Count down …

After six months of radio-/blog silence – here comes our update of events and current status. To get some energy during Christmas – New Year, we went to Singapore and South West Australia and had some great time driving along the coast with a camping van. Getting back to a wet and mild Swedish winter, we came to realize that the scope of needed boat upgrades was bigger than expected, mostly because we want to sort out a number of known defects/improvements before we leave. Summary of upgrades besides the initial (huge) work related to osmosis treatment:

• New main engine – sadly our trusted VP was beyond reasonable overhaul so we decided to invest in a new Yanmar 160hp main engine including new prop shaft and cutlass bearings. As we had to replace the propeller shaft we also mounted a Ropecutter, which has a reputation of good performance and low maintenance.
• Our 1987 Furuno Radar has been replaced by a 4kw Raymarine Radome and a 12 inch Plotter mounted at the nav station.
• The original windlass has been replaced with a Lewmar 2kw V4 anchor winch.
• Frigoboat Fridge and Freezer replaced with Isotherm systems with through hull cooling.
• As we had the rudder dismounted we have replaced the lower and upper bearings.
• A Targa beam including davits for dingy, engine crane, enough space for 300W solar panels, wind gen and antennas.
• Mast mounted Wi-Fi Antenna.
• In addition a number of smaller but important stuff including new through hull fittings.

Current, early April, status is to finalize epoxy painting (in all, four layers), copper coating (epoxy/copper based antifouling), and a raised water line painting.

During this extensive overhaul we have both left work which is a big life changing decision. I (Peter) have now worked 5 weeks at the boatyard and really enjoyed taking part in all activities regarding Tina Princess improvements. I have never worked so hard physically in my life but have also felt very pleased with the opportunity to learn a number of new practical skills. A lot of credit goes to a very professional team at Långedragsteknik Boat Yard in Gothenburg.

Eva has been busy since leaving her job end of March in planning for our sailing and also prepare for her first exhibition of silver and copper jewelry. Sunday 13^th April 12 a.m. she has a stand at Varmbadhuset, Saltholmen, Gothenburg and is very excited about response and turn up of visitors.

Our very preliminary planning is to launch Tina Princess after Eastern holidays and have a very casual fare well event at GKSS (Långedrag Marina) Sunday 11^th May.

More to follow – meanwhile we use these famous Mark Twain words to keep our energy levels up;

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream”