Welcome to the Veleiro Tucano Blog

This is an ongoing effort to create a blog to update the sailings of Tucano

Welcome to Veleiro Tucano


The search for a true bluewater boat began in 2009, and late in 2010 an interesting sailboat became available in Ft Lauderdale, that was repossessed by the bank, and neglected for a while.

Norseman at Fort Lauderdale
The Norseman 447, very unusual boat in Florida, because of its relatively deep draft of 6.4".
The boat has an excellent design and sailing characteristics, known as a "performance cruiser".

After sometime negotiating and bidding on the auction process, the boat was finally purchased in early November 2010, and brought to Miami Hurricane Cove boatyard to start the work.


First the bottom had to be completely sanded to remove the old blistered paint, a new undercoat and paint applied.

After the bottom was done the boat was moved to the back of a friend's house at the Miami River, where it stayed for 9 months, and a lot was done as one can see on the pictures.

Boat on a channel near Miami Airport

Finally in August 2011 the boat already renamed Tucano move to Dinner Key Marina, in Coconut Grove.

Tucano at Dinner Key Marina

Boat Remodeling Process




deck needing paint
Water damage to the floor
floor frame all rotten
water damage to the cabinetry
Paint blisters
paint being completely removed by grinding
repairing the free board
New bottom!
Back to the water
New home at Miami River to finish interior
lower floor completely removed to the fiberglass
fun fun fun
New Frame being built
Frame done.. Paint applied
The boatyard team - Me, Robson, Luciano (Marine engineer :-)
New water tank
New water tank fits!!! what a miracle!
what a mess....
New marine plywood under floor
seats back in
New Teak floor
Teak floor finished
varnishing
Deck painting with awl grip
painting done
Non skid paint applied - Kiwi Grip
New folding cabin table. More open space and bigger couch
Arch for solar panels and wind gen
Solar panels and wind gen installed
Bimini Top
Toe rail




cockpit table

varnishing



cockpit cushions
   
Old Lehman Engine coming out
Brand new Yanmar engine arrived

new engine being placed inside the engine cage
Engine hooked up
New engine mounts baing built with fiberglass and aluminum plates..hope the height is ok :-)


Watermaker installation

Watermaker installation
Miami-Key Largo Race