Almost done!

Posted By: Don Schroder
Date: 8/20/06 6:38p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

I've nearly completed the restoration of my 1982 Harpoon 5.2 (hull #4021) that I bought in May of this year. I replaced all the wood with quarter-sawn African mahogany (solid and ply) and protected it with 5 coats of spar varnish. I inlaid a piece of 1/8" stainless steel into the new block of wood on the motor mount to protect the wood from the motor set screws, installed new transom lift eyes both inboard and outboard, replaced the boom crutch brackets with beefier, custom stainless steel ones and put a 2" cork ball at the end of the tiller. I also replaced the rub rail (purchased from Twin Cities Marine who are fabulous) and did some minor hull repairs. The deck and hull were lightly sanded with 220 and 320 paper, rubbed down with a mild rubbing compound (white) and a coat of wax was applied (not to the non-skid surfaces and wood). It's now as smooth as the proverbial baby's behind. I carefully applied a 2" red stripe along the waterline to show off the beautiful lines of the boat. As fate would have it, I never sold the Ritchie compass I had from my first Harpoon so I mounted it on the centerboard trunk and it looks great! All that's left is to replace the jib sheet block and track assemblies and then go sailing. I've attached a picture of the boat at http://downloads.c-2.com/photos/1156124342.jpg, a close-up of the seats at http://downloads.c-2.com/photos/1156123916.jpg and a pic of the motor mount at http://downloads.c-2.com/photos/1156123577.jpg. It's been a lot of fun, but I'd rather be sailing!