North Star has been going through a major refit. In this blog entry I (Ken) talk about our cruising plans, showcase a recent checkout run on the boat, and talk about crane replacement, re-inventing the HVAC system on the boat, and installing a type II MSD (Marine Sanitation Device). And, if you stay to the end, there is a special surprise!.
Mechanical / Electrical
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– Replaced hydraulic stabilizers with zero-speed electric
– Replaced 18kW genset with 30kW (required upsizing to 4″ exhaust through-hull)
– Replaced Tijssen genset control system with DEIF seamless transfer
– Replaced Tijssen monitoring system with Maretron
– Repaired Atlas shorepower converter
– Added shorepower transformer (480v, 240v, & 208v)
– Cleaned out and inspected fuel tanks
– Replaced domestic water heaters/tanks (2)
– Replaced main engine exhausts, mufflers, and lagging
– Major upgrades to electrical system capacity
– Added second watermaker
– Added SpotZero water purifier
– Added custom watermaker mounting rack
– Replaced battery banks (4) and cables
– Added custom battery storage rack
– Removed Glendinning shore-power manager
– Added quick-connect shore-power inlet box & selector
– Added shore-power connectors and extension
– Added dock-water inlet on transom
– Added water spigot on transom
– Rewired all bilge pumps, switches, and alarms
– Repaired anchor sump pump
– Replaced engine battery bank charger with Victron
– Replaced house battery charger with Victron inverter/chargers
– Replaced engine alternators with high-output units
– Replaced clean lube oil pump
– Repaired Alfa Laval fuel polisher
– Added pressure gauges to transmissions
– Replaced all exhaust hoses with high-heat versions
– Added heat shields to Racor bowls
– Repaired bilge pump suction manifold
– Replaced galvanic corrosion monitor
– Added genset and water-maker controls in bridge
– Replaced 40kW genset control unit with modern unit
– Replaced engine room sink sump box
– Replaced HVAC/water-maker seawater strainers (2)
– Replaced HVAC raw water pump
– Added smart battery switches
– Added plumbing for future hot tub heat exchanger
– Added 12kW electric instant hot water heater
– Repaired domestic water pumps
– Replaced domestic water filters
– Opened, inspected, and repaired black-water tanks
– Repaired water transfer pumps
– Replaced domestic hot water mixing valve and plumbing
– Added hot water plumbing for guest washing machine
– Added ventilation for aft tech space
– Replaced grey-water pump
– Added lock-out for black-water discharge
– Serviced/repaired anchor windlass/capstan
– Replaced anchor windlass/capstan remote
Navigation / Electronics
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– Replaced radars with Furuno (2)
– Replaced GPS with redundant units
– Replaced satellite compass and added backup
– Replaced VHF radios and antennas (2/4)
– Added Iridium GMDSS
– Replaced autopilot with redundant units
– Replaced class B AIS with class A AIS
– Replaced magnetic compass and added pedestal
– Replaced weather vane
– Replaced navigation monitors and PCs (bridge and flybridge)
– Added navigation monitors and PCs (captain’s cabin and salon)
– Added dedicated PC for camera system
– Added mast, sun deck, & lazarette cameras
– Replaced aft-deck camera with upgraded unit
– Replaced thruster joysticks with modern units (4)
– Replaced buttons into custom panels (start, stop, horn, alarm, etc)
– Replace nav lights with LED nav lights
– Replaced engine control heads (4)
– Replaced transducer with larger unit (hull modification needed)
– Replaced backup transducer
– Reinstalled YachtController wireless remote
– Restored wing station functionality
– Added dual starlink panels (new routers, access points, etc)
– Added redundant rudder indicators
– Replaced signal flag blocks and lines
– Replaced windshield wipers and control
– Added horn control unit
– Replaced horn air compressor and valve
Safety
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– Serviced all fire extinguishers and FM200 fixed system
– Added additional fire extinguishers
– Replaced ditch-kit
– Added handheld GPS and SAT phone emergency backups
– Added type 1 PFDs
– Serviced immersion suits
– Added additional immersion suits
– Replaced life rings, lights, and throw lines
– Replaced SOLAS markings throughout
– Replaced flares and smoke
– Serviced line-throwers
– Replaced EPIRB and housing
– Serviced life rafts (2)
– Added MedAire service and medical kits
– Replaced emergency lighting with LED
– Added alarm panel in crew mess
Interior
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– Replaced all interior lighting with LEDs, dimmable
– Replaced all accent lighting, dimmable
– Replaced all outlets, switches, and covers
– Added full wall mirror in master
– Repaired woodwork throughout
– Replaced counters in galley, fly bridge, aft-deck, and grill
– Replaced upholstery throughout
– Replaced window shades and coverings throughout
– Replaced mattresses throughout
– Replaced bedding throughout
– Replaced carpeting throughout
– Replaced upholstered wall panels throughout
– Added woven vinyl flooring in bridge, galley, salon
– Replaced wet bar in salon with desk
– Replaced galley seating with coffee bar
– Replaced helm chairs (pilot house and fly bridge)
– Added custom acrylic storage for all tableware
– Replaced cabinet pulls/latches
– Replaced and added TVs (5)
– Modified salon TV lift for larger TV and added stone top
– Replaced and added speakers throughout (10)
– Added wine cooler in salon
– Added ice maker in galley
– Replaced galley fridge/freezers (2)
– Replaced galley stovetop
– Replaced crew fridge
– Added crew freezer
– Added fridge in fly-bridge bar
– Replaced aft-deck bar fridge
– Added full size freezer in lazarette
– Replaced table in pilot house with larger
– Added artwork throughout
– Added mirror in day head
– Added Samsung Frame TV / art
– Replaced new furniture (chairs, couch, ottomen)
Exterior
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– Replaced shaft seals
– Replaced shaft cutlass bearings
– Pulled, metalized, and trued both prop shafts
– Pulled, metalized, and trued both props
– Added custom hot tub enclosure
– Added 4 person hot tub
– Painted topside hull and boot stripe
– Repaired and repainted bottom paint
– Repaired and touched up house paint
– Repaired and touched up caprail
– Added new lines, fenders, and fender hooks
– Added custom burgee and floor mats
– Regalvanized anchors
– Replaced anchor shackles and swivels
– Replaced anchor chain with 650′ stainless
– Added sun bed lounge chairs (2)
– Added Tucci umbrella
– Added BBQ grill in custom enclosure w/ countertop
– Added custom gas can storage rack (36gal)
– Adding new deck crane
– Replaced tender with 16′ RHIB
– Replaced and relocated bar stools
– Added backlit nameboard and logo
– Replaced ship’s bell with stainless w/ logo
– Added deck storage box
– Replaced table base on sun deck
– Added spare parts and matching storage boxes
– Repainted chain locker and various bilges
– Added chocks for new tender
– Replaced all exterior covers with custom