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Post by frank25 on Feb 13, 2019 22:22:06 GMT
Hello i purchased a new centreboard Eolia in Ontario Canada back in 1985. loved the boat! Sold her about 4yrs later to fund business. Always sad.. when I saw her later, I would leave notes to call me when you want to sell. they would call to say they loved her and she was not for sale. Years pass, I try again....same reply. And again... then, last year, a surprise call. Was I still interested in getting her back? YES! So, 34 years after buying her new, we are together again.
so, curious, other than the vinyl wall and ceiling coverings loosening off, are there any other issues with the Eolia? any advice from folks with these now aging boats? look forward to hearing from other owners. thanks Frank
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Post by MalcolmP on Feb 13, 2019 22:40:11 GMT
Congratulations, lovely story
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Post by frank25 on Feb 13, 2019 22:51:50 GMT
Thanks kind of funny that picture is me sailing her in 1985. i had hair colour then.... totally grey now... she still shines, I however, have not aged as well 😄
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Post by rene460 on Feb 14, 2019 4:18:30 GMT
Hi Frank, Welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting her back. It is often said that owning a boat is a journey of love so I expect that memory of another time will see you through to having her as smart as she ever was.
I dont know the particular design, bit you can see in another thread that owners of those older boats feel that they were well built, and built to last. I am sure you will be able to fix any minor issues. What size is she, and where will you sail her now?
Hope to see more of you on the forum,
rene460
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Post by frank25 on Feb 15, 2019 23:07:11 GMT
The Eolia is a 25. They were amazing as not only fast for a small boat (Philip Briand design) but had a aft stand up head, aft cabin, proper chart table and huge U shaped dinnete (no Vberth) i ordered her as a keel/centreboard version. 5’11” board down BUT only 2’7” board retracted into the shoal keel and rudder raised.
i am from Ontario Canada and began sailing winter months in the Abacos back in 2002 onward. these are shallow waters and her shallow draft will open up SO many places others can’t go.
i figure a 2-3 summer project fitting her out. Electric head, solar, more ventilation, Bimini, furling, much larger water capacity and a ton of little things to,improve her cruising ability.
ive owned tooooo many boats since her and still,own several, but look forward to her and I spending our last years in the Abacos
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Post by frank25 on Sept 13, 2021 0:24:51 GMT
This was the summer to get at the refit and Reno. as was common for 80s builds, the vinyl on the hull and cabin sides was loose or coming down after 35yrs so I decided to strip the interior. Lots of sanding and filling, then a dark primer and white finish. looks great if I do say so.. before is the center picture
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Post by frank25 on Sept 13, 2021 0:33:00 GMT
4 opening ports were cut in. 2 in the salon one in the aft cabin one in the head. these should greatly improve air flow in the Bahamas Head had shelves added and I build a medicine cabinet to fit galley had shelves added and a flat floor, then half shelf in the icebox as it will become dry storage lighting was replaced by all LED interior and running lights new breaker type electrical panel was installed floor removed and varnished as was all woodwork
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Post by frank25 on Sept 13, 2021 0:42:13 GMT
More work than you could imagine... rust on keel ground down and epoxied 2 new bladder water tanks added. One for head and another to tandem up for galley sink new CDI furling exterior wood totally stripped and refinished new 135 genny solar panel mount fabricated 175 watt panel mounted with a MPPT controller installed low draw refrigerator/freezer installed where inboard would have been new 4 stroke, electric start outboard with remote control added new holding tank for head installed with pump out or overboard options flat floor in cockpit locker added locker shelf with fiddle added more to come
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Post by MalcolmP on Sept 13, 2021 6:04:55 GMT
Looks absolutely transformed! Well done indeed! Thanks for sharing.
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Post by Trevor on Sept 13, 2021 6:56:46 GMT
Great refurb Frank… I enjoyed reading that story and seeing the results of your labour of love…congratulations on getting her Into beautiful condition…
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Post by rene460 on Sept 13, 2021 12:34:34 GMT
Well done Frank. It’s coming up very nicely, and with the upgrades you are doing, she will be good for a long time to come.
That’s very impressive accomodation for a 25 ft hull. I like your decision to use an outboard as well. It’s quite suitable on such a size boat and gives the advantage of being able to direct the thrust direction when approaching or leaving a mooring.
Looking forward to the next chapter.
rene460
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Post by Chris Meyer on Sept 13, 2021 13:10:27 GMT
More work than you could imagine... rust on keel ground down and epoxied 2 new bladder water tanks added. One for head and another to tandem up for galley sink new CDI furling exterior wood totally stripped and refinished new 135 genny solar panel mount fabricated 175 watt panel mounted with a MPPT controller installed low draw refrigerator/freezer installed where inboard would have been new 4 stroke, electric start outboard with remote control added new holding tank for head installed with pump out or overboard options flat floor in cockpit locker added locker shelf with fiddle added more to come Great story and terrfic work!Excellent!
