Anyone contemplating buying a boat needs to be aware of two things:
- It will take more money than you expect.
- It will take more time to complete projects than you expect.
While we were aware of these things as this was not our first boat, I have to say we sorely underestimated both. The good news is we continue to make headway and hope to leave Kemah sometimes this spring: fingers crossed!
After celebrating Christmas and New Years in our new home, Daggers Down, we are getting back to work to ready her for a March departure, we hope. We made a list of tasks and a timeline for each. It does not look like we can leave before the end of March and that’s if nothing new rears its head!
One of the first orders of business was to figure out a way to install a bigger microwave and pantry area. Luckily, Ben has many talents and figured out how to securely install the microwave and convert the old microwave cubby into a pantry as well as add another sliding shelf under the microwave.
In addition, we have two crew berths at the front of the boat, that have now been converted into storage. The port side has tools/parts and the starboard side contains recreational items such as snorkel gear, paddle board, etc.
Currently our new bean bag chairs are in the forward lockers, but we may need to move them to a better location at some point.
In addition to reorganizing all the stuff on the boat, Brent Hodges is over his bout with COVID and is back helping us finish up the electrical transformation. Jason installed the solar arch with two solar panels as well as pathways for the antennas we needed.
Brent and Ben replaced the solar panels on top of the bimini and finally found a path to run cable to them. It took cutting a hole into the boat over the sink and lots of discussion, but finally the path was run and connected.
In addition, cable for the new antennas, electric toilets and microwave were installed along with appropriate breakers. We now have some 110 outlets in the saloon and galley which are extremely helpful. It looks like it might be a while before we have 110 outlets in the rest of the boat.
So for now we will continue to use adapters in the French outlets.
Instead of a rat’s nest of cables at the chart table for charging, phones, ipads, etc., Brent has installed some USB outlets and a place to attach the ipad we use for navigation. The nav station is becoming practical and user friendly.
We also requested Hugo Yacht Services to wash, compound and wax the boat. Daggers was incredibly grateful for this cleaning!
We removed the old teak handrail since the port one had broken during the crossing. Hugo did a wonderful job cleaning up the fiberglass and getting it ready for Jason to install aluminum rails so lines will not get caught in them again!
Our next big project was to install the water maker. This project required that we basically tear up the whole boat: bedroom, saloon, galley, and cockpit in order to run water lines, new faucets etc. Things are such a mess that we had to go out to dinner last night-HA! Good excuse as any!
Another exciting project was that our new refrigerator that we ordered in July finally made its way off the container, through customs and to our boat. Greg Heck from West Wind Yacht Services had to modify the floor a bit to install the compressor behind the frig rather than under the stairs where it was before, but it looks nice and I am thankful to finally have it.
Meanwhile during all the boat projects, Ben continues to work for STG on several of their projects and goes to San Antonio when needed. I continue to clean, organize, reseal the teak and stainless (its hard to believe its already been seven months since I did this last).
Its now February and there is still so much to do. Yikes! Stay tuned…..do we make the March departure date?
