The $200,000 Refitting of Astraea

Astraea's hull number is 3670 (CHL036700481) and her construction began at Cheoy Lee Shipyards in Hong Kong on September 4, 1979.  She was sold through Jack Barr Yacht Sales and delivered on April 7, 1983 to San Francisco to her first owners, Richard and Rosalee Sanders.  She spent the next nine years sailing the waters of San Francisco Bay and Northern California.

In July 3, 1992 Astraea was acquired by David and Ingrid Angelini who extensively cruised Astraea for nine years in California, Mexico, and Cental America.   After nine years of cruising David and Ingrid actually "trucked" Astraea from Florida back to San Francisco where she has remained. 

When we purchased Astraea on July 19, 2005, she she had a lot of miles under her keel.  Fortunately she had been well cared for over the years by her former owners.  A thorough professional survey showed that she was rock solid, in good shape for her years, but she definitely needed some repairs and updating.  Here is a documentation of the work done by Svendsen's Boat Works in Alameda from November 2005 to the present.  The work thus far reflects over $175,000 in billings from Svendsen's.  It adds up quickly at $110 an hour for boatyard labor!  This does not count the many hours that I have worked on her.  Click on each phase to see details of the work. 

Documentation of the Refit

Mastless4-1.jpg picture by SFCheoyLee41

Astraea looking very forlorn with her masts off during the first phase of the Refit.  Svendesnes Boatworks January 2006.

Soon after we purchased Astraea we began a total refit which we planned in stages to spread out the cost over three years.  It is ending up being much more expensive than we planned, but she has turned out to be a rock solid boat and the cost is worth it to restore this classic beauty to as original a condition as is feasible.  Each of the steps in the re-fit are described and documented on this site.

Phase I:  November - March 2006.  Svendsen's Boatworks, Alameda, Ca.  Masts rebuilt, new rigging, recore soft foredeck, new lifelines and new stanchion bases.  Click here for the story and pictures. 

Phase IB:  April -June 2006.  Svendsen's Boatworks, Alameda, Ca.  Basically this is called "scope creep".  This included a new bottom, new shaft, new prop, new cutlass bearing, and a new transom paint job.  Click here for the story and pictures. 

Phase IB Continued:  June - July 2006.  Svendsen's Boatworks, Alameda, Ca.  OOPS.  More scope creep.  The work continues through July 2006.  It has now been eight months.  This included adding new B&G instruments, a new bilge pump system, a new holding tank system, and reviously undiscovered damage to the bottom of the keel from a grounding in the Caribbean some years ago during her cruising days.   Click here for the story and pictures. 

Phase II:  November 2007 through February 2008.  Svendsen's Boatworks, Alameda, CA.  Yes, Astraea was actually out of the yards for over a year and we had some great sailing.  However the transmission was slipping and I wanted it replaced or repaired, and there was also another list of items to be done.  So back to Svendsen's.  This time the punch list included:  Upgrade of the electrical distribution system, portlight and porthole repairs, a new Force 10 stove, and redoing of the bottom paint. 

We did not anticipate being in the yards for over three months this time.  However Svendsens could not find a replacement ZF transmission for my 1981 vintage Isuzu.  Go figure.  Anyway, while we waited for an answer to the transmission work other work went ahead.  Slowly.  Svendsens is a world class boatyard, but like most boatyards, don't even think about getting a price or schedule estimate.  It is sort of a global boatyard philosophy of "it will take as long as it takes and cost what it costs".   Click here for the story and pictures.   

Phase III.  June 2008 - September 2008  Svendsen's Boatworks, Alameda, Ca.  Repowering.  We had tried to pretend that this would not be necessary, however the transmission was leaking excessively and had to be replaced.  We decided that it was best to bite the bullet and get a new Westerbeke 44 and not have to worry about engines and transmissions anymore.  We are also having an entirely new Furuno NavNet2 system installed.  While the mizzen is down for the new radome installation we are having the mizzen raised 12 inches to provide more headroom for the helmsman and make it possible to install a bimini for cruising.  Click here for the story and pictures.

Phase IV:  Scheduled for Summer of 2009 just prior to going on extended cruising.  This phase will include the installation of a Monitor Windvane with emergency steering, a watermaker, and (perhaps) an electric winch. 

Click here to see the extensive refurbishment of her brightwork.