03/21/2010
I finally had a chance to inspect the installation of the new bow thruster. Looks like a very nice installation. I am still trying to sort out all the details regarding the installation.
The unit is a Vetus BOW7512 with a 7" propeller with a thrust of 750 Newtons or about 165 lb-ft at 2900 rpm. Also installed with the unit (just a few feet away) were a separate high performance AGM battery (Die Hard Pt-1) and a dedicated ProSport marine grade charger. Back at the helm is the joystick. As installed, the bow thruster battery is charged by shore power or the on board gen-set.
Access to the motor is through the floor board in the master stateroom. This is the same area used to access the valves for switching between discharging waste overboard or to the holding tank.
More pictures of various aspects of the installation are posted in the gallery.
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Comments [1]
02/28/2010, 86 days until launch
(ABOVE - "THE BASEMENT" aka Guest Quarters!)
We are busy today consolidating our personal belongings and figuring out what goes in storage, what family will kindly keep for us and what goes on the boat.
Don't get me wrong, the IP 45 has a lot of locker and storage space and there is a ton of room in the aft stateroom, affectionately known aboard as "the basement". Problem is the basement doubles as the "guest room" so if you load it up you have to have a place for all the stuff when our friends and family visit.
I won't be surprised if once we start loading we will reach the point where we have to ask ourselves again "What do we really need?" I know all new live-aboards go through this. I am sure we will figure it all out.
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02/14/2010, On the Hard @ Eldean Shipyard, Macatawa, MI
We are in the thick of winter here in the Midwest. Far Niente sits in heated storage at the Eldean Shipyard, Macatawa, MI
Far Niente had some major surgery in the last month; she got a BOW THRUSTER! I have not yet seen the installation. I did not dare watch the procedure as the professionals drilled a 9" hole through her perfectly good hull. Friends who visit their new Catalina tell us the installation looks fabulous. We will venture up North in a few weeks to inspect said installation. We also need to take a load of "boat stuff" up and charge the batteries.
I have a whole list of items we need to acquire before we set sail in June. The list is long and keeps growing!
Here's the game plan at this stage:
1. Depart Holland/Macatawa in early June.
2. Up the West coast of Michigan stopping at key spots along the way, e.g. Pentwater to see Don (Marjorie's Dad) and Joan.
3. Around the Lelanau Peninsula to Grand Traverse Bay. We'll spend several days in and around Traverse City catching up with Marjorie's friends. We plan to be there for Cherry Festival (oh joy) and then head up to Mackinaw for the Great Lakes Cruising Club rendezvous.
4. For most of July and some of August we plan on cruising the North Channel. Look for many photos of some of the top anchorages in the world.
5. Early August we need to begin our trek down Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario where we will enter the Oswego Rvier and then Erie Canal. The trip down the Erie to the Hudson will require our mast down. I am already working on locating the riggers at both ends of the trip to unstep and restep the mast. I also strongly prefer to truck the mast down to the Hudson rather than carry it on a cradle on the deck. Lots of sailors do it, but having it waiting for us when we arrive sounds much safer and very appealing. If anyone can recommend marinas/riggers at either end or a mast transport service send me an email. Thanks.
6. Once we are in the Hudson, we'll make our way to NY Harbor. I really want to anchor out in front of the Statue of Liberty and take a few photos of Far Niente with Lady Liberty in the background.
7. Down the coast of Jersey to the Delaware River and then through the C&D canal to the Chesapeake.
8. We'll stop in the north Chesapeake and have a water maker installed. Then down the bay to Hampton, VA.
9. Once in Hampton we'll begin preparation for the November 2010 Caribbean 1500. By mid-November we should be in the BVI.
Lyle Lovett's song keeps running through my head...."KMA I bought a boat I am going out to sea." Listen/watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-_W18CWypE
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