Flybridge Seating Arrives, Aft Deck Gets New Sunscreens

In my last posting, our dinghy was ailing. On Monday morning I called Suncoast Inflatables, a company recommended to us by our F-Dock neighbors. By Monday afternoon, they had picked up the little boat and she was on her way to the "Dink Doctor". While in for re-laminating, they are also going to do a thorough engine tune-up. So when she comes back, she will be as good as new!
Today we received the seating components we had ordered for our flybridge. Now we can actually seat more than the two of us up there. Once we add a table to the center of the seating area, we will be able to serve cocktails and light meals up there. We're also having a custom deck box made for the flybridge which will hold our existing ice-maker and drinks fridge. It should arrive any day now.
I'm also including two photos of the sunscreens we had installed last week around three sides of the aft deck. They are made of a high-grade plastic mesh material, which is very effective in creating shade without stopping air from circulating. They are designed to enclose the entire aft deck, but sections can be unzipped and rolled up to accommodate weather conditions, to provide privacy, or to create the view we want. Last night, for example, we had dinner in this space, even though it was raining steadily. Since the rain was coming from the east, and the aft deck faces west, we were able to roll up the curtains at the rear, and dine while watching the rain and a spectacular sunset!

On Monday, the custom linens for the V-Berth and VIP Staterooms should be delivered. Susan was able to buy standard linens, and the seamstress alters them to fit the unique shapes of the mattresses. She also makes a pattern for us, so Susan could use it in the future for new linens whenever necessary. We did keep Susan's sewing machine. She plans to make throw pillows from terrycloth for the flybridge seating area.

We've been looking for a licensed captain to assist us in our initial shakedown cruise. We finally found not one, but two! They are a retired couple who operate from this area. They're a bit younger than we are, but have a LOT of cruising experience. They spent three months cruising in the Bahamas this past year, for example. They do a lot of new and used boat deliveries for the Mainship and Luhrs Yacht dealers in this area. We will begin working with them the first week of October, and expect to leave Bradenton October 15th. They will be aboard with us for the first week, which should be enough for us to be in the Ft. Lauderdale area, and well on our way to Georgia.

Tomorrow, the wallpaper will begin going up! We've been patiently waiting for the installer to finish another project so he could begin our work.
Next week, we should have the new galley cabinet doors installed.
Once the Zodiac is back from the "dink doctor", we will feel much more ready to take the next step: Starting the engines!