Advice for an idiot

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Advice for an idiot

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14 September 2013 at 01:23 #43710
BigHugeFatGuy
Participant
@bighugefatguy
Hello all,

I found this forum through the magic of Google, and looking around, I'm betting I'll get good advice here.

My Grandmother is from England, and when she returned from a visit home circa 1980, she gave her newest grandson (me) a Star Yacht Endeavour. It was a few years before I was old enough play with it, but wow, did I ever. That boat saw duty in lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, everything. I also tried sailing the Pacific, but the waves in Washington put a quick end to that. By the time I put it up, the boat was heavily used.

Fast forward 20 years. My mom found it in the attic and mailed it to me. A lot of memories came back…. It's beat, and that's kinda sad. It doesn't look as good as it should. It'd like to restore it for display. I would sail it, but don't have many options here.

I've read over this awesome write-up:

http://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/painting-and-varnishing/4918

A great start, but I'm wondering if I'm missing anything about removing paint. Do I just get started with sand paper and to to town all over the boat?

My current thought process is; sand, seal, paint bottom white, top varnish. Is that about right? I'd like to have a bright white underneath, and a golden glossy wood deck. I'm not looking to make it concours correct to what the Birkenhead factory made, just something pretty to match my memories.

And any place that sells sails, besides eBay?

Thanks for any assistance.

Edited By BigHugeFatGuy on 14/09/2013 01:29:47

Edited By BigHugeFatGuy on 14/09/2013 01:31:47
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14 September 2013 at 01:23 #2309
BigHugeFatGuy
Participant
@bighugefatguy
suggestions on Star Yacht restoration
14 September 2013 at 07:41 #43712
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Andy,

There is a manufacturer and supplier of cotton sails for vintage yachts in the UK called Nylet. Here is a link to their website. On the right hand index, the heading is cotton/vintage sails.

**LINK**

I am not the best person to help with the paint job, but on this site a thread – prototype build of Ellie isn't too far away from the start of the finishing process.

Tony.
14 September 2013 at 14:15 #43714
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Hello Andy

I am glad that you found my article so useful although I have to say that awesome is a word seldom used in a sentence regarding my work.

Regarding removing the paint from the hull I would recommend using an eco friendly paint stripper rather than sand paper as the paint stripper is less aggressive.

All the best

Paul
14 September 2013 at 15:29 #43720
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Andy

These Star yachts are collectors items these days and a refurbish will spoil the historic patina and lose it`s value!

Wax polish may improve the appearance

New sails would be acceptable…..But keep the originals

Spend your time making a quality display box instead

Bob
14 September 2013 at 18:36 #43725
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Bob has a point here. The boat you have is the one that was given to you.

If you "do it up", it will not be the same boat. To me, it doesnt look so bad, and perhaps a light rub down and re varnish on the wood bits to preserve them, and a wax for the painty bits may be all that is neccessary. Sailing without treating the deck may lead to swelling and other issues when it gets wet. The restoration thing is somethingt to be argued about. I have some old British bikes, and the vexed subject of restore or oil up and be damned often rears its ugly head

Unless the paint is well cracked, a bit of work with some "T-cut" or similar paint cutting compound will restore a bit of vigour into the finish (followed by a wax)

Sails are the thing to go for as the originals are not only worth money (to preserve the value and originality of the boat) but may possibly fail when a good breeze hits them and ruin everything.

At the end of the day, it is your boat and you should do with it what seems right to you.

Ashley
15 September 2013 at 00:06 #43732
BigHugeFatGuy
Participant
@bighugefatguy
Tony: Excellent, thank you.

Paul: Thanks for that. I was thinking chemicals might be harsher than sandpaper. Hadn’t considered the safer products.

Bob & Ashley: You sound like my wife. We’re both gear-heads, and you bring up the same points on any old car we look at. She’s got a thing for old Corvettes, and would love an original condition ’58. I tend to be the jerk that rips out the original drive train in favor of a v8 with 3 times the horsepower. However, you’ve got me thinking here.
I’ll give cleaning a go first, and see how it looks. If I’m unimpressed, I’ll over restore it.

Is there a place that sells reproduction stickers, emblems and whatnot? I know it’s missing the company logo, and the Endeavor name is tore up.

Thanks again guys.
15 September 2013 at 10:58 #43737
LARRY WHETTON
Participant
@larrywhetton68737
Hello Andy,

WELCOME i would give it nice clean , use a little white spirit and cotten wool buds dry of well finish with little spray polish , and may be tidy up fraying rigging ,

it is nice bit of history and its well worth saving cheers Larrry,,…
15 September 2013 at 12:14 #43740
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Andy,

Check out the Vintage Model Yacht Group website:

**LINK**

They have a section on Star Yachts:

**LINK**

And should be able to give you specialist advice on restoting your model.

Colin
15 September 2013 at 19:54 #43749
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
I would personally NOT polish the wood deck as it may be nigh on impossible to remove completely and will then B*****r up any paint finishes that you want to put on top, unless there is already varnish on it, of course.

Larry, you sound just like Bob and me, and bhfg`s wife !

Ashley
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