Closed Captions [cc] corrected. Labor-intensive replacement of the cabin sole (the floor) of a 1984 Ericson Model 381 (38') sailboat, and what it says about measuring, cutting, fitting and just about finishing off the carpenter.
Dear Mr. Williams, I just finished my 4th audiobook that you authored and narrated (Rarotonga) and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I've traveled with you by audiobook and RU-vid to Hawaii and back, I've picked up some old philosophy books, and started listening to Jazz again. Tonight I heard an NPR story about some of your favorites (Mingus and Parker) and felt like I knew you so well I wanted to tell you about the news story. I am searching for my first sailboat at the age of 64 and you (and Walter Shulz) are an inspiration to do it now! Every time I see an Erickson 381 or 32-3 on the West Coast, I look at them carefully, and none are as beautiful as yours. I feel like you and Bobby Ayres want me to buy an Erickson and sail the Pacific ;-) You certainly must have done just about everything on your 381...so what next? Thanks for all you have done to inspire so many of us with your story telling, informative videos, and your love of jazz and philosophy. I feel lost without another book you narrated in my queue. Happy New Year and thanks for everything! ...and if you are ready to buy a new Erickson project, let us all know and we will be lined up for Thelonius II
I can’t tell you how much you have inspired me. In May of 2020 I bought a 1987 C&C 35 MKIII that was living in the Ala Wai Harbor in Honolulu and singlehanded her to San Diego. Since then I have done several singlehanded trips to San Clemente Island and a singlehanded return from the Islas Marias, Nayarit Mexico back to San Diego. I re finished the cabin sole this year and am now in the middle of building an integral, Coosa board and carbon fiber bow sprit to be able to fly a code zero, as well as fly my asymmetrical spinnaker more effectively from the end of the sprit. I have watched every one of your videos and have loved them all. You are an amazing individual and mariner with an incredible talent for telling a sea story and teaching others. May you have many more wonderful sailing adventures on your beloved Thelonious II.
Hello Christian (from the UK). It's nice to see you looking well and active. It's always heart warming to hear your narrative on living the life you lead. Keep well.
That was a whole lotta sole. A video ostensibly about watching varnish cure held me rapt for 41:45. I tip my cap to you for your storytelling and video editing chops.
Mr. Williams. You're such an example to young and the elder alike: to never stop learning! I sincerely hope you reach a 100 years old in good health so we can enjoy your videos for another 20 years.
We have a 2005, 31’ Pacific Seacraft in Southern California. replacing the standing rigging. This is the best time of year to go out in the channel. Will be there soon. Hopefully we will see Christian Williams out there too.
I have been quietly watching your videos over the past months as I gain momentum towards getting my first keel boat. I discarded my television years ago so find myself watching a lot of RU-vid. Your soulful video on replacing the sole might be the most satisfying thing I’ve watched. Refurbishing the soul👍
Who would've thought that a tedious job such as replacing floorboards in a sailboat can be so entertaining! But then not everyone is a gifted story teller as Christian Williams! Thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Most tragic to see the clubhouse go up in flames. I live in The Netherlands but have previously sailed out of Marina del Rey.
At 19:46, your patience is admirable. I would have been digging in the neighbors shrubbery to retrieve that busted trim because that's where it would have landed after I threw it! Ugh. Great work, Christian. Aurthor Miller would have been envious!
Love watching someone around my vintage doing stuff like you do. I think we would be great mates. Unfortunately the great Pacific Sea is in between us.
I hope I can avoid that varnishing error because you've shared this. Thank you, so much! If I discover knew techniques to avoid, I'll pass them forward, to repay your kindness.
Great video. Thank you Christian. I always find your videos refreshing and a pleasure to watch. This one in particular because I can relate to much of what you have gone through on this project. I try to make maintenance and upgrades a fun experience However they can sometimes put one into contortions as we try to get out of that tight spot, so I can really relate. Always keep learning.
Your shop is much like mine, three fire extinguishers at the ready. I too am a devotee of Mr. Goldberg and talking a problem through out loud, it’s the best way to figure out how or how not to get things done. You have a very entertaining way about you because I just spent 41 minutes watching you replace the sole of your boat.
You are a very brave man Mr. Williams. Your efforts have produced a finished product that far exceeds the original in both quality and beauty. And as others have stated... You are an inspiration to those who would have thrown in the towel.
A Purdy brush from Lowe’s is the best. You can clean it with a steel brush and it doesn’t fall apart. Well worth the investment. I’ve had mine for years and no dried clumps.
I'm working on replacing my ugly/gross laminate countertops with Corian. As I got into the task, I realized that my entire approach to carpentry was completely dictated by the boat, as opposed to home renovating which I'm somewhat adapt. Chisels, fine cutting, niggly corners, lots of hand sanding, and a great dollop of love must be taken with marine carpentry, it would seem. I'm glad to see your experience feels the same.
