South Coast 26' Sailboat Restoration

Just started to scrub her up. I notice that the gelcoat on deck and cabin is no longer white. I think it was because it was covered with leaves so long, that the tannins discolored it. I have thought about painting the boat, but then I will have to paint it again to keep it up. I experimented with what she would look like with a dark blue hull. Tammy said "NO!"

Not too much to report, but we are working on her. The first thing was to raise the mast, so I fabbed up a quick a-frame to help raise it. I took an old deck board and ripped it down the middle. I cut it to length to match the distance from the side stay chain plates to the forward stay  plate. It was about 11'-8" long. I drilled 3/4" holes in the ends of both boards. I ran a piece of 1/2" line through the ends of each board and connected them to make the a-frame. I the other ends to the chain plates. One on each side. I connected the forward stay to the loop on the point of the a-frame and also a block and tackle which I connected to the forward stay plate. I should have taken more pictures. Someone added cable clamps to connect the two side stays together. I guess they did this to get them out of your way. I wonder if this is okay or if it reduces the strength. It seems like it would be okay. I need to ask this question on the South Coast Sail...

We have the boat and now we need to start looking at just how big a project this will be. Here is a picture of the boat taken back in 2005 and the interior was perfect and you can see the current condition of the interior. Here are a few more pictures of her poor condition when we got her back.   Sitting on the front deck contemplating what to do first.

Her journey back home.      Our old South Coast 26' followed us home just before Christmas 2019. It has been a sad tale for her since she was flooded by Hurricane Ike. When we had her she was in perfect condition, but now she is a major project boat. The interior has been gutted but is a dirty mess. All the wood on the toe rail is rotten. Wires have been pulled out and are hanging out dangling everywhere. All woodwork inside is gone, no walls, bulkheads, or table. Any padding, cushions, or curtains gone. It is sad to see her in such a bad condition.      My wife Tammy and I will slowly restore her back you the beauty she once was. This was our second South Coast 26. Our first boat was a South Coast 26 center cockpit, so when we bought this boat we named it "26 Again." With that in mind and the fact that we now have her back again, we both agree that we will again name her "26 Again." I joked with Tammy that we need to name her "26 Again, Again....