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Post by frank25 on Sept 14, 2021 2:05:46 GMT
Thank you all for the positive comments! i do love this boat... loved her when she arrived in spring 1985 and probably love her more now. such an incredible design in what is actually a 24ft hull I’ll really appreciate her shallow draft in the Abacos! more pics as she gets closer to leaving, but honestly... the pictures I can’t wait to post will have palm trees-beach’s and blue-green waters thanks again
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zigzag49ds
Junior Member
Posts: 14
Jeanneau Model: 2005 Sun Odyssey 49DS
Yacht Name: Zig Zag
Home Port: Tacoma, Wa
Country: Usa
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Post by zigzag49ds on Sept 26, 2021 16:32:30 GMT
I’ve owned this vintage in three different boats. First I had an O’Dea 23 in the early 1980’s, then late 80’s early 90’s I had a Beneteau First 29 that was amazingly similar to your boat, and I currently have a 1985 Sun Rise 34 sister ship to yours. I’ve had her for 10 years and gone through the same upgrades as you have, led lights, replaced bladder tanks, hoses, pumps, headliners, and more. Loved the boat, so much so her name is “Je T’aime”, but alas she is ready for a new owner in the Pacific Northwest as I have a new to me 49DS on its way for the next 10 years adventures. Your story rang true for me as I almost bought back the 29.
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Post by frank25 on Nov 13, 2021 3:49:42 GMT
The Canada to USA land border opened up Monday and I was there, déjà vu in tow, at 12:45 am. long line up as so many others with RVs etc wanted to head south. 2650 kilometres later I am in Florida and today we stepped the mast, boom on, dodger on and reinstalled the solar panel and mount. still lots to do but getting closer to leaving for Bahamas.
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Post by rene460 on Nov 13, 2021 10:02:21 GMT
Hi Frank, that’s quite a trip, and shows the big advantage of a trailerable. A great reward for all the work you have put into refurbishing.
I did a similar distance (Melbourne to Airlie Beach, Queensland) with our previous boat, to sail the Whitsunday’s, though I believe even though 24 ft, it was a bit lighter than the Eolia. Highway speed during the days and a safe anchorage every night as they say.
How long will you be on the water?
Have a great trip.
rene460
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Post by frank25 on Nov 13, 2021 12:50:42 GMT
Thanks for the comments.
Once launched, hopefully next week, I’ll be cruising through winter until next April.
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Post by frank25 on Nov 22, 2021 18:41:27 GMT
Made Florida mast stepped new running rigging canvass on provisioned launched. awaiting a weather window to sail to Bahamas. old girl looks good for almost 37 Long time friend Roger is sailing over with me to his boat stored on Green Turtle Cay he looks stressed 😄
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Post by frank25 on Nov 29, 2021 8:00:39 GMT
Déjà Vu now has an ocean crossing under her belt. We arrived in the Bahamas last Friday. Love the water here! the sea of Abaco is beautiful
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Post by bereboot on Nov 29, 2021 8:12:04 GMT
You make us dream.
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Post by frank25 on Dec 2, 2021 7:50:46 GMT
Made it to my favourite island in the Abacos... Green Turtle Cay. ive always dreamed of a boat with shallow draft to anchor right in the town harbour. the 2ft 7in board up draft with déjà vu allows me to do it!
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Post by MalcolmP on Dec 2, 2021 12:26:28 GMT
Made it to my favourite island in the Abacos... Green Turtle Cay. ive always dreamed of a boat with shallow draft to anchor right in the town harbour. the 2ft 7in board up draft with déjà vu allows me to do it! Looks stunning, even better than the UK!
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Post by John on Dec 4, 2021 11:31:19 GMT
Hi Frank , What a great looking boat , and the satisfaction you will get with that refit . Happy days .
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Post by sailby2 on Dec 8, 2021 23:56:26 GMT
Made it to my favourite island in the Abacos... Green Turtle Cay. ive always dreamed of a boat with shallow draft to anchor right in the town harbour. the 2ft 7in board up draft with déjà vu allows me to do it! Looks stunning, even better than the UK!
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Post by sailby2 on Dec 9, 2021 0:00:04 GMT
Made it to my favourite island in the Abacos... Green Turtle Cay. ive always dreamed of a boat with shallow draft to anchor right in the town harbour. the 2ft 7in board up draft with déjà vu allows me to do it! Looks stunning, even better than the UK! Frank, Saw you anchored at New Plymouth while walking about today to check in with Customs/Immigration. We are at Donny’s Marina in Black Sound and will be staying for a week. We should link up for a Kalik.
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