I believe the saying is that a carpenter works to the nearest 1/16 inch, an engineer works to the nearest thousandth of an inch, while a boatbuilder works to the nearest boat.
I had rather do something myself because to me it’s also a waste of money to hire it done and judging by your Sole, I just can’t imagine how anyone else could have done a better job, because they couldn’t possibly “care” about the Boat or the job itself as much as you do. It’s a great feeling too! To do something like that & do it well. Most of mine are in & on a old Barn, but that feeling of accomplishment is still in essence the same soothing feeling. And now it’s time for Sailing, with some truly great Music & deep thoughts! Happy New Year to you & yours!!
Over the years and through covid i have just loved watching you. Your humor and inspiration are what gets people through life but i must say your Dance of the drills just really topped it off to make me realise you are quite mad! Na just kidding my silly british humor. god bless you we need more people like you in the world. happy new year Christian to you and your family. cheers from the Brit in San Clemente California
Thanks again for another beautiful video, sharing your experience with us. Also, very sorry to hear about the marina’s clubhouse. We passed through in late November camping our way across the west, visiting the nephew currently not far at Santa Monica Beach. Enjoyed seeing the boats and clubhouse. What a bummer.
Mr. Williams, you have inspired me to replace the cabin sole of my 1964 Pearson Commander (yes, I did find a wonderful sailboat after listening to your Introduction to Sailing audio book). Thankfully, the previous owner restored all of the exterior mahogany trim, but the dark cabin sole remains. The good news is my cabin sole would only require about a half a sheet of plywood. I have until April when the season starts here in Michigan. By the way, (15:59) my granddaughter calls me "Poppi", which is also the name of my boat. Great job and happy sailing.
This is the perfect job for that stage in life where the brain starts to kick out a slow, degraded register that resembles, almost to a tee, patience and precision! The occasional cocktail seems to really accentuate the furtive nature of the whole façade nicely... I like to tell the kids at the Marina that it's the result of years of discipline and accrued knowledge. They usually buy it...
As many RU-vid channels I've watched, I normally skip the refits/ repairs as I seem to have my hands full with my 35 year old boat. But you sir are always enjoyable to watch what ever you do. A true sailor and scholar! Just wish I were on the west coast to maybe cross paths one day sailing.
It's wonderful to sail. I myself learned to walk in a boat, as did my father and grandmother. Great-grandmother was a sailor at the beginning of the 20th century, and that's how our family's sailing life began. It is a pity that we have to take our boat to the dock for the winter due to the freezing of the sea. Next week, week 1 in 2024 is predicted to be -50°C below zero, it's -58°F, that's cold even by the standards of my home country Finland. But there is a good side to lifting the boat. Fiberglass boats are allowed to dry on the deck and hull. An incredible amount of water is absorbed into the fiberglass in the summer because gelgoat paint is not waterproof, even though many people think so. I think that's exactly why your frame was wet under the floor. The solution is special in terms of structure, why aren't there even holes for water to drain into the bilge?
Who said you need Pikinis in a sailing channel! I like that your content is relaxing, educational, and thoughtfully filmed. 😊 The Sole looks fantastic.
😂I love the fact that you've proven that just bcuz you're of a certain age bracket, doesn't mean you can't have fun and act silly sometimes.....KUDOS to you Mr. Willams! 👍👍👍 Great educational video as well! Thanks!
Tackling a DIY project can be a daunting task requiring Herculean effort. Just remember.. Veni. Vedi. Vici. Your cabin sole turned out beautifully. Bravo.
Your ending comments about why do this yourself is accurate. This work is more tricky than hard but with some determination and persistence the tricks are revealed and the job is done. I particularly enjoyed your breakdown of the plywood cost that stuff is like gold. My adventure replacing my boats mahogany plywood sole caused me to completely blot out the price in my brain forever. Happy sailing!
You did a fine job. Theres tricks to the trade as in everything, but you reasoned things out. And some advice for all those who are going to undertake their own refinishing projects. Lay some old carpeting down around your work area. Should you drop a piece of teak thats been formed it hopefully wont break. Christian your sole is as beautiful you're soul. The attention to detail is a sign of caring and patience. Both are best traits in a person. She looks bristol. Fantastic job. And my thoughts go out to all the people and staff of the marina. The club house is the heart of any marina. But fear not. It will be revived. Happy New Year to You and all those viewing. May this year bring everyone fair winds following seas and the prosperity that happiness brings.
Christian, I throughly enjoyed this video even though there wasn’t any sailing involved and I particularly like the Ryobi tool interpretive dance part too. I can appreciate the work you did because I’ve also replace the cabin sole on my E32-3, like you also did once I believe on your previous boat, but you’re E38 was much more involved.
