| Modifcation & Improvements |
| Since purchase March 2001, I have done quite a bit of updating. Here is a list of upgrades that I have personally completed. (Updated 10/14/04) * Cosmetic - New name " CENTURION " (see below 2003) - Painted the mast - Stripped and painted the bottom InterProtect 2000 & VC-17 - New cove and boot strips *Navigation Lights - New running light lenses. - New Aqua Signal Anchor Light at the masthead. - New Hella steaming light with deck light Replaced old Aqua Signal that was to big and falling off the mast. - New light in compass binnacle. *Running Rigging - All new Halyards Stay-set X Plus & Spec-Set II & Yale Aratech - New Main sheet blocks Carbo Magic Harken triple w/ becket and a double for a 6:1 from a 4:1. Much easier to adjust without the winch. Also a Spinlock PX clutch for rapid mainsheet adjustment. - Ran the the first reef clew outhaul back to cockpit -New Harken snatch blocks - New UK 125% roller fuling genoa - New sock for Cruising Shute - Additional Double Deck Organizers to make them stacked doubles, Port & Starboard. *NAV Station - New lighted Compass at Nav. Station - GPS Chart plotter.Standard Horizon 400 - Alpine Stereo w/ CD and speakers *12volt Supply and Charging - Ample Power PT23 126 amp/hr altenator with the Smart Alternator Regulator V-3 with selonoid for charging starter battery. (as of 5/15/02 New deepcycle house batteries, total of 260 amp/hours, and a starter battery w/ 875 CCA's,from SBS Batteries. This was was based on a recomendation from the Dashew's at SetSail.com - New dedicated Ground and Positive leads with distribution bars. - New DC Amp & Volt meters at panel * Miscellaneous - Companionway & Hatch screens & New Companionway dropboards. -Done This Spring/Summer 2002 as of 11/29/02 * Running Rigging -Second genoa halyard Samson (Tech-12) w/ cover over the tail -New Sta-Set X Lite lite Spinnaker sheets -New Stay-Set traveler lines -New Carbon Spinnaker Pole. I used carbon because I am going to keep it stored on the front of the mast. Got to keep the weight down you know!(almost done) -Added a 6:1 outhaul inside the boom -Rebuilt the EASY VANG rigide vang. 1/4" Sta-Set for internal 6:1,and 5/16" Sta-Set for external 3:1 then led aft. * Electronics -Nexus Instruments 3000 system w/ second Multi and Wind Data, and Remote at the helm, also intergrated GPS Chartplotter into Instruments -ICOM M-502 VHF w/ cockpit mounted remote mike. * Plumbing -Install ridged 15gal holding tank. Ronco - All new hose from head to tank and out. New flush water lines w/ in line strainer - Replaced electric head with a new manual head. Sick and tired of the electric head. Plus it uses too many amps. - New bilge pump, Rule 2000 gph with new smooth hose and a new through hull above water line * Hull & Bottom - Bottom and Keel refaired(done) and new VC-17 - Buffing out the topsides and waxing with Zaino Brothers wax (the same as I use on my car) We have now had this wax on the boat for 3 months. Looks great! Cleans up very well, using Zanio wash only. * Engine - Removed Vetus water lock from engine exhaust cleaned a lot of debris from inside. I hope that it improves starting w/ less back pressure.(See below.) * Miscellaneous -Built and installed a 13" long 3" by 2.5" tall, footbrace in the cocpit sole center just aft of the pedestal. -Things done SPRING 2003 * Cosmetic - Changed her name to "FLYER" (after my father who was a great "flyer", and so is this boat) -Sanded the entire bottom AGAIN! To remove the VC-17. Inorder to paint the bottom with anything else the VC-17 has to be removed first. 3 days with a 5" orbital sander. Oh my aching back! But the bottom looks great! See the acommpaning photos to the right. -Applied 2 coats of SEALIFE 2000 black. I had to switch to something that would hold up in saltwater. That is when ever I sell my place here and then can move to RI. * Engine -Replaced all engine cooling hoses. -Replaced the Water jacketed exhaust manifold, and the entire exhaust hose run with new Vetus 50mm hose and a new Vetus NPL-50 Lift muffler -Installed a Flex-Fold 15X10 two bladed folding propeller. Really love it. Gained at least 0.75knot while sailing. -Installed a Drive Saver in prop shaft * Plumbing -Plumbed Ice Box drain to diaphram pump for overboard discharge. Plus it helps the ice last longer and the bilge stay drier. * Electrical -Pulled new VHF wire (RG-8) and new wire for NEXUS wind instruments, up the mast. -Installed LED bulb inserts for the Aqua Signal 25 running lights from OGM. Makers of the first LED replacment bulb system that I have been able to find. They now make a replacment for the AS 25 Anchor light. * Running Rigging -Changed the Genoa halyard to 3/8" Warpspeed - Moved 3/8" Sta-SetX Plus from genoa halyard to Spinnaker halyard replacing the 7/16" Spec-Set II further reducing weight aloft. - Repainted the mast deck