Scott and Annie... Off 2 Sea the World: March, 2011 / The Big Project

Carpe Diem

Whenever, I get the chance, I love to ask other sailors about their boat name. Our name, Carpe Diem, may seem self evident. However, it really goes much deeper than just “good advice”. A few years back, Scott was told he had less than 6 months to live. Colon cancer had gone undetected for too many years. After 6 months of intense chemo... he finally made it. Then a few years later, complications from a double-by-pass almost killed him again. Today he doesn't let his BP and severe diabetes slow him down. Two years ago he lost most of his vision in one eye and partially in the other...and the list goes on and on and on.

Having a boat to work on (along with a regiment of insulin and dozens of medications) keeps him sailing and out of the ER. This boat probably saved his life! I often think “SURVIVOR” would be a good name for our boat. But that would be a constant reminder of the past struggles. So, for now we try to live one day at a time, and carpe diem, “seize the day”.

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November 9, 2011

March, 2011 / The Big Project

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2011

The Big Project

We bought our CSY in 2008. She is a proud old girl (1977). Yet, like all old boats, she had issues. One of them was the refrigeration (or lack of). That is how "The big project" all began.

On the original 1977 CSY the refrigeration was a huge box in the starboard midsection that was neither useful nor cold. This mate would almost need to climb inside the huge box to retrieve any item close to the bottom.

For 2 years we just lived out of a cooler and used the refrigeration box as a counter.

Then after much planning, the only option was to tear out the old and make room for the new.

A saws-all and a sledge hammer were very helpful, yet created tons of dust and debris.

With Scott in the hole you see how big it was.

We created a huge space to start from.

A good time to tear out the old instrument panels and add new breakers and wiring.

What a job this was!!

BEFORE AFTER

It really turned out nice; and still have room for future gadgets.

A new counter was added with shelves and a huge drawer. Storage! YES!!

Two new Engels were added. The top front-opening refrig was set stationary; and the lower freezer was mounted on slides. Scott designed this and it worked like a charm!

This was also a good time to replace the old invertor charger with a new MagnaSine 2800 watt invertor/120 amp charger.

While Scott was busy wiring, Annie began a project on the other side of the galley.

Notice how little counter space the original galley has? Well believe it or not, behind that small door directly behind the coffee pot is a huge wasted cabinet.

Another wasted space behind the range. Could never reach anything stored there!

So while the old stove was out and before the new one (see below) arrived, Annie tore out the old wall and stupid sliding doors. Now, she can have a carpenter redo this area of the galley to be more user friendly. This project is still not finished....more pictures to come....something is always in progress....