Mallory has been managing the progress of the refit of the boat. Lots of progress has been made this last two months. We started cleaning up the engine room by removing all of the equipment we are replacing and refinishing the entire compartment to have a clean base to work from. Similarly, the electrical control panel was showing a lot of signs of corrosion and was a rats nest of wires which Rob and other yard had been trying to untangle. At this point, we decided it would be better to start over and get a new panel and build up from there.

One of the other important projects was to review the bilge pumps. When we purchased the boat there were 13 bilge pumps and 5 associated through hulls. Now we have replaced the main bilge pump and removed 4 pumps and two through hulls. This simplification increases the boats safety and reduces overall maintenance.

After much research and discussions we chose AGM batteries for the main battery bank. They are fast charging, deep cycle and are easily replaceable most places in the world. And for Rob has open surface for a workbench. Rob wants to mount a drill press and vise.

The water heater was leaking and the pressure tank was on it's last legs. New units should give us years of service. We knew that we had at least one motor mount to replace. Once the yard looked into the motor mounts, they found that all of the mounts needed replacing and painted the engine so we will be able to spot leaks if they occur.

We are feeling really good about the progress and where we are. Lots more to do but that is for another months work and our continuing story.

More later.