Chrysler Sailors Forum

OK...now that we are done or close to done with sailing for our first season, I'm starting to plan the off season updates. Looking for some input. Here's what I'm planning on doing, time/weather permitting:

Oct/Nov/or until the snow flys:
1. Repaint the bottom w/ a topside paint, we leave it dry docked during the summer at the marina (Wife is thinking Dk Gray)
2. Repaint the side stripes w/ topside paint, (thinking DK blue)
3. Repaint interior and change out the carpet on the walls
4. Replace the cabin cushions (will rely on wife for colors)
5. Redo the wood on tiller and cabin (thinking teak oil)
6. Add LED lighting in the cabin w/ AA battery power so I don't need a 12v battery onboard (we never really bring the boat out past dark to need the marker lights).
7. Redo wood backing under the cockpit floor on one side and where the ladder connects to the back of the boat.

So...wondering if anyone has some good tips on paint prep. The bottom doesn't have to look perfect, just good. Also, wondering about how to raise the boat off the trailer a couple inches to paint between the boat and the trailer pads. Was thinking about raising up the trailer jack then letting the boat down on something rigged up with my jack stands then lowering the trailer jack (repeat on the other side). Also, good fabrics to use for the cushions??? Any other suggestions???

Planning on redoing the little cracks in the topside of the boat along with painting the topside in the spring. Also, has anyone done anything to the fiberglass that's in the cabin door? It just looks a bit dull and wondering about any ideas.

Now that I know the boat works well for the family and that we're really enjoying it I'd like to spruce it up a bit.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Sorry, one more thing...
Need to replace the ropes going through the hull to the rudder.
How do they connect on the rudder and what's involved in changing them out?

Hello JB. Don Casey has some good tips for painting in his boat tech series. Here's the link: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/howto_tech.htm

I've also been thinking of different not too extravagant $$ ways of raising my boat off the trailer in the spring. I'm considering evenly jacking up the back of the trailer about a foot using two floor jacks, then lowering it onto a 4"x4"x4' timber with a couple of wood pads supported by cinder blocks, then borrowing my neighbors engine lift to raise the front end by the bow eye and lowering it to another 4"x4"x8' timber supported by blocks. I want to be able to get the trailer out from under it temporarily to have some work done on it. Of course the easiest and smartest way would be to just get a slip for a couple of week days and have the work done then. We'll see. I haven't always chosen the smartest way to do things given two options

Thanks for the the website on the painting!

Boat comes out from the marina this weekend to get started on the projects.

Anyone on how to replace the lines going to the rudder?

I didn't see how to "fish" the line through the rudder without pulling the pin on it. Is that correct?

Hi. JB, me again. Rudder ropes are a piece of cake.... after you've done it once that is. Here's link to the Chrysler Sailing Association 'how to' page. It's all under 'How to repair your rudder assembly

http://chryslersailing.lizards.net/sail_howto.html

The CSA is an amazing reference site for us Chrysler-ers (excuse me, i'm working with a bit of insomnia tonight