Yep, the chain plates were for the mast stays. The mast, while tall for a motor boat, is still very low aspect. It’s strictly a comm tower - lights, antenna, radar etc - no sails. So low stress.

Thanks to all who have expressed support for continuing with the Willard Boat Owners list as well as the Willard Owners Group website. As has been noted, I have had orders in for supplies of Willard

What was the function of the chainplates that you removed? Mast support? Generally chainplates are fastened to a vertical component, bulkhead, cabin side, or hull. Most pad eyes are not designed for

1974, #78 -- Sean Eamon Kennedy Vega Voyager “Moonlight”

Very interesting, Sean. What year Vega is Moonlight? -- Rich Klingbiel, 1974 Voyager Mary Anne.

I’ve had persistent leaks where the pilot house cabin top (roof) joins the cabin sides. While I already knew the sides and top weren’t well attached in places, I’ve discovered the problem

I like the Beta well enough. I especially like having the oil sump pump built in, though I’ll note that the handle kept rattling off until I loktite-ed it. I’m also glad I installed the remote

I have AC in the stack of a 30’ Voyager, just freon lines up and back… great location as cold air falls, have vents to salon and forward to pilot house. Patience #69 Sent from Mail for

I like the idea. My initial concerns are: - vibration noise with the unit overhead. - it’s a long round trip run for the cooling water and those hoses are at least an inch in diameter. - not sure

Another thought I entertained was to put the a/c unit in the fake smoke stack .

I have thought about that same location. Its another item on the long list of things to do. Definitely an ideal centralized place for cold air to enter the boat.

What a beautiful restoration! How do you like the Beta engine? -- M/V Weebles 1970 Willard 36 Sedan Hull #40 Ensenada, MX

Has anyone put an A/C unit in the flybridge bonnet over the forward dashboard on a W36 or W40?? It's a good place - sort of dead-space, and the vents could be directed straight down. Challenge is

The following photos have been uploaded to the Moonlight album of the main@WillardBoatOwners.groups.io

Absolutely. What fun would it be if we couldn't improve things. BTW, this rudder bearing has a lot of miles on it. Down East circle and Maine to Bahamas and back.

sorry. laughing my butt off at 'foot operated tiller' I'm in a wheelchair and I can't walk! maybe I can get my lab to use his tail or something to run the tiller! hahaha

I agree some of the simple necessary design elements you would expect to see are a continued mystery. But that’s what makes old boat partnering such a unique challenge. Thanks again for the

There are wonderful stories. It is amazing that the V-8 is willing to run long and slow. I assume that the smoke is the buildup left from the previous session of slow running. The direction for

Hi Dan, Thanks for the interesting information. Pam and I met Chris and Darlene at the 2015 rendezvous. They are very nice people and we exchanged a few emails with Darlene before buying

Auxiliary steering tiller, foot operated. Also showing other access hole for reaching fixed end of steering ram. Unconscienceable to have built this with no immediate access available.