Hello everyone. I am relatively new to the group having purchased my T37 in June of 2017. Hull 206 is a 1979 centerboard T37 previously named Zephra. After appropriate admonitions to Neptune/Poseidon when removing the old name, casting overboard a degradable item with that name, and a little rum, I was able to spend two days with oven cleaner, rubbing compound, and 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper removing the name from the transom. Then, with further pleas to the gods of the four winds and Neptune/Poseidon and a little more rum, the new name Resolute was squarely affixed in Coast Guard approved lettering heights also showing her new harbor of Newburyport MA.
Together, Resolute and I had the best summer of my fifty two years. We took each other on in measured doses of increasing levels of ambition. I made many mistakes, but most of them only once, and none of them causing permanent harm. I took the stance of learning her before changing anything. Her prior owner had cared for her with loving attention for several decades and was kind in leaving nearly everything on board for me to explore and use.
Over the summer I took on the various items found in the survey in order of importance, balanced by cost and time required. She is in great shape with no serious safety issues, but there were numerous little things to repair and replace.
Now it's winter and time for the larger projects. Job one is to get the stink out of the boat so my wife will be more likely to join me more often. I'm focusing on the plumbing and am replacing first all the raw water hoses as well as the joker valve and other maintenance items on the head. The vent and flush lines on the holding tank are being replaced with fragrance impregnable hose. A few dollars more is worth it there. The fresh water hoses are proving to be a challenge. Their route from the head to the centerline of the bilge is via some inaccessible areas under the toilet and port settee through some larger corrugated hoses. I've freed them on both ends, but they won't budge. It's possible that they are just too cold right now to be flexible enough to bend. Seeing as how it's 5ºF outside right now, I will put that part on hold. If you have tackled that job and have some advice, I'd gladly take it.
The faucet in the head was original and leaked through every place it could. I've taken it apart and replaced all the o-rings and faucet washers and gave it a thorough cleaning and it looks great and feels tight. I replaced the cheap plastic handles with some heavier stainless ones that feel good in hand. This seems like a better solution than replacing the fixture with a plastic one from Whale that appears to be made to last two years at most.
Resolute is part of a five year (ish) plan. Year one is done with short day sails and one cruise lasting three days and two nights. This coming summer I plan to spend as much time aboard as possible, working from the boat, and taking a few cruises of a few weeks each up and down the coast of New England. Year three should see a trip to Bermuda. Year four the Caribbean. Year five is when I plan to head out the mouth of the Merrimac, and leave with no set plan to return. Between now and then I have a lot to learn, but already I am encouraged. She is solid, sea kindly and far faster than I imagined. In the one race I competed in this summer we had a dreadful start. I was over ambitious in my positioning, and risked pissing off the fleet so instead took a turn around behind the fleet starting near the rear of the pack. I then enjoyed passing every one of them and crossing the line well ahead of the nearest competitor. With our rating we scored third place, then that night, they had my rating changed to drop us to fifth. No worries. I would much rather have a fast boat than a trophy.
Sorry for the long post. I've been enjoying reading all your comments and helpful advice to each other these last six months or so, and out of courtesy, kept my big yap shut until I learned more of the styles and temperament. I'll be more brief going forward on questions and answers, but just wanted to say thank you for being such a wonderful community.
Regards,
Ward Caswell
"Resolute"