Purchasing Voyager

There were many things I looked for when I searched for a sailboat but the main thing I wanted was a trailer. I would have liked an inboard, a enclosed head, and that it needed no work but in my price range there would have to be compromises. After trying the eBay route it was soon realized that it was not a good idea to buy a boat without seeing it. The few pictures and short descriptions doesn't show what really needs to be seen. 

The Craigs List Ad where I found Voyager

1966 Grampian. Canadian built, fiberglass sailboat on tandem axle trailer.ten horse outboard needs a little tlc. get it now move it two your place and giterdone. for the upcoming season. **** or trade. Call Joe. No answer? message. will call you back thanks

She is actually Hull #110, 1970

A few interior and exterior pictures

One of the first things I looked for is that the boat was in it's original state. The interior was like it left the factory with no major modifications. The interior wasn't painted the fiberglass interior wasn't modified. The interior fiberglass was part of the structure and integrity of the boat so it's original state is desired. 

It is very important to look at the bilge boards. There should be no rot. I read a interesting point on this that I never really thought about, salt water is not as bad as fresh water on wood. Fresh water is better for the engine but not for the wood. Rotting bilge boards are a sign of water left in the bilges, not good. I also looked for a water line in the interior. A sure sign of neglect and possible hidden rotting.

Bringing the Grampian 26 Home to Battle Creek

The two happiest boat owners in Michigan on that day. Joe selling his boat and me buying it.

When we loaded the mast and had everything ready to go. I looked down and see one flat tire. I had Eaton Rapids Don coming at 12:00 to tow me home. It was 11:50. After examination the valve stem is broke. Fortunately Joe has all the tools and after jacking and blocking we get the tire off. It is 12:00, I hope Eaton Rapids Don is a little late.  Joe gives me directions and I head to Pullman only to find out the only shop in Pullman has closed, permanently. I ask a man getting his mail and he directs me to Fenville, 10 miles away. Off I go. As I pull into the shop I meet the mechanic and explain my situation, wiping away my tears. Sorry, I missed the name of the establishment but it was a tire shop in the center of town and deserves the highest praise. He fixed my tire in less then five minutes and back I go. He tried to charge me $5.00, what is this 1970, I gave him $15.00 for pulling my butt out of a jam. 12:40 and Eaton Rapids Don is there and everything else works out fine. 

All hooked up and ready to go

Leaving Pullman Michigan

Heading to Battle Creek

 I had a chance today to take inventory of what I bought and a few photos of some problems and condition. There were a few surprises but nothing serious.

This is everything. Ignore the trash on the left. That is what I removed from the garage to make room to work  My trash can is full and that will go little by little. 

Lots of stuff. Everything that is needed is a extra expense. If the boat comes with lots of "stuff" that will save in the long run. If everything that has accumulated over the years is there it is amazing how much you can save. Extra stainless bolts and screws, tackle, lines, sails, fenders, it all adds up. In this pile there was even whipping twine, fids, the old boom tackle, epoxy's, a new tiller, shackles and other assorted goodies. It is a good feeling when you are working along and need something to be able to go to the pile and find it. 

The throw ring with Voyager will save me from making up a new name. 

There were eight sail bags and I think one may have more then one sail in it. Maybe next week I will lay them out and see what I have. The condition of the sails was not bad. Usually a great lakes boat is a weekender. The sails may be older but they didn't spend 3 months at sea with the sun and salt on them. 

It is hard to see but there is a hairline crack in the hull. I think this happened when the boat was docked and there was a storm. I thought it was a scrape when I looked at the boat  when I got home and looked closer I see it is a crack. After closer inspection is was a scratch and not a crack. I is not deep. I will try first to sand it out.  For 45 years old the hull is in great shape. There is one repaired spot that was hard to see. It looks like either storm damage from hitting the dock or a collision. It is about 8" square and I didn't see it before.  

Keel to Hull joint. Some rusting to the keel but the joint loos good. My last boat was a drop keel so this is a new area for me. I wanted a big keel just to get a different sailing experience. The joint looked tight and the keel bolts were stainless and clean. 

The hull has no blisters. The bottom paint is almost gone. Should be a easy paint job.

The rudder looks good but has some play. Not enough to worry about.

The transom motor mount. Some pieces were removed but are here. Just need to be remounted. The former owner had plans to redo the deck. Some of the pieces were removed but not many. Everything was there and it would be just a matter of putting them back on.

Cockpit mounted main sheet traveler. Some gel-coat stress cracking at the transom. The condition of the deck was the worse point of the whole boat. There were more then the standard amount of cracks.  I tried to find soft spots but didn't notice any. The boat had been out of the water and covered for six years so it was dry.With end grain balsa it is possible the water didn't travel far. I figure if it lasted 45 years it should last until I am finished with it. The worse ones will get attention and go from there. 

Bronze winches, one needs rebuild. The winches were will worn and all needed attention. All the deck hardware shows it's age. 

I found it interesting there is no fitting to drop the anchor line into the locker. 

Nothing on top of the mast. No mast head light or wire for it. There is a VHF wire.

Window installed in hatch.

Damaged gel-coat. Lots of stress cracking on deck. The boat has been covered for a few years and I don't want to leave the cover off until I decide what to do with these. I was going to skip any work on deck this year but it will never be dryer. 

Inside of anchor locker. Wires from side lights hanging, no wiring. Another award winning photo.

Keel bolts.

All the side compartment shelves are loose. No brackets to mount the table. I did find them in the box of junk, (read treasures).

Under the cockpit.

Bad cushions.

The bilges are in surprisingly good condition

Sideways picture of the porta potty. Pick up and rotate your monitor CCW for better view.

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Water tank 

Clean bilges

More wireless lights

This one has me thinking. This is the inside of the sink thru hull fitting. The next picture is the outside.

Isn't there supposed to be a flange on the outside? Hmmmmmmmmm

The old cable speedometer which I am having no luck finding anything online about. The little propeller is broke and it is not turning. 

The infamous fore-stay. I don't have to worry about failure because it already has. Behind the clevis is the broken piece. I will get a better picture in a later post. 

This is where the cabin meets the fore deck. Stress cracking.

Loads of parts. and a bucket of bolts. Let the puzzle begin

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After getting Voyager home the main problem is the deck. There is a lot of stress cracking. She was covered for a few years and it is dry so the larger cracks should be sealed in some way to not allow water in. A deck repaint is not a project I want to tackle until next year. For now work begins to put her back together and try to sail this year.