Nearly 40 years ago, while supervising painting contractors, I was dubbed with the title Captain Fiddly Bits. After watching the fastidious way in which you approach the same task, I have decided to pass this title on to you. Live long and well Captain Fiddly Bits!
No if's, and's or but's about it...YOU ARE THE MAN! This is something that I've always wanted to do with my old boat (put her in a shed/barn/etc.) and just go over her stem to stern...she needed glass work, painting, bright work, and more...She ran like a top (she was a twin engine power boat), but she was old and needed work. We sold her at the beginning of the year when somebody offered us exactly what we wanted for her. Now I need a new project.
In about 3 months, I plan to restore the decks of my 30ft Black Soo, which are still in pretty good nick after over 50 years. I am very glad I stumbled onto this page! To me, short on boat restoration experience, this is a gem. I'll be back ... many times.
Sail Life: Hey Mads! Despite being an exceptionally boring installment-- glorious, glorious sanding, scraping, fairing, knit-picking, etc, etc, am hanging in there w/ you... Like the infamous _hair in the biscuit_ ! Watching paint dry and giving you a big 👍🏻! Even when you're harried, frustrated, out of time, you manage to offer a good video to your diehard believers. Many thanks from one of those. Finally, and _as requested_ , "Saying good job painting, Mads!"
17:55 Intersection of perfect and I just can't stand sanding anymore! Looks great Madz. Great work. My intersection would have been a couple months ago.
NICE.....nothing better than moving into the final few steps centered around final finish. You should be proud of the progress and the fact that there are many DIYers who get just so far on a project and then sacrifice detail and resort to speed to finish and "splash the boat". You can look forward to many trouble free hours at sea, paid for by meticulous attention to details and a logical approach to repairs. Well done.
I really, really look forward to the next few weeks. Seeing as you are getting closer to be working on other projects. And I can't wait to see you tackle them with the same enthusiasm as you are doing this tedious sanding. It will be amazing to follow! Keep it up :D
Sure cure for OCD...refitting a sailboat. But, I have to admit that for a DYI, this is far and away more like a professional refit than any others that I have seen.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone. I read a really cool article in Good Old Boat Issue 116 September/October 2017 on a non-skid application. I think you mentioned that you were going to use Kiwi Grip. In the article, the owner tapes off the deck like a teak deck pattern and applies the kiwi grip. The final product looks really amazing - like a teak deck but not. It may be worth it for you to take a look at it for consideration. It may slow you down a week in the prep work but it could add a ton of character to your yacht. Athena will be one fine yacht when you are done!
Mads, I just finished watching last Sunday's video. It has taken me the last 6 weeks to watch all 287 of your videos. Wow! I have to agree that your videos are the best. I got here from Learning the Lines and Abandon Comfort. It is great to see so many people restoring old boats and building new ones. Here are my thoughts: 1. You are the epitome of the US president Calvin Coolidge's quote about the value of persistence. 2. It has been exhilarating watching you grow from a somewhat timid TH-cam vlogger to the polished, professional documentarian you are now. 3. From where you started on Obelix to where you are on Athena now your skills with tools, materials and video production equipment have advanced tremendously. 4. As a retired engineer I am amazed at your creative problem solving and how positive you are even when you make an error or something goes wrong. 5. The explanations of tool quality and preference, material use and where resources can be found are balanced and educational. 6. I find your credits to those who have loaned tools, supplied materials and given information and guidance to be exceptional. 7. Ava is an exceptional young lady. You did good finding her and everyone wants to see more of her (perhaps as much as you do!). 8. We all want to see more of Jorkul also. Thank you so much for the great videos. Looking forward to this Sunday's new video.
These a huge wow factor steps. Looking amazing. You must be freaking out your weekday co-workers as you go through the whole day with a permanent smile on your face. :)
Hey, Greetings from New Zealand 🇳🇿. It brought a smile to my face as the painting time-lapse started and we saw the cabin solidify into one block colour. Brings back so many memories from rebuilding my boats. Keep up the good work 👍
Athina is looking great and how you conduct your work is so professional more so than some professionals, I commend you on your great work bringing an old girl back to her world and new life. She looks great
The deckhouse now looks like a Shiny, New PT Boat. Cool! LIKE those tiny little PEEPlights Aft. They're a really Nice and Professional Touch, AND Highly Usefull. Looks like the Fairing on the cabin went VERY well. Were you going to spread a little thickened epoxy around the Inside of the Helm-mounting hole to seal it up? I hope so, now you've got ME being OCD, lol. Now that the Glorious Sanding is FINALLY Done(Thank the Gods!) you can probably Bench-Press 450 pounds,lol. Or WIN the Arm-Wrestling Championship. Have you Heard from the rudder? Super Job, as Always. I can SEE it, Mads, a big pennant streaming from Athena's masthead saying, Mads Max, Mercenary Marine Maintenance and Repair. You could even get a lenscover made for a handheld spotlight with the SailLife logo on it, and shine it up into the clouds at night, like Batman, so everybody knows when you're In Port. Business Cards with the Motto, 'Do you want it Done, or Done RIGHT?' Have Sanders, Will Travel.
