The definition of an engineer (among engineers) is; An engineer does with $1 what any dufus can do with $2. You, young James, are an engineer+ ... I so decree.
Ahh Gary you are a legend. That literally just made our entire week. And speaking as James answering here…I completely agree with your feedback on Nats. Without her, probably would have driven this tub onto a rock by now. Hahaha
Great job! I love the idea of the extended swimming deck! Could I get some additional details please! What was the core you used for it (dimensions, specifications, supplier, ...)? Also I assume you must have in-beaded the hinges directly into the glas fiber? Would you have additional pictures?
My God, she's a brand new Beneteau, love the cabin floor and galley counter top. You 2 were very, very busy, she really looks beautiful. Hope the dogs enjoy your hard work. Now, the sailing resumes and we can't wait for future episodes. Enjoy, and thank you so much for sharing your new home.
Love it! Beautiful home. I did the same to our steering wheel on Tova AND we put the same head sink faucets in both of our….we love them and they look so fancy.
Thanks 😊 yeah those sinks are amazing and I’m glad you did some paracording on the wheels! I think they are def holding up better than the leather…but time will tell! Thanks for watching! Where are u guys off to next?
Well done your Boat is looking great love the carpet on the Companionway too, and do prefer its look to a cheap grippy option of adding washed and dried sand (to get rid of any salt) to coats of varnish as an effective non slip. tbh I have gone right off having any timber on deck - though love the look, I just can't do that sort of maintenence any longer, being a disabled and officially an old fart now, .i used to love doing it - Walmart were the cheapest place to get Teak Oil by a very large anount, still great Teak food, but darker, and darker is not what you want getting heated up by the Sun. Well I think it was three times the price at West Marine, for a Golden Teak Oil, and for Teak Food, guessed it would be nicer, and didn't disappoint. Varnish and real wood above Deck are really a Make Work items, and it is feeding that wood is what really matters to me anyway. For my ne t Sailboat, Side Decks and cabin roof will be White non slip to reflect heat as much as possible, and synthetic Teak for Seat tops, Cockpit sole and Bathing platform/sugar scoop For easy cleaning and maintenance, and side deck toe rail Hull / Deck Join strong GRP to boost Stiffness and reduce maintenance. It is looking difficult to get a new Sailboat with a shallow enough Draft and single rudder built New by Builders formerly at the top of my list - being disabled, there are cusfomisations I need, that are far cheaper built into a new build , and really can end up cheaper than extensively modifying a secondhand boat, as accommodating disabilities don't come free , understandably, and right now, the closest starting point with lots of the boxes of what I need a,ready ticked in a Basically standard specification Sailboat Ready to Sail away, is by Island Packet. If not disabled and still able to Sail Solo, the 349 would be great, but for insurance purposes, I need a professional Skipper Plus Crew to accommodate in Comfort, plus me, plus a good secure Galley, plus plenty of Fuel, Water, and House Bank Battery Storage plus Rigid Dodger and Rigid Arch for Solar Panels and Davits, I think It's going to take the 5ft Draft IP 439 to fit it all in. Now I just need the Piggybank to fill up lol. Keep up the Grreat Work. Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob. 👍⛵️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
Thanks Bob for commenting and all the great top tips. So happy you are looking for a boat…we like the island packet boats…seen a few around. Not sure how it works for insurance reasons in the USA…but some people we have spoken to only have the professional skipper on their boat for a couple of weeks until they sign you off and then insurance company should be good to go from there! I hope you find something out there…let us know if we can help with any info! Excited for you! There’s also a ton of second hand boats in panama….just sitting waiting for owners! Thanks for watching hope to see you out on the water soon
Love what you've done so far. As you know, it never really ends. You just take little breaks from it when you can.😂 One suggestion, Get some chaps on your new tender ASAP. If for no other reason, because they are cheaper to replace than a sun burned dinghy with patches. 😉 Fair Winds from the Northern Gulf of Mexico 🙏🙋♂️
Great tour. Love how you are taking a production boat and making it a custom yacht that is designed for your travels. I do have a question on the LiPo batteries. Did you have any trouble with your insurance company when you made the upgrade? I heard from others that their insurance companies were less than thrilled with the conversion. Thoughts?
