April 11, 2018
Having finished work on Joule and now in the process of restoring the Dyer Dhows, I am not ready to take on the Allied Greenwich 24 for her owner, but I did want to get out and take a look at the upcoming project. With an estimated start date of July 1, there is plenty of time to dial-in the scope of the work, to discuss necessary repairs to structure as well as cosmetics, and wish list items. I took about an hour and conducted a cursory survey of the interior, cockpit, and deck. I arranged the photos below as I worked my way around the boat. With the boat in the water, I was not able to get a look at the bottom; however, the topsides appeared to be in good shape, with no visible hull damage.
I started forward and below (wondering if that wrench is serving as a backing plate, and if it conveys!). I was interested to know what such a large piece of plywood was secured to the overhead within the chain locker. After speaking with the previous owner and observing the deck condition, I was pretty sure that this was an attempted "band aid" fix - an attempt to shore up a flexing deck, and possible wet core material.
The crack in the top laminate (shown below) was fairly in line with the outboard port edge of the plywood board (shown above). This is just not a good approach to solving the problem on the foredeck.
It is hard to see in the photo below, but I tried to capture an overview of the area on the foredeck that held a concave surface - bowed in a bit. The solution here will be to cut out the top skin, exam the extent of the core damage, remove and replace damaged core, and laminate a new top skin over the repaired core. The repair will need to tie in to the surrounding damage-free deck, adding strength and convexity to the foredeck deck.
The picture below shows the forward port, and generally the condition of the interior surface. I would suggest removing the port, sanding and repainting the surfaces, and then re-bedding the port.
The picture below shows the forward starboard opening port, and holds the same condition and suggested process for restoration.
To the aft end of the v-berth, the marine head was located at one point. It appears that the water intake and the waste discharge seacocks were removed and through hulls capped in place.
Depending on the owner's proclivity for "roughing it," a self-contained head could be outfitted here and the through hulls removed and the holes filled.
A small step up just prior to where the marine head was located provides for ease of entering the v-berth. The v-berth was fairly spacious in the Greenwich 24. A removable shelf rests on the cleats (shown below), and provides for a larger sleeping area.
A simple access hatch forward on the v-berth provides for some limited storage.
Moving aft, I examined a large hole in the main bulkhead - just aft of the v-berth, with the bulkhead material dry and rot-free. A simple repair, and finish paint, could render this hole a distant memory.
I did examine the chain plate knees to port and starboard, and found one on the port side that requires replacement. Cracking and fiberglass delimitation are visible on the knee; the tabbing could stand to be beefed up on this knee as well as the other chain plate knees.
The tabbing on the main bulkheads, in places, would require repair/replacement, but this damage was not extensive.
I did notice soft spots on the main port bulkhead where the cabin side transition to the deck surface - on the interior. Paint removal here will give me a better visual of the extent of the punky wood, but my recommendation would be to remove the bad wood, make repairs to the bulkhead and then tab the bulkhead to the cabin sides and deck surfaces.
Same issue and recommended repairs on the starboard main bulkhead.
The companionway slide hatch is pretty much gone. With significant plywood delimitation and rotted surfaces, I would recommend rebuilding the hatch.
Companionway slide hatch exterior, photo 1.
Companionway slide hatch exterior, photo 2.
Moving aft, I noticed a deck drain that was leaking at the wooden backing plate, dripping to the cushion below - recommend removal and updating the deck drain, with proper backing plate (G10) and installation. Notice below, the old ice box can be seen, old hinges visible as well.
A good amount of water dripping through the water pooling on the deck. I had the owner thoroughly spray the deadlights and opening ports to observe any leaks, but as water ran down onto the deck and aft to the deck drain, water quickly found its way between the outer diameter of the deck drain and the deck itself, through what is likely a rotten wood backing plate...and onto the cushion below.
I removed the cabin sole hatch, and observed a dry bilge.
The bilge further aft, dry.
