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A Face lift for "Seems to Be"

By AVYC Member Don of Oriental, NC

This is a 1976 Sisu 22 mfg. in Dover NH. In Finland, Sisu means "strength, perseverance, guts". She was built as a workboat with lobster boat lines. Power is an inboard 225ci Chrysler with a velvet drive transmission turning a left hand13x15 3 bladed wheel. When she is on her DWL she draws 2'2" Displacement is 3600# and she is 7'10" at the beam. This is a semi-displacement hull which means she will plane but would just as soon not. Her name is "Seems to Be". This resulted from whenever I would pull into a dock someone invariably said "Boy, that old boat sure runs good" and my reply was always ----.

Update 12/01/99

06/04/00

06/25/00 Project Done!

My plans are to: 1) raise the cockpit sole 6" to make it self bailing again. This means all new ribs and stringers. As it is, if the bilge pump quits and it is raining like during the hurricanes the boat becomes a submarine.

 

 

 

The original was torn out so when the crabbers were working they were more in the boat and lower, than out of the boat and high.

 

 

 

2) add 5" to the rudder, with this large prop the stern really walks and she is tough in tight quarters. Even though she backs and fills like my sailboat the bow has a lot of windage and is very light so cross winds can be interesting. 3) Have the prop re-manufactured and the keyway on the shaft re-machined.

 

 

4) Build a seat across the transom with the fuel tanks (32g) alongside as saddle tanks and storage behind 5) Fair and Imron the hull 6) re-plumb the engine and a complete rewire 7) build a small swim platform and....

 

 

Cuddy cabin, a total mess, it was used to store empty oil bottles

 

 

8) completely rebuild the interior of the cuddy. With the exception of the prop and shaft I am doing this all myself with the help of several friends as time permits.

My goal is to have her back in the water sometime in March which is realistic if the weekends are decent and I don't find a girlfriend!

Check Back on the progress of this project!

More To Come!

Update 12/01/99

Cockpit sole is fitted and glassed in New engine box has been constructed and glassed Engine cooling system has been re-plumbed Doesn't sound like much but it has consumed a lot of time. Photos will follow the painting of the inside with a 2 part polyurethane. Weather permitting this should be before Y2K. On another note. On 12/12 we have what is called the "Firedrill Frosty" which is a fund raiser for the volunteer F/D. It is a poker run up and down the creeks and out in the river and is open to any vessel (usually about 50). I typically pull my dinghy down to the ramp with my Craftsman mower. Rain, shine, hot or cold we run it. Apple cider and rum in the thermos. Photos will follow the event so you will have another unusual feature article. AVYC will be worn until my Elmer Fudd hat with the flaps goes on. DM

Update 06/01/00 It would seem that Don's new girlfriend let him up for air! He reports that the project is done!.....

Done:

Hull painted, waterline painted, bottom painted, transmission cooler and raw water strainer mounted and plumbed w/ new hydraulic hoses, rod holders installed, name goes on Tuesday, rear seat/bench 50% complete, windshield wiper mounted, wood trim completed, teak stripped for varnish, mount stern cleats on aft deck.

To do: (Hey! I thought you said it was done! jdk)

Mount VHF and antenna, complete bench/seat, wire and mount bilge blower, install registration #'s, scrub cockpit sole one more time and put last coat of paint on, increase insurance value to $9000, sound insulate engine box, varnish teak (5 coats spar), install staff for ensign, mount engine gauges on starboard and install drink holders, install mahogany stern trim, tune engine Two weekends and we will splash her.

Regards, Don