Nova 28, story behind an undeservedly forgotten design
To get access to an "original" document please click on the button below. Thanks for the donation from another Nova owner who had this document for a while. Very interesting reading about design features, concepts and how things evolved back in those days. I wish I'll be there....
Waimanu II
the details...
Waimanu II is an Alan Wright designed Nova 28. This design is from the era when people were keen to spend they precious time to create rather than buy something which is already exits. As many other boat by then, Nova could be made of various materials, with various layouts, hull, deck configuration and sail planes. Waimanu II is one of the full fiberglass version (glass reinforced plastic, or GRP etc). As my knowledge is very limited on others I'll not try to compare them as it wouldn't be valuable anyway. If anyone interested to add details about wooden or plywood versions, here is always space for it.
So back to Waimanu II, she is a fin keel masthead sloop version. The cabin layout is called "dinette" type which includes a very large table/chart table and it could lowered to create a reasonable size bed.
So back to Waimanu II, she is a fin keel masthead sloop version. The cabin layout is called "dinette" type which includes a very large table/chart table and it could lowered to create a reasonable size bed.
Apart from the cabin layout everything is pretty standard. Approximately 140 l of water storage port and starboard tanks under the seats with bladder. We only using this water for cooking and to clean dishes, we have a few 5 l container for drinking water what we re fill every time when we going away.
Fuel storage is a stainless steel tank aft, roughly 45 l. Fuel gauge isn't calibrated but as soon start to drop from full needs to be refueled soon. A full tank usually last for a season as I don't use the engine much. Not because unreliable, because I like more sailing than motoring.
The engine is a nice Lombardini LDW 702 which has plenty of grunt to make the 3 tone boat to move, even on a choppy sea. The 2:1 gearbox is matching with the engine, the only thing what concerns me, the gland housing is very close to the shaft support bearing therefor not enough space for a dripless shaft seal. It wouldn't be impossible to make more space but at the moment I don't think it is that important.
Another thing which leads me back to the lack of space, the clearance between the prop and the hull. It is sufficient for the propeller what I have on (a three blade fixed prop 12X8). According to experts the two blade prop what I need is 14" and unfortunately I don't have enough clearance for that. It's a shame, but never mind.
All electrical components needed to be replaced as the old wiring was simply dangerous. So I nice new switchboard on installed as well with re settable circuit breakers. At the moment only the essentials connected, like nav lights, cabin lights, navigation devices (GPS, VHF, tiller pilot), bilge pump. Some non essentials but useful feature also wired up so there is a charger for the handheld VHF and a few USB port for phone, tablet or camera charging. No multimedia device on board permanently fitted, first of all I think plenty of things to do rather than wasting time... well I said I think... also we/ I spend not enough time on board to get board.
Fuel storage is a stainless steel tank aft, roughly 45 l. Fuel gauge isn't calibrated but as soon start to drop from full needs to be refueled soon. A full tank usually last for a season as I don't use the engine much. Not because unreliable, because I like more sailing than motoring.
The engine is a nice Lombardini LDW 702 which has plenty of grunt to make the 3 tone boat to move, even on a choppy sea. The 2:1 gearbox is matching with the engine, the only thing what concerns me, the gland housing is very close to the shaft support bearing therefor not enough space for a dripless shaft seal. It wouldn't be impossible to make more space but at the moment I don't think it is that important.
Another thing which leads me back to the lack of space, the clearance between the prop and the hull. It is sufficient for the propeller what I have on (a three blade fixed prop 12X8). According to experts the two blade prop what I need is 14" and unfortunately I don't have enough clearance for that. It's a shame, but never mind.
All electrical components needed to be replaced as the old wiring was simply dangerous. So I nice new switchboard on installed as well with re settable circuit breakers. At the moment only the essentials connected, like nav lights, cabin lights, navigation devices (GPS, VHF, tiller pilot), bilge pump. Some non essentials but useful feature also wired up so there is a charger for the handheld VHF and a few USB port for phone, tablet or camera charging. No multimedia device on board permanently fitted, first of all I think plenty of things to do rather than wasting time... well I said I think... also we/ I spend not enough time on board to get board.
