Fortunately for us, a previous owner performed an extensive refit in 2007 that addressed many of the Tritons’ know issues. Fortunately for Selkie, that previous owner was a well respected marine surveyor, so we feel confident that all those projects were done right. Here’s a list of the items that we know have been rebuilt, refit, revised or generally improved upon:
Roller Furling added – Pro Furl brand furler with a big old genoa. There are pros and cons, but overall we’re happy the furler’s there. (Roller furler – mechanism that winds the headsail on the forestay)
New mast – The original mast was replaced with a mast from a Westsail 32. We’ll love the extra 5’4” of height in light airs…we’ll report back on our opinion of it when we get surprised by a chubasco. It also has a separate track for the trysail, a very good thing when the weather gets rough.
Bowsprit added – See above for thoughts on the extra sail area in the foretriangle. The new rig has the forestay led to the masthead, altered from the ⅞ fractional rig of Alberg’s original design. Weighing anchor should be more pleasant for us and easier on the topsides.
Chainplates moved outboard – We’ll give up some sheeting angle, but we’ll gain overall strength for the mast and simplicity for attachment. (Chainplate – Fitting that attaches stays and shrouds to the hull)
Deck hardware epoxy plugged – Tritons, at least those built on the East Coast like ours, had balsa core decks. This in itself is acceptable, but they foolishly chose not isolate the balsa from water intrusion, which often led to rotted balsa cores and spongy decks.
Mast support reinforced – Another weak link in the original design, Selkie has beautiful, heavy oak posts and beam to transfer the mast’s compressive forces to the keel.
Forward lower shroud added – Redundancy good! Redundancy good! (Shroud – wire rope that supports the mast side to side)
Inner forestay added – We now have ourselves a double headsail sloop. Redundancy in the rig is always a good thing, and the ability fly a storm jib off the inner stay will be nice in heavy weather. We’re particularly excited about being able to fly double headsails and no main when running downwind. (Forestay/Backstay – wire ropes that support the mast fore and aft, and can also hang sails)
Isolated backstay added – We don’t have an SSB (single sideband radio) at the moment, but we’re ready for it if one comes our way.
Propeller refurbished – Bronze blades were recently (2012) brought back to fair after some galvanic corrosion issues.
Custom hard dodger – More than a dodger, really, it’s almost a pilothouse. We still have some concern about the added windage should a hurricane or chubasco nail us. The past two owners have loved it though, and assured us that they would never dream of removing it.
Insulated coachroof ceiling – We’ll love it as the sun beats down from above. Hopefully we’ll stay a cool 85 instead of 95 down below. We’re not sure how difficult it will be to access hardware.
One of the great joys of owning a boat is that you get to get to constantly tinker on them. One of the curses of owning a boat is that you have to constantly tinker on them. We also have a list of our own projects that we’re going to undertake to make her a bit safer and a bit more comfortable before we set out. That post will be coming soon.
Any gadgets or systems to recommend?
Nice looking boat and the improvements look well thought out. One thing you might want to think about if you don’t already have it is refrigeration. It makes life much more pleasant anytime but especially during the hot summer in the Sea of Cortez. You don’t want t have to lug ice back t the boat. First, you have to find it and second, by the time you get back to the boat, much of it will have melted. We’re really happy with the Frigoboat keel-cooled system we used to convert Siempre Sabado’s ice box to a reefer. If nothing else, get one of those Engel 120VAC/12VDC units if you can find a spot t stow it. Just google “engel refrigerator”.
Also, get yourself a wifi antenna. I have had greta luck with the Alfa brand. They only cost about $30.00 and I have picked up strong signals using them when fellow boats with much more expensive units couldn’t get a signal worth using,
One last thing. I hope you’re driving down because you should bring as much of the stuff you’ll need with you as getting marine parts in Mexico can be difficult and expensive.
-Steve
Steve,
Thanks for all the great suggestions!
Refrigeration: Refrigeration is literally a topic of daily conversation in our house right now. The original icebox on Selkie has been converted to storage, so we really do need to find another acceptable solution. After doing the electrical input/output calculations on the boat last night, we feel like we would likely be able to accommodate one of the Engel Refrigerators as you suggest. The other option we are considering is simply a really good cooler (Yeti brand). Thanks for helping us weigh the pros and cons of each.
Wi-Fi: We are trying to figure this one out as well. We foresee spending a lot of time in remote areas and, as we understand it, likely outside the range that a Wi-Fi antenna would help with. We’re open to suggestions though and doing as much research as we can on other (affordable) options.
Driving: Yes, we are and we plan to pack our Subaru Impreza wagon to the brim…and then a little more! The drive from Montana to Mexico should be interesting! We’ll be sure to take pictures.
Thanks,
Katie and Mark
As to wifi availability, we’ll know a lot more by the time we meet up with you guys in San Carlos. We’re scheduled for a July 2 haulout at Marina Seca, Guaymas. And by then we’ll have been all the way up to Puerto Peñasco. Last summer we didn’t get north of Puerto Escondido. There were quite a few remote anchorages where there was definitely NO wifi. In those places, our only connection to the outside world was via our SSB.
Whatever else you buy, don’t forget to get some fans. Even just two of the Caframo fans with the big clip o they’re moveable would be a huge boon to your summertime comfort.
-Steve
Steve – That’s great news that our time in San Carlos will overlap. We’d certainly love to catch up and hear your tales. We also have some fans on the ‘definitely need to buy’ list! Thanks again for all the words of wisdom!
Katie and Mark
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