Resurrecting a Classic 31

[Crazer]

I was given a Grampian Classic 31 here in Annapolis this fall, and I have had her hauled out and am working to bring her back to life. I had only just begun looking for a new boat, but when I saw this boat I couldn't turn it down. I love my old Pearson but the layout is less than ideal in my mind and I don't like having a centerboard. I hope to have the boat, since renamed Stardust, sailing by next fall. A bit ambitious but she's complete and needs mostly cosmetic work and some repairs to the decks and mast.

The engine is the original 1965 A4. Moyer put on a new carb some years ago. There's a lot of surface rust but not too bad all things considered. It does turn over, but I've not checked for compression yet. Unfortunately the zincs were neglected long enough that the prop shaft and prop are trash. I cut them out of the boat this weekend. Of course all the through hulls will be replaced too as they are now suspect. The prop was so bad that chunks of it came off when they pressure washed her!

[Marian Claire]

Look forward to following your progress. The MC has a 1965 A-4, along with full keel and prop in an aperture. Would like to see pics of the interior.

Dan S/V Marian Claire

[Al Schober]

Those old Grampions are good boats (like Tartans).
Local club member had one that he raced PHRF (non-spinnaker) one season. He took first in every race he sailed!

[lat 64]

re: replacing through-hulls; old classic seacocks can be restored in some models. don't throw the baby out with the bilge water.

I did mine a couple of years back:

http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8637

[Marineee]

Grampian classic. That's great! looking forward to your progress

[alcodiesel]

Beautiful lines.

[sastanley]

I agree...those are much prettier than the mid-70's Grampians with the choppy cabins.

[quiesence65]

We purchased a 1965 Classic in 2009, and have pretty much rebuilt her....the A4 is original, and now runs like a kitten. We love the way she looks, and she sail like a dream. Good luck with your project!!

[Crazer]

We purchased a 1965 Classic in 2009, and have pretty much rebuilt her....the A4 is original, and now runs like a kitten. We love the way she looks, and she sail like a dream. Good luck with your project!!

Glad you checked in! Yours is very pretty, I do like the full width cabin trunk, too. I can't wait to have mine out sailing, everyone is telling me they sail beautifully. I'm curious, I see you have a bowsprit but only a single headsail. Was the boat originally a cutter? Is your stern rail original to the boat or did you add it?

No new photos yet (oops) but we're working on cleaning out years of mildew and standing water. Some of the gelcoat has been stained by the mildew. What's a good process for removing those stains? I haven't tried anything yet. I think On/Off (acid) would work but I'd like to try something less aggressive first.

[sastanley]

I think I'd try vinegar or maybe bleach before I reverted to the acid.
If you do use the acid, be sure to have a 100% chemical mask..that stuff is nasty out in the open boat yard, I can't imagine using it inside a boat without a good mask.

[quiesence65]

Yes you are right....the boat was rigged as a cutter when we got her.....yankee and a boom-footed staysail. We wanted to rig her for single handing, so bought a used furler and genoa that was in new condition, and re-rigged her using the existing deck mounted cutter blocks to bring everything back to the cockpit....works great.
If you have any other questions, just ask....I did a lot of work on her, and would be happy to assist you in steering you in the right direction if I can!
Good Luck!

[Crazer]

Thanks, I'm sure I will come up with questions as I go along! Do you have a monel gas tank off to port, in the cockpit locker?

I'm working on removing said gas tank. It's about half full with bad gas, so I'm going to remove it and clean it out. There were a couple of brass straps and a delaminated piece of plywood holding it in. I made up a new cleat using some scrap Starboard (plastic) and plan to add a Racor filter inline in place of the old FRAM filter. We've been cleaning on the nicer weekends but the cold snap slowed progress down, as expected.

[TomG]

That boat does have beautiful lines - a true classic!

Let me know if you want a poly gas tank (if you're replacing yours). If you have monel, I doubt you'll need to, but I do have a poly tank here over on Kent Island that's yours if you want it.

Congrats on the newest addition to your navy!

[Crazer]

Thanks, Tom!

I have determined that the engine does have compression so I am proceeding confidently towards getting it to run. Other work is on hold during this unpleasant March (lots of wind and cold temperatures) but I'm very excited for the spring!