Newport 17 Sailboat Project 1

Article By Carmen Kearley

Last week, I brought home a 1976 Newport, my first project boat. I have no experience working on boats and I figured that rather than get one all ready to go, I could get one that needed work and use it to really learn how all works. Yes, it sounds crazy to me, too.

Here is the boat upon arrival. I described it to Shorty as a compost bin/bug farm. Note the interesting mast set-up: a Hobie superimposed on top of the original. The boat came with 2 Hobie 16 masts and a set of sails. I have already located original equipment mast/boom/rudder and will pass on the Hobie stuff to a new owner. To encourage me, my husband helped me give her a good scrubbing. It worked!

Carmen