Great Loop & Cruising Adventure Blog

We never tire of going to boat shows and the Seattle Boat Show was no exception. This time though we spent most of our time looking at boat accessories for our new Fathom - blinds, drapes, bed coverings, electronics, etc. We also were able to visit with the OEM folks from Cummins, Northern Lights, Garmin and the company that makes EPIRB’s (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon). They were all able to help give us a better understanding of the products, service and warranties which will help us as we become familiar with these purchases and their usage on our new Fathom.
  

It’s hard to believe how quickly three months will fly by. That’s how long it has been since our new “Kismet” was started and today we were told that if all goes as planned she’ll splash on February 11th – two days ahead of schedule. We continue to be amazed at how many changes occure from one visit to the next. This weeks most noticeable changes were the installation of the rear salon door and window interior teak trim and cabinets, the beautiful granite countertop, in the galley, as well as the start of the rub rail and swim platform installation.


Top-right:  Galley countertop installation
Top-left/bottom-left & right: the start of the rub rail and swim platform installation.

There are a lot of important areas of a boat however two of the most important are the galley and head (kitchen and bathroom for you landlubbers). 
 
Top-left:  In this photo you are able to see the teak galley cabinets before the granite counter top has been installed. They’ve also set into place the electric 3-burner stove/oven and, like any construction project, you need to have some imagination as to what the final results will look like.
Top-right:  In this photo you can see a wooden stool to the left - this is not the toilet. If you look closely below the stool you will see that they have installed the toilet and they have also started to trim out the port windows before the cabinet, sink and medicine cabinet are installed. To the immediate right is where the shower and see thru shower door will be located. It’s exciting for us to be able to witness the progress, first hand, every week or so and with approximately 4