DEERFOOT SAILBOAT REFIT PROJECT

During the winter months, a significant amount of refit work was performed on a 63-foot Deerfoot sailboat that was stored at HYS. The original steel keel, which held water and diesel fuel, was replaced with a new stainless keel designed by one of the boat’s original designers. Additional work included upgrading the fuel system by adding fuel manifold and fuel polishing systems. The boat’s fresh water system upgrades included a manifold and UV filtering system. Old wiring in the navigation station area was removed and cleaned up. The engine room systems lay out was rearranged to gain better access to seacocks, engine, and generator components. The baby stay and back stay hydraulic cylinders were replaced and the furler system for the head sail was reworked. The boat’s bottom had elevated moisture, so the gel coat was peeled and the hull was dried to 10% before applying five coats of InterProtect and three coats of bottom paint. There was an Awlgrip repair on the hull, and additional systems work was completed. The boat was relaunched earlier this spring and is in prime sailing condition.