Rebuilding the 281

[Bruce Rowe]

I have been culling the weak points of the 281 from this forum and it is becoming a daunting task to address them all.  I am fortunate that my boat doesn't have rusting keel bolts or copious amounts of water under the floorboards, but there exist stains from past intrusions including one in the channel in front of the electrical panel, so I can see the need for re-bedding all the deck hardware, working on the portlight gaskets and seals, taking out the holding tank to replace hoses and access the push pit and swim ladder bolts.  I have already taken the lid off the water tank and cleaned it out and believe I will go with a smaller bladder there-maybe the 26 or 13.5 gallon one.  I like the idea of replacing all the fresh water hose with Pex, but it is a fairly stiff material to be wiggling through the maze that probably exists under the floor.  However, even after sanitizing the entire system, does that guarantee that the existing mold inside the water lines has been eradicated?  Not likely.  That stuff usually has to be scrubbed off, hence the need for new hoses.

I have yet to sail this boat so have no knowledge about mainsheet operation with the cabin top system.  One writer mentions pulling the main over to the toe rail to point higher.  Kind of awkward, if effective, for short tacking for instance.  Does installing a traveler address this adequately?  

The boat is on its trailer in my back yard.  The mast is residing on my other boat's trailer at the storage yard at the lake.