Circe: 86 Sovereign 29' Side Bath

[Side-Stream]

After many months of reading, video watching, podcast listening and forum voyeurism .... I finally did it...I became the proud first time parent of an Airstream.


She may not be the belle of the ball, but she's a looker and my kinda girl.
There are some pics on my profile

I named her Circe. You may remeber her as the Greek goddess in Homer's Odyssey when Odysseus visits her island of Aeaea on the way back from the Trojan War and she changes most of his crew into swine.


My friend has an 'island' outside Colonial Beach in Monroe Bay on the Potomac. I renamed the place Isle of Aeaea base on the line "he could not resist the need to be on this island"



Initially it's going to be a cabin for me to get away, sometimes with the kids and the dog and sometimes alone. 90 min drive makes it a little hard to do a quick visit, but so far you couldn't just go on a whim and be home same day. Don't have a TV...probably a 2021 expense. I am considering renting a truck for the one or two trips I take this year. I did a little research and Enterprise have trucks with tow packages and can carry the weight of my AS.



I did what I think was a pretty good inspection base on all the stuff I've learned to look out for and I think for a 33 year old, she stands up pretty darn good.


Time will tell on that one, but was ready to camp on the first night and most of the systems are working. LP tanks, lines, batteries and tires were all in almost new condition. Stove, toilet, AC and Fridge work great and were replaced in the last decade.
I think Furnace and water heater will be early replacements



Did a inspection underneath and the jump on the back bumper test and I think they passed inspection


Shell is in great shape...one ding by the bathroom window. Endcaps/windows are in great shape.


bathroom needs a lot of love, but at least the toilet looks good.




I did a bunch of nerdy AS things:
Bought a shirt, hat and Xmas ornament and I joined WBCCI



I'm very excited and little nervous
only the future lies ahead

[perryg114]

Check the floor at the back under the beds. Pull up carpet floor covering etc. That bumper compartment is a killer.



Perry

[85 Sovereign]

Now that you’ve had some more time, how has your Airstreaming experience been? Any new discoveries or problems pop up?

I’m still in the planning phases of a Full Monty on my ‘85 Sovereign which was unfortunately not camp ready when I got it. But I’ve been enjoying reading others’ stories and learning as much as I can while I am still working toward getting started.

It doesn’t seem like I come across many stories of ‘80s models being renovated, so when I come across one, I get excited to see what someone may have come across and the opportunity to learn from their experiences as well.

[drjudy]

We purchased a 1985 29’ in 2009 and have been doing an interior renovation. Since it has been in CA most of its life (WA originally) the floor had a couple spots that needed bleach (strong marine grade stuff) and epoxy. No severe floor rot.

We decided endcaps and some original ABS items would be repaired/repainted in-place (sponge paint to match vinyl clad inner walls). Other ABS items at their end of life/cracking. Bulkhead walls contact paper was peeling and the plastic T molding was cracking with glue all dried out. Accordion doors stank. Shower side wall was literally corrugated cardboard with peeling contact paper.

We removed all bulkheads leaving the F channel except one on drivers side by bunk-moved it to front.

Sold sofa. Two fellas from AZ. $300.

Purchased a fiberglass tub from Inland: figured the ABS one would crack eventually.

Had furnace serviced, sanded & painted the top w high heat paint.

New AC. Will be getting new electric-gas water heater & new fridge.

New fresh water tank and pump. New PEX, built our own manifolds.

IKEA lift bed hack for rear double bed. (No room for queen).

Bulkheads- 1/2” Baltic birch covered in Nevamar, shop-laminated, we jigsawed & routed.

Removed tambour upper cabinets in galley and rear bedroom but painting tambour and placing back in end-caps. Will use tambour in bedside tables and lavatory cabinet. Will use slide doors in upper cabinets of galley.

Turned microwave cubby into pantry with Rubbermaid pull-outs. Built drawer system into too-big of closet; changed lower cover of the water pump and the wheel well into a bi-fold to ease opening process and make more vertical room for the drawer system. Will attach 12” ventilated shelving to walls and side of drawer box for hanging clothes.

Built Pull-out between bath wall and galley wall. Holds brooms/swifter and food wraps. Similar to Rev-a-shelf idea. 16” deep just clears vent stack.

Will build more robust support in galley for solid surface countertop and “granite” (composite) sink.

Will add bulkhead to next to door for added support of upper cabinet. Purchased mid-range hood vent. Renovating a 70’s magic chef range instead of the 80’s model (hinges not robust enough for glass door).

Built-in dinette with ikea slats for seat cushion support; seats removable for storage. Backs will be upholstered in-place.

