We have mentioned that we wanted a project and knew the main big jobs that needed doing on Blue of Hamble, in order for her to be reborn as Yanula Blue … but we didn’t really anticipate the scale of what we would actually end up doing!
We suppose it’s like any big refurbishment – when you start one job you always find another, and when you do one job you think you may as well carry on with another! Where do you draw the line?
The work was mainly undertaken during winter 2023-2024. We’ve tried to categorise some of the work we have done – honestly this list will never do justice to the sweat and tears and money that has been ploughed into her. She’s not perfect, but she is a fabulous boat and we are sure will thank us in due course. We are committed to maintaining her in this standard going forward and have a full maintenance schedule as well.
BIG and Essential Jobs:
- Standing rigging replaced, with addition of removable inner forestay
- Running rigging replaced throughout
- Keel separated, re-epoxied and reattached with new keel bolts
- Coppercoat redone – and checked at 1 year to ensure it had taken
- New headlining
- All saloon upholstery, including installation of daybed
- New mattresses to both beds – with ShipShape Bedding AirFlow Marine+ Foam Core
- Solar Arch designed and installed, with 910 watts bifacial solar panels with 2 x Victron MPPT (see separate article!)
- New Lithium battery array (800 Ah) with integrated BMS, installed and connected into new designed cabinet
- Victron Cerbo GX Power Management System
- Victron Isolation Transformer
- Victron Inverter Charger
- Alternator charging to house batteries via Victron Orion DC to DC charger
- Water & fuel tank senders that connect in to Victron system
- Water tanks removed and replacement fittings installed
- Install holding tank with carbon filter
- New Trudesign through-hulls throughout
- Replaced black and grey plumbing hoses throughout
- Change Sail Drive diaphragm and exhaust pipe (which was actually an accident by Boatcare!)
- Replace raw water pipes to engine
- Exhaust muffler box replaced
- Replace rudder seal (we will do this regularly going forward!)
- Replace Fire extinguishers
- New fridge element and additional freezer element in the smaller compartment
- Wired in 4 fans – 2 x saloon and 2 x aft cabin – in readiness for reaching hotter climates
- Installed Nautilus watermaker
- Rebedded pull-pit
- New canvas throughout – sprayhood (including covers for clears), bimini, hatch covers and also mesh shades for sides and aft, plus sail UV strips
- Cockpit cushions
- New Eberspacher heater and casing to protect it
- Servicing all parts – windlass, engine, bow thruster, winches – also to be a part of ongoing maintenance schedule
BIG and not essential jobs
- Deck (see https://yanulablue.com/upgradingthedeck/ for more details)
- New Permateek in cockpit
- Carpentry (see https://yanulablue.com/carpentry/ for more details)
- All topsides sanded and polished
- Re-sanded and varnished all sole boards (Jenni is not completely happy with the result but they are water tight) plus added some extra inspection hatches where useful
- New curtains (lined and neutral)
- Cockpit cushions – these look lovely!
- Remove sealant to heads and replace plus sealant to sinks
- Removed gas supply and installed electric hob and air fryer / oven – with gimballed casing
- Installed new porthole above galley to extract cooking smells
- New hatches for aft and v-berth cabins
- Added inspection hatches to both water tanks
- Replaced the water tank connections as they were rusting and causing rust bacteria to form in the water tanks
- Swapped winches to cockpit so all are self tailing
Little jobs that make all the difference
- New Rocna anchor – which has never let us down!
- Magnetic catches for doors (instead of old fashioned hooks)
- Springs to secure the fridge lids open
- New Barometer, clock and comfortometer (humidity v temperature)
- New shower mixers in both heads
- New galley filter tap
- Repurposed shaver sockets wiring for usb sockets – much more usable for today’s technology needs
- Installed usb socket in cockpit
- Re-labelled instrument panel
- Storage bags in v-berth
- Storage bag under aft heads cupboard
- Towel rail in aft heads, plus hand towel holders for both
- Storage nets throughout – stop cans and clothes falling out whilst on passage
- Mosquito net / blind for aft cabin hatch
- Mosquito net for all hatches
- Chris created a draining bowl for the small sink!
- Finding the right storages boxes throughout the boat – we want to maintain a boat that is well organised and makes the most of all available space
- Illuminated drinks cabinet
- Changed all light switches
- Rearranged hanging rails in aft cabin starboard wardrobe and dry locker – can fit more stuff in now!
- Changed bedside lights to include USB charge points, and replaced older lights where needed
- Added fairy lights for cozy nights in the saloon!!
- Created infill to saloon u-sofa – this is a daybed or comfy corner
- Added ball valves to the connection pipe between both water tanks to isolate each tank when close hauled
- Resprayed all porthole covers to be a nice clean white and match the new one in the galley
- Creating a storage & charging point for Dyson Hoover – Jenni’s favourite part!
- New wood lattice / trays for cockpit and aft heads shower (expensive job!)
- Replace carpet trim in master cabin – luckily we had some left over from carpeting the last house
- Stern fender organisation for when not in use
- Added stern shower with hot and cold water