Just lighted on your vlog. How delightful! And just subscribed. As another one of your commenters said you have inspired me, our sole needs replacing and I am determined for Holly and teak. Thank you for the inspiration, ideas and learnings. Loved the 'strap' template idea. A very happy creative sailing New Year. Fairwinds and following seas
Well done Sir! I enjoyed watching this from Avalon on a mooring while sipping on some fine wine. Every time you step on that sole you will realize the boat is part of your soul and you a part of it’s.. Happy New Year and safe sailing
happy new year old sea dog - big fan of these videos glad to see ya mate still kicking strong - missouri landlock still can dream thank you for the you tube dream - the victory was 40 yrs old in 1805 - nelsons flag ship - capt cook loved the journals - love the way the inside is laid out == perfect for a live aboard - good luck mate
Thanks for making the effort in producing this video. I did our sole last winter so know the time and patience commitment. Fortunately for me, on our Little Harbor 46, the entire sole comes up in panels which are easily removed and replaced. There were 36 panels, so I did several per week through the winter.
The satisfaction in doing and accomplishing repairs yourself. There’s a great sense of accomplishment and your self esteem level skyrocket’s. ( Good job 👍🏻)
Your skills to repair your boat never cease to amaze me. I’ll bet you could take the deck off and put it back on. Plus you have the best music on the internet. May God bless your strivings. I suspect peace has finally your way.
Welcome back, Mr! I'm glad to see the channel is still active, and you're working on maintaining Thelonious!!! Wish you a wonderful 2024 with fair winds 🙏🏻
So much work, thankfully we all like this sort of stuff, don't we. I'd say though that Ericson dropped the ball here, mainly by attaching the sole permanently to the structure and fitting all those 34 trim pieces, making it impossible for the water to escape. I have a Beneteau First 35 from 1982 and the floorboards are absolutely pristine; but they are just dropped down in place, thus removable, with the added advantage of being able to peer underneath them, should something untoward be happening down there. If I were in your shoes, I would probably make the new floor boards drop in, if at all possible and forgo the trim pieces, where/if possible. Keep up the good work ;-)
I love boat work videos. It is half the fun of ownership! Another great episode, very inspiring, and a good job. I have always been more of a horn guy myself, Herb Alpert, Chuck Mangione, Charlie Parker. But Monk is good too. Smooth sailing from here on out! Thanks Captain Williams, thanks.
Nice to see you back, love your adventures, your great story telling, your jazz, dancing, and your philosophies. Watching you since your first Hawaii crossing. Just bought my first bluewater boat a 56 Formosa, will be refitting and restoring soon in Oregon. Originally from Westchester, Redondo, and RPV. I think you live in the area...thanks again, and hoping i see you passing mdr for the haha 2024 if it happens. Please keep them coming.😊😊😊😊
Great video and great job on the sole! That was satisfying to watch on a ship we’ve become so accustomed to through your videos. I’m looking forward to your next voyage and your next book. I hope you have plans to do both!
i really love watching your videos. ive been watching you for years now. im always happy to see a new video come out. i actually just thought about you and had to search you out again after roughly 6 months glad to see that your still at it.
I believe they used (and still do use in wooden boat building - see Sampson Boat Co) flat head screws is so that you could more easily clear out the slot and remove them later on, in 40 years when the next rad dude replaces her sole. 🤜❤️🤛
Tomato cans are my go to too. Great work. What a satisfying job. I spent a summer repairing a squishy deck. Every time I stepped on it after that it gave me a thrill. Perhaps do a final fit check before all the careful varnishing next time 🤭
Nice job on the cabin sole! When you were chiseling away at the plugs I started to wonder why you weren't using a hammer but then realized two things. First, that your chisel is sharp enough that you didn't need it and second, you have that instant feedback from your hand about what's going on at the tip of the chisel. That is part of the understatement of your channel. You have the pulse of living through the metaphor of sailing and all that it entails. I was originally drawn to your channel because I love to sail and because of your affinity for jazz! (Monk would be proud.) I continue to follow it for the things it shows about navigating life! Thanks for sharing.
I just want to acknowledge your obvio0us taste in music! And the apparent quality of the new sole of your boat, even though I never noticed you using a brace and bit.
You have brought back so many memories of watching my Dad building a pram dinghy and also various repairs to his Albin Vega sail boat woodwork in his garage, thank you so much for that. Brilliant work Christian! So sorry and shocked to hear on the video that the Clubhouse has burnt down. Hope there is enough funds to get a new and better Clubhouse soon.
It seems to me that you just gained 1/4" more headroom! Great project, the cabin looks a million times better! I absolutely love those diesel cannister holders secure to the shrouds. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Cabin soles are among the list of projects on my list. I rebuilt the decks last summer and replaced all the hatch lenses and port lights. Now to pull all the hardware, paint and rebed everything.
