Dedicated to the Harstad 31' Sailboat

We managed to repair the rudder!  It’s not a permanent repair, but it is working.

We took our gudgeons to Minnie’s in Newport Beach, and after quite a bit of rummaging through parts, found replacements that look almost exactly like the originals.  We will ultimately want to find some heavier duty pieces, but the originals lasted over 30 years, so these should work until we order better ones.

The most difficult part was getting the steel cables from the helm back around the pulleys and then adjusting the cables for tightness.  The steering is working great for now, though.

I have recently found a weak spot in the rudder linkage on my boat.  It seems that Harstad used a weak gudgeon on these boats.  On the way back from Catalina, we had our lower support snap, and then later the upper snapped.  When the upper went, we lost all control and had to call BoatUS for a tow.

When we made it back to the slip, we were met at the dock by a gentleman named Dan who has repaired and renovated sailboats in the past.  He looked at what was left of the pintle and gudgeon, and told me that the metal piece was way too thin and that is probably why it ended up snapping under the stress of the weather were were in.  We have found a replacement that appears to be much stronger, and I will be installing it this week.

We have just recently bought our Harstad 31′ and have not yet had the chance to sail her, although we did a bit of a sea trial with the previous owner before consummating the deal.  The diesel ran great and the sails went up and down without a hitch.  The paint is all in good condition and it has a shine to it.  Some of the woodwork will need a light refinishing, but all and all it is in really great condition.

The following are areas to be worked on:

• Tachometer needs to be connected/fixed
• Choke cable needs to be lubricated
• Fuel meter (sender unit) needs to be fixed – it only partially works
• Although the volt meter and switch panel seem to be in great shape, I need to check them
• Mizzen mast halyard was pulled to the top somehow and the end hook needs to be retrieved
• Check the  fresh water system to make sure the pressure water does not have any leaks
• Test hot water heater
• Test bilge blower

Beyond that, there isn’t much else that needs attention.  The boat is clean as a pin and looks great!

Specifications:

Builder: Harstad Trawler Company
Model: Harstad 31
Designer: W.I.B. Crealock
Auxiliary: 20 hp Diesel Yanmar 2WM20H
LOA: 32′
LOD: 31′ 7″
W: 26′ 4″
Beam: 8′
Draft; 3′ 6″
Cabin Headroom: 6′6″
Year Model: 1976
Hull #: 008
Rig: Ketch
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Sailboat Weight: 8000 lbs which includes the keell/ ballast weight
Keel/ Ballast: 1950 lbs
Water: 52 gallons which includes the hot water tank
Fuel: 25 Gals
Holding Tank: 5 Gal
Cockpit: Center
Steering: Wheel, Pedestal
Sails: Jib 192 Sq ft., Genoa 292 sp. ft, Main 120 sq. ft.,
Sail Are (Jib): 353 sp. ft. (Genoa) 453 sq. ft.
Main Mast above deck: 28′ 0″ Mizzen mast 17′ 4″
Main Mast above water: 32′ 0″ Mizzen Mast 23′ 4″
Disp/ Length: 204
SA/Disp: 14.22
Capzie Ration: 1.6
Max speed under sail: 6.9 kts
Max Speed under power: 8 kts