Springtime Renovations

[Eddie Offermann]

We've continued to be super busy getting ready for summer and planning for the Big Sail which, while still two years out, feels like it's approaching rapidly.

There's been a lot of refinishing on the exterior wood - deeper than usual. Took the starboard side down to bare wood and it looks gorgeous. We'll do the other side eventually but for now are focusing on maintaining it - this was motivated by a mishap with fog rolling in unexpectedly and severely mangling an in-progress epoxy job we were doing, but as much work as it was to bring it down to bare wood it was worth it in appearance. Portside didn't suffer from the same mishap and looks fine.

I'm waiting on a new combination oven-grill/microwave/steamer and ceramic stove top for the galley: as I had written here before, after much deliberation and electrical budget calculations, I opted to eschew propane or other fuels altogether and go with electric, even for cruising. We'll still have the propane grill outside, but we have two 8Ds and I'll be adding a third, all charged primarily by the upcoming 1000W flexible solar array with diesel power as a backup. Until the electrical work is complete (larger inverter, new wiring) we'll be restricted to using the electrical galley appliances while in port, but it was the right way to go for us now.

The refer is getting a new compressor & evaporator: going with an air and water cooled compressor and a larger evaporator.

Cockpit remodel design is somewhat complete: as I've been thinking for a while, I'll be building in longer, slightly deeper and slightly higher benches that join with the Cleopatra, moving all the hatches to the top, and adding a cockpit sink (with a long retractable shower nozzle), built-in icebox & drain and an icemaker.

We added limo-black tint to the pilothouse windows (and are following up on the portlights below soon) except for the large rolldown window to the cockpit. Also recaulked all the windows with black silicone. The black windows really make the boat POP - it's striking and beautiful - visibility is still really good from inside but the enhanced privacy at dock and mooring is welcome.