Hi Bob,
The Ballad is a total restoration project, somewhat "from a bare hull" thing.
Check out
my blog for a continuing restoration saga. There's a link to lots of pictures on the top right side of the page.
Still sailing the Vega and loving it. It's going onto the trailer and into the barn when the Ballad is splashed (no date set). I have to see which boat I like best and sell the other ... I suspect I know already ;-)
Craning the boat was about $400. Having it mobile and being able to wheel it under cover into the enlarged Stimson shed is great.
To date the interior woodwork is all done and installed, engine and related systems all in (I filled the fuel tank today) and plumbing done. Test fire of the installed engine is next, with wiring and upholstery the two major projects left to do inside. Outside is primed and a couple of colour coats done on the topsides. The good weather went south before the painting was finished so completion will be delayed until next spring. All the sails have been cleaned and overhauled. The mast arrives back from the riggers on Tuesday, minus the bend near the top, and with a new back stay. All the mast hardware has been rebuilt and is ready to install. The 4 Lewmar 40 two-speed winches are rebuilt, the two with bronze drums re-chromed. All the chromed bronze deck hardware is replated and all the stainless pieces have been polished.
So far the only jobs farmed out have been the crane lift, replating, and the mast straightening.
Peter