Boat Plan: Detailed Next Steps

Overall, the boat is in pretty good shape, or so it seems to me. Reminder: I'm very new to boat ownership - This is my first! After giving it a thorough once over, I've worked out the following...

Airflow

Unfortunately, the docks at the lake do not have power, so I will have to rely on passive ventilation for now. My plan is to get a Marinco Solar Powered Vent Fan to install in the front hatch. In order to ensure good flow, I'm considering adding a 4" stainless vent to the companionway door, but I want to confirm with someone more knowledgeable that that isn't a bad idea.

Additionally, for the winter, I plan on adding a dehumidifier to run 24/7, with a condensate pump to get all the water out of the boat. I just need to figure out a good way to get the hose out of the main compartment without letting more water in.

Cleaning

There will be a lot of cleaning involved. This boat seems to have sat closed for at least a season. I pulled all the soft goods out and it looks like the vinyl cabin cushions are salvageable. The others can likely be saved for a season or two, but ultimately I want to replace them.

For the interior cushions (corduroy & vinyl), I used a combination of vinegar, detergent, and OxiClean to de-mold and freshen them. I tried this on some throw pillows that were in the cabin and it worked perfectly, so I think it will work well on the larger covers as well. For the foam, I plan to use diluted vinegar and lots of sunshine to try and freshen them.

The exterior cushions are covered in vinyl. I did try a vinyl cleaner on them, but it wouldn't get out the stains from the mold/mildew, so I decided to use some bleach spray on them. I know this is generally not a thing you want to do to vinyl, but I think it is worth it once to establish a baseline. I did try this on one cushion and it had no negative effects and got most of the staining out. After this, I will stick to vinyl cleaner.

Replace the Mast Step

Thankfully, the mast step is a fairly inexpensive part. I ordered it from Catalina Direct as well as new bolts and sealant. They should get here in a week or two. I also got some flexible marine butyl tape and may end up using either or both. Still trying to decide. All in, it's 'bout another hundred...

What else?

Again, I'm far from an expert here. I joined and reached out to The Nockamixon Sail Club to see if anyone with experience would be willing to come by and do a once-over on the boat with me to see what I missed. Hopefully someone will volunteer. I've offered bribes in the form of Pastured Poultry and unskilled/skilled labor.