Good eye! No we didn’t….thankfully there’s still enough light when the platform is up but we have had to rig a temporary light for the moment….James is going to reinstall higher at some point! Ahh the never ending boat projects! Cheers for watching
So much work, impressive. Although you have a very good solar installation, have you changed something on the alternator to efficiently charge the lithium batteries when you are motoring?
Everything looks amazing! Great work! I do have a question. I see you have some nice hat storage right outside your main head. What is holding your hats on the wall? I need to do that on our boat! Thank you for any information
Hi Marisa - thank you so much. We are loving the space now. Ahh the hat wall. It’s actually a vertical handrail installed by Beneteau. It’s a strange spot for it so it became the hat rack.
Hey Jan! Thanks for watching the video! Luckily we don’t have a generator on board! We run everything off our solar including the water maker! Thanks for watching!
Hey beingme2345 - appreciate the love and thanks for watching. Great question. We have found that in the past when people have sent us things, they usually reach out before and ask where we will be in a couple weeks and we usually give a marina address as they don't mind cruisers forwarding mail. (even though we don't stay in the marina). Have an incredible day!
@@SailingZephyr Would you use an alternative made for voyagers? Instead of sending you the item, you would receive the money from purchases. So, if someone bought you the $80 Dive Mask, you would receive $80.
Hi guys, did you get a sailing licence before starting this adventure? I live in Europe and here are crazy rules for ocean licence, i mean you have to have 4 years experience before taking the ocean course and get that licence
I recently sailed on a Beneteau 40 out of Miami what a terrible sailing boat, the thing was all over the ocean, no way to sail a straight course, Ilooked up the specs, my 28' on deck Bristol Channel Cutter has 5 less sq feet of sail but is much more stable and steers like it's on railroad tracks, and the comfort ratio of the 40 is 26.33 while the Cutter comes in at a much more comfortable 37.20, the Beneteau would be more comfortable in the harbor, maybe that's where they should stay
We are sorry to hear that your experience sailing on a Beneteau wasn't great. There are certainly all types of boats with different comfort levels. We have found no issues with ours in terms of comfort in all types of conditions from downright horrible scary to flat water with 15kts true. She sails straight with ease. And even int he most extreme of conditions has never felt anything but completely safe. We do sail conservatively, and would rather be a knot slower and a whole lot more comfortable. fair winds.
loved this video! your home is awesome
Glad you liked it chilli
The definition of an engineer (among engineers) is; An engineer does with $1 what any dufus can do with $2. You, young James, are an engineer+ ... I so decree.
Goes without saying Nat is still the brains & beauty.
Ahh Gary you are a legend. That literally just made our entire week. And speaking as James answering here…I completely agree with your feedback on Nats. Without her, probably would have driven this tub onto a rock by now. Hahaha
Looks nicer😊
Appreciate the love
Love the floors, we have a Beneteau 440 and I hate our floors, they just make it so dark inside.
Totally agree. Hit up Home Depot and check out the stick on tiles. 👍
very nice upgrades guys
Thanks Paul
Thanks for the shout out guys! Your boat is beautiful!!!
Love you guys
Awesome!
DYI Home Makeover, new Car, Awesome! BEST addition ever Flint and Kiera (spelling?) priceless!
You know it Freddy! They are the top upgrade to our lives
Great job! I love the idea of the extended swimming deck! Could I get some additional details please! What was the core you used for it (dimensions, specifications, supplier, ...)? Also I assume you must have in-beaded the hinges directly into the glas fiber? Would you have additional pictures?
My God, she's a brand new Beneteau, love the cabin floor and galley counter top. You 2 were very, very busy, she really looks beautiful. Hope the dogs enjoy your hard work. Now, the sailing resumes and we can't wait for future episodes. Enjoy, and thank you so much for sharing your new home.
Thanks David. We are so happy with everything. Appreciate the love. 👍
Love it! Beautiful home. I did the same to our steering wheel on Tova AND we put the same head sink faucets in both of our….we love them and they look so fancy.
Thanks 😊 yeah those sinks are amazing and I’m glad you did some paracording on the wheels! I think they are def holding up better than the leather…but time will tell! Thanks for watching! Where are u guys off to next?
