Sonata Sailing

National One-design Cruiser/Racer

Restoring a neglected Sonata to racing condition.

George Jack

Hello Everybody,

I am looking into buying a neglected Sonata which has lain ashore for many years and has now started to get vandalised.

The hull is in poor condition with very faded gelcoat which has a few cracked areas. Would a coat of two-pack paint do the trick here?

The keel is rusting in several places, and protrudes about 5mm from the bottom of the hull. Is this normal? I read in the class rules that a keel can only be painted and anti-fouled. Does this rule out shot-blasting, filling, and fairing and if so what are the options to complete the repair?

Inside it’s not too bad. The main bulkhead appears good, but the half bulkhead under the cockpit has had a hole cut in it to enable the outboard to be stowed better I think. Is this modification allowed in the class rules?

The windows, hatch, cooker, toilet, linings, and cushions all need replaced.

I have yet to see the mast, boom, spinnaker pole, sails, and rudder and am costing in replacements.

The cradle is also on its last legs and would need replaced with preferably a trailer.

I am presuming that the boat has no current measurement certificate. What is the process involved in getting a new certificate issued?

I would welcome any input regarding this project, whether positive or negative.

Have you any spare parts that are for sale that I would need if I took on this project, i.e. mast, boom, sails, trailer, etc.

Thanks,

George Jack.

PAUL H CULLEY

Hello Everybody,

I am looking into buying a neglected Sonata which has lain ashore for many years and has now started to get vandalised.

The hull is in poor condition with very faded gelcoat which has a few cracked areas. Would a coat of two-pack paint do the trick here?

The keel is rusting in several places, and protrudes about 5mm from the bottom of the hull. Is this normal? I read in the class rules that a keel can only be painted and anti-fouled. Does this rule out shot-blasting, filling, and fairing and if so what are the options to complete the repair?

Inside it’s not too bad. The main bulkhead appears good, but the half bulkhead under the cockpit has had a hole cut in it to enable the outboard to be stowed better I think. Is this modification allowed in the class rules?

The windows, hatch, cooker, toilet, linings, and cushions all need replaced.

I have yet to see the mast, boom, spinnaker pole, sails, and rudder and am costing in replacements.

The cradle is also on its last legs and would need replaced with preferably a trailer.

I am presuming that the boat has no current measurement certificate. What is the process involved in getting a new certificate issued?

I would welcome any input regarding this project, whether positive or negative.

Have you any spare parts that are for sale that I would need if I took on this project, i.e. mast, boom, sails, trailer, etc.

Thanks,

George Jack.

hi, depending where you live i may be able to help as restored 2 sonatas l also have a mobile yard cradle

George Jack

Hi Paul,

Thanks for reply.

I live in Fraserburgh in the North East of Scotland.

Are you close?

George.

PAUL H CULLEY

Hi Paul,

Thanks for reply.

I live in Fraserburgh in the North East of Scotland.

Are you close?

George.

hi george, sorry to say i live down in somerset which i think is a bit far !!!, but would be happy to help through emails etc and pics if needed, regards paul.

George Jack

Hi Paul,

Thanks for offer of advice. Will take you up on that if I buy the boat up here.

On any of the Sonatas that you restored, did the keel plate protrude from the bottom of the hull atall or were they flush with the bottom?

And did their aft bulkhead under the cockpit floor have a hole cut in them to enable the outboard to be stowed?

These are my two main concerns at the moment with this boat.

Anyone else got any input?

Thanks,

George.

PAUL H CULLEY

Hi Paul,

Thanks for offer of advice. Will take you up on that if I buy the boat up here.

On any of the Sonatas that you restored, did the keel plate protrude from the bottom of the hull atall or were they flush with the bottom?

And did their aft bulkhead under the cockpit floor have a hole cut in them to enable the outboard to be stowed?

These are my two main concerns at the moment with this boat.

Anyone else got any input?

Thanks,

George.

hi george, the keel plate is flush with the bottom , when i put a new bottom on ” impromptu” i faired mine in to the keel plate, you might find as you will see on the sonata website that it is normal to have a hairline crack betwwen keel plate and bottom, as for outboard storage mine was cut out already in the aft bulkhead and there is a good idea from martin hartlley and pics again on the same website, paul.

