By means of introduction, my name is Danie and a few years ago I decided that the retirement dream (still 8 years + to go) would be to live on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea, whilst working on the boat to build, fix, repair etc. Then the thought arose that I might not like it and that I have never owned a boat and that at some point reality would probably destroy my expectations.
So, as a proof of concept I decided to start small, and build my way up, that is what brought me here, 2 years ago I bought someone else's unfinished 535 and made her mine. I'd like to share some of what I have done and learned, and also hope to learn much more from all here past, present and future members alike.
Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
Last edited by Danie on Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
The baseline:
For £900 I bought a 535 hull, with no windows and only a base paint layer. It also included a trailer and a 40 Hp Mariner outboard (with a tiller setup, i.e. not really the right outboard for a boat with a steering console) and some camper van DIY type insulation and speedboat carpet.
But eh, I HAD MY 1st BOAT, and I was dead keen, the worst UK weather could not wipe the glee from my face !
This is what I started with:
For £900 I bought a 535 hull, with no windows and only a base paint layer. It also included a trailer and a 40 Hp Mariner outboard (with a tiller setup, i.e. not really the right outboard for a boat with a steering console) and some camper van DIY type insulation and speedboat carpet.
But eh, I HAD MY 1st BOAT, and I was dead keen, the worst UK weather could not wipe the glee from my face !
This is what I started with:
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Last edited by Danie on Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
The Plan,
I commenced with the Google image exploration for ideas and came up with my plan, to keep my goals on track I even drew a digital representation (to the best of my ability and the tools available).
I commenced with the Google image exploration for ideas and came up with my plan, to keep my goals on track I even drew a digital representation (to the best of my ability and the tools available).
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Last edited by Danie on Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
The paint job:
Being a single bloke in the military, I did not have much in the way of storage space or places to work in, so between weekends and a lot of maneuvering and evading of the station fire officer, I managed to sneak the 535 into military hangers and get some paint on her.
My only experience at the time being from You Tube, How to paint a boat, Rolling and Tipping - First Coat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-SGcSlNmoo
I mean that looked so easy and the quick result was even better than that of Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's (HCMR) dress boots, and they spend 20 Hrs polishing their boots !
Pity that video did not mention about all the bugs and insects that seem to be attracted to the fragrance or the brightness of white boat paint ! But I got it done..ish.
Being a single bloke in the military, I did not have much in the way of storage space or places to work in, so between weekends and a lot of maneuvering and evading of the station fire officer, I managed to sneak the 535 into military hangers and get some paint on her.
My only experience at the time being from You Tube, How to paint a boat, Rolling and Tipping - First Coat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-SGcSlNmoo
I mean that looked so easy and the quick result was even better than that of Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment's (HCMR) dress boots, and they spend 20 Hrs polishing their boots !
Pity that video did not mention about all the bugs and insects that seem to be attracted to the fragrance or the brightness of white boat paint ! But I got it done..ish.
You must be a paid member to view and download attachments.
Last edited by Danie on Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
Anti-fouling:
I became aware of this anti-fouling thing and realized that getting the boat of the trailer with the resources available to me, was a task defined to be more than a struggle.
At the time I resided in the Wiltshire area and the plan was to visit the Cotswold lakes, the local canals in Bath and work my way up to the Bristol channel.
Off to Bristol I went, to discover that a "boat shop" is called a chandlery, and the boat fixing bloke (and girls) are shipwrights, I located one that took pity on my predicament and assisted me with finishing the paint job / anti-fouling (Rolt's Boatyard)
I became aware of this anti-fouling thing and realized that getting the boat of the trailer with the resources available to me, was a task defined to be more than a struggle.
At the time I resided in the Wiltshire area and the plan was to visit the Cotswold lakes, the local canals in Bath and work my way up to the Bristol channel.
Off to Bristol I went, to discover that a "boat shop" is called a chandlery, and the boat fixing bloke (and girls) are shipwrights, I located one that took pity on my predicament and assisted me with finishing the paint job / anti-fouling (Rolt's Boatyard)
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Last edited by Danie on Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
The Windows:
Now came the tough trip hazards, so far all was quite manageable with a bit of effort. Instead of keeping things standard spec, I let my enthusiasm and creativity run amok.
I scoured the internet and found some Shetland 535 Poly carbonate windows for sale on eBay (Tinted, like my picture plan). for window seals I used Seals Direct: https://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/shopping. ... rtmentId=4
I opted for a special seal that required a slightly bigger window cut, as the window would overlap and (in my mind) mitigate leaks, I also opted for the chrome finish on the window seal insert. This was perhaps my first big mistake.
It seems that fitting windows on a boat is a daunting task to start off with, this is only worsened if you decide to use non standard fittings that require modification as well, it also required more than 2 hands and is the least likely job that any shipwright would contract for (unless they have absolutely NO other business pending and they have NO money to take a holiday and do NOT support any sport teams that are competing on an international arena at the time). It took me 2 years to get the windows sorted (mostly because my work decided to send me abroad for 14 months, but also because when I had the time, I was unable to locate a professional who also had the time to assist me). Top Tip, do not mess with boat windows, before you properly assess the situation and have confidence in your skills and abilities.
Window seals:
Now came the tough trip hazards, so far all was quite manageable with a bit of effort. Instead of keeping things standard spec, I let my enthusiasm and creativity run amok.
