Successful Sea Trial!

I’m typing the beginning of this post from the Little Bahama Bank. We’re flying along at 9.3 knots after slowing down to dodge a thunder storm that stood between us and Stuart. We have John, our commissioning manager and Chris, one of our commissioning techs with us. This is our final sea trial, a two day trip to test all systems and assuage our concerns over a difficult 6 month commissioning process.

Heading Out

We left Stuart, FL around 7:30am yesterday and cruised about 11 hours to the Bahama Bank. It was a gorgeous, hot day. We had calm seas across the gulf stream and bathwater on the bank. There were hardly any boats out on the bank other than some lobster fisherman. We anchored on the bank, put out the flopper stoppers, retrieved the flopper stoppers, grilled dinner, stared at fish in the underwater lights off the transom and spent our first night at anchor. It was great!

Crossing the gulf stream

We learned a lot from the trial and were able to test several systems. Blossom ran like a dream and our temporary four blade prop performed well. (I’m sure Martin will post in the near future on some of the technical issues that we’ve encountered). John ran the boat from the fly bridge and it confirmed that we made the right decision for us in getting the hard top flybridge with a side seat. It was very comfortable underway with all of us up top. We could have easily had a couple more people along for the ride. It was also the perfect space to enjoy a cocktail and watch the sun go down.

Anchored on the Bank

 We learned that we’re going to need to practice the heck out of deploying the flopper stoppers! For friends who don’t know what flopper stoppers are, they’re wing-like poles that stick out at a 90 degree angle from each side of the boat. You hang large metal “fish” from them that are hinged. The system is designed to reduce rocking and rolling at anchor. This involved several ropes and a very coordinated effort.

Deploying port flopper stopper

Skip Jack Tuna

We also had a beginner lesson fishing. We bought 2 fishing poles and some lures and Chris set out to show us how to do it. We caught a 12 inch Bonita on the way out and a 10 lb skip jack tuna on the way back. Not great eating, both were released and we enjoyed hamburgers for dinner. We used one of the two water makers for a few hours and added to our 600 gallon tank. No military showers aboard Blossom! We practiced anchoring, which is a bit different from our former boat, Lucky, with automatic (as well as manual) chain counters and releases, and a blasting salt water wash down. Our Ultra anchor set like a dream. On our way back over the gulf, we emptied our gray and black tanks, another system check.

It’s windy today as we head back with some thunderheads forming and reforming along the horizon. We’re all a little tired, having spent a very hot night on the boat. In hindsight, we should have run the gen and turned on the AC. Martin and I have some left over hang-ups from Lucky that we need to get past. Like running the gen at night was unthinkable because it was so loud. That’s not true on Blossom and we all would have had a much better night sleep had we just run the AC. Lesson learned.

I also used this trip to test the transdermal patch. I’m very prone to sea sickness, especially if I haven’t been aboard a boat in a while. I was useless on the last sea trial as all I could do was stare intently at the horizon and hope not to have to make an emergency run to the cockpit. Miserable. This trip I've had no problem at all. Granted, the seas have been very calm but I spent 3 hours below, comfortably, in mildly lumpy conditions that would normally send me into a cold sweat. And it didn't make me tired. Definitely an example of better living through chemistry!

I've been noting things down for the past two days and have quite a list compiled. We’ll spend the weekend organizing, arranging, moving and completing some of the dozens of tasks that we've identified need to be done. We have a few things to work on before we head out, most serious is that our Simrad autopilot is not functioning on the fly bridge, (but it’s fine in the pilot house). Our electrician is coming Monday to sort that out. We’ll have put approximately 22 hours on the engine during this trip.

The boat has performed fabulously. John says that he can’t believe how fast she is, he thinks she runs about a half knot faster than the norm for an N60. Maybe it’s because of the bustle we had added under her swim platform to prevent it from slapping - that extended her length at the water line by a bit. The longer a boat is, the faster her hull speed.  We’re not sure, but it’s a good thing and nice to see 9+ knots.

We plan to take ownership of the boat next week and then we can formally move aboard and begin more intensive training. We still have lots of details to finalize but our general plan (such that it is – boat plans being written in sand and all that…) is to head north the week of the 18th with the ultimate goal of meeting up with our friends Sean & Louise - check out their blog - with whom we’ll be cruising. We can’t wait!!!

As I close this entry, we’re hanging out off the coast of Stuart. We made such good time that we have time to chill out wait for high tide. Conveniently, we are also trying to wait out a big thunderstorm that’s hovering over Stuart. Chips, salsa, breeze on the fly bridge and calm water. Life is good and Blossom is amazing :)

One last picture, this was our welcome home sunset in Stuart.

Oh so close... (picture heavy)

I must apologize to the handful of you out there who've actually been waiting for this post. I went to the yard, along with Jeff Merrill (our salesman) and Steve D'Antonio (Systems Engineer extraordinaire) a few weeks ago for the final yard inspection. Since I got back I haven't been home for more than a couple of days in a row and other "life-stuff" got in the way of my putting up this post. We got back yesterday from the Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS). It was a very productive week in Florida and I'll discuss all the things we accomplished in preparation for commissioning in a later post. While at FLIBS we were able to see the latest 60 to cast off the commissioning dock - Chopin - and she's a beautiful boat. It only amplified our anticipation even more!

Back to the trip!