Below water line
The biggest question with any kind of boat, "what we gonna find under the waterline". There are two main group, one is the design, which is out of control, I mean once the designer finished, that's it.
Then we have to aware of all atrocities what different people contributed from the boat builder to the previous owners and finally ourselves.
In my case I'm only responsible for the final one, I'm pleased I have have a crowd to blame if I have to...
I've been lucky with Waimanu II, as during the very first haul out with a great help from my family, I managed to clean all aged anti fouling paint (good old No5) and check the hull for blisters or sign of osmosis. Only what I found was on the skeg and the rudder, which is structurally isolated. Apart from those the entire hull was spotless, not even one tiny bubble, which make me believe, she had a "bottom treatment" earlier.
Prop shaft, bearings all fine, only the propeller nut fall a part in my hand when I wanted to put it back. As I mentioned earlier not much space for a larger propeller so according to experts I can't install folding prop without significant modification, as you can see on the picture it is pretty tight.
At the mean time I don't have to blame anyone so far, as I'm happy what I found and I have no concern about it's integrity.
Then we have to aware of all atrocities what different people contributed from the boat builder to the previous owners and finally ourselves.
In my case I'm only responsible for the final one, I'm pleased I have have a crowd to blame if I have to...
I've been lucky with Waimanu II, as during the very first haul out with a great help from my family, I managed to clean all aged anti fouling paint (good old No5) and check the hull for blisters or sign of osmosis. Only what I found was on the skeg and the rudder, which is structurally isolated. Apart from those the entire hull was spotless, not even one tiny bubble, which make me believe, she had a "bottom treatment" earlier.
Prop shaft, bearings all fine, only the propeller nut fall a part in my hand when I wanted to put it back. As I mentioned earlier not much space for a larger propeller so according to experts I can't install folding prop without significant modification, as you can see on the picture it is pretty tight.
At the mean time I don't have to blame anyone so far, as I'm happy what I found and I have no concern about it's integrity.
Modifications, upgrades and improvements
Where should I start? Every sailor/skipper has different ideas and opinions about important features on a boat, has preferences to make boat handling easy as possible, also risk free and sufficient. Most boats are "plug and play" in terms they are finished and very complicated to make any changes on them, like shifting equipment, or changing the layout and so on.
This is the main advantage to get a boat which is not too shiny and make the final touches according to the requirements.
This is what I've done. Waimanu II wasn't in irresistible condition but had/has good bones to start. After the first season I made a list of the changes what I wanted to complete.
No 1:
The engine control board was located inside the cabin, in a handy location when you are standing front of the engine bay. But, inaccessible from the helm. Because the cockpit is reasonably tight (I mean not much free area) I had to remove the old "instrument cluster" from the bulkhead, under the traveler, which was faded and less impressive anyway wit its broken lunchbox cover. Then I had to cover it and install a hatch with a panel behind it.
Came up very nice on the end
This is the cut out for the old instrument cluster and for a very large blower on the right hand side.
This is the main advantage to get a boat which is not too shiny and make the final touches according to the requirements.
This is what I've done. Waimanu II wasn't in irresistible condition but had/has good bones to start. After the first season I made a list of the changes what I wanted to complete.
- relocate engine control board
- replace main switchboard
- replace the shaggy old spray dodger
- re arrange running rigging to single handed sailing
- renew/modify teak components (especially on the cockpit seats)
- replace windows and front hatch
- modify stanchions
No 1:
The engine control board was located inside the cabin, in a handy location when you are standing front of the engine bay. But, inaccessible from the helm. Because the cockpit is reasonably tight (I mean not much free area) I had to remove the old "instrument cluster" from the bulkhead, under the traveler, which was faded and less impressive anyway wit its broken lunchbox cover. Then I had to cover it and install a hatch with a panel behind it.
Came up very nice on the end
This is the cut out for the old instrument cluster and for a very large blower on the right hand side.
This is the cover for the engine control panel, the outlet for the auto bilge pump on left and the main isolation switch on the right.
DIY window replacement
Hard dodger (do I have to say DIY?)