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Seayanika -- Light at the End
'Seayanika's is proof that some boatbuilding projects do proceed more or less as scheduled. Above, the bare hull shortly after arrival two years ago. Above right, the hull today. The rest of the photos show miscellaneous 'work in progress'.
Light at the end of the tunnel! I swear I see it! After two years of weeks marching by like determined soldiers, projects completed, projects stalled, mini-milestones reached, delays encountered -- and finances being sucked out of the coffers as if by a giant shop-vac from hell -- I can actually visualize a pinpoint of light beckoning me towards the finale: launch day. My husband’s unswerving resolve, and my (mostly) unwavering faith in him, is coming to fruition in the form of Seayanika, the 49 foot sailboat we’ve been building from a bare hull.
Seayanika’s exterior is near completion, short of paint and a few odds and ends. The transom has been modified to a sugar-scoop configuration, the bowsprit and anchor rollers are installed, as are all the windows, hatches, portlights and Dorade vents. The helm, wheel, steering mechanism and seat are all in place. (Okay, so I confess, I do spend some time with my eyes closed, conjuring up the warm breezes and turquoise waters of the Tuamotus, from the newly installed captain’s chair at On-the-Hard Marina, Vista. CA) Uh, where were we? Cockpit drains, thru-hulls, teak decking, bulwarks and handrails, cleats, hawse pipes, fuel and water fills…check, check and check; it’s all there.
The interior is progressing by leaps and bounds. Every day produces another piece of interior cabinetry, another area of varnished mahogany, or a new system installed. I’m starting to feel giddy with relief that those never-ending days of fiberglassing, sanding and fairing are fading into a distant memory. Just yesterday my washer/dryer was installed, and most of our other appliances (stove, ice maker, watermaker, trash compactor, microwave and dishwasher) are standing in line waiting for their turn.
Erik will be fabricating our refrigerator and freezer. I’m not an overly organized person, (my husband probably has another less complimentary word for it), so the traditional top-loading refrigerator would end up being a nightmare for us. And, since a front opening fridge is not practical on a sailboat, Erik has designed a drawer system for our cold storage needs. The refrigerator will consist of three stainless steel drawers, and the freezer will have one deep drawer. That will put most goodies within easy reach. At least that’s the plan….
I’ve been busy looking into the finishing touches. Should we opt for foam or spring mattresses? What about for the cushions? What’s our interior color scheme? What material should we use for interior and exterior cushions and curtains?
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Where are we placing the lighting fixtures and fans? I’ve started sewing Sunbrella covers for everything, winches, captain’s chair, windlass, windows, etc. We’re even sourcing for sails and electronics. Yes, I see the light. On occasion, our friends stop over. Not just to see the progress, but also to lend a hand. There are hundreds of menial tasks involved, that those less-skilled in boatbuilding talents can assist with. From laying and removing tape for varnish projects, using the drill press to make wood plugs, aiding with the lifting and placement of heavy appliances and even the removal of large guard-dog droppings from the boatyard. Yes, it is really wonderful to have good friends!
Building a boat from a bare hull is not for everyone. (Remember our little warning of months ago: “Don’t try this at home”?) Hell, if we’d had an extra million hanging around, sure, we’d probably have just bought a new boat with all the bells and whistles.
In the long run, we feel it’s a good thing we didn’t have unlimited resources. One of the advantages of building your own boat is the need to make fewer compromises. Erik designed Seayanika specifically for our requirements. Most importantly we wanted a solid, safe boat with water-tight bulkheads and redundant systems aplenty. We wanted an open, airy main salon that was still secure in a seaway. It was important that the aft master stateroom be private and have berths we could actually use during passages.
Then, there were those items that individually we felt were necessary. I couldn’t live without an icemaker. Erik wanted a big lazarette for all of the toys. I wanted the helm out of the center of the cockpit. Erik wanted the convenience of a bow thruster. Our choices were either to compromise our desires with a stock boat, pay exorbitantly for a professional yard’s semi custom job (and maybe still not get everything we wanted), or build it ourselves. Our total projected cost for the boat in the water should not exceed $150,000. To purchase and outfit a comparable boat from a manufacturer would exceed $500,000. A tidy little profit for 2.5 years of work (and no payment coupons!).
Our current projected launch date is March. It may not happen exactly then. But the end is in sight, and this labor of love will have been worth the effort. Home boatbuilding requires a lot of time, patience, money, patience, determination, patience, perseverance, and patience.... Too bad I’m not very patient!
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