Vinyl + outdoor upholstery batting surround in bedroom for insulation & cover side garages that were for bunk underbed storage.

Center pedestal table (hope we just need 1 pedestal but might need a second).

For visitors we bring a tent, “foamies” and ikea slat-bed cots.

[Harrysheets]

Congratulations!
My wife and I purchased a 1986 side bath, twin 29'ft Sovereign about 6 years ago and decided to start a renovation 3 years ago. We are keeping the same layout but upgrading the interior, systems, belly aluminum, lights, etc.

If you have any model specific questions don't hesitate to reach out.

Scott

[drjudy]

Originally Posted by Harrysheets

Congratulations!

My wife and I purchased a 1986 side bath, twin 29'ft Sovereign about 6 years ago and decided to start a renovation 3 years ago. We are keeping the same layout but upgrading the interior, systems, belly aluminum, lights, etc.



If you have any model specific questions don't hesitate to reach out.



Scott

Same Basic RV

New Design changes:

U shaped banquette sold to Tana Lisa; going with facing jackknife sofas off Facebook; we are rebuilding springs & will have local shop do upholstery with marine grade vinyl.

Hi-Macs solid surface countertop with copper top mount sink; doing edges like marine edge from Eagle Moulding so we don’t have to build up the drop front. Faster easier and probably cheaper.

Just got our second-hand 70’s magic chef stove placed on plywood top today. Will secure it tomorrow and have local AS dealer attach propane lines. The 80’s model we had worked but had irreparable cosmetic problems. Like the lighter weight steel oven door.

Found dual electric LPG 6 gal water heater (Atwood-Dometic) from highcountryRv as a scratch and dent for $350 & will have local Dealer install.

[Side-Stream]

would love to see what some of you are doing on your Reno
Here is a shot of my new bathhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/yxV4yr78oygMtfLv6
We took out the wall between the shower and replaced with glass
redid the counter with a corian like material
and put tileboard up in the shower stall

[drjudy]

The glass is really nice. How did you support the Corian? We are building a torsion box to put Corian on then edging from eagle molding bar top aluminum

[Side-Stream]

Well, life definitely had different plans
Since I started this thread, things have been moving...slowly.

I have currently 90% finished bath and shower reno. Took out all overhead/medicine cabinets and put glass wall between the sink and shower https://photos.app.goo.gl/mrL72yVAhhuCYJp66
replaced bathroom fan
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uvtavaCbCUqgxrzJ8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/o8x2KinbBJ4AM1wE7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hqFYLRK6TQ1bV6969


her is the tileboard and glass divider
https://photos.app.goo.gl/eTjhDXrLwGUbejzj7
feel like I doubled the bathroom size with these changes


I've taken out all of the overhead storage and got rid of all the curtains/valances
then painted everything white (not before hours of scrubbing and cleaning)

Replaced the hot water heater and converter and learned a lot in the process
the bypass valve was a multi visit waste of time

Replaced the gaskets and cleaned up the vents from the bath and shower a
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HYquwjqbizqjjvKr6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gWLAZUgXySzkzY9SA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dYqqdRhP8LAzRZYC9


as well as removed and patched where the antenna was.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LcomPWnkRjjwfY8r8
lots of dicor

put in these new lights too
https://photos.app.goo.gl/9a6B7F2M7oaSg7jp9

Replaced one window due to rock from a mower (learned a lot in the process, but that's 12 hours I can't get back)

Redid the fuzzy stuff in all the Windows https://photos.app.goo.gl/VEVTb1UYSDmLfdeh8

Removed all the old sealant around the outside of the windows and resealed
still is leaking, so no surprise and long term have issues in front and back in the floor. Plan is to keep the trailer exclusively at the island retreat
It is nice that my storage location is also a paradise. Wake up to the sound of bald eagles, Great Blue Herron, White Swan and all sorts of migratory birds coming up the east coast

Worked on the door hinges ...well we had to take the inside skins off to be able to tighten them
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RynUkP92wAFboMag8

Now have to put the lock back together and replace that hideous roller blind
I just put in some new blue tooth speakers
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1nCCtNMLk25rBRzM6
nibbling was painful, but I got there https://photos.app.goo.gl/rUsDfB6ebKqP4gUp7

This light is pretty slick
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zEEzoPHmhSt71kSN8


I'm ready to get the whole water/septic system live again...
then we have to finish up the new site with water and power (already bought 300 ft of Pex and 2-2-4 cable to run a pedestal with 30 and 50 amp

been about 1 year in demo condition, so not at all enjoying it like I used to
Was good to sleep in there this last weekend