New to the forum

Posted By: Rob CM 26 Cocoa Beach
Date: 3/25/08 3:36p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

I just took posession of a CM 26 "dog house" of unknown year from my neighbor. He hasn't provided me the title yet so I don't know anything about the boat history other than what I've observed since moving in next door. The boat has been tied up at his dock since I moved in about five years ago. His wife tells us he bought it from a gentleman in Cocoa and never sailed it after he brought it to the dock. He offered it to me a couple years ago but I didn't take him up on it until this past weekend. I have my work cut out for me. The hull is covered in marine growth from years tied up in the brackish canal leading to the Banana River from our neighborhood. There is about three or four inches of water standing in the hull. All the interior wood is rotting. The interior finish is flaking off. The rigging is questionable at best. All that said, I am in love with her already and can't wait until he signs the title over so I can get to work. I've been ravenously devouring all the information available here on the forum regarding refurbishment and repair. I think my first order of business will be to get the water out of the hull. I was hoping to accomplish this fairly easily by putting the boat up on my lift but it seems the keel is down and therefore won't clear the cross member on the lift. The winch is thoroughly rusted and non-functional. I guess I'll hook up a bilge pump and get the hull dried out that way. I've taken some pictures I'll post later, right now the camera battery is recharging. I know at least one forum member is very keen on collecting HINs. I checked the transom and there is no number present. I also checked the mainsail but there are no numbers on it either. Until I get the title is there anywhere else to look for identifying features? Does the absence of a HIN on the transom indicate it is from a given year (or years)? Any suggested rehabilitation measures are welcome.