Mirror 20800 - possibly salvagable

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Submitted by Kelly on Wed, 08/05/2015 - 18:44

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Hi Everyone
I just picked up Mirror 20800 from the original owner this past weekend. Looks like the sails, spars, rudder and dagger board are all in excellent condition as they were stored indoors. The hull is another matter however...
Currently assessing the possibilities of saving it. The bottom of the hull looks very good as does the starboard side...the port side and bow will need to have a lot of replacement wood - probably about 40%. The transom will also require some "love".
Hoping to be able to keep another one out of the landfill...I'll keep you all posted.
Kelly

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Kelly

Sat, 08/08/2015 - 20:51

Work is progressing on the old boat...I've stripped it all down and have begun replacing some of the wood. The port side above the seats has been pretty well all replaced as has the bow above the deck. Looks like I will need to replace the transom as well...
I think we can safely add this one to the Roll Call Gernot - I'll get it sailing one way or the other...same info as Mirror 14364.
Kelly

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62816inBerlin

Tue, 08/11/2015 - 21:17

I'm putting her down on the roll call as "undergoing restoration".

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Kelly

Sun, 08/16/2015 - 01:07

Sounds good Gernot - I'll let you know once I get her on the water...

Kelly

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Kelly

Tue, 09/29/2015 - 11:54

Hi Gernot - I finished up 20800 and had it out sailing on the weekend. Here's a link to a video showing the restoration and some sailing! Feel free to add it to the roll call!
Kelly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ7YqCaa470&index=8&list=PL0nIF_7grsInsZ...

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sail_and_oar

Tue, 09/29/2015 - 21:36

I watched the video and enjoyed it. Really bad hull but you seem quite happy replacing panels and you must have saved a lot by getting a boat with good gear. I think this sort of rot is caused by condensation running down the inside of the boat cover. I havn't seen this in my boat yet, perhaps sailing on salt water has helped, perhaps just luck. I changed my transom last summer and it was a pig of a job to do just from the outside. I ended up gluing chine logs inside the back tank to get a decent landing for the transom to fix against. I taped it as usual on the outside.

The hatch in the forward compartment is a good idea. For single handed sailing I always found myself jammed up against the thwart trying to trim the boat level. Then I put a hatch in, all my drinking water goes in there along with mooring warps and suddenly I was comfortable.

The sails looked like Jeckalls from Norfolk (UK) which was a surprise as I assume you are from the USA or Canada and interesting how you lead your jib sheets through both fairleads.

Cliff

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Kelly

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 03:13

Thanks Cliff - I figured the jib was cut for the original fairlead angle so I thought I'd try it that way - seems to work pretty well. I have put the forward hatches in both of my Mirrors and I really like them. I prefer the black ones as they don't stand out quite so much but they are very functional for storing gear as you say.

popop

Tue, 09/29/2015 - 22:27

Good work and a great video. This is going to make it harder for me to sell mine!

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Kelly

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 03:14

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it!

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62816inBerlin

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 16:14

I've been busy with one or two other activities recently (grandson being the major one) and only just re-viewed the video in peace. It's great to see some of the vintage boats being saved from destruction.
I love it!
Has anyone ever tried to count Mirror-related video clips on Facebook ;-{) ?

Cheers,
Gernot

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Kelly

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 18:50

Grandchildren are the important thing - it's easier to repair a boat years down the road than a grandchild/grandpa relationship ;)
I just love sailing these old boats - the guys I cruise with all loved my first one and are talking about "Joining the Club"! I'm thinking I'll make one of my Mirrors available as a loaner to try and promote them as cruising boats. I'd love to see a few more out cruising with us!
There must be quite a few Mirror videos now - keep 'em coming!!

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PuffinInTegel

Wed, 10/14/2015 - 16:58

Hi Kelly,
Admiring your first video once more, I noted two things:
a) Without any modifications, you can sheet the jib directly (inside the shrouds) into the fairlead on the thwart. That would allow you to sail a bit higher upwind. I find this important in our very constricted waterways, especially if the wind is dead on my nose.
b) Your mainsail downhaul can be controlled if you add a little sheave or block on one side of the gooseneck and a jam cleat under the boom - this allows you to get a better mainsail set by adjusting the luff tension. Here's my set-up (was like that when I bought the boat eons ago):
port side:

starboard side:
.
We can definitely work out a "Mirror video playlist". Many of us already have links (some voluntary, some involuntary) to other videos on our Youtube pages. I enjoyed your camping trip video, too.
Cheers,
Gernot

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Kelly

Mon, 10/19/2015 - 16:32

I like your downhaul set up. I've been meaning to do that as well as an outhaul on both of my boats. The photos are helpful. I will try the inside sheeting as well - I wasn't sure if it would be too far inboard - if that's your set up and it works I can always use an extra degree or two as well!
We are now beginning to see snow and ice a bit here - as a result we are planning next year's excursions. I am hoping to sail the "North Channel" of Georgian Bay. A beautiful area with lots of islands and areas to camp. Looking forward to it! I'm sure I will make some new videos there as well.
Thanks again
Kelly

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62816inBerlin

Mon, 10/19/2015 - 20:22

But then it's time to dream of the coming season.
I just looked at the northern area of Georgian Bay on Google Earth and it reminds me of the Swedish skerries (Schärengarten / skärgård) and looks a great place to cruise/camp/sail.
Cheers,
Gernot

Kelly's picture

Kelly

Tue, 11/03/2015 - 13:29

Parts of it are pretty remote - it will be nice to be away from the crowds of some of the other more southern spots we sail. I'll post some photos and video links through the various Mirror Spots (here, facebook etc). Weird thing is I was putting the boats away last night (the Mirrors and my DS16) and then saw the weather for this week - it's supposed to be almost 20 degrees! I may drag one of the boats out this weekend if it stays nice!

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Kelly

Tue, 11/03/2015 - 13:38

By the way I'll post the trip plan ahead of time in case there are any local Mirror (or other small boat) sailors that would like to join us. We are just nailing down the details now - it will be a raid type of event where we plan to meet up at predetermined camp sites each night. We are looking at having a 50 mile or so loop for those who want a more leisurely cruise and one of about 100 miles as well for those who want to go a little further/are sailing faster boats.
Kelly