Messages

16

Ports & Hatches / Beckson 414 opening ports

« on: February 11, 2019, 07:53:56 PM »

My 1984 303 came to me with what appear to be 4 original Beckson 414 opening ports, plastic windows with screens.  One had a gasket in horrid condition, the others are reasonable but not perfect.

I bought 4 new gaskets from Beckson, but my first attempt at replacing the first one was an hour of pure frustration.  It was about 70F, but the gasket was too cold and stiff to stretch and fit into the slot - the directions that came in the box with the gaskets didn't mention heating the gasket, I gave up after over an hour of trying to get it to seat around the first corner, dry, with soap, stretching, etc. no luck - put the old gasket back and went home to research.

The Beckson online instructions include a step to leave the gasket in the sun to warm up before starting.  I didn't have enough sun at my second attempt, but I did flip on the water heater long enough to get the galley sink deep enough with lukewarm water to soak the gasket for a few minutes - after that it only took about 15 minutes of average struggling to get the new gasket seated properly.

One down, three to go.

17

Sails and Canvas / Zipper wax on mainsail cover zipper?

« on: February 11, 2019, 04:50:53 PM »

Zipper wax on an old plastic mainsail cover zipper - good idea or bad?

18

P27 / Re: Running rigging

« on: February 11, 2019, 09:05:38 AM »

These guys appear to:

https://www.mauriprosailing.com/us/category/2-Pearson-27.html

19

Deck Mounted Hardware / Pulpit rebedding

« on: February 10, 2019, 04:43:26 PM »

I suppose this is a lot like stanchion rebedding, but... I have a 303 and there is a substantial amount of rainwater that makes its way from the deck into the shelves in the V-berth... I guess previous owners ignored it because it mostly heads down to the bilge, but it does get anything stored on the shelves wet and of course makes it (more) damp inside...

Any hints from those experienced in doing rebedding projects?  Is 4000 caulk sufficient, or should I be thinking about sealing with epoxy and re-drilling?

20

Cruising / Re: Type I MSD

« on: February 09, 2019, 01:53:31 PM »

I have a 303 with a smallish vinyl bag holding tank under the starboard settee...  I don't know if the "soft tanks" would get you any more flexibility with respect to overall holding capacity, but they do seem like a relatively easy install (easy for me to say, my boat came with them pre-installed, and a gripe from the previous owner about one he had to replace because it was leaking...)

21

P303 / Re: P303

« on: February 09, 2019, 08:58:08 AM »

Thanks!

22

P303 / P303

« on: February 08, 2019, 05:07:58 PM »

How about the 303?  I've read that over 300 were produced, at any given time many seem to be available for sale, I just bought a 1984 model late last year...