We Have the Sailboat so Let’s Get Ready


Morgan 41 Out Island

Morgan 41 Out Island

Now that we have the sailboat, it’s time to get her ready for our voyaging adventures. The boat is pretty basic, with mostly factory accessories aboard. She had a VHF radio, a depth sounder installed, and a stereo – none of which worked. With our plans we would have to install all new equipment that is designed for what we want to do. That is the fun part for the Captain. picking out what you want to buy and designing where you want to install the equipment is always fun.

Let’s start with an overall punch list of what we wanted to install. This is not a complete list, but it is a good starting point for needed equipment:

  • Refrigeration (Cool Blue)
  • Dodger/Bimini
  • Radar (Raymarine A78 with GPS, depth, radar installed)
  • Skiff/engine (bought 12′ inflatable with Honda engine)
  • AIS/VHF (installed)
  • Watermaker
  • Autopilot Raymarine (if we can’t get the current unit working)
  • Stove (need to replace the current stove with a propane unit)
  • Davits
  • Arch
  • Pull out vertical shelves (for storage in the converted pilot berth)
  • Windlass (installed)
  • 150′ anchor chain (installed)

As noted, some of the equipment has already been purchased and installed, but there is still a lot to do. I pondered hard and long on what watermaker to buy, and I decided that it would be better to buy a smaller one than a larger one, as I initially thought. A larger unit would be run much less frequently and would probably require pickling a few times a month, whereas a smaller unit could be run every few days and would not need pickling. We are only two people, so we will not be using that much water, anyway. On those days when we will need to do laundry I will have to run the watermaker a bit longer, but that will be taken into account.

So much left to do. Time to update my punch list!  Think I may post it here.

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About Captain Tom

Over 10 years sailing and over 3500 miles under our keel. Was an engineer (EE) for over 30 years, then after moving into management, decided that the corporate world was no longer for me. Ran my wife's law office for 15 years and recently retired. Now we live aboard and sail the California coast, soon to leave for the Sea of Cortez.
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