Boat cockpit cushions - done!

To make the cockpit more comfy at anchor, I've finished a set of cushions for the seats. For the technically minded, they have been made from Sunbrella marine grade canvas with 'leatherette' piping and zips at the back of the cushions. The foam is dry cell foam to allow water to drain away quickly with a layer of closed cell foam for comfort. There was some wrestling required to get the foam into the covers but this give the cushions a fuller look.

All materials were sourced from Sailrite in the US, who have a amazing range of materials for canvas projects and sail work. Fulfilment and delivery is very speedy. The also have a great DVD which made this project much easier.

I must say the result is pretty good for a beginner boat cushion maker...

As we were installing cushions and other things, we watched the Wednesday Twilight Races - this is the view - very dramatic.

We ARE being stalked

Guess what we found in the kitchen..again! I'm convinced it's the same one.....

Here's some interesting information from the Australian Museum "Young blue tongues are quite nimble and can climb to places a heavy adult can't, which is how they sometimes end up in people's houses. Females usually give birth in mid-late summer, so at this time of year there are plenty of newborns wandering around....." Looks like we're not alone

Sea Safety and Survival course

Completed a sea safety and survival course on the weekend. It was invaluable for us to assess our knowledge and also our equipment. Needless to say, we now have another boat shopping list.

One highlights of the weekend was Sunday morning spent in the pool with all our clothes and wet weather gear learning how to use our inflatable PFDs, how to get in and out of a life raft, how to conserve energy and move about the water with a bunch of people. The other highlight was actually using flares - it's one think to have them but it's really useful knowing how to use them.

Glad we did this.

FInal electronics installed

The last of the electronics was finished on one of the hottest days of the year! The radar was installed and the rigger was up the mast for hours in the 40 degree heat.

Rigger installing radar bracket under "supervision"

A big thank you to a few people for helping us get to this stage:-
- our friends who joined us on endless visits to the Boat Show over the years and provided invaluable advice from their experience
- Grant from Olectric Systems for his professionalism and cheerfulness on the job. Couldn't have done it without you!
- Patrick, the rigger, for his tenacity in the shocking heat

Now all we have to do is learn how to work everything....

Day sail

A brief but lively day sail on the weekend with family. We pulled the sails out for the first time in a while. The wind was up around 20 - 25knots so we had a great sail. Some sail maintenance pending as we noticed some repairs were needed.

When reptiles stalk

I'm thinking this blog should actually be called "When reptiles stalk you". After hearing some spooky rustling noises in the house, this is what came wandering into the dining room....go figure....

Blue Tongue lizard 

A bunch of canvas and other boat sewing bits

Uh oh! Received a tonne of fabric and other sewing bits yesterday from Sailrite for optimistic canvas sewing projects for the boat. Will be making...

• cockpit cushions
• sun screen for the wrap around windows
• lee cloths for the cockpit

Right now feel like a little overwhelmed but once I start cutting fabric it should be all OK....I think. 

Lastly can't say enough about Sailrite, it's customer support and delivery time. The order was placed online to the USA on 19 Jan and arrived on 24 Jan. Australian retailers take note...