Once Upon A Mattress

I composed this blog back in Feb. and asked Pat to edit. He was so busy, he never got around to it, so I didn't send it. Though obviously outdated, I'm posting without Pat's input before I post a new progress report. It's a lot to read--I'm not offended if you just look at the pictures!

The progress of our boat restoration can be measured in Seattle Boat Shows. At each of the the four shows we've attended since beginning our Rybovich revival, we've had different goals, reflecting the progressive stages of the project. The SEA Marine booth is always in the same spot and there's a custom mattress company booth, also always in the same spot, right across the aisle. Nick, of Slumber Ease in Marysville, is "the mattress guy" and we always joke that when things get slow we'll just slip over and take a little nap. 

At the 2021 show, we'd had the boat for 4 months. We'd done a good deal of demo and discovery and we had a big to-do list for the Boat Show--much to research and many decisions to make: engines, battery system, electrical system, appliances, you name it. We talked to Nick about the five mattresses we would need to have made. He gave us templating materials and we naively told him we'd be back next year to make our mattress choices.

In 2022, we still had a long list--we chose appliances, began looking at lighting, ordered an anchor and bought toilets. We told Nick the project was progressing but it would be another year before we'd be thinking about mattresses. Yes, we still have the template materials.

2023...Sorry, Nick, the restoration is taking a bit longer than we anticipated....NEXT YEAR! Template material? Yep, we got it. The Boat Show list was significantly smaller--we bought SUPs and chose a barbecue.

Last year at the Show, we decided on a wifi system and bought a dinghy. By this time, Nick probably thought we didn't really even have a boat! We'd stopped saying "next year" and he'd stopped asking.

Tomorrow we're heading over to the Seattle Boat Show...WITH MATTRESS TEMPLATES IN HAND! We're really going to do it, Nick!

It's taken 5 Boat Shows to get to the mattress ordering stage and we're really feeling ready to have this project wrapped up, but it's good for us to look back at all we've accomplished. The TO DO list might actually be smaller than the DONE list! Here's what we've been up to...

We finished the interior varnishing in the stateroom, v-berth and bunks and we're quite pleased with our work. (Can't wait to add mattresses!)

Elton is installing our C-Zone system, which networks all the electrical controls, monitors and systems. It's going to be great but the installation is complex, as you can tell by the multitude of manuals and diagrams Elton has laid out. Colin, our marine electrician, is busy wiring for lights and appliances--he fits so nicely in the refrigerator!

Pat and designers, Tim and Henry Nolan, set the hardtop in position so the fabricator can take measurements and build the supports and railings.

We're in the process of varnishing the cockpit cabinetry, helm station and salon doors. It's a time consuming process since it requires 8 coats of careful application with sanding between, but is it ever satisfying to see that beautiful, gleaming wood in all its glory!

Up next, choosing galley counter material and templating, installing headliner after wiring is done, building flybridge seating, installing new sliding windows.

Exterior painting is on deck (pun intended).

We refinished the old helm seat (9 coats of varnish!) and Jeff in our Canvas Loft made new cushions. It's gorgeous!