flange. The original is made of Aluminum and has developed some pitting. -Installing it with Sea Dog Eye bolts to install mast base blocks. I am working on having a new one made out of Stainless Steel , and incoporating mast base blocks for all of the halyards, etc, to run aft. - Cleaned and repainted mast step - New/used #4 headsail, new/used # 1 from Masthead Enterprizes. * Through Hull removal and installation - Removed and glassed in 4 thru-hulls. I can not believe that this boat has 11 below the waterline thru-hull fittings. Many which make no sence what so ever. So when I am done I will have engine intake, galley and head sink drains, Head intake. - Moved cockpit drains to thru-hulls out the transom, along with both electric and manual bilge pump fittings out the stern, and the LPG tank storage drain. Can you believe that that one was below the water line, andl had no seacock!! It's gone now! * Electronics - New cabin stereo speakers, and amplifer. -Installed a FM re-broadcaster, to plug the Laptop into the cabin stereo while playing DVD's & MP-3's. Much better sound than the computer's. -Things done Spring 2004 *Cosmetic -I had the hull power buffed again this spring then two coats of ZAINO brothers wax. Man, what a difference! She really does shine. Now I just need to get the little dings fixed. - Finally got all of the teak, on the deck, sanded and varnished. -Cleaned all of the interior wood work then wiped it all with teak oil. Much better! -I found that the citrus based cleaner, All Purpose Cleaner, from GOO GONE, works like a champ for many things. *Electrical -Replaced the Trojan 105 group 31 house batteries with a pair of Lifeline AGM's group 31's. Also replaced the liquid acid starter battery with an Optima Red Top AGM starter battery. This upgrade made such an improvment to the house batteries that the charging system barely has to work. I now have bunch more energy on board.Yes, they cost more, but they will save money in the long run as well as give you more peace of mind. Check out this website: Comparison between AGM's and Liquid Acid batteries. This guys site is full of great info. -I had to pull new wire up the conduet in the mast for the Steaming/Deck light. I had to repair the the same light as it was damaged some how while in the storage rack. -Installed LED lighting in the cabin. I will have some photos soon. One of the lighting upgrades that I am quite proud of is the addition of red LED's to the overhead flouresentfixture. This one is great for night time running. If you are interested in LED lighting check out this site:: Superbright LED's. Some of the best prices I've found. |
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| What you see here is not "Look at what I have done!" Rather, I want this to provide info & ideas for anyone else that may be doing, or going to do, similar things to their boat. When I started this I could not find any other NORDIC 34 owners. As of 03/03 I have found 5 others: Tom B. ("Numm Too Soon")on the east coast, Mike K. ( "Nordic Flyer") & Gary E.("Arrianna") side by side in the Northwestern US, and Mark G. ("Creola") in Alaska, the latest Frank C. ("Diomita") in the great state of Texas. Also I would like to thanks Andrew R. ("Slip Away") An Islander 34 mkII. (same design as the NORDIC) These guys have been a big help on a number of issues. But as many of you boat owners know, much of this is trial and error, and 'you'er on your own'. So These guys have been a big help to me and I hope that this website will be helpful some. If anyone would like to ask questions about what I have done here please drop me a line EMAIL HERE I will be adding more pictures as I go along. So check back! |
| Taken May 2001 after my father and I got her to the St. Lawrence River. From Daytona Beach, Florida. |
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| I scanned this into Photo Shop, then cleaned it all up. It was a bit old and wrinkled. Then turned into what you see above. After that, I had 'Boat Cards' made up. If any of the other NORDIC 34 owners would like these files I will be glad to Email them out. I can also add your boats name and sail number. Add for a couple owners I can change the window arrangment. |
| Below is what I did with Photo Shop, to represent my version of the NORDIC 34. After that I had 'boat cards' made up. If any of the other owners would like any of these files, or to change the port layout to represent their boat, I would be glad to do it. I can add sail numbers, name even make the hull white. I beleive all of our boats are white but I believe that this rendering looks better with a dark hull. I think a white hull will make the whole line drawing washed out. |
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| And here are two photos taken the spring of 2003. It may not be obvious, but things have improved! |