IT really looks great....not for lack of a ton of very hard and conscientious work. It’s not what you do that brings me back, it’s who you are that does...thanks
Hi Mads I would pat you on your back, but your going to have to do it for me great job Athena is looking mighty spiffy!!!! I don't think I have ever seen your work pants here in the us, but those are cool....
That's some amazing editing. I think viewers think you simply setup your phone to record a few videos and it's so easy. But i know what it takes. And the editing on this video is amazing. I tip my hat to you.
Mads, your intersection of perfect and I just can't stand sanding anymore, still beats the heck out of almost everyone else' perfect. Congrats on the achievement !
I dont know why those handles are even there. The top of the boat looks so perfect it looks like a digital rendering! Nice job Mads! You are fun to watch and you make work a little more enjoyable with your charming personality. Happy anniversary.
If I could give it two thumbs up I would have :) You have certainly earned such an awesome outcome. After all your attention to the details, you should sit back have a beer and take in the overall excellence.
Looking good! You have certainly come a long way from your first videos. Not only your entertainment value but content and presentation and on air personality. Looking forward to her first sea trial. Keep up the good work.
Well done good sir. It is always a happy day when you get to see some with the passion to breathe life back into something that might have wound up in the scrap yard. Keep up the great work.
Mads, Forgot to mention that you can cut the pipe insulation to give you and inside curve that will match the angle of the front of the cabin. Using the inside diameter lined with sticky back sand paper will help maintain the radius over the length of the curve in the cabin front. I use this on the rounded corners of cabinets, etc. More sanding videos please!
good job Mads I'm proud of you I love watching your videos every week for the past number of years and I'd love to be able to join you there as soon as I retire I may be a bit slow but two boat hands are always better than one.
Awesome job Mads. Supremely excited to see the top coat on there! I originally came here for educational reasons. After watching every Athena video, I'm only here for the pleasure of it, now:] Thanks!!
A very little not so spiffy language but certainly understandable ever now and then! Mads if I could give you two thumbs up I would. GREAT, GREAT JOB. Very spiffy indeed. GOD bless. JC
Wow what a transformation ! All of your hard work and dedication are inspirational! You are a international DIY superstar ! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience .
How spiffy does Athena look Mads, I think you have done such an amazing job with Athena and you should be so proud of what you have achieved. A spiffy congratulations to you.
Finally Mads, now, you are cooking ! Once you start seeing results, all that sanding becomes worth it. She sure is going to be beautiful, you should be really proud of your efforts..
Pretty dang spiffy if I do say so myself. Now for the rest of the boat top tick talk tick talk time is a wasting lol I need to get some of your patients for myself always impressed by your attention to detail and the time it takes to make it perfect! Cheers
It just seems that everything is coming together and looking fantastic. I love your attention to detail it`s really starting to show big time. I cant wait to see your next video Athena is a keeper for sure.
Hey Mads, looking fantastic! A shame though that you are so pressed for time that you have to make compromises....not that they would be noticeable to anyone else....I find that is the problem with doing things yourself is that you know ALL of the defects. Looks perfect on TH-cam, hopefully you are completely happy with the finished product. Cheers!
Good job! Really, I have been watching your videos since you started re-building the inside of obelix. I am thrilled by the idea of Athena having everything sorted for the winter (I was so excited when you've applied the copper coat!). Good job Mads :-)
Nearly 40 years ago, while supervising painting contractors, I was dubbed with the title Captain Fiddly Bits.
After watching the fastidious way in which you approach the same task, I have decided to pass this title on to you.
Live long and well Captain Fiddly Bits!
very informative to all details of things .
I don't think you realize how much we value the info and techneaks for boat repair we learn from watching your channel, keep up the good work.
Dan
Congratulations on the big milestone.
No if's, and's or but's about it...YOU ARE THE MAN! This is something that I've always wanted to do with my old boat (put her in a shed/barn/etc.) and just go over her stem to stern...she needed glass work, painting, bright work, and more...She ran like a top (she was a twin engine power boat), but she was old and needed work. We sold her at the beginning of the year when somebody offered us exactly what we wanted for her. Now I need a new project.
