Category Archives: Boatworks

Complete. We are pleased with the new configuration and the brighter appearance of the aft cabin, and the additional human space. Here’s a view of the port aft corner of the cabin showing the re-used cabinet fronts, the covered, repaired and painted de-laminated teak veneer plywood, and the port twin size berth. Starboard side berth […]

Most of the pieces are in place to see how good the cabin will look and work upon completion. The project has moved to the details, painting and trim phases. The completion date can be contemplated. Lazarette and cockpit hatch work – Below is a photo of the aluminum hatch surround – description in the […]

The last (midships) section of the aft cabin bulkhead is epoxied into place – there is no access to the lazarette now except from the cockpit deck hatches – which is the usual arrangement. As can be seen in the photo below of the “before” condition, there are/were two 28″ x 34″ hatches caulked into […]

The bulkhead support posts and plywood inserts are fabricated, epoxy barrier coated/painted, and installed. Inside cabin surfaces are awaiting cabinet/cupboard installation and finish paint. Port and starboard berths are complete – ready for finish paint and teak trim, and fresh water tanks (under berths) are installed, braced against movement, and are in use. Custom made […]

Work this month has been productive – and enlightening. I now know that the project’s original goals will be accomplished – changes in the planned corrective actions are made. The objectives of the project were to verify the previously described assumed causes of the two observed problem, and to determine and apply suitable corrective repairs. […]

The athwartships laminated floor beam (or floor timber) is finished. I was able to get the beam ends out to the chines and the ends are supported by the thick fiberglass hull bottom layups at the chines. There are no chine logs. The beam is mainly supported by and is keyed to the four longitudinal […]

The month is nearly gone, and the Kent Narrows weather has not been good. Not extremely cold, but an abundance of snow and freezing precipitation with temperatures right at freezing has kept the piers and the boat decks covered with ice much of the month. Kept me off the boat a lot – there is […]

The older Taiwan built trawlers (including Altamira, our 1989 Marine Trader 38 Double Cabin) have been built with extensive teak exterior trim – which was the style back in that day. Everything on the exterior that is not fiberglass, stainless steel, or window glass is made of teak – including the bulwark cap and railings, […]

Lots of time spent planning and measuring since the introductory post. Work is underway. Fortunately, the boat heat is not impacted – daytime outdoor temperatures are 30-50 degrees F, but this Winter has been windy at Kent Narrows, MD USA. The bottom edge of the new bulkhead will set on a new athwart (across) floor […]

Altamira is a Marine Trader double cabin trawler, 38 feet LOA, built in Taiwan ROC in 1988. We bought the boat from the original owner in 2007. The boat has some window and deck rain water leaks that I consider typical for her age and construction, but generally, quality is good, construction is suitable, and […]