In 2000, I continued with interior carpentry and basic engine and systems fitting. We went out for out first cruise in May 2000. It was a hoot. We had no instruments or sailing gear, just a hull with a motor. I also managed to get the mast, boom and standing rigging erected by the end of December 2000.
This photo here shows the significant progress I made in the engine room. At this point, we had a pressurized water system, Volvo engine hooked up and running, ONAN generator hooked up and running and a working hydraulic system. In later years, I changed the pressurized water pump for a quieter model, added a desalinator and replaced the Kobelt hydraulic pump (which leaked from day one) for a Hynautic model.
It was easier to work on the interior while the boat was in the water, and I used a de-icer / agitator to keep the ice away during the winter.
Can you imagine, all this work on the boat was going on while Brandon was in the hospital getting chemotherapy treatment for leukemia?