John Burgis

Hello Everybody,

I am looking into buying a neglected Sonata which has lain ashore for many years and has now started to get vandalised.

The hull is in poor condition with very faded gelcoat which has a few cracked areas. Would a coat of two-pack paint do the trick here?

The keel is rusting in several places, and protrudes about 5mm from the bottom of the hull. Is this normal? I read in the class rules that a keel can only be painted and anti-fouled. Does this rule out shot-blasting, filling, and fairing and if so what are the options to complete the repair?

Inside it’s not too bad. The main bulkhead appears good, but the half bulkhead under the cockpit has had a hole cut in it to enable the outboard to be stowed better I think. Is this modification allowed in the class rules?

The windows, hatch, cooker, toilet, linings, and cushions all need replaced.

I have yet to see the mast, boom, spinnaker pole, sails, and rudder and am costing in replacements.

The cradle is also on its last legs and would need replaced with preferably a trailer.

I am presuming that the boat has no current measurement certificate. What is the process involved in getting a new certificate issued?

I would welcome any input regarding this project, whether positive or negative.

Have you any spare parts that are for sale that I would need if I took on this project, i.e. mast, boom, sails, trailer, etc.

Thanks,

George Jack.

John Burgis

George

Have just read your bulletin. We are not exactly just up the road from Fraserburgh but I thought that you might want to know that there are a group of active racing Sonatas in the inner Moray Firth. There are 5; 3 at Invergordon Boating Club in the Cromarty Firth and 2 at Chanonry Sailing Club at Fortrose in the Inverness Firth. The class has been building in the last 4 years and 2008 should prove to be interesting. Apart from club racing there are 6 regattas throughout the year.

Reply by bulletin or call on 01349 866434.

John Burgis “Rhythm ‘n’ Blue

George Jack

Hi John,

Have completed the purchase of the boat now so ONLY have the restoration to do!

Thanks for information. That’s very interesting as I spend a bit of time in the Inverness area so might base the boat up there when it’s finnished.

How did things go this year with the Inner Moray Firth Keel Boat Initiative? Have you guys formed an association?

Was thinking that I might sail from either Inverness Marina, Fortrose if there are moorings available from the CSC, Nairn, or Ardersier when it’s finnished. Any advice?

Thanks again,

George.

John Burgis

Hi John,

Have completed the purchase of the boat now so ONLY have the restoration to do!

Thanks for information. That’s very interesting as I spend a bit of time in the Inverness area so might base the boat up there when it’s finnished.

How did things go this year with the Inner Moray Firth Keel Boat Initiative? Have you guys formed an association?

Was thinking that I might sail from either Inverness Marina, Fortrose if there are moorings available from the CSC, Nairn, or Ardersier when it’s finnished. Any advice?

Thanks again,

George.

John Burgis

George: thanks for your reply. If you want to message in future you can use john@jeburgis.plus.com and you have my number.

If you are planning to base yourself near Inverness then my advice is as follows

George Jack

Hello again Folks,

2 of my Sonata stantions have wooden wedges underneath which are rotting, and am wondering about just removing them rather than replacing them.

Read in the class rules that they can angle outboard by upto 15 degrees.

My question is if the angle is measured from the local deck or from horizontal. i.e. do i need the wedges to comply with class rules or can i bolt the stantions straight onto the deck?

I will also have to replace the traveller system and am wondering whether to go for a conventional system or the bridle system. Have read the section on the website about the bridle system but cannot envisage how it is better than a conventional system.

Any advice on this would be much apprecieated.

Thanks,

george jack.

Tom White

Hi George,

Great to hear that you are now engaged on your project. As you can see from the replys you are getting the Sonata Class is very friendly and helpful. I do hope you will join the association. Membership application form can be found else where on the site.

Concerning the wedges under the aft two Stantions you’ll need to replace them to keep in class rules and to be honnest I think the boat is going to look a bit strange with out them: The Stantions will poke out in a rather ungainly way! Get hold of a little Teak or Iroko.

Concerning the travelller system, the bridle used and described by Steve Goacher is well recognised as a reliable and cheap system to use. I was fortunate enough to pick up the right sized Harken “windward sheeteing car” on e-bay and have used it to good effect for many years.

Regards

TOM WHITE

PIZZICATO – Hamble