s/v Scrimshaw Cal 34-3

[Scrimshaw]

s/v Scrimshaw, Cal 34-3, Marina del Rey, CA
I am delighted to join the Cal Sailors Web Site; we all owe a big thanks to Mary. Before acquiring my Cal 34, I had raced for about 30 years, in both centerboard and keel boats. One boat was my Cal 25, Hopscotch. In 1986, I won the Cal 25 Southern California Regional Championships held by Long Beach Yacht Club for a couple of years
Subsequently, I saw a badly damaged Cal 34-3 for sale. I decided it would be fun to refurbish it. Now, years later, I am still working on it.
I had two unique and very lucky experiences in restoring my boat.
First, the boat’s fuel tank:
The tank was beyond repair and needed to be replaced. I strapped the old tank to the roof of my car and drove to Costa Mesa, Ca. Perhaps, I could learn about fuel tanks in Costa Mesa. Cal boats had been made there some 20 years ago. Nearing Costa Mesa, I saw a sign, “Jerry’s Sheet Metal Shop”. I decided this was a good place to begin my inquiry. As I pulled into the shop, a man came out and asked me if my old tank was from a Cal 34? Then he said he had made the tanks for the Cal boats. The shop still had the original tank plans and materials. I got a brand new tank for very modesty sum. I felt like I had won a jackpot!
Second, my Westerbeke’s oil pan needed to be replaced; it beyond repair:
I was told that a replacement, if available, would be very costly. A machinist friend (and boat owner) came to my rescue. Using the yacht club’s hoist, he removed the engine and lower it into a U-Haul trailer that I had rented for the occasion. We were taking the engine to his home, for him to work on oil pan and other engine problems.
En route, my friend asked to me to stop at an MG car repair shop. He needed some brake pads for his MG. Knowing that Westerbekes’ were made in England, I asked the shop owner if he knew anything about the engine. He did not, but indulged me and took a look. The MG shop owner said that my Westerbeke diesel was made from a bored out MG gas engine block. He had a new MG oil pan and gaskets in stock for $75.00. The pan was identical to the Westerbeke pan, except the gaskets said MG not Westerbeke, Jackpot again!
My good fortune with the boat continues.
Warren Fox

[Mary Mac]

Welcome, Warren! This story is great. These old boats have so many old parts that people can be quick to write off, but with some research - or serendipitous good luck - you can be pleasantly surprised!

Please share photos of your Cal restorations if you can. I have the same boat that I bought in an almost derelict state. I am hoping to sail her down to MDR from Alameda in the spring. I tried last month but was stopped by transmission problems and high offshore winds.

[Scrimshaw]

Hey Mary
Thanks for your response and comments. I am still trying to learn how the site works. I was absolutely surprised that I was actually able to post on it. Please let me know when you intend to sail down.

warren

[Capn ken]

great story ,good luck with the rebuild !

[Scrimshaw]

Thanks, Capn Ken

There were several times when working on the boat and things were not working out too well, that a thought came to me that maybe I should just saw it up into small pieces and put it in the dump. The thoughts did not last long because it has been fun.

warren/ Scrimshaw