Grace @rigdenage

Changes and innovations

This is an informal list of lots of the things we've done to Grace since purchase in June - improvements and optimisations, in our minds. Probably not of interest to anyone but us but you never know who might be inspired by an idea for their own boat! Terry has done most of them, Chris has done a fair proportion, and a couple things have been subcontracted.

Internal

  1. Added an inspection hatch to the cabin bilge at the back of the bedroom (and removed 25 gallons of water!!)
  2. Added an inspection hatch above the front step for access to the water tank area
  3. Added a larger accumulator to enable the clothes dryer to work
  4. Replaced inverter with one that works
  5. Insulated all the accessible hidden pipework
  6. Made two acrylic plates to protect switches from being turned on accidentally, in vulnerable places
  7. Put in ventilation for the fridge and freezer spaces to improve efficiency (and possibly life span)
  8. Changed all the halogen ceiling lights to 'warm white' LEDs, to use 1/10th of the electricity
  9. Built a small table that folds down in the front deck, to put up when we want to sit out on the deck with tea, wine or dinner
  10. Added top shelf and side cubby holes to the wardrobe
  11. Had some open shelves (for cups and glasses) built in the kitchen
  12. Added a utensil rack next to hob
  13. Replaced the assorted cupboard knobs & handles with a single, simpler design throughout boat
  14. Put brass rail on ceiling by stove, for drying space
  15. New curtains (terracotta) and curtain rods (wooden)
  16. Small teak gateleg table and 2-seater settee (settee came flat-packed from Nabru) in saloon
  17. Created a new drawer in the kitchen in the space above the fridge by adding keyboard shelf runners to a beech cutlery tray
  18. Created a tea towel storage shelf under the hob with a beech block board on more keyboard shelf runners
  19. Added a 2-shelf pull-out wire basket unit under the sink, for easier access to tins and such like
  20. Added wire half-shelves under the drainer and in end cupboard to increase storage
  21. Added a shelf for tea and hooks for rolling pin on cupboard door under drainer
  22. Added hooks on the door under hob for storing colander & sieves
  23. Added a saucepan lid holder to inside of pan cupboard under hob
  24. Created a paper towel hanger under the high kitchen cupboard
  25. Added ventilation fans (computer fans) to mushroom vents in bathroom and kitchen
  26. Added shelves under the side of the bathroom sink for backup storage
  27. Added magnetic strips to the hem of the roller blinds in bathroom to hold them against the wall
  28. Moved the mirrored vanity cabinet to the wall above the sink
  29. Added a shelf to the wall above the toilet
  30. Removed the glass shower screen and replaced with a machine washable fabric curtain
  31. Added small wire storage units in shower area
  32. Installed the DVD player under the top corner cupboard in the saloon
  33. Put thin foil-and-bubblewrap insulation behind all the radiators at the back (hull-side) of the wardrobe, at the back of the under-sink cupboard, and other hidden places vulnerable to condensation

External

  1. Changed the name :-)
  2. Built a step for Chris to stand on when steering
  3. Replaced the ring in the centre of the roof with a T-stud, for ease of short-term tying up
  4. Added a 'cavitation plate' which reduces the chance of something caught on the prop getting jammed, but it also improves the efficiency of the propeller
  5. Had the filler pipe for the water tank fixed
  6. Added a 'porch light' - a solar powered shed light in the front cratch (B&Q £13)
  7. Created a tall holder for internet dongle, which hooks over the rails and magnets to the boat, to get a better signal
  8. Modified the drainage channels under the back deck so that they would be effective
  9. Rust proofed, blacked (for longevity) and added dri-deck (to keep contents out of any water that gets in) to the built-in lockers front and back
  10. Cut the lids to the lockers 1/3rd from front so they are easier to get on and off (especially when table is up)
  11. Put a pallet on the roof for storing new fire wood picked up during the summer
  12. Made magetic TV aerial mount
  13. Improved tonneau attachment with magnets
  14. Replaced cheap poly propylene ropes with nice 12m braid on braid
  15. Made secondary tonneau support so it can be used partially deployed

For winter

  1. 'Double- and triple-glazed' several portholes with glazing film
  2. Used foil/bubble wrap insulation under the hatch and across the back doors, to stop it pouring with condensation
  3. Made an acrylic double-glazing panel for houdini hatch which fastens removably with small clips