Last weekend, I saw an index card on the bulletin board at the Massabesic Yacht Club for a free sailing dinghy. Since I am always looking for a new project (like I have nothing else to do), I called the number and it was still available. Within 24 hours, I had it home.
I had no idea what it was. There was no number plates, or even a logo on the sail. It was complete with rudder, centerboard, mast, boom, sails (jib and main) and all rigging. Missing was the mainsheet but other than that it was complete.
I spent several hours scouring the Internet looking for something close, and stumbled upon pictures of a Rhodes Kingfisher. I measured the LOA and beam and it matched the specifications for the Kingfisher as did the mast, boom, and mainsail measurements.
Some work that will be required:
1. The lifting eye on the bow was loose, and some surgery revealed that the wood behind it was long since rotted away. I cut that out (see photo below) and am filling it with thickened epoxy and a starboard backer plate.
2. The entire hull will need to be painted. But I already have Interlux 2000 on hand so that will seal it and paint it white and it should be good to go.
3. The rudder pintles were attached to a piece of wood that was rotted. I removed it and will be replacing it with a delrin board (similar to starboard or even a cutting board).
4. I'll need new halyards, a traveller line, and mainsheet. Fortunately, my vast collection of line I've accumulated has exactly what I need so no cost there.
5. I'm going to build a dolly out of PVC pipe so I can transport it using my utility trailer.
