The Home Stretch

Some of the new chainplates. 

As I type this the final touches are being done to our home. Interior paneling going back in. Chain plates reinstalled. And the final bow chain plate is being machined. The cost of this one plate was more than all the others combined. 

But it only has to be done once. The mast is also finished. All new rig and two new Harken furlers. I can't wait to shake everything down. 

We hired an extra guy to speed things along. This individual will be doing hull prep for the eventual paint which will save us a few days labor on the front side. Once we get back to the boat, it will be dewaxed, sanded, and ready for paint, both top side and bottom. All we'll need to do is roll and tip the new polyurethane and mop on two extra coats of ablative, let her cure for a couple days, then splash. 

We've been tossing around the idea of renaming the boat since the old name is coming off anyway. When it is all done, she'll be a whole new color with new boot stripe, and vinyl lettering instead of the crooked painted name that's currently on there. 

It's been too long. Originally I figured these projects might take two months but we are coming up on 5. It makes me anxious. Another few weeks though and mission accomplished. Just in time for the season. We will still have some odds and ends to do before heading out, but since we are sailing to the Keys first, I will have time to finish these small tasks myself. 

We are waiting to purchase a new central AC unit as they are cheaper during the winter months. I am changing out the old solar charge regulator for a modern MPPT type with a remote display. And the new wind generator still has to be mounted. 

One final option is a desalination plant which I am actively contemplating. The prices on these things are over the top but the boat is already plumbed for one and with three kids, I can't imagine not having one. Until now we have enjoyed an Atmospheric Water Generator which provides drinking water from the air, but these units only make about 8 gallons per day. It's enough for drinking, but not for showering, laundry, and dishes. Hopefully a good deal will present itself before we voyage far. 

This is how she looks now. I'll post new pics soon of the new paint job.