Saviah (our boat)
This is our sailboat, Saviah. She is a Bob Perry designed Hans Christian 34 cutter that was built in 1976. We purchased her in August 2006. She had neglected for quite a while, so we knew we had a lot of work ahead of us. We hauled her out of the water right after we bought her and she spent the next five months in the Ballard Boatyard in Seattle.
The first time we saw her in the Tacoma marina.
Lots of sanding and varnishing ahead of us, but she is structurally sound.
On the hard in the Ballard boat yard. Getting ready to remove all of the barnacles and grind off years of bottom paint from the hull.
Down to the fiberglass on the bottom and ready to start painting.
Removing all the deck hardware to prep for painting. All of the nonskid was ground off and new nonskid applied.
All of the old caulk was removed and replaced before sanding the teak. Messy job!
The original 11’ long bowsprit was split and rotting. Cutting off the bowsprit was one of the first things we did as you pay by the foot in the boatyard. That saved us a bit of money.
Moved the bowsprit to the garage and began constructing a new one.
It had to be cut up to get it off the boat without damaging the deck and hull. Forgot to take measurements first so we had to piece it back together to determine the length.
The new bowsprit was made with six fir 2 x 8’s laminated together.
In addition to gluing the wood together, the pieces were bolted for additional strength. I’m grinding off the bolt ends here.
Final sanding before it goes back to the boatyard for paint.
Saviah was moved under the canopy while the exterior teak was sanded and then eight to nine coats of varnish were applied.
After the varnish was complete, painting the hull, topsides and bottom paint was next.
She’s looking like a new boat again.
After five months in the boat yard, she’s back in the water!
Arrived at our permanent slip in Elliot Bay Marina.
She’ll spend the next couple years tied to the dock, while we work on rigging and the interior.
Diana at the top of the mast installing new halyards.
View from the top of the mast.
On to the interior. We cut out the old galley sink and took up some of the sole (floor) to get the old fuel tank out. It will be replaced with a new aluminum tank.
The old Volvo diesel engine will also be replaced.
The interior was scrubbed and painted/varnished.
The plumbing was replaced including a new head (toilet).
A hanging locker on the right is for clothing and jackets. The forward V-berth is where we sleep in port.
The head, which has floor drains allowing us to use as a shower.
The saloon folds down to make another berth. The settee on the right is where we sleep offshore. It has a lee cloth to keep one from falling out while the boat is heeled over (only room for one, as the other person would be out in the cockpit on watch).
Looking aft towards the navigation table and galley.
The navigation table, where we spread out our charts while underway. The electronics panel with GPS and VHF radio is also located here.
The galley has a gimbled propane stove, ice box, double sink with fresh and saltwater pumps, and storage for all cooking utensils.
After what feels like an eternity, we’re finally out sailing!
Sailing in Puget Sound.
Flying the spinnaker.
Our 8’ sailing dinghy, which can be hoisted aboard Saviah and lashed down on the forward deck. This is how we get to shore while Saviah is at anchor.