Athena Sundays are spiffy.
Mads, if there was an Oscar for DIY sanding, fibreglassing and fairing, it would go to you. Great job and can't wait to see episode 2
You do know, that you’re setting new standards of craftsmanship in restoration of older boats! 😎
In about 3 months, I plan to restore the decks of my 30ft Black Soo, which are still in pretty good nick after over 50 years. I am very glad I stumbled onto this page! To me, short on boat restoration experience, this is a gem. I'll be back ... many times.
Sail Life: Hey Mads!
Despite being an exceptionally boring installment-- glorious, glorious sanding, scraping, fairing, knit-picking, etc, etc, am hanging in there w/ you...
Like the infamous _hair in the biscuit_ ! Watching paint dry and giving you a big 👍🏻!
Even when you're harried, frustrated, out of time, you manage to offer a good video to your diehard believers. Many thanks from one of those. Finally, and _as requested_ , "Saying good job painting, Mads!"
Remember mate, paint hides all the SINS! Looks awesome, Barney
17:55 Intersection of perfect and I just can't stand sanding anymore! Looks great Madz. Great work. My intersection would have been a couple months ago.
I think my project would have been for sale way earlier.... Hat off , o tenacious one🤙
He probably has more man hours in that hull than the original manufacturer. It would be interesting to see some numbers about the refit cost.
Agreed, I am sure Mads will give us a full run down on cost when he gets things wrapped up.
NICE.....nothing better than moving into the final few steps centered around final finish. You should be proud of the progress and the fact that there are many DIYers who get just so far on a project and then sacrifice detail and resort to speed to finish and "splash the boat". You can look forward to many trouble free hours at sea, paid for by meticulous attention to details and a logical approach to repairs. Well done.
I really, really look forward to the next few weeks. Seeing as you are getting closer to be working on other projects. And I can't wait to see you tackle them with the same enthusiasm as you are doing this tedious sanding. It will be amazing to follow! Keep it up :D
Mads don't rush her after the amount of awesome prep work you have done !! She is looking brilliant, keep it going !!!!!!
Sure cure for OCD...refitting a sailboat. But, I have to admit that for a DYI, this is far and away more like a professional refit than any others that I have seen.
Nicely done. OCD reference with OCD acronym bait. Lol.
She sure looks spiffy!
I like that the new twist....instead of DIY (Do IT Yourself) rather DYI (Do YOURSELF It)
If you know a professional that does 1/2 as good of a job (in Texas) please reply!
the hardest working man in show business
Congratulations on reaching this milestone. I read a really cool article in Good Old Boat Issue 116 September/October 2017 on a non-skid application. I think you mentioned that you were going to use Kiwi Grip. In the article, the owner tapes off the deck like a teak deck pattern and applies the kiwi grip. The final product looks really amazing - like a teak deck but not. It may be worth it for you to take a look at it for consideration. It may slow you down a week in the prep work but it could add a ton of character to your yacht. Athena will be one fine yacht when you are done!
Mads,
I just finished watching last Sunday's video. It has taken me the last 6 weeks to watch all 287 of your videos. Wow! I have to agree that your videos are the best. I got here from Learning the Lines and Abandon Comfort. It is great to see so many people restoring old boats and building new ones. Here are my thoughts:
1. You are the epitome of the US president Calvin Coolidge's quote about the value of persistence.
2. It has been exhilarating watching you grow from a somewhat timid TH-cam vlogger to the polished, professional documentarian you are now.
3. From where you started on Obelix to where you are on Athena now your skills with tools, materials and video production equipment have advanced tremendously.
4. As a retired engineer I am amazed at your creative problem solving and how positive you are even when you make an error or something goes wrong.
5. The explanations of tool quality and preference, material use and where resources can be found are balanced and educational.
6. I find your credits to those who have loaned tools, supplied materials and given information and guidance to be exceptional.
7. Ava is an exceptional young lady. You did good finding her and everyone wants to see more of her (perhaps as much as you do!).
8. We all want to see more of Jorkul also.
Thank you so much for the great videos. Looking forward to this Sunday's new video.
Great job Mads! You get a thumbs-up from me!
These a huge wow factor steps. Looking amazing. You must be freaking out your weekday co-workers as you go through the whole day with a permanent smile on your face. :)
Oh that primer color! And the edges look as sharp as a constructive geometry model from POVRAY.
Even the primer looks...beautiful. The endless hours are coming to some sort of fruition. Brings a tear to me eye!