@@SailingZephyr we are headed out Sunday to Long Island! Excited to check it out
The boat looks great guys. The view from stair way into the salon is the best the flooring pulls it all together.
Thanks Harvey
Love what you've done on Zephyr. Sail safe
Your boat looks great
Looks great!❤
Love the improvements-the changes -the countertops-the flooring-looks like you 2 did everything right !!
You guys did such an amazing job! Zephyr looks beautiful!
Big thanks to you amazing people. 👍
You four look so very happy!!! Love what you have done with the place 😊.
Thank you
Looks nice. waiting for some sailing adventures now.
If you are happy and the boat is safer and more functional, I say, "Job, well done!!
Thanks Judy
Wow ❣️ well done. Best of luck, stay safe and looking forward to your updates.
Thanks Carolina! Glad you enjoyed the vid
What a transformation! Love all the work you've done. Also love your two beautiful stowaway puppers. Thanks for sharing with us. All the best...
Thanks Steve. Appreciate the love. 👍
Your boat looks fabulous! 😊
Thanks Karen. It’s definitely turning into a home. ❤️
Love u guys. The boat is looking fantastic. Looking forward for more adventures with u and the pups.
Thanks Gary
You get a 9.9 out of ten 😊
haha. Appreciate the love and high scores.
Well done your Boat is looking great love the carpet on the Companionway too, and do prefer its look to a cheap grippy option of adding washed and dried sand (to get rid of any salt) to coats of varnish as an effective non slip. tbh I have gone right off having any timber on deck - though love the look, I just can't do that sort of maintenence any longer, being a disabled and officially an old fart now, .i used to love doing it - Walmart were the cheapest place to get Teak Oil by a very large anount, still great Teak food, but darker, and darker is not what you want getting heated up by the Sun. Well I think it was three times the price at West Marine, for a Golden Teak Oil, and for Teak Food, guessed it would be nicer, and didn't disappoint. Varnish and real wood above Deck are really a Make Work items, and it is feeding that wood is what really matters to me anyway. For my ne t Sailboat, Side Decks and cabin roof will be White non slip to reflect heat as much as possible, and synthetic Teak for Seat tops, Cockpit sole and Bathing platform/sugar scoop For easy cleaning and maintenance, and side deck toe rail Hull / Deck Join strong GRP to boost Stiffness and reduce maintenance. It is looking difficult to get a new Sailboat with a shallow enough Draft and single rudder built New by Builders formerly at the top of my list - being disabled, there are cusfomisations I need, that are far cheaper built into a new build , and really can end up cheaper than extensively modifying a secondhand boat, as accommodating disabilities don't come free , understandably, and right now, the closest starting point with lots of the boxes of what I need a,ready ticked in a Basically standard specification Sailboat Ready to Sail away, is by Island Packet. If not disabled and still able to Sail Solo, the 349 would be great, but for insurance purposes, I need a professional Skipper Plus Crew to accommodate in Comfort, plus me, plus a good secure Galley, plus plenty of Fuel, Water, and House Bank Battery Storage plus Rigid Dodger and Rigid Arch for Solar Panels and Davits, I think It's going to take the 5ft Draft IP 439 to fit it all in. Now I just need the Piggybank to fill up lol. Keep up the Grreat Work. Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob. 👍⛵️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
Thanks Bob for commenting and all the great top tips. So happy you are looking for a boat…we like the island packet boats…seen a few around. Not sure how it works for insurance reasons in the USA…but some people we have spoken to only have the professional skipper on their boat for a couple of weeks until they sign you off and then insurance company should be good to go from there! I hope you find something out there…let us know if we can help with any info! Excited for you! There’s also a ton of second hand boats in panama….just sitting waiting for owners! Thanks for watching hope to see you out on the water soon
Looks great
Good job!! Beautiful boat!!
Love what you've done so far. As you know, it never really ends. You just take little breaks from it when you can.😂 One suggestion, Get some chaps on your new tender ASAP. If for no other reason, because they are cheaper to replace than a sun burned dinghy with patches. 😉
Fair Winds from the Northern Gulf of Mexico 🙏🙋♂️
Thanks Mike! You are totally right about the chaps…we have been looking into it…no luck just yet! Wish we were better at sewing…but no luck there!
