Eric sent in the following pictures and a love story.

My first look

A shambles below

A thing of Great Beauty

In the water

Back on the hard again..

Canopache's nameplate

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                                                                                                       August 5, 2007

Hi Ron

 

A short story and a few pics for your information.

OH MY GOD!  WHAT HAVE I DONE?  I fell in love and forgot to look at  her teeth!

Last summer, while on a materials run, I saw Her through the trees. I  looked and lusted. I called and was told she was available for $1,500.00.  I was told that the boat had gone through a divorce, was rescued by her Captain, transported to the Yard and abandoned there without a cover.  While in the hands of the Ex her cover rotted off.  With the drain plug still in place rainwater had risen to 18", mixing with oil and bilge goo along the way.  It saturated the cabinetry and rusted out the inboard engine, trashed the cushions, corroded the stove and generally make the interior an inhospitable place. She was  a real mess!

 

Against  all reason, I lusted some more.  (This is a   dangerous state of mind!)  I searched the net, downloaded the  original brochure from S&S, and found the article in Good Old Boat!  I found that the name "Canopache" is Wampanoag Indian (native to the  Cape and Islands) for "place of peace" and also their word for  Nantucket!   I was hooked!  Such a beautiful creature deserves loving care.

Reality sets in.  I can't do this.  I have nowhere to keep the  boat!   And she needs so much.  Everything-and I do mean everything - needs attention. The sheaves are all cracked, the tiller has rotted  off, lines are dirty and old, sails stained, standing rigging  questionable, brightwork not bright at all, needs stripping and paint has some leaks at the stanchions etc, etc, etc..... Thousands of  dollars and thousands of hours!!!!  I can't find the time to finish  redoing my shower let alone work on a boat.   I am in the middle of a  remodel of my  Summer Cottage here on Cape Cod. I would not have time  to address her needs for a couple of summers.  I lusted on....

A couple of tormented months go by and a friend offered a place with  electric and power  That did it!  Against all reason I called the  Boat yard.  I was told they just the day before they had given it to  a young man who worked there.  He had stepped the mast and the boat  was lying at mooring in East Orleans.  BUMMER. This just was not meant to be.  I decided that the info I had collected would better  serve the new owner than the circle file so I gave it to him along  with my email just in case he changed his mind.

The call came a week later.  It seems after a few parties on the boat  and a few discussions with his wife about the priorities of boats and babies [one child is the equivalent of one 42 footer]that he would  love to have me be the next to enjoy the rights of ownership. The deal was done for $1,000.00, and she was moved to her new hard  location in the woods, inventoried, and covered for the winter.

A couple of months go by and my "landlord" allows that his neighbors are restless!  I am looking for yet another place for the boat- or maybe try to sell/give it away? Serendipity would have no parting.  I found a barn to work in and a space next to it for the boat!.  She will be moved there after a  Captain/surveyor friend comes to give me the really hard truth of my folly!

My dreams still see Her with a new interior(with an open plan), a new diesel power-plant, and all bright and shiny!  This is going to be a long process but love shall conquer all!

Thanks Ron for your contribution to our dearest love!

Eric

 

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On November 29, 2008 Eric sent in a picture Canopache's mast hinge plate, and some comments on a tabernacle/hinge plate problem. This can be seen in to the Technical section on mast tabernacles and hinge plates. Click to go there

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November 23, 2009. Eric sent in an update/status report on where Canopache is in the current project priority list (minor edits)

I am psyched!  I am just realizing that I have worked Canopache up toward the top of the to do list [photo of completed Jeep and Cottage attached].   I have made a deal to acquire a one owner, never titled, never on the road, galvanized, two axle with brakes Sailboat trailer for a very good price.  This IS adding fuel to the fire!!!   Next summer I will erect a work shelter around the old girl to facilitate an ongoing project.

I have decided on Awlgrip for the hull and mast/boom, and Linear Polyurethane on deck and coach house.  Need to decide on method of stripping old finishes.  Have removed all fittings and wood parts already. and will remove toe rail prior to painting.  I think I'll use the West system on all rails etc, with Cetol varnish to finish. All penetrations will be checked and repaired if necessary, and all fittings and wood parts reinstalled with proper bedding.  I plan to use the helpful Rigging Only of Fairhaven, MA .  I met with them last season.  Now, for a great deal on a new diesel...,and opening port lights, and... and....

It would appear that it's time to generate a detailed Restoration Action List, as I have emailed Karl's Boatyard on Cape Cod to enlist a pro for inspection, advice and sourcing, and plan to meet with him this spring to discuss the list. (Karl's was mentioned in the Scuttlebutt a while back.  I subscribe thanks to a tip from you.)

Thanks again

Eric

Webmaster note: Scuttlebutt is the morning online newsletter, almost required reading for racing sailors, and good reading for the sailing community generally. This is their website - www.sailingscuttlebutt.com. Click to go there

 

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December 17, 2009. Erik has sent in more informarion about his newly acquired trailer mentioned above. It is a 6000# (6960 GVW) set up for a boat that  was 25' overall with a 19' waterline, 8' beam, 3'-6" draft, and 5120#  displacement.

This, and additional information, has been added to our Technical/Trailers Section. Click to go there.