When Mike Zani’s 1965 classic sailboat, the Graves Constellation, “Vela,” rolled into the TotalBoat Workshop we knew we had a great video series about to unfold right before our eyes. Welcome to video 1 in the series on restoring this beautiful keelboat. It’s a project that was too big for experienced yachtsman, Zani, who had previously … Read More
Around here we love testing products. We have the TotalBoat Workshop setup for testing all sorts of products to increase our understanding of how they work, how they work best, and how to help you use them with the best possible outcome. We test bottom paint in a scientific study with Marine Bio students from … Read More
It’s that time of year for those of us who are not lucky enough to use our boats year round. As you get ready to launch your boat and wonder what to do about that little bit of gelcoat showing on the bottom, or which order to paint all the appendages – then here is … Read More
The TotalBoat Workshop is in a frenzy to finish projects and get boats closer to launching. As the sun sets later and the breeze gets warmer, the hustle in the TotalBoat Workshop is a bit more frantic. As an owner of many boats I can attest to the comfort that accompanies access to the well … Read More
Now that the dust has settled and the skiff was almost sold – yes, almost – Lou wanted to reach out to his fans and cover a few items. Namely – you can still bid on the skiff until tomorrow (Saturday 5/6) at 6:55pm ET. The last sale was foiled by an issue with the auction and … Read More
We had our best Tent Sale ever last Saturday, thanks, in large part, to Louis Sauzedde and the TotalBoat Work Skiff. Our distinguished guests drew a record crowd AND the police stopped by, wondering what we were giving away at this end of town. You know it’s a good party when the cops come – and it … Read More
Before you splash your boat, and as you inspect the bottom to prep for application of your seasonal Antifouling paint, take a good look at the condition of the bottom. If you have any bubbles or blisters, if you’ve sanded to or see any exposed fiberglass – then it’s time to step back and remember … Read More
The day has arrived to put the last touches of bottom paint on the rails, to apply some of the TotalBoat Teak Oil to the otherwise naked interior wood, to attach a motor for a test run and then TO LAUNCH! The TotalBoat Work Skiff is complete and Lou couldn’t be more excited to share it’s … Read More
It’s not over yet! Lou has to attach the knee to keep the transom boards from warping or twisting – especially with the weight of the outboard engine that will hang off the back. Lou masterfully cuts another beautiful slab into a refined looking knee and drills holes for bolting in the already installed quarter … Read More
In case you think shipwright Louis Sauzedde isn’t listening to viewer comments – this video will assure you that he is not only listening – but also taking viewer comments to heart. So much so that Lou has removed the plastic hawsepipe that he installed in the skiff and replaced it with a modified bronze … Read More
If it’s still light out when you leave work, you know it’s time to get crackin’ on the boat projects. Such was the prognosis at last week’s Shop Night. The crowd was big, the projects were ambitious and the pace was frantic! Seems like the perfect time to dig into the project of beefing up … Read More
As spring is closer to being sprung from the depths of an odd winter, the time to dust off the tools and pull back the boat cover has almost arrived. And with that comes the annual work-list of things that need some attention before launching. Typically every list includes bottom paint – and we have … Read More
The Open Door Boatshop has been busy this last week. After successfully applying the new Wet Edge Cold Cure Topside paint in Lou’s drafty and mostly unheated shop, he has decided to varnish the covering boards and the rub rail. It’s an instant upgrade to this working boat and will really show off the grain … Read More
With a bunch of coats of 2-Part Epoxy Primer rolled onto the work skiff, Lou is anxious to now roll topside paint over the primer. But not before he does a little more finish work to the cap rails – rounding the forward corners and showing us how they can be used as a chock. It’s … Read More
Shop Night has been extra busy these last few weeks and last night was no exception. The extra energy must come from the buzz around the call center, the JD store, on the website and in the back of the increasingly busy warehouse. Boaters are waking up and getting ready to get the boat ready. Shop … Read More