project drag on interminably--and unexpectedly. Expect the worst; hope for the best.

Hope this helps. I think a little harsh reality check is a good thing.

[Tim]

I should add that, not knowing your true availability and skill level for the jobs at hand, I can't really say how feasible your list really is. Just remember that most people (all people, actually) underestimate how long a particular job will take, and overestimate how much free time they think they have.

Go into the project with this in mind, and you'll be able to stay properly focused. Be prepared for everything to be worse than you think, and you might just come out ahead at the end if you're lucky.

[TBeyer]

Firstly, the cockpit work would include stringers under sole and a little reinforcing of side walls to stiffen it up. Secondly to answer Tims quentions, skill level is fairly high, over winter of 04/05 I gutted and rebuilt interior, with replacement of all systems. Which I was able to complete because most of the interior wood work componets were pre built and finished in the basement shop, plus boat interior could be heated a little, so the weather was less of a factor. This on the other hand is really weather dependent. Of couse a covering would be set up but it still needs be warm to paint and do glass work. I am rather gun shy in starting due to the fact that a good portion of the next season could be missed due to project scope creep and lack of time. I am of the inclination to let this go until the fall of 08 and be completely prepared with materials, equipment and a good game plan to ensure completion on time and ensure it is a quality job. I feel that if I were to start this fall I would be rushed and not prepared. Also the more I think of it the more that would be added to work list, replace portlights, add genoa tracks, add bow roller...... ect. Who knows by then with two going to college the boat could be home for an extended period any way, providing plenty of time but no money! I appericate your comments.

[Summersdawn]

I would suggest doing some of it this year - perhaps reinforcing the cockpit etc. This would minimize the scope for next year.