To starboard, looking aft - not sure why the plywood was installed here, but would recommend removal and general beautification.
The main cabin opening port light - recommend removal and re-bedding.
The forward opening port light - recommend removal and re-bedding.
Again, looking aft on the port side - recommend removal the plywood.
I did not get a picture of the starboard main cabin deadlight, but did get the port side - recommend removal while surface prep and painting, and then re-bedding.
Below, main cabin opening port light to port - recommend removal and re-bedding.
Finally, the port side forward opening port - recommend removal and re-bedding.
Moving to the cockpit, I examined the cockpit seat lockers. General interior surface prep and painting is required, along with new piano hinges for the locker lids.
The forward cockpit locker to starboard - the aft end of the old ice box can be seen. May want to consider removing the ice box, or repurposes the compartment for a more secure, water-tight compartment accessible from the cabin.
Here is a good shot of the missing piano hinge. Holes could be filled and new hinge styles applied.
To starboard, the winch is in good shape. Some missing hardware to be provided by previous owner.
The starboard coaming is in decent shape, and does not appear to be in need of new coaming boards. I would recommend stripping and re-varnishing the boards.
Aft shot of the starboard coaming board.
To port, I found the same condition of the coaming board.
I would recommend stripping the old varnish off and then application of fresh coats.
I examined the engine well, and saw a lot of sanding and repainting of the surfaces.
I did find a bit of fiberglass tabbing pulling up - just above the slight kink in the hose (pictured below). After grinding the surfaces in the engine well, new tabbing reinforcement can be applied, and prior to painting.
Another shot of the engine well.
While not as bad a condition as found on the companionway slide hatch, there is need of some repair to the engine well hatch. I would recommend stripping the old varnish, bedding the seams, and then fresh varnish.
Some wood damage is visible on the hatch, but limited.
The taff rail...similar condition to the balance of the toe rail lengths.
Another shot of the taff rail.
The aft chain plate is obviously distorted, and requires replacement.
The tiller handle exhibited some wood rot and grain separation. Overall condition was rough, and would recommend replacing.
The picture below shows the small access hatch at the base of the tiller strap. Shore power assembly can be seen in the photo (yellow cord).
One deck drain to starboard empties into the cockpit - I noticed the drain was filled with water, suggesting a clogged line.
Close up picture of the starboard drain inside the cockpit well. Gelcoat damage requires work.
A wood fiberglass patch?...some work required here on the port cockpit seating.
The cockpit drain to port was plugged. ??!!?? The previous owner advised that with a number of people aboard, and under sail, water was "bubbling" into the cockpit. I am sure with a "number" of people aboard, the cockpit was sitting low in the water, but crossing cockpit drain hoses (starboard drain to port through hull) could solve this issue. I wonder how many times severe rain storms gad the owner racing down to the marina...
...then again, a large hole in the cockpit sole just puts the water into the bilge - battery fully charged for the bilge pump?
This was the most obvious and significant issue I saw on the Greenwich 24.
Question is, how far around this hole does the core material resemble chocolate pudding?!
A view underneath the cockpit grate.
The toes rails are not in the best aesthetic condition, so may be salvageable...depending on the owner's wishes.
The railing and brightwork around the stem may need replacing, as it generally appeared to be exhibiting dry rot.
I snapped a photo the single-spreader rig, but did not closely examine it. The sidesteps, upper and lower shrouds were all loose, suggesting that the rig had not been tuned in quite some time.
A quick touch of the mainsail told me there was life yet in it, but had staining on the surface typical of a sail with age.
Overall, the Greenwich 24 appeared to have life yet in her, but did require attention in several areas. Addressing the wet core will be the most extensive work on the list, and sounding the deck gave me concern at the following: lower shroud chain plate to port, areas around mast step, adjacent to forward hatch, foredeck cleat, foredeck generally, aft side deck to starboard and port. I could also uncover additional areas through the course of the refit.
The Allied Greenwich 24.
