And now Mikes bit...

Wow what a boat. They build IP’s very well, everything is solid, all sole opening panels have catches so nothing moves when you walk, the sinks have normal full size drain plugs, the Nav seat is retractable by a hydraulic ram powered from its own electric motor & pump!! The details go on and on. Some might consider it a bit anal, but every screw head slot is aligned to the next be it a slotted or Philips head, now that’s attention to detail. All the electrical wires are either Yellow (Neutral) Red (positive) or Green (earth) easy, and each is numbered at its ends corresponding to the sheet in the A4 size manual that comes with the yacht. Storage is everywhere, pull back a seat cushion and there is a storage area behind with a lift up floor panel that reveals another equally big storage area below that, for example, under  the Port seat are 3 storage bins, I have put the Spinnaker in one and the 2 storm sails in another, they could have gone in one but why cramp things! We have 2 reverse cycle air conditioning units with an outlet in the rear heads! Lazerets have lights inside with gas struts to hold them open, the forward cabin bed also lifts up on gas struts to for access to the storage below. But I guess the neatest thing on her is the dining table. Island Packet design it to fold up on the forward bulkhead when not in use thus giving a ‘dance floor’ size area in the main saloon, lowering it reveals the drinks cabinet with storage for wine & glasses, now that’s neat!

I even have my own “shed” to keep all the tool & parts in, its designed for the fenders but it’s massive as you can see. Jan says she will lock me in there if I am naughty!! Forward of my right elbow is the twin anchor lockers holding the 150 Metres of chain for each of the two bow anchors.

So what don’t I like about her? To be 100% honest, so far nothing.

What has been fixed? Vacuum flush toilet decided to stop producing a vacuum on day 5, Hmmmm...4 new Joker valves (They are called Duck bills here) and new pump piston cured that, all parts incidentally were on the boat when we got her together with a vast assortment of other new parts. The odd light globe needed replacing, but apart from that nothing else. I am replacing the fridge and freezer door seals as they look to be original and are quite hard in places.

Additions...I am intending to add a 130 Watt solar panel to the already installed 60 Watt panel and together with the 400W wind generator they should keep our 9 x 100Amp Hr AGM house batteries in good charge. I will also get a Hydrovane steering system fitted and the A.I. S installed and that’s about all.