Saturday, December 10, 2016

Blog Catch up

It's been a while... Thanks to everyone that continues to discover and read through our build blog.
For anyone checking back for updates, they are coming soon!

While I haven't posted in a while, we have continued to compete little to-do jobs left over from the big push to finish the fit-out and start using the boat more. We are still living on board full time- albeit it in more comfort than we were after the initial launch and move in. I would say we have "substantial completion" of the boat at this point, though there is some overhead trim work left and I always find ways to tinker and improve things. There are a lot of things we have done over the past year or so that I have lost track of documenting. I plan on posting some comprehensive pics (and maybe video) of the boat in the near future. Until then, here are a few updates.

First off, we have a new boat cat who we have named Kona. She has grooved in to boat life well, and seems to enjoy exploring her floating habitat and cruising around the Bay:







My project this winter is to install the aft cabin shower. This is the last "unfinished" part of the boat.
Here is some of the foundation carpentry. I am going to fiberglass the entire thing, then plumb, tile, and finish like a traditional shower:










We are thinking of adding a bow thruster next time we haul out. The boat handles very well for a single screw boat, but requires quite a bit of back and fill to turn in a narrow fairway- likely due to the long full keel. The hydraulics are already in place, with lines running to the bow for the anchor winch so really just have to weld in the tube, install the mechanicals and controls, and hook it in to existing hydraulic circuit. The only other big projects left are the forward mast and overhead interior trim. Hope to get these done in 2017.

Here are some pics from a weekend trip last month that show the exterior. We'll post some more interior and on-deck  pictures soon:




Kona standing watch on top of the wheelhouse:

















2 comments:

  1. The boat's beautiful, Peter. Congrats. What kind of fuel burn are you expecting from the Cummins? Also, if you have a cutting disc, would you be interested in selling it? I'm exploring either Swan 55 or a Duck 45 Plus but a cutting disc, and the related construction time, might sway me to the Swan. thanks. Joel

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  2. Thanks Joel.
    Right now, we are burning about 2 gallons an hour running between 6.5 and 7 kts. We just re-pitched the prop about 18 months ago to bring the cruising rpm down a bit, but I don't think our average fuel burn has changed much. Fore and aft masts with sail assist rig will bring that burn rate down a little I think.
    I will look into what we still have for cut disc. You would of course still need to buy the plans from Buehler. Drop me a line if you get serious about building the Swan and we can talk. I know that the guy who helped me build the bare hull would love to build another one...
    -PB

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