WOW, now with some paint it looks sharp as a lemon served in salt! love your vids :)
Hey, Greetings from New Zealand 🇳🇿. It brought a smile to my face as the painting time-lapse started and we saw the cabin solidify into one block colour. Brings back so many memories from rebuilding my boats. Keep up the good work 👍
Whoa!!!! English cursing @ 15:09!!! It's getting REAL now!!
that oath may well be universal
ya i was waiting for danish swear words. i need to learn a new language :-))
Ah shit, is Danish for Ah shit.
I always thought it was common maritime vocabulary.......
Oh no, common Maritime vocabulary is much, much more vulgar, LOL.
Looking good! My 8 year old daughter really enjoys watching your videos with me! Keep up the good work.
You are going to end up with a really very very nice spiffy boat!!!!
Athina is looking great and how you conduct your work is so professional more so than some professionals, I commend you on your great work bringing an old girl back to her world and new life. She looks great
Amazing work and great video! Thx Mads.
I continue to admire your patience and persistence.
And the heartfelt thanks to your viewers was classy.
The deckhouse now looks like a Shiny, New PT Boat. Cool! LIKE those tiny little PEEPlights Aft. They're a really Nice and Professional Touch, AND Highly Usefull. Looks like the Fairing on the cabin went VERY well. Were you going to spread a little thickened epoxy around the Inside of the Helm-mounting hole to seal it up? I hope so, now you've got ME being OCD, lol. Now that the Glorious Sanding is FINALLY Done(Thank the Gods!) you can probably Bench-Press 450 pounds,lol. Or WIN the Arm-Wrestling Championship. Have you Heard from the rudder? Super Job, as Always. I can SEE it, Mads, a big pennant streaming from Athena's masthead saying, Mads Max, Mercenary Marine Maintenance and Repair. You could even get a lenscover made for a handheld spotlight with the SailLife logo on it, and shine it up into the clouds at night, like Batman, so everybody knows when you're In Port. Business Cards with the Motto, 'Do you want it Done, or Done RIGHT?' Have Sanders, Will Travel.
Good to see we're getting close to sealing up the topsides. Can't wait to see the Plas-teak on the sole.
you rock Mads, great work!
Flawless!. Athena increases its value in each episode.
Excellent job!
Looks awesome! I’m a powerboater, never even been on a sailboat but I never miss one of your episodes.
Army surplus primer?
IT really looks great....not for lack of a ton of very hard and conscientious work. It’s not what you do that brings me back, it’s who you are that does...thanks
Hi Mads I would pat you on your back, but your going to have to do it for me great job Athena is looking mighty spiffy!!!! I don't think I have ever seen your work pants here in the us, but those are cool....
That's some amazing editing. I think viewers think you simply setup your phone to record a few videos and it's so easy. But i know what it takes. And the editing on this video is amazing. I tip my hat to you.
looking good new shirt idea 10 SAND BOAT 20 GOTO 10
Taking spiffy to a higher level. Go Mads.
GOOD JOB 😉
One day we will all miss the glorious glorious sanding :). Funny how I look forward to hearing you say that.
TADAAAAAAAA That looks real spiffy :)
Mads, your intersection of perfect and I just can't stand sanding anymore, still beats the heck out of almost everyone else' perfect. Congrats on the achievement !
Never heard the Norwegian word "shit" 15:06 can you translate to English please?
:-)
Actually, it was Danish not Norwegian, but it sound very similar in most languages😉
aww yes I am not up on all the different languages : )
I dont know why those handles are even there.
The top of the boat looks so perfect it looks like a digital rendering! Nice job Mads!
You are fun to watch and you make work a little more enjoyable with your charming personality.
Happy anniversary.
Mads, that boat looks fabulous. You should really be proud of yourself because its spiffy to the triple-umpteenth degree....peace & fair winds
If I could give it two thumbs up I would have :) You have certainly earned such an awesome outcome. After all your attention to the details, you should sit back have a beer and take in the overall excellence.
After hundreds of hours sanding I would say you were more than ready to round over that final edge by eye. Looks great.
Looking good! You have certainly come a long way from your first videos. Not only your entertainment value but content and presentation and on air personality. Looking forward to her first sea trial. Keep up the good work.
Athena is really looking spiffy. Well done, Mads
15:09: "Ah shit...." You got a real deal serious chuckle out of me Mads!
Mads u have the most patience of anyone I know,a great job on the boat!!
The best day to end the weekend is watching this :-D
Well done good sir. It is always a happy day when you get to see some with the passion to breathe life back into something that might have wound up in the scrap yard. Keep up the great work.
