A WWORTORTHY CHAL BY KEITH INGRAM W
hen Tim Hofmeister was looking for a practical challenge to keep he and his mates off the streets, he looked for and purchased a neglected, unloved yacht.
Tim's current day job is study for a Bachelor of Marine
Technology at Unitec. He is passionate about anything in and about the ocean, and all things marine. Last year he spotted a 26 foot Jim Young keeler named Aorere and managed to purchase her off a retired boatie on Herald Island. The boat had all the bits, a range of sails, and a ton of oysters to harvest! Clearly when Tim looked her over she was neglected and
forgotten, but he could see past the immediate problems and that there were some interesting challenges, and the prospect of some rewarding sailing and fishing in the future.
All the paint on the decks was buggered and needed to be repainted, the paint on the topsides was blistered and scratched from another yacht being moored just a little too close at her pervious home, and generally the years of neglect were, showing. Being moored for around eight years without being lifted from the water, there was about a foot of oyster surrounding the hull and the folding propeller was largely eaten away from electrolysis. Sadly, fresh water had managed to find its way into the bilge which had started to rot the keel floor, some sections of stringers, and also a part of the keelson, which all needed to be replaced and the remaining timbers everdured to prevent further rot. The problem most teenagers have when taking on a project is to do with money. In this Tim was not alone and soon realized the magnitude of the task he had taken on. Seeking some guidance Tim phoned the editor of Professional
20 Professional Skipper July/August 2012
ALLENGE
Skipper magazine and set about his project armed with renewed enthusiasm and a wealth of good advice.
The first task was to motor the yacht from its upper harbour moorings to a place where it could be cleaned – easier said than done!
The cheapest haulout around was at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club. By joining BBYC he could get access to the haulout yard, a luxury he wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise. Thanks to that piece of advice Tim was able to complete all of the jobs that needed to be done to make the boat safe and usable again. Not only was the cost saving a major, but club members involved in a haulout team took an interest in the project, so good sound, practical advice, the use of helpful tools, and the odd marine part, were freely available as the restoration from oyster farm to sailing yacht took place.
The inboard motor was knackered and removed along with the shaft, and what was left of the prop. The log and stern tube were capped, and an outboard bracket fitted to the transom to carry the small auxiliary outboard. Tim has visions of replacing the Yanmar inboard once he has found a cheap one in good nick to do the job. Once cleaned and all scraped back Tim sought more advice
from Professional Skipper magazine, who asked Ron Brown from Altex Coatings if he could offer this young fella some painting prep and coating advice. Ron was great, evidence of his support of the training programs through the BIA/NZ Marine and, armed with a head full of info and a box of the right product, Tim was able to give her that much needed lick of paint she so desperately needed.
Plans for hauling her out this year include finishing off the top