I scoured the internet and found some Shetland 535 Poly carbonate windows for sale on eBay (Tinted, like my picture plan). for window seals I used Seals Direct: https://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/shopping. ... rtmentId=4
I opted for a special seal that required a slightly bigger window cut, as the window would overlap and (in my mind) mitigate leaks, I also opted for the chrome finish on the window seal insert. This was perhaps my first big mistake.
It seems that fitting windows on a boat is a daunting task to start off with, this is only worsened if you decide to use non standard fittings that require modification as well, it also required more than 2 hands and is the least likely job that any shipwright would contract for (unless they have absolutely NO other business pending and they have NO money to take a holiday and do NOT support any sport teams that are competing on an international arena at the time). It took me 2 years to get the windows sorted (mostly because my work decided to send me abroad for 14 months, but also because when I had the time, I was unable to locate a professional who also had the time to assist me). Top Tip, do not mess with boat windows, before you properly assess the situation and have confidence in your skills and abilities.
Window seals:
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Last edited by Danie on Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
Change of location:
At this point I was re-assigned and posted to the Solent. (purely by luck)
Near Emsworth I found a plethora of Chandlers, Shipwrights, Marine Engineers, the works. This was the place for me.
From the local businesses I sourced all I required (the best bit was that when I needed a bolt or a washer, they would sell me one, just one, not a whole box full, at a very reasonable price.)
I went back to eBay and got some Rub rail too. (Top tip when fitting anything that needs to be straight i.e. rub rail, use a sober person that is not distracted to hold it for you. Should you use a spouse or romantic partner, stay clam, I am now once again single and the rub rail is not too straight / level)
At this point I was re-assigned and posted to the Solent. (purely by luck)
Near Emsworth I found a plethora of Chandlers, Shipwrights, Marine Engineers, the works. This was the place for me.
From the local businesses I sourced all I required (the best bit was that when I needed a bolt or a washer, they would sell me one, just one, not a whole box full, at a very reasonable price.)
I went back to eBay and got some Rub rail too. (Top tip when fitting anything that needs to be straight i.e. rub rail, use a sober person that is not distracted to hold it for you. Should you use a spouse or romantic partner, stay clam, I am now once again single and the rub rail is not too straight / level)
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Last edited by Danie on Sat Aug 25, 2018 9:51 am, edited 3 times in total.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
The Shopping Spree:
OK, so the one good thing of work keeping me busy for 14 months meant that I had time to shop and make lists. I took my time finding what I needed and it meant that I could search for the best value for money, so I did just that.
Now I had the time (and the weather) to carry on. In Emsworth I located someone that was willing to fit the windows for me, S.Hulme & Sons (which was a good thing, as I was just about ready to trade body parts to get it done), soon after I started fitting all the stuff I had bought before and that was collecting dust in boxes:
OK, so the one good thing of work keeping me busy for 14 months meant that I had time to shop and make lists. I took my time finding what I needed and it meant that I could search for the best value for money, so I did just that.
Now I had the time (and the weather) to carry on. In Emsworth I located someone that was willing to fit the windows for me, S.Hulme & Sons (which was a good thing, as I was just about ready to trade body parts to get it done), soon after I started fitting all the stuff I had bought before and that was collecting dust in boxes:
You must be a paid member to view and download attachments.
Last edited by Danie on Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
Setting up the Outboard:
Mistake No 2: The Outboard I got with the boat was not set up to be used on a steering console or a throttle remote, It was a manual tiller steered outboard (despite the bloke that I bought from assuring me that he had been using it on lakes and canals with the kids and the dog etc). Bastard, had he told me the truth I would still have bought the boat, but I would have sold the engine and used all that time I had to get something more suitable.
Off to Google and You Tube I went and then found that there were conversion kits available to adapt the Manual Mariner" (Build in Japan by Yamaha in 85/86) to a remote setup. now by using the word "available", I mean that these kits exist, NOT they they are freely available.
After a long search with no luck I located a second hand kit on eBay (but it was not for the 40 Hp, instead it was for the 20 & 30 Hp), so I bought it !
Yes i know my engine is a 40 Hp machine ! And guess what, it fits ...well almost all of it fits...some adjustment may be required.
Adjustments are ongoing and I will soon post the result when complete, but this is going to work, I think:
Mistake No 2: The Outboard I got with the boat was not set up to be used on a steering console or a throttle remote, It was a manual tiller steered outboard (despite the bloke that I bought from assuring me that he had been using it on lakes and canals with the kids and the dog etc). Bastard, had he told me the truth I would still have bought the boat, but I would have sold the engine and used all that time I had to get something more suitable.
Off to Google and You Tube I went and then found that there were conversion kits available to adapt the Manual Mariner" (Build in Japan by Yamaha in 85/86) to a remote setup. now by using the word "available", I mean that these kits exist, NOT they they are freely available.
After a long search with no luck I located a second hand kit on eBay (but it was not for the 40 Hp, instead it was for the 20 & 30 Hp), so I bought it !
Yes i know my engine is a 40 Hp machine ! And guess what, it fits ...well almost all of it fits...some adjustment may be required.
Adjustments are ongoing and I will soon post the result when complete, but this is going to work, I think:
You must be a paid member to view and download attachments.
Re: Shetland 535 Project "Soutie"
Great read thank you. Looking forward to the next instalment.