The Ballad Exchange

If you ever do come across a picture or description of that modification I would be very interested too I've also had a look at the hatch from Plexifix - looks nice but is indeed a bit expensive.

I must agree with Peter - that looks very nice indeed :) Great job, Bob! I'm now considering a bigger hatch ;) How did you make the mold? I'm going to replace the main cabin light (the one in the ceiling) with two or three build in LEDs. I'm 6'3" and got tired real fast of bumping my head again...

Happy holidays :) I would like to replace the old ventilation hole-thingy in the cabin (not the head) with a hatch. I seem to remember Bob has done the exact same thing - although I can't seem to find the pictures I remember seeing :) I'm looking at a Lewmar size 10 ocean hatch (and trimkit). Size 1...

Thank you Bob, I'll try that. I guess it is the same procedure with the sliding panels. We knocked the bulkhead trim off without difficulty. It seems to be glued only to the plywood edge and the old glue is quite brittle, so it removed cleanly without veneer damage. A block of hardwood laid flat ag...

Looks very nice! We are turning the cooktop cover into a side table like that. Not much working surface in that galley.:) We are also thinking of moving the main electrical panel to the nav station, but since our nav faces aft (old boat), that's not very far. We would run the primary battery cables...

Thank you :) I'm using Hempel (http://www.hempel.se) Multicoat in "10000 White" for both plywood and fiberglass (inside and above the waterline). Sorry, I was not able to find a color code. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gvWkc0sVa2U/UmZAYxpK4zI/AAAAAAAAC5g/aOOE1juGH1I/w710-h533-no/IMG_...

Hi Jan Welcome :) It's great to see a new member :) I am in the process of restoring hull #332 (1973). There are some 400 pictures in the link below if you scroll to the bottom there are a few of the white painted bulkheads. My plan is to paint everything white except the solid mahogany and teak pie...

Yay for global warming ;) We've only had a few days with temperatures below freezing so fare. Due to the warm weather I've had time to do the final test fitting of the new plywood. All the plywood has been sanded and is ready for paint. Current plan is to paint all the plywood white (same color as t...

Just had a look. The tiller head on my Ballad (#332) doesn't have the modification. Would be fun to hear from some of the owners with hull numbers between 334 (Nicholas) and 1085 (Peter)

Nicholas, That's interesting because my Ballad (#1085) has a tiller head with that exact modification. I'm wondering if it was a standard feature on later model Ballads, or maybe a previous owner did it. ?? Also, there is no evidence of any other set screw holes. Interesting, I'll take a look at mi...