SHAKEDOWN: Our First Trip on a 1$ Boat

The transformation of an abandoned vessel into an offshore-capable voyager is one of the most demanding tests in modern sailing. For Simon Stiles of Finding Simon, resurrecting SV Perihelion—a classic William Garden-designed 1981 Formosa 51 ketch acquired for just one dollar—has progressed from shipyard carpentry to open sea trials. After extensive fiberglass repairs, custom metal fabrication, and off-grid electrical work, the time arrived to cast off lines and conduct an intensive coastal shakedown cruise.

A shakedown cruise is a rigorous diagnostic trial where theoretical refit work meets working marine loads. Sailing out of sheltered waters into coastal chop tests every component, from standing rigging tension and an unconventional furling mainsail to custom aluminum deck joinery and auxiliary diesel reliability. Simon balances emergent mechanical glitches with the deep satisfaction of sailing a craft reclaimed from abandonment without incurring crippling debt.

From Boatyard Derelict to Coastal Sea Trials

Preparing for coastal trials demands methodical preparation, and as Simon of Finding Simon embarks on this Shakedown Cruise aboard his resurrected Project Boat, the voyage marks a major milestone for practical Boat Restoration and disciplined Seamanship. Transitioning a vessel from shipyard refit status to active passage-making exposes every structural seam to dynamic marine forces. The heavy-displacement Formosa 51 hull was engineered for ocean voyaging, but years of neglect left its spars, deck hardware, and plumbing systems entirely dormant.

Before raising sail, weeks of labor focused on sanitizing the hull and clearing deck layouts cluttered by refit tools and materials. Simon systematically tested both the manual diaphragm bilge pump and primary electric pumps, checked the cockpit scupper seacocks, and inspected the structural interior bulkheads for stress fractures. Simon confirmed that thru-hulls moved freely, raw water strainers were clear, and bilge compartments were completely free of loose debris that could choke emergency pump impellers. Reclaiming discarded hulls proves that sweat equity and resourceful problem-solving can transform a neglected derelict into an offshore cruising home.

Rigging Forensics and Sail Plan Validation Under Load

Evaluating mast stability underway requires technical precision, and as Simon of Finding Simon sails into open water on this Shakedown Cruise, testing the Project Boat demonstrates how Boat Restoration relies directly on vigilant Seamanship. The ketch rig features a specialized furling mainsail mounted on a stay directly aft of the main mast rather than inside an internal furling extrusion. Operating like an aft-facing jib with a loose foot controlled along the boom, it provides simplified reefing for shorthanded offshore cruising.

Hoisting the heavy canvas under working loads immediately tested halyard tension, outhaul travel, and boom clearances. Simon inspected the wire halyards, masthead sheaves, and turnbuckle cotter pins to verify that stainless steel fittings showed no stress corrosion or work hardening. Simon verified that the swinging boom and main sheet cleared the aft corner of the newly installed hardtop roof during sudden tacks and downwind gybes. While an external stay furler slightly compromises close-hauled pointing angles, the substantial gains in reefing safety and mechanical simplicity are ideal for a heavy cruising ketch.

Marine Carpentry, Structural Hardtop Welding, and Propulsion

Structural deck integrity is essential in heavy weather, where Simon of Finding Simon verifies during this Shakedown Cruise that his Project Boat successfully combines custom Boat Restoration with sound Seamanship. Before leaving sheltered waters, Simon completed the fabrication of an all-aluminum cockpit hardtop roof designed to carry high-output solar panels. Using cardboard templates, he shaped six heavy-duty mounting tabs with gussets welded from two-inch flat aluminum stock, maintaining a one-inch margin to prevent burn-through from the 150-amp welding current.

Welding aluminum while moored required stepping up off-grid battery power through a 2,400-watt inverter. The modular roof assembly was designed to unbolt easily, allowing the engine to be hoisted vertically with a crane in the future without deck demolition. Underway, the Nissan SD33 diesel experienced brief rpm drops as rolling seas stirred settled tank sediment; Simon quickly switched to a fresh primary fuel filter and diagnosed air in the injection pump, restoring dependable auxiliary power.

Maiden Sea Trial Telemetry and Restoration Ledger

Tracking technical data allows Simon of Finding Simon to quantify the Shakedown Cruise of his Project Boat, validating how methodical Boat Restoration and attentive Seamanship establish vessel reliability. Combining empirical trial results with the refit ledger creates an operational safety baseline for future voyaging.

This technical ledger highlights how disciplined refit spending delivers offshore reliability. Directing capital toward high-capacity lithium storage, dual fuel filtration, rugged deck welding, and manageable sail controls allowed Simon to convert a salvage hull into a self-sufficient cruiser on a modest budget.

Coastal Navigation and Seamanship Under Coastal Currents

Passage-making through coastal channels and strong tidal flows tests Simon of Finding Simon on this Shakedown Cruise, demonstrating that his Project Boat depends on diligent Boat Restoration and vigilant Seamanship. Underway, winds gusted between 25 and 30 knots, with regional gales bringing 60-knot offshore bursts. Running downwind in following seas, the 51-foot hull proved steady and predictable on the helm.

Carefully timing tidal gates allowed Simon to avoid turbulent overfalls and standing rip tides before maneuvering into protected anchorages. Running before steep ocean swells, the boat’s classic wineglass transom and full keel tracked true without broaching tendencies. Anchoring in narrow coves required deploying heavy nylon stern ties to shore rings to keep the vessel aligned in shifting tidal currents. Handling muddy ground tackle revealed the clear need for a high-pressure saltwater deck washdown pump and improved anchor stowage rollers, providing valuable feedback for the next refit stage.

The Philosophy of Ultra-Low-Budget Boat Restoration

Living afloat through practical self-reliance allows Simon of Finding Simon to demonstrate during this Shakedown Cruise that an affordable Project Boat developed via hands-on Boat Restoration inspires genuine Seamanship. While modern yachting often emphasizes commercial debt and complex electronics, rescuing a neglected classic for nominal cost proves that offshore adventure remains within reach of resourceful mariners.

The voyage concluded with satisfying off-grid milestones: catching fresh Dungeness crabs and prawns, cooking on an electric galley powered entirely by solar reserves, and scouting shorelines with folding e-bikes carried on deck. With vital systems tested and small mechanical glitches resolved, the restored Formosa 51 stands prepared for ambitious offshore voyaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

To assist maritime enthusiasts and cruisers following Simon and Finding Simon as they complete this Shakedown Cruise aboard their Project Boat, the following answers outline essential principles of Boat Restoration and offshore Seamanship.