Wrapping up 2025 and setting goals for 2026

Well, 2025 is a wrap. That was a mixed year for me – making great progress in some areas and dealing with setbacks and blockers in others.

2 of the 3 big projects I wanted to get done in 2025 – upgrade of the propulsion system and electronics – still have some loose ends at the end of the year and will spill over into 2026. The dehumidifier is now in place so at least that undertaking is at 100%. As a cherry on top, I even managed to get started on cushions.

For 2026, the goal is to get the boat to fully sailable and livable state. The ultimate test would be to spend a few days at anchor in Sausalito.

First, I’d love to wrap-up carry overs from 2025:

  • Finish cushion covers. V-birth and quarter birth are the only remaining to make. For saloon seat backs, I want to make magnetic foam anchors so they stay in place.
  • Finalize propulsion system. Fix Lynx BMS and mock with shaft alignment to remove the remaining minor vibrations when underway.
  • Finish instruments. Plumb in GPS coordinates from VHS into N2K network and make a custom adapter for QT10 motor into N2K network. Also, rename outside temp & humidity sensors.

Beyond the wrap-up above, here is the new stuff I’d love to get done in the next 12 months:

  • Install headliner. Already have the material and adhesive.
  • Sew pillows using the vintage material that came with the boat
    • Organize galley. Add fruit net, put in dividers into drawers, get coffee grinder & other misc kitchenware. Wire fridge into 12V system.
    • Finish companionway panels. Add wood trim and lock. Refinish teak.

If all of the above gets done then my original project that started 10 years ago as a “3 months remodel” would be finished. Hard to believe 🙂

Making progress on cushions – V-birth

Made one of the cushions for the v-birth today. Ended up being a bit more complex with curve+bevel in one side but turned out OK. Man, the boat doesn’t have much space for this type of work – cushion + roll of material + measuring tools and so for. Spent a lot of time crunched up in tight places.

Final saloon seat done. Getting cozy

Marina was without power today but thankfully, I have put in an inverter as part of my propulsion power system upgrade. That made it possible to complete this weekend’s project.

Upholstered the final saloon seat and paused to take in the new look. Love how cosy this. material looks, especially in the warm evening light.

Don’t want to run my usual electric heater off the inverter so got the fireplace going. This is definitely turning into a super cozy happy place!

Started on saloon seats

With all 3 back support cushions done, it was time to get the seats upholstered. These ones are a bit more complicated because ever single one of the 3 has a small notch on one of the corners.

That makes them not really reversible and to save on the cost of material and make them more likely to stay in place I ended up using special nonskid backing. The zipper goes into the backing panel.

Then I make the top part using “simple box cushion”, except of course it has a notch that takes the “simple” part out of the name 🙂

Turned out pretty nice.

Towed to the yard

With vibration in shaft still quite present I decided not to risk making my own trip to the yard and took advantage of the BoatUS membership to get towed. Timed it to high tide and got lucky with perfectly calm weather. Tied up at Spaulding Marine Center for a quick haul out for cutlass bearing replacement.

This is the last piece of the puzzle – it may take care of the 100% of the vibration problem or most of it. I’ll likely still need to play with shaft alignment. We’ll see.

Made the first cushion cover

The first cover turned out pretty well. Used the traditional method with continuous boxing to make it reversible.

Realized last minute that I ordered #5 zippers and then got #10 pulls that totally don’t fit them. Doh! Tried to find #5 pulls anywhere in SF and managed to find 1 at a store on Clement st. That one was white. So this first cushion has black zipper with white pull. Will have to wait for more #5 to arrive in mail before I can tackle the other cushions.