In the Water – Kindred Spirit

We still have prep work to do on the boat, but it is so much nicer to do those chores when you are floating in the water. The weather was looking reasonably nice for an overnight at the dock.

After projects and more cleaning, we celebrated our anticipation of the first overnight with a shared cold beer.

In spite of all the “watsonizing” last year, we still thought of a few new things that were needed on the inside. It’s all about figuring out what will make your life enjoyable and comfortable on your boat, totally personal choices. Plus, I am always thinking of boat projects for Al because I know that’s what he really loves to spend his time doing all winter. It’s a win-win.

Here are a few new interior twists —

The Kadey Krogen 39 is a comfortable boat, but it isn’t large compared to most of the other Krogens. Shoes are sometimes a problem. No one wants to track dirt and sand into the boat. But where do you take your shoes off and keep them handy? Put them back in the stateroom each time you enter? It is a loooong way from the salon door all the way down to the master stateroom. Leaving them out in the cockpit? Maybe. Cluttering the salon with discarded shoes was also not ideal. Our decision? A shoe drawer just inside the salon door.

This is obviously not the salon on the boat. Al brought the seat home to the house to work on this project. That wooden box in our front hall is a section of the salon seating.

Al cut an opening in the side of the seat. The hole in the top seen below has a cover and is under the cushions which makes it hard to access. A drawer in the side should work.

An opening in the side is not enough for Al. This had to be a drawer that slides out easily.

Al installed slides so that the drawer will glide in and out easily.

Back on the boat, everything in place again. It looks like we can each store a couple pairs of shoes in there. I wonder if I get to have more shoes in there than Al? You know, just like at home.

The pilot house is a whole new area for us to use. It is for navigation underway, but it is also its own little space onboard. We really liked that our Krogen already had a table close to the seating.

The pilot house is a very comfortable place to be, especially when traveling during less than ideal weather. Not all pilot houses have tables so we were pleased that ours came with one.

We both make use of the table. It can be turned on its pedestal.

Al decided the table could be even more versatile with additional positions.

The table can now slide farther and locks in place.

I have had one constant concern about my galley. Although the refrigerator itself was larger than the Mariner’s, the freezer was not. Al spoiled me with a terrific built-in Engle freezer on the Mariner. Even the Morgan sailboat had more freezer space, custom built by Al. I began to worry out loud about this feature, or lack of feature. It wasn’t a problem last season because we never went very far for very long, but this season will be different (I hope, I hope) and I like having a decent freezer onboard. It allows me to keep more meats onboard as well as back-up vegetables and fruits. That means fewer trips to grocery stores which can be difficult to find near anchorages.

What were the options this time? We could build a freezer unit again in a space under the galley counter, giving up some storage there OR we could purchase a portable unit and find a place to put it. Tough decision, with pros and cons on both sides. We settled on getting a portable unit that would fit in the bottom part of what I call “the hutch,” which is the storage unit opposite the galley. Although there were other manufacturers, we chose an Engel unit again. The 40-quart unit (1.27 cubic feet) would fit.

Al removed the shelf from the interior as well as the doors. I would prefer to have kept the doors but the unit wouldn’t fit with the doors. He installed sliding tracks so that the Engel can be pulled out in order to open the lid.

Al laying down on the job again, working on the wiring.

The Engel installed in its designated location. It sits upon a pull out shelf. I am not wild about the looks and wish the doors could be used, but I want a freezer more than I care about the looks. Maybe I’ll weave a cloth cover next winter………

Although technically outside, the aft cockpit received a couple of new twists as well. The hatch in the teak floor opened towards the salon entry door where there is very little space to maneuver. Al decided that it could be turned around and did just that.

This isn’t our Kadey Krogen 39, but our cockpit hatch was positioned the same way. The lift is right in front of the salon door, leaving only a small space to open it comfortably. What was Kadey Krogen thinking when they designed it this way?

The hatch now opens in this direction. The teak boards don’t line up quite as nicely but I don’t see a problem with that. Now that I have publicly pointed this out, everyone will notice. (Excuse the messy cockpit – this was taken during Al’s working season.)

Inside the aft cockpit locker, Al built a little step that makes it easier and safer to get down in there.

Back to the water. It actually felt good to be cleaning and washing the boat now that I can bend and twist again. Well, it felt good for awhile and then it was time to rest for a bit. We are both older now and have to accomplish things at a slightly slower pace.

The docks are filling up, but there are still empty slips out by us. I took some time to sit and enjoy the views.

Early morning view across the empty docks.

The research boats at UCONN, Avery Point.

Sunny afternoon view towards land — there’s the other boats!

SYC Sunday Breakfast to benefit the Sailing School – A nice hot breakfast that I did not have to cook.

After breakfast, Al decided it was time to practice my docking skills. I took the boat out of the slip, for a short ride, and then back in again. And then out again and back in again. Although it is basically the same maneuvers as last summer, there are subtle differences such as a shorter slip, which is good, and a shorter distance in the fairway. Al operated the new stern thruster in the aft cockpit while I manned the helm. My hands and knees were shaking afterwards, but I’ll get over that.

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