First boat - 1968 Lapworth Gladiator?

[Captain Smollett]

Incidentally, what tools are most frequently used by members (saws, sanders) for working on their boats, at their boats? I can see that I will be missing my table saw (100 pounds of steel 3000 miles from here) for most portions involving woodworking, and wondered how others equipped themselves when faced with a lack of space for tools.

Most excellent question, Bryan.  You'll probably get as many answers as one would get to "what boat should I buy."   ;D  Here's my take:

** Don't sweat missing the table saw.  They are good for a lot of things, but not for others, and you can make up the difference other ways.  That said, Fred Bingham's book Boat Joinery and Cabinetmaking Simplified has 'plans' for making a small table saw out of a regular circular saw.

** An angle grinder with sanding pad is indispensable.  It's useful for a TON of things.  Mine is a DeWalt.

** A good quality jig saw will get more use than your table saw more than likely.  I would not skimp here.  I really like my Bosch.

** I have battery powered tools for working on the boat at anchor, and my experience with them is that the batts just don't last long enough to be very useful.  The exception is the drill.  Saws and sanders suck the juice so quick, maybe a cut or two and then you get to wait a couple of hours for a recharge.  So, for 'serious' work, go corded.

** A circular saw has some uses, but you CAN do without.   Jig saw may not be BEST for all cuts, but it CAN do them.

** Some folks seem to swear by a reciprocating saw (like a sawz-all); I've used one, but not very often.  Seems more the tool for 'demolition' type work.

** Drill, of course.  Even if you have 110 V AC readily available, a good cordless drill is VERY handy.

** A bench planer is handy.  I also have a power hand plane and use it a lot.  Hand planes and rasps are needed.  The bench planer is 12"; when I need something wider planed, I know guys in town that have big planing equipment.

** A router is a must-have, imo, if you are doing a lot of woodwork, especially finish type work.  A plunge router helps.  My router is a Sears Craftsman branded Porter-Cable.

** As for sanders, Random Orbit for 'finish' type sanding.  I also recently got a belt sander, one that can easily be clamped down and used as a small 'bench unit,' it 'paid for itself' the first day I used it.  Keep lots of small blocks for hand sanding, too, the usual stuff if you are accustomed to woodworking.
My RO sander is a DeWalt and the belt sander is a Bosch.

** Some of the guys on the dock were quite impressed the other day when I pulled out my drill press...for some jobs, it's just DARN handy, and quite a bit more accurate than hand drilling (at least for me).  This is the only true "bench" tool I have (the bench planer is a 12" "portable" model), and it's a bear to move around, but worth it when I need it.  It's a Ryobi.

** Make friends with a welder or have welding gear available.  There's a guy I take my stuff to, and he does EXCELLENT welds on both aluminum and stainless.  He's an ex-CeeBee who now does boat restoration and customization.

** Without proper work benches, you will need improvised ways to hold work.  A few months ago, after fighting this battle (and mostly losing), I splurged on the pricey but WORTH THE MONEY Rockwell Jawhorse.  Along with a regular, cheapie, plastic saw horse, or even alone, this things makes an excellent work platform.  It folds up for transport and storage.

** There's a few odds n ends that I have found useful over the years...such as a flexible shaft for the drill to drill holes where the drill won't fit.  I also think a Dremel type tool is handy.

NONE of this is routinely kept on the boat, but we are four living aboard a 30 footer.  If I were alone, the v-berth would be a shop.  It could all fit in the back on an SUV or a tough box in a pickup.  I COULD store it all in the boat if I HAD to, but, well, toys and stuff takes precedence, I guess.

Hope that helps...


Edit: Or, "Me Too" to Tim's Post.   ;D

[Tim]

Edit: Or, "Me Too" to Tim's Post.

Uh no, I forgot the drill. ;) ::)

[CharlieJ]

I've been really interested in this. Remember what Tehani looked like when she was found.



and after completion 18 months later

[Lost Farmboy]

Today I found a local marina (7th that I talked to) with several open moorings, adequate facilities, AND a reasonable price. Having previously found answers to various other questions I had, ranging from transport to tools (thanks!), I made an offer to the owner. Just have to wait and see if it coincides with his idea of a fair price.

Charlie - Incredible doesn't say it; if I had gone and found that this Gladiator was in the condition that Tehani was in, there wouldn't be a post here. Such a project would be beyond me and the resources at my disposal. It's great to see that you have the resources of knowledge and time, as well as the will to have worked such a change on her.

[CharlieJ]

Thanks. Now if you'll go to "members galleries" open "charilej" (on page two), you'll find pics of the lady who did a HUGE part of that restore. She has to get the credit for the "pretty" parts. I do the construction and glass work, she does the finish stuff, in addition to sanding and grinding.

Worth it too- we've been aboard most of the last 23 months and have traveled from Texas, the Bahamas and US east coast so far, into the Chesapeake. The boat has done all we've asked of her.


These older sailboats were built tough for the most part. Good luck with yours.

Here's one pic as an example-

[Lost Farmboy]

Well... looks like it will not happen after all. The owner decided against selling the boat at this time 22 minutes after accepting my offer to buy, no explanation given. Back to the hunt...

By the way, would anyone happen to know of a good old sailboat near Seattle for sale? (23-26 foot preferred) :/

[tomwatt]

Keep your eyes and ears open... a good one will turn up. (West coast is not included in my normal search area so I don't know of a boat... although Northeast Sailboat Rescue has a very nice Contessa 26 just listed).
I think boat poking turns into some sort of obsession for everyone eventually.
Sorry it didn't turn out, but "your" boat will come along soon.