Boat Projects for 2016

To be quite honest since moving to the boat in Oct. of 2014 our time has really gone by fast.  We did join a group called TMCA (Texas Mariners Cruising Association) which is a mix of sail and power boaters.  Tons of social stuff, planned cruises, tons of knowledge, and great friends have been gained. What has snuck up on us is time. Time to get stuff done, with the plans being a late 2017 departure. We have completed some projects, like the holding tank ripped out and a composting toilet in place.  Yea I know there are critics of both.  The choice for me if I have to deal with the by products of humans I want the really bad stuff to be a dry material, rather than a slurry of aged material. It also reduces the amount of maintenance, and repairs that have to be made from what I see all the time.  This has also eliminated the smell of Head on boat. The final bonus was opening up an area about 18 inches by 48 inches by 14 inches of extra storage space and on a boat that is equivalent to a walk in closet.  Then a 36"x18:x14" spot for tool storage were the Macerator was. 

This is the C Head Most replacement parts can be found at any hardware store.

Hold Tank and Macerator area.  HUGE amount of storage gained.                   The interior was the next Challenge, we had gotten material at an auction that went on Falcon Jets.  It is an Italian Leather (not really leather) that was a color very close to what we wanted.  We did test with mustard, salad oil, transmission fluid, etc with no stains.  Even dragged some stuff accross the material with no rub marks or tears. We pray it hold up that well for us.  We did go the extra expense and did all new foam.  It was a project that my wife could have done, however living on the boat and knowing her perfection level we had someone else do it, in retrospect she should have done it.  

This is the before shot, dark blue late 90's RV Fabric.  Notice the table is Huge and takes up a lot of room?                      

The after picture, much lighter and feels much better.  Look at the table, made it a fold up to ease getting in and out.        

As with any boat the port-lights leak.  The lewmar that were in before were a horrible design.  You take a piece of lexan drill 6 holes through it and use 2 o rings to attempt to stop any water.  Major fail.  I have replaced the 4 large ones, and 4 small ones yet to do.  They are a bit pricy. Lucky the small ones really do not leak that bad except for 1 in the head.                   So moving on to 2016 I have several project to tackle, and Carol does too.  Her first big project is sewing a new Dodger and Bimini.  We have the same ole blue every one has, but we want something different. So we are going to try yellow (gold to her since she is the LSU fan). This should stand out in an anchorage!  During this project we are going to get some flexible solar panels and integrate them with the new Bimini.  About 300 Watts, and also add a 300 watt or so Wind Turbine and we should be good on resupplying power.

 

One downside for fuel I have is we carrying only 26 gallon of Diesel, and I want a bit more range if needed.  The question is install a second tank, which for most stuff would never need, or a bladder for when I need it.  Yes we could do the jerry cans, but I really do not want them all of the deck.  I have space were I took out the holding tank to do at least 25 more gallons. Or in the rear I have room I could put in in the lazzette, or even strapped down on deck only when I need it.

The auto-helm that was on the boat is shot.  Looking for more simple solution and found the CPT that a fellow sailor and Captain told me about. The system basically holds the heading you set it on.  I mean you are suppose to sit out there and be on watch any way and my chart-plotter has alarms for waypoints so I just flip the switch set the new heading and the CPT holds that course again.

 

Very Simple, but practical.  I do have some minor project not worth mentioning, but the last few big projects which is not that much work just money, is the new Jib I have to buy. The one that came on the boat is in excellent condition, but it is about 7 feet to short, wrong sail for this boat.  We will get a new one and sale this one to help offset the cost.   We want to transform a large Chest Ice Box into a freezer that is in our Galley. Ok this one may be a bit of work. So 2016 and early 2017 is going to be very busy, and we still have cruises here to do, dock parties, etc to do.  but we love this life it is so fun.  So Happy New Year!