Awesome
Nice boat 👍
Thanks 👍 it sure is! We love old Zeph!
Great tour. Love how you are taking a production boat and making it a custom yacht that is designed for your travels. I do have a question on the LiPo batteries. Did you have any trouble with your insurance company when you made the upgrade? I heard from others that their insurance companies were less than thrilled with the conversion. Thoughts?
Thanks Tim. We had no issue at all. I think it depends on your insurance company though. We use TopSail and have had great service.
I noticed that you covered your stern light with the swimming platform. Did you install an additional light on the stern?
Good eye! No we didn’t….thankfully there’s still enough light when the platform is up but we have had to rig a temporary light for the moment….James is going to reinstall higher at some point! Ahh the never ending boat projects! Cheers for watching
you have done so much work! you deserve a rest!
Thank you!
So much work, impressive. Although you have a very good solar installation, have you changed something on the alternator to efficiently charge the lithium batteries when you are motoring?
Unfortunately we haven't added a larger alternator. So charging via alternator is still capped at 30amps. Maybe in the future.
Everything looks amazing! Great work! I do have a question. I see you have some nice hat storage right outside your main head. What is holding your hats on the wall? I need to do that on our boat! Thank you for any information
Hi Marisa - thank you so much. We are loving the space now. Ahh the hat wall. It’s actually a vertical handrail installed by Beneteau. It’s a strange spot for it so it became the hat rack.
@@SailingZephyr thanks for the information- I would not have guessed it was a handrail!
teşekkürler.
Great stuff guys, did you replace your Spray Dodger also?
Great Job you guys!
I have used SEMCO Teak Sealer for years on my Beneteau 40 teak. Check it out..
Fair Winds,
Chris
Thanks Chris! Yeah will check it out…I’m going to have to do something about it soon…just delaying for now! Haha
Some people say that after installing Lithium - the generator gets terrible warm...
Hey Jan! Thanks for watching the video! Luckily we don’t have a generator on board! We run everything off our solar including the water maker! Thanks for watching!
@@SailingZephyr No generator on the engine?
❤❤
How do you receive wishlist gifts while you are travelling?
Hey beingme2345 - appreciate the love and thanks for watching. Great question. We have found that in the past when people have sent us things, they usually reach out before and ask where we will be in a couple weeks and we usually give a marina address as they don't mind cruisers forwarding mail. (even though we don't stay in the marina). Have an incredible day!
@@SailingZephyr Would you use an alternative made for voyagers? Instead of sending you the item, you would receive the money from purchases. So, if someone bought you the $80 Dive Mask, you would receive $80.
Hi guys, did you get a sailing licence before starting this adventure? I live in Europe and here are crazy rules for ocean licence, i mean you have to have 4 years experience before taking the ocean course and get that licence
Hello…we did…we have general boating license from Australia.
Yes, every country has different rules…I know Europe is particularly picky with the license. Where are u located?
I'm in Romania and i was thinking of getting the licence elswere so i can not wait so much for the general one, thanks for your answer
With all those marvelous improvements I hope you get to enjoy the 20% portion of boat ownership.
Soon to be selling the boat video..?😉🙂
😃👍👍👍❤
♥️♥️🥰🥰
Appreciate the love
I recently sailed on a Beneteau 40 out of Miami what a terrible sailing boat, the thing was all over the ocean, no way to sail a straight course, Ilooked up the specs, my 28' on deck Bristol Channel Cutter has 5 less sq feet of sail but is much more stable and steers like it's on railroad tracks, and the comfort ratio of the 40 is 26.33 while the Cutter comes in at a much more comfortable 37.20, the Beneteau would be more comfortable in the harbor, maybe that's where they should stay
We are sorry to hear that your experience sailing on a Beneteau wasn't great. There are certainly all types of boats with different comfort levels. We have found no issues with ours in terms of comfort in all types of conditions from downright horrible scary to flat water with 15kts true. She sails straight with ease. And even int he most extreme of conditions has never felt anything but completely safe. We do sail conservatively, and would rather be a knot slower and a whole lot more comfortable. fair winds.
Boat is looking good, but this camera lens view, yeah don't use it again, it was almost hard to watch