This page details the restoration of S/V Velacarina, nee 'Dutch Treat', that was begun in March 2005. The bulk of the work is completed at this point, and the final bits remaining is the replacement of the deck hardware and all rigging. It's nice to report that the delays have been the result of our business taking off, and so we're spending a lot of time with sailing lessons, charter trips and vessel deliveries, and that has been a "distraction" from the final completion of the restoration. Fear not, however, we ARE working on it, and the boat will be sailing again very soon. We're actually preparing her for the 2013 Singlehanded Transpac. Be sure to stop by to watch our progress.

The Rhodes Meridian is an excellent design and very seakindly. Very nicely balanced, they sail well in light air as well as breezes as strong as 33-35kts. Many of the early models were constructed by DeVries in Holland before the plans were sold to Seafarer in the 1970's. Seafarer altered the design somewhat and had a production run of thesir new Meridian, however it wasn't the same and he Meridian fell out of production, making the early DeVries boats desireable. Our boat, Hull #152, is one of the DeVries boats, and we're proud to have the opportunity to bring her back to an active condition. There is a robust community of Rhodes enthusiasts, and particularly for the Meridian. As such, there is a growing amount of info about these and other Rhodes boats. Ben Stavis, keeper of an extensive collection of Philip Rhodes' designs, has a fine section on his website devoted entirely to the Meridian. You can visit his page here.

Enjoy the photos of the restoration. If you'd like to comment, or you have questions, please feel free to contact us. We'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Our 1964 Philip Rhodes designed Meridian hull #152 was purchased in San Francisco in 2003 and, after a failed attempt to sail her up to the Northwest (due to her condition), she was put on a truck and hauled to Portland, where she resided until February of 2010, when she returned to the Bay Area. She nows lives in Sausalito, CA.

In the Spring of 2005, her current owner, Charlie Wood, took the boat out of the water and stripped her completely to the bare fiberglass hull. This work included the removal of all woodwork, the entire interior cabinetry, engine, controls, electrical, piping, exterior woodwork and all rigging and gear.

He then filled the numerous blisters that had developed from neglect. The exterior of the hull was then faired with West System Epoxy, sanded about a zillion times with a foam longboard in preparation for priming and painting (see photos, later).

She received a 40 mil epoxy barrier coat on her underwater surfaces, to completely protect her hull from future blistering. Charlie used Interlux E-Protect 2000, and will be closely monitoring the performance of this product in the years to come.

The starboard interior bulkhead was badly rotten, a common malady of these boats, if their chain plates are left too long without rebedding.

So, Charlie simply removed it.

...and replaced it with sold core okuome, bonded to the hull,

and then primed and painted.

The old BMW D7 engine was removed, and the hull prepared and new engine beds designed for an upgrade to...

...a nice new Beta 13hp engine, complete with new exhaust, new fittings, a flexible coupling, restored stuffing box and new control cabling.

The deck was rotten in several places.

So those areas were filled with epoxy-impregnated foam, and then filled and faired.

The boat was finally ready for priming.

...and painting with Awlgrip.

masking for the accents and bootstripe. UGH, this was tedious!

but, doesn't she look beautiful now?

Here, Phil Rhodes' grace with lines becomes really apparent.

Now, the crazy boat-restorer retreats to his big blue barn for final wizardry.

First, new LPU on the decks, and tough new non-skid decking paint.

...and completely new teak toerails.

Then, all the brasswork was de-oxidized, and polished to a naval shine!

Afterward, each portlight was rebedded and new clamping screws installed.

Charlie also polished the cockpit drains and exhaust nipple, but the latter was later replaced for a larger, stainless flange.

new lazarette seats were fashioned out of okuome and teak, and epoxied.

and the coamings were completely restored and re-installed.

Finally ready to get wet again, after 6 months and a lot of hard work.

On the sling, with one happy, weary owner with a drained bank account!

Ready for touchdown.

Back at the slip, looking good.

Mast refinished, new standing rigging installed, and sitting on the hook one quiet morning last month.