While we enjoyed S/V Magnolia for seven years, we found our new boat in Stuart, FL – a 1997 Kadey Krogen 42 (hull #199). This boat has good bones, but like S/V Magnolia, it needs some love and a lot of maintenance. It sat at the dock for three years with little attention. The Captain likes to tackle big projects like refits and manages them well. With a fly bridge and pilothouse travel will be comfortable. Accommodations will be too with a saloon and two staterooms. The galley is good-sized by boat standards. She will allow us to add some cruising areas to our plans. So while the maintenance and refit are underway, I’ll be sewing a variety of projects to make her our home. First up…curtains. Fabrics have been negotiated and selected with the Captain and the help of an interior designer to break the decor stalemate. I’ll write about those curtains in an upcoming post.
First order is in. Second order is on the way
One of the surprises on the new boat was uncovering a large table. A sewing table! We found that a large cabinet in the second state room has a top that opens up and rests on teak supports creating a great work table. (“What is that hinge for?! Oh…”) Our carpenter made a table top for the other open side and the Captain finished it.
The work surface of both sides is about 3′ x 5′. My sewing notions and hobby materials fit on one shelf in the cabinet and engine and generator spares fit below.
Since we don’t have the mattress aboard yet, I am using the bed base as a large cutting and ironing station. I invested in a new iron – a Rowenta 5090. It’s a beast. What a big improvement over the wimpy travel iron I was trying to use. A good iron is an important sewing tool that I shouldn’t have underestimated.
The sewing room (also known as the second state room and guest room) has nice space but things are close enough to reach easily. I have good lighting so that’s a bonus too. And since it isn’t the dining room table I can leave the sewing machine up while we are at the dock.
In a few weeks she’ll seem like a new boat. We’ll be ready to do some local trips to get used to the new boat and systems.
I’m shocked and amazed. That’s quite a change just to have a larger cutting surface, but I know it makes your work easier. Fair waves.
Thanks, Earl! Hope you are enjoying your travels. Regards, Annette