MV Coast Ranger

Yet another early morning on the ferry to go check on, and do some work, on the old boat. The hull has its first coat of epoxy primer, the deck over the galley is almost fully glassed over (to protect it until we can do it right), the foredeck is done and the bulwarks are progressing. Jesse and I focused on prepping the gumwood guard for antifouling paint.

Another early morning trip to Richmond to do some work on the boat. We sanded, we heated and scraped and sanded more.. 9 minutes away was Ikea for lunch, then back for more heating, scraping, and sanding.

Some random photos from the last week or so. In no particular order, there's all the new foredeck decking and covering board, the roller assembly for the anchor before sandblasting and repainting, and Jesse cutting down the square nails so I could tap them out (saving the Commodores Boats crew alittle work). There's afew last deck planks to repair on the deck behind the wheelhouse, then hopefully we see her on the home stretch for getting put back in the water. We miss her!

Thought I'd share some photos sent to me from Bo, at Commodores Boats. The corner has been turned! After finding and removing the rot, new wood is building her back. We've got oak ribs sistered in, some yellow cedar deck beams, and fir covering boards and decking. Can't wait to go back and see it in person!

It's been a busy couple of weeks since the last post, and we've definitely seen some stuff we didn't want to see, but better to find it now. Crikey!

All the current issues are up on the foredeck and the repairs will give us many more years of worry free boating. The corner has been turned and she's starting to be put back together.

We have to thank Commodores Boats for looking after this for us and working with us to keep the project moving forward.

Made a trip over to check on the boat and remove the aluminum deck tank and storage bin, the hydraulic winches, and a few other things. There's going to be alot more room on deck...

The repairs are progressing. A shame to see a little rotten wood, but it's not too surprising for a 59 year old wooden boat that spent the first 42 years as a BC Forest Service workhorse and was buried under moisture-trapping rubberized paint. Hopefully the pictures start showing reconstruction soon.

Commodores Boats crew making progress...FYI, the shelter will be available to purchase after the job is complete. Ideal for anyone with a boat project coming up at Shelter Island Marina & Boatyard.

Update as of January 2nd. The boat is now fully sheltered and stripping thick rubberized paint from the foredeck and main deck has begun. It's a good protective paint until it isn't, then it traps water. Fortunately there's not a ton of damage at this point. We're getting the batwing removed (8 less zincs each time), and will probably reconfigure the mast as well to something similar to what she had when first built. Not going to be the cheapest refit but she's worth it!

We were sent these photos of Commodores Boats staff welding some steel, 10' high "pony walls" for the tent shelter, which is now assembled over Coast Ranger so that she can be worked on rain, snow, or shine. The mast and boom had to be removed to make it all work, but the Forest Service designed them to be easily (as long as you have a crane) removed.

Today's task was a 6 AM departure from our Ladysmith berth and an 11 AM arrival at Shelter Island marina, 14 miles up the Fraser River in Richmond.

She's getting a long overdue cosmetic refit: layers of old paint stripped to bare wood, any minor repairs done, then a return to her BC Forest Service paint scheme with some well deserved brightwork to show she's retired...

Thank you Commodores Boats for taking on the project

Keep posted for exciting posts coming soon