Category Archives: Second Star

Second Star, a 1982 Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster, hull number 7

Relocating the Battery Switches to an accessible area

Sometimes battery switches are not located in a very accessible spot. I prefer to have the battery switch easily accessible but not in the way where a foot could accidentally hit it. Take a look at this installation, where the … Continue reading

Posted in Electrical Systems, Equipment Installation, Second Star | Leave a comment

Sugar scoop cabinets bonded in place

The swim step portion of the sugar scoop was completed early Spring 2016 and filled with 16 lb density marine foam. The cabinets were constructed using flat panels temporarily glued together with sharp corners.             … Continue reading

Posted in Hull Maintenance, Second Star | Leave a comment

Fabricating the Swim Step

In the post “More Sugar Scoop Parts” we saw how to make prefinished gel-coat parts using a window glass surface. With the parts made, the pieces can be joined to make the swim step. The step was made in two … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment Installation, Fleet of Boats, Hull Maintenance, Second Star | Leave a comment

More Sugar Scoop Parts

In the last post for the Sugar Scoop construction, we saw how the parts are outlined with masking tape on a waxed mirror or window glass.     This process ensures a smooth defect free outside surface as the outside … Continue reading

Posted in Hull Maintenance, Second Star | Leave a comment

Sugar Scoop Construction Continued

Winter is over and work has begun again, for the third season. The new exhaust extension tube was bonded into place. It allows the engine exhaust to pass through the original transom through the area under the swim step and … Continue reading

Posted in Hull Maintenance, Second Star | Leave a comment

Bottom Re-lamination

I was not able to begin the re-lamination of the boat bottom before winter 2013-14 set in. It was an especially cold and long winter in Maryland and conditions were not good to start the resin work until June. However … Continue reading

Posted in Fleet of Boats, Hull Maintenance, Maintenance Tips, Second Star | 2 Comments

Rudder Quadrant Modification for Autopilot

  To accommodate the new installation of the autopilot linear drive, brackets must be added to the rudder quadrant to accept the linear drive pin and rudder reference ball joint. The general layout of the parts were drawn on my … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment Installation, Rigging Repair and Maintenance, Second Star | Leave a comment

DIY Carbon Fibre Autopilot Mounting Bracket

A new Raymarine autopilot is being installed on Second Star, using a Type II linear drive to drive the rudder quadrant below the decks. A strong mounting bracket was needed to bolt to a strong bulkhead to sustain the 1,000 … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment Installation, General Maintenance, Second Star | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sugar Scoop Construction

A nice modification for a traditional transom is adding a small addition which provides a convenient swim step and dinghy boarding area. If the projection is kept to a minimum it should not interfere with carrying a dinghy on davits. … Continue reading

Posted in Hull Maintenance, Second Star | Leave a comment

Swim Step Removal

The old swim step has seen better days. I have been thinking about replacing the weathered swim step with an attractive cold molded “sugar scoop”. I believe doing this before the bottom re-lamination makes for a stronger scoop, as the … Continue reading

Posted in Hull Maintenance, Second Star | Leave a comment