The never-ending project to fill my hole in the ocean while bailing it out

Preparing for Sailing Season '08
The Cabin Interior
June 2, 2008

Description

Chip Ahoy's cabin interior, fully back together and ready for some cruising.  Today we'll trailer to the  nearby Riverhead Beach parking lot and ramp, and there raise the mast.  I'll spend the day rigging and tuning, installing the new boomkicker, connecting cables and wiring, etc.  I'll leave the boat parked there overnight.  Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at high tide we'll launch and Sailing Season 2008 for Chip Ahoy and me will begin for real.

The starboard side, looking aft from the v-berth area behind the bulkheads.  Note the new-last-year new-style accordion curtains in the open position above the windows.  All the odds-and-ends that are used frequently or might be needed quickly are stowed in the shelves on either side, handy to reach.  On the starboard side, these include basic tools (multi-blade screwdriver, pliers, a cable-cutter, rigger's knife with Marlon spike), winch handles, a couple spare fuses, bug spray, drink coolers, etc.

The port side, looking aft from the v-berth area.  A few years ago I decided to drop the dinette table permanently and use this area as my bunk and sitting area.  I removed the backrest cushions permanently, replaced them with a couple of pillows.  It's where I do my navigation while cruising.  The VHF radio is overhead.  Its shelf stores my navigation tools, binoculars, the PLB, the cabin lock and outboard "key," spare sunglasses, sun blocker, and a few snacks handy for while underway.  Odds-and-ends hardware get put there temporarily from time to time so they don't become misplaced.  Behind the pillow and my hanging hat, the seatback hatch leads beneath the cockpit seat; it contains a large waterproof box that holds clothing that stays aboard.

Just forward of the starboard side bulkhead a 5-gallon collapsible water jug is secured by a line to its handle from a tang attached to a lifeline stanchion bolt.  The sail cover is stowed up here on the v-berth when not in use.  This shot is taken from the porta-potti on the opposite side.  The v-berth cushions aren't used either, also stored at home.  A corner of the open forward hatch (and its new screen) is visible in the top left corner.

I removed the sliding galley years ago, use its space for my food larder (the large plastic box on the left underneath), which holds enough canned provisions, condiments, utensils, and snacks to get me through a good spell.  The Origo stove is stowed alongside, along with the tiller pilot atop it when not in use.  This back corner of the bench seat is my work station where the electrical, electronics, and laptop will be used and recharged.  Note the 12v plug receptacle, wired directly to Battery 1 with alligator clips.  My cell phone is usually connected to it while underway.  The 110v inverter can connect to it too, or any of the plugs for recharging other equipment.  When at a dock with shore power, I run the 50-foot heavy duty extension cord into the cabin through the companionway to this area.