Congratulations she is coming along swimmingly!! Definitely a solid 7.5 of the ol spiffometer
Mads,
Forgot to mention that you can cut the pipe insulation to give you and inside curve that will match the angle of the front of the cabin. Using the inside diameter lined with sticky back sand paper will help maintain the radius over the length of the curve in the cabin front. I use this on the rounded corners of cabinets, etc.
More sanding videos please!
She's looking mighty spiffy. Your doing an incredible job! Thanks for the videos.
So great!!!! I can't wait until Athena is ready!!!! this boat will be tagged $1.000.000.00 when ready!! yeaaaayyyy:)
Better than a good job! Great Job! Ava would be proud as we all are!
Definitely deserves a tums up for perseverance.
Nice work
N
good job Mads I'm proud of you I love watching your videos every week for the past number of years and I'd love to be able to join you there as soon as I retire I may be a bit slow but two boat hands are always better than one.
Yay!!!! Really great to see primer after all this sanding. You must be soooo excited to reach this point. Definitely the hump!
Looking Great! Looking forward to the day she is running with full sails.
I bought a small boat just to rebuild it, because of your channel gave me the confifence to DIY! Thank you from Florida. What an epic journey
I could watch painting time-lapses for hours. Nice job! Hope the spray goes well.
Nothing as sweet as a sharp snd tidy base! Awesome!
Good luck on full time Bud, I look forward to your videos the most. Mike
Awesome job Mads. Supremely excited to see the top coat on there! I originally came here for educational reasons. After watching every Athena video, I'm only here for the pleasure of it, now:]
Thanks!!
She's beautiful. The edges look super spiffy!!!
Looking great Mads! Certainly is "spiffy to the umpteenth degree"! All your hard work and diligence is paying off!
Wow... feels so good to see the primer on. Really clean looking, so worth all the work. Yeah.
You keep saying DIY, but your obsession and it is an obsession goes miles beyond DIY. I mean obsession in a good way, by the way.
Mads, thanks for the super sketchy and super special camera angle!! Great job friend! Spiffy AF!
A very little not so spiffy language but certainly understandable ever now and then! Mads if I could give you two thumbs up I would. GREAT, GREAT JOB. Very spiffy indeed. GOD bless. JC
Wow what a transformation ! All of your hard work and dedication are inspirational! You are a international DIY superstar ! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience .
How spiffy does Athena look Mads, I think you have done such an amazing job with Athena and you should be so proud of what you have achieved. A spiffy congratulations to you.
Proud to be a Patreon already! You create a fantastic channel, I certainly get my money’s worth in value. Thanks Mads.
Fantastic , we had as much fun watching as you painting
Her shapes and edges are so beautiful and sharp👍🏻
Finally Mads, now, you are cooking ! Once you start seeing results, all that sanding becomes worth it. She sure is going to be beautiful, you should be really proud of your efforts..
man the day you start doing sailing videos I will be so happy but also sad since I will no longer get to see the glorius glorius sanding!
Athena is looking terrific! Keep up the good work!
That gold colour is so pretty. Great job Mads.
The painting time lapse was really satisfying! Good job :)
I'm so happy to see you painting Mads!! Congrats.
Very nice work. I would have never believed I would be excited by a radius edge.
She's looking fantastic. Well done.
The patients of a saint. Great work!!!!
Pretty dang spiffy if I do say so myself. Now for the rest of the boat top tick talk tick talk time is a wasting lol I need to get some of your patients for myself always impressed by your attention to detail and the time it takes to make it perfect! Cheers
Glorious Glorious Painting Satisfaction! Good Job Mads!
It just seems that everything is coming together and looking fantastic. I love your attention to detail it`s really starting to show big time. I cant wait to see your next video Athena is a keeper for sure.
Hey Mads, looking fantastic! A shame though that you are so pressed for time that you have to make compromises....not that they would be noticeable to anyone else....I find that is the problem with doing things yourself is that you know ALL of the defects. Looks perfect on TH-cam, hopefully you are completely happy with the finished product. Cheers!
Great to see her in primer
Very Nice! Your preparation and application methods are textbook - spot on... Enjoy the weekly updates very much - Thumbs up 10X
Congrats on all the hard work! Boat look spectacular and admire your persistence and patience to get the work done. Well done.
Good job! Really, I have been watching your videos since you started re-building the inside of obelix. I am thrilled by the idea of Athena having everything sorted for the winter (I was so excited when you've applied the copper coat!).
Good job Mads :-)
Good job! 😁 The primer actually brings out the lines of the cabin, nice!