Week 50 Construction update

Build progress continues at a nice pace with few to no issues.

Down in the Laz the steering gear is largely in place including all the hydraulic manifolds where the steering pumps and helms connect together.  In the far right is the AC condenser, and the smaller blue thing to it's left is one of the auto pilot steering pumps.  The second one is next to it, but mostly obscured.

Laz steering gear

A little further forward on the port side is one of the battery boxes in the foreground, then in front of the worker is a mounting panel for all the heater components.  You can see the two brass water manifolds near the top

Battery box and heater equipment

There's lots more equipment showing up in the engine room, including hydraulics (more in a later picture), fire extinguishers, fuel systems, etc.

Engine room equipment

Here's a closer look at the fuel system.  These are the dual filters for the main engine, and the single transfer filter for moving and cleaning fuel.  Below the filters is one of the manifolds for directing fuel flow.

Fuel system

On the opposite wall are a bunch of the hydraulic system components.  Furthest in the background about center in the picture is the generator and you can just see the hydraulic pump hanging of the end of the enclosure.  Moving towards us along the right is the reservoir tank, then the accumulator which looks like a small dive tank.  It's a pressurized reservoir which provides an extra reserve of fluid flow when the stabilization-at-rest needs to give a quick kick.  Next is a cluster of controls for the cooling pump, and foremost is a combiner block for the drain return lines.

Hydraulic components

Moving all the way forward in the boat, you can see the hydraulic bow thruster (lower white device), the control block above it on the ledge, and the black anchor wash pump to the right of the. thruster

Bow thruster and anchor wash

Here is the water maker installed pretty much as requested.  By handing the components on the bulkhead it frees up the shelf to the right for storage.  The only possible problem is that there is a control panel near the top of the big white box with the filters on it.  I'm a bit worried about whether I'll be able to read the display with it up so close to the ceiling.  My original placement request had it lowered about a foot for better visibility.  Communications of details like this are part of the challenge of building something from a great distance and with language differences.

You can also see that the tempering valve has been installed on the water heater with the red hot water line coming out of it.  These are really important fro two reasons.  First is safety.  Unlike your home water heater which gets up to around 130-140F, a boat heater will get up to 180F or so when heated by the engine while underway.  That kind of hot water will burn you very quickly.  The second reason is that the Whale water pipe fittings used throughout the boat are only rated for temps up to 150F.  Running hotter is unlikely to cause instant failure, but it's asking for trouble.  The tempering valve mixed cold water with the very hot water coming out of the tank to create a consistent 130-140F temp.

Water maker

In the Pilot house head we now have a toilet, sink, and faucet.  Looking good!

Pilot house head

Looking forward in the pilot house you can see the electrical panel is installed except for the lower-most part.  And all the drawers and doors are installed (or being installed)

Pilot house

The guest cabin is similarly taking shape with all teh doors and drawers in place.

Guest cabin

And same for the office

Office

 
More of the pilot house.  Here, and in several other areas you will see that outlets, switches, AC controls, and heat controls are largely installed.

Pilot house

Master shower getting final touches.

Master shower

Master head looking complete with counter top, sink, faucet, toilet, outlets, etc.

Master Head

The master stateroom also shows doors and drawers in place, outlets installed, etc.

Master stateroom

Master stateroom

The galley now has all the appliances installed except the cook top.  We really like the industrial frridge/freezer door handles/latches.  We think they will both allow for easy access, and secure closing when in rough seas.

Galley

Same for the salon.  Looking very complete save for the ceiling panels

Salon

Salon

Salon

In the cockpit you can now see the standpipe for the davit, and the guy is probably making water connections to the sink which is now installed with a faucet.

Cockpit

Up on the boat deck the davit is installed.

Boat deck

So what's left?  Well, there still aren't any stainless railing, no stack, no fly bridge hardtop (which depends on the stainless for support).  The engines don't appear to be hooked up yet, along with all their controls and instrument panels.  The AC and heat  is clearly coming along, but not yet complete, as area a number of electrical systems like the inverters, chargers, etc.  We are also still missing the cockpit settee and table.  Best estimates at this point are that we have 2-3 months remaining.  I'm thinking I'll take another trip over in 6 weeks or so, but we will see.  The biggest concern from my perspective remains sorting out how we are going to get the heater exhaust out the stern of the boat.  It's an interesting 3D puzzle, and nearly impossible to solve from 8,000 miles away.  We may also have a few issues with the placement of the heat thermostats, but we'll get that sorted out.  All in all, teh project continues to go pretty darn well.