Before I walk through Blossom note that all the pictures are clickable for a larger version. If you've any questions or comments on what we've done - or why, please don't be shy to ask. We're proud of what Blossom is becoming and almost everything in her has been the result of much discussion and consideration.

This is also a very picture heavy, with over 200 in here, so I'm not going to start any until after the jump. Those of you that are bandwidth impaired be warned!

To Blossom!

Build Update

We're in the final stretch! In less than two weeks I fly out to Xiamen, along with Steve D'Antonio, for a final yard inspection. Last time I was there - mid July - the estimate for completion at the yard was the end of October. These photos are about two weeks old, so show Blossom with an estimated 6 weeks of work to be done. It's hard to tell whether that's still a good estimate or not. There's still some very big things missing - stack? - but we've already seen just how quickly the yard can work when the man power is allocated. You can see in the pictures below just how many workers are on the boat.

Pilot House

The main breaker panel is almost completed, which implies most of the wiring is probably done. Windows are in and the settee is built out.

Day head sink is in. Still no tile on the floor, port light in the window or toilet.

Another shot of the day head.

This shot clearly shows where the finished work work is covered with bubble wrap for protection.

The helm. When Blossom is commissioned, those white gaps above and below the windows will be covered with dials, gauges and screens.

A shot of the settee. 55/60 aficionados will detect the slight widening of the seat by the commensurate narrowing of the foot landing. Just a few inches in seat depth can make all the difference in comfort. 

Even the seat base boards have matching wood grain.

Tea Station (aka Captains Cabin)

Looking aft over the settee. The granite is in and they've started to prep for the wall covering.

View of the bed. Wide enough for a single, it's now more of a couch.

The Miele Speed Oven (microwave/convection combination)

Looking forward, the Vitrofrigo drawer fridge is in. Flush handles allow the drawers under the bed to open. Two drawers and a locker for supplies.

This shot, looking starboard, shows that there's going to be plenty of room to make tea :-)

Salon

Looking aft we can see that the windows are in, walls are prepped and the starboard aft cabinets are built. There was a lot of discussion about the difference in width between the upper and lower cabinets. Turned out OK. Scott - you were right. Again. :-)

Looking forward. We finally see what our changes have wrought and we're very happy!

Portside. Ready for the couch.

Starboard. Two Ekornes chairs and a table between them.

Stairs up to the pilot house. A sliding drawer under here for more storage. Note the notch in the wall to the left of the stairs? Another tweak to improve the open feeling. The stairs heading down to the utility room aren't quite so dark.

Galley

Tiled floor going in. So far the only appliance installed is the fridge/freezer. I presume the rest will go in after the tiling is finished.

Another shot of the floor. I really like the look. Great job Scott and Steph!

Counter top showing the fiddles protecting the wood around the stack. Backsplash tiles still to go in.

The locker on the left is called the "Spice Rack" by Nordhavn. We're going to rename it the "Sodastream cubby"

We really gained a lot of storage by not installing a microwave in the forward cabinets. Not needed as the oven will be another Miele Speed Oven. The cooktop is going to be induction. The angled corner cabinet is large enough to hold a full dinner service.

I'm hoping that the yard will be swapping the bucket for a trash compacter :-)

Master Stateroom and head

Looking good! Anyone notice the projector box?

The valance will hide the screen for the projector

A large mirror should help open the space out.

Close up of the projector box.

Sink in the master head. The counter top looks massive!

Nearly ready for the wall covering

Master shower is tiled and hardware is going in.

Tiled. Note the extra two drains foward? If Blossom is ever a little bow heavy, the shower will still drain.

VIP Stateroom and head

Looking forward. Some wall covering, a few doors and drawers (which have already been built) and this room will be done.

Steph's sewing table. Note the cutout for the sewing machine. The locker on the right is storage for the machine.

We widened the guest bed as much as we could. Note the small shelf outboard that will act as an end table.

Not much in the way of inset panels in this stateroom. The locker doors and drawers have the only panels.

The extra port light and the wall covering will really brighten up this room.

Steph is really happy with the natural light over her workspace.

Nearly done. Just the backsplash to go.

Shower locker

Seat and another locker in the shower.

More storage under the stairs between the guest stateroom and the pilot house.

Cockpit

The salon dutch door is installed - windows upper and lower. I'm happy to see that the davit standpipe is very stealth. Find it if you can!

It's a little obscured by a cover, but you can just make out the stern capstan hiding inside the cockpit seating. Look through the hole on the right!

Boat Deck

Not sure what I'm seeing here. This is the walkway beside the pilot house on the port side. Vent exhausts, perhaps?

Davit is installed and they've started to install the rails.

No ladder to the flybridge either. Hopefully it'll be added soon after the rails.

Utility Room

I'm not seeing much change in the utility room, though it's pretty much finished.

Bilge pump?

The custom locker is looking good. A nice place to store ear defenders and engine room checklists.

Engine Room

Nice shot of the main engine

The bank of valves is the send manifold.

The fuel return manifold

Wing engine

This space will end up being used for storage.

The hydraulics have been fully plumbed. This is the remaining valves and sensors needed that the monobloc couldn't hold.

Generator on the right, wing on the left.

Main transmission and clutched hydraulic PTO

Lazerette

Machinery getting installed.

Battery switches on the left. Battery box straight ahead.

There's a dive compressor under all that cardboard.

It looks like the watermaker has been installed.

So Blossom is getting there. Expect lots of pictures in a few weeks!