Annual live aboard update
Catalina 42 1989
I made it through another Pacific NW winter. Super mild and not that wet this year which was great for me personally as my furnace died in December (Wallas Sparten, 17k but forced air) - a cracked heat exchanger. Time for an upgrade anyway, most professionals recommend about 40k btu heat for an uninsulated boat the size of mine. My heat source for most of the winter was a 1500 watt oil heater. I run a household dehumidifier most of the time. Do not skip the electric blankets.
I talked to my insurance company and made the mistake of asking them about heat sources. I have a great insurance company when it comes to where and when I can operate the boat and the range of operation. However they have a flat ban portable heaters and solid fuel heaters. The only acceptable heat systems are the old school Dickinson drip pot diesel heaters or something like a wabasto or Wallace or similar and they have to be professionally installed (That's s*** is not in the budget). I'm not the biggest fan of the Dickinson drip pot style diesel heaters a previous partner of mine was nearly killed by carbon monoxide poisoning when a heater down drafted while she was sleeping. After shopping around I've opted for a hurricane SCH 33 which I got used. It's been a very slow process to get the install done.
Small projects that have made life better a full down countertop to extend some galley working surface. A roll-down curtain on the inside of the main companionway hatch doors to help with the draft. Some weatherstripping around the outside of the hatch slide.
Otherwise business is usual. Liveboard in the winter is a little rough but basically fine. I am very very glad to see spring. Hoping to do my annual rig inspection in the next week, get the main bent on from a little TLC I was giving it and get the oil changed to the engine and get out to the islands.