The weather is still holding surprisingly nice and steady here in Bellingham, although the longer-range forecasts are beginning to show what’s coming — cooler temperatures, the return of the rain and the proper end of summer. So I’m continuing to take advantage of every decent day.
The CoolBlue refrigerator thermostat is now working great, and I’m really pleased with the whole setup. The refrigerator doesn’t seem to be drawing much from the batteries at all, which is encouraging for life away from shore power.
I’ve put some more sealer on the teak deck, and the new 500 GPH shower sump pump is installed and working. That resulted in another small milestone — my first proper indoor shower aboard in quite some time.
The Air Head composting toilet has now been in regular use for about ten days without any noticeable problems, so the basic realities of actually living aboard are starting to fall into place.
I’ve also been steadily stowing tools, materials and spares where they need to live. Even my clothes are getting organized, with plastic tubs in the closet for socks and everything else. It’s surprising how satisfying it is to finally put something somewhere knowing that’s its permanent home rather than somewhere I’ve temporarily moved it to get at another job.
Several deliveries of parts, filters and spares have arrived. I’m still waiting for the new Airmar paddlewheel for one of the speed through-hull sensors; once that’s installed, I can finally call the bottom completely finished.
The anchor setup is getting finalized too. I’ve decided to keep things simple and use a conventional appropriately rated shackle between the Rocna and chain rather than a swivel, removing another mechanical component and potential failure point from the system.
Topside, there’s still some running rigging to replace and reroute, but these are increasingly becoming manageable finishing jobs rather than major projects.
I’ve also received the 12V adapter for Starlink, which needs to be wired in. Reliable connectivity will be important aboard La Sirena — not only for work, but for weather information and planning once I’m moving around and spending more time at anchor.
I’ve got three propane tanks to fill. Stove usage so far has been remarkably low, so they should give me a substantial cooking supply. Heating is taken care of by the Dickinson diesel heater, with only a small electrical demand from its 12V fuel pump.
The boat is stocked. Systems are working. Tools are finding homes. The bottom is essentially finished. And the list that once seemed endless is getting very short.
For the first time, this doesn’t really feel like preparing a project boat anymore.
It feels like preparing to leave.
All systems to set sail are go.
