After living on roam during our delivery back to Charleston, and spending quite a bit of additional time on board since, we have come up with a list of things we'd like to change/add prior to living aboard full time.  The design of any boat involves compromises, and Karen and I still believe that Dolphin has struck a balance which works for us in most areas.  We looked around at a lot of cats (actually, I know we saw ALL production cat models) before ordering roam and, if we had to do it over again, it would be an easy choice to get a Dolphin.  The combination of performance and comfort is not matched in any other cat.  In fact, I would bet that the only "production" cat that might be faster is a Gunboat 48, but at over a million dollars, it's not really a production boat.  And, I wasn't impressed with the layout or accomodations of the Gunboat.  I guess what I'm trying to say is, the changes we're making are to make a great boat even better. So, here's the list of major items we hope to complete in the next 18 months:

 

  

Actually, this project is underway as I write this (November 2007).  The basic problem is this: for some reason, most cat builders/designers view the bridgedeck area as a place for a kitchen and dining room.  So, they devote an enormous amount of space to make a large dining room table.  Yes, many offer options to lower the table and reduce it in size for after dinner lounging, but it's still a dining room.  In the case of the Dolphin, there is a circular dining couch with a very narrow seat and very upright seat back.  Besides not being very comfortable to sit in, the round shape eliminates corners to tuck into.  Not very practical or comfortable for long night watches where weather forced us inside.

 

I think designers should view the bridgedeck as a place for a galley and a family room, which could also be used for eating when needed.  The reality is that, in the tropics, you eat your meals at the cockpit table, unless it's raining.   So, we are tearing out the narrow, round couch and replacing it with two straight, wide couches with angled back cushions.  The couches will be places to read a book, watch a movie or stretch out and take a nap (one is 7+ feet long and the other is 6+ feet).  We'll also gain storage and better access to storage, and we'll have a net loss of weight in the boat.

 

For before, during and after pictures, click the link to the left.

The galley remodeling really only involves replacing the appliances, and the cabinet modifications necessary for that.  We're replacing the fridge and freezer with stainless steel Isotherm units.  The main reason for this is that the units that came with the boat are energy hogs.  Besides being much more efficient, the fridge will hold a little more since it does not have a freezer compartment.  With a separate freezer and an ice maker, the freezer space in the fridge was a waste.

 

We'll also replace the stove/oven with a unit made by Tasco Marine (with a favorable rating from Practical Sailor).  Our main problem with the stove was the four small burners on top; in order to heat anything larger than a small pot (like a pot for pasta), you had to place the pot between two burners (with the flames always coming up one or both sides).  The Tasco stove has two small burners in front and one large one in back.  Most importantly, it should fit in the existing oven space with minimal cutting.

 

Lastly, I'm looking for a double, rectangular sink to replace the two round sinks.  Why anyone makes or installs round sinks, I will never understand.

 

We're going to add solar panels to the top of the bimini, and upgrade one of the engine alternators.  The current alternators are 60 amp and really only charge the engine batteries.  That's fine as long as the genset is working.  But, as a back-up, I'd like to be able to charge the house bank with at least one of the engines. 

I'd like to add a spinnaker in an ATN type sock for downwind sailing.  On our 2006 trip back, we had light winds from behind for much of the distance from the Virgin Islands, through Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.  The screecher just didn't cut it once the true wind angle was above 130 or 135 degrees. 

Replace Port Toilet 

We have an electronic freshwater head in our bathroom and I love it.  I didn't upgrade the port head, thinking it would be nice for an emergency if the electronic head conked out or we had freshwater limitations.  With the reliability so far of the Spectra watermaker and the Vetus electronic toilet, I'm less concerned about these issues.  As a freshwater lake sailor, I didn't realize how much a salt water head stinks!!!!  So, as soon as I figure out which model fits in the space, the old toilet goes.

So far, the life raft lives on its side, under the cockpit table.  We need a more secure place where it won't be in the way. I'm thinking maybe a transom mount.

Well, live and learn.  I purchased my 6-man Plastimo life raft in Grenada in March, 2006.  When I took it in to be serviced here in Charleston, I was told the air tank was not up to US DOT requirements, and that it would be illegal to repack it as is in the US.  But, a replacement tank would be $700 or $800, plus the repacking fee of about $400-500.  As I read more about it, I found that the Plastimo is not the highest quality raft available, so the question became should I spend more than $1000 to upgrade a not-so-great-to-begin-with raft?  I decided to get a new 6-man Viking raft in a soft valise case.  We'll store it inside, and put it in the cockpit during passages.  The service interval is 3 years and the "where to mount it" question is resolved. 

The present system requires the use of winches and, to tie the lines off, one must hold the line with one hand (and not let the dinghy fall back in the water) while tying off on a cleat with the other hand.  I've ordered a hoist system from Garhauer which will hopefully be an inprovement.  (The new hoist set-up is at left, and it works great!)

 

Canvas Projects 

We actually have several canvas projects on our list of things to do.  First is a dodger, or a windshield going across the front of the cockpit, from the bimini top down to the coach roof.  On our way back from Brazil, we found that, in rougher seas, waves would occasionally come over the top of the coach roof and into the cockpit.  This was a particular pain at night when you couldn't see it coming.  So, we were forced inside a lot during watches, even when it was warm out.  Also, when at anchor or undererway, the wind is almost always coming from forward, so when it rains the rain is driven into the cockpit.  The dodger should make the cockpit more comfortable offshore and make the cockpit table useable, even when it's raining.

 

The second canvas project is related to the first.  We'd like to find a way to cover the helm area in bad weather, and extend the dodger across  in front of the helm.  The challenge here is that the bimini top is cut out above the helm seat, so there are no attachment points for a cover forward or outboard.  The pictures at right show the cutout.  We're trying to figure out a removable stainless steel frame system to accomodate the cover and dodger.

 

The last two canvas projects are sunshades for the cockpit sides and rear, and solar/privacy shades for the salon.  The typical solution for cats for the salon is to have exterior sunscreens made for the salon windows.  Using the right material, you can cut down the solar heating by 90% and still sort of see out.  However, we think we're going to go with interior curtains for a couple of reasons.  First, solar heating of the Dolphin is not as big of a problem as on other cats since the windows are nearly vertical and there is an overhang to further cut down the sunlight.  Also, we'd like to be able to see out easier, and sliding curtains to the side is simpler that removing exterior sunshades.  Also, curtains will add some color to the inside. 

 

The canvas projects are complete.  Custom Canvas of Charleston did a great job on the whole project.  They came up with a removable stainless frame for the helm cover, and made up stainless curtain rods for the interior sun shades/curtains.  There's a link to photos of the completed projects at left.