Refit Almost Done!

All of the refit work is winding down or being completed on board Mahi.

The electrical work is wrapping up, lots of wiring upgrades, new breaker panel organization, plus new cabin fans added throughout the boat for added comfort in the tropics.

I chose Caframo Bora fans in black.  This fans has 3 settings, and came highly recommended.  Will let you know how they work out.

Joe also installed the TV/DVD flat screen on the wall just behind where Ethan was sitting in this photo (see right).  We needed to get a fixed mount for the TV, so it would stay in place as the boat is moving.   Works great, plus we can pick up local TV stations through the antenna.

Also added was the new offshore Viking 6 person Life raft.  We opted for a stern mounted life raft; we felt that a stern mounted set up was safer to deploy if we ever needed it.  Shown above is what it looks like on the back stern rail.

So what did we do with our old coastal Switlik  life raft?  We decided to donate it to the local Fort Lauderdale US Naval Sea Cadet Corps.  Our daughter, Amy, was a Sea Cadet when she was a teenager, so offered it to this terrific organization first.   Amy had a very positive experience with her unit in California.

Note the location of the older life raft- mounted just in front of the mast.  The decision to change the location of the life raft from this location to the stern pulpit was based on a couple of thoughts- 1) this thing is heavy and hard to deploy from the deck, and 2) In an emergency, there is no way I could deploy this alone. especially under rough seas.  By contrast, the stern mount is in a location easily accessible, and I could deploy it by myself.  It is designed to fall off the boat when deployed.

What’s next?  Our upholstery and mattress are being delivered soon, and I am beginning to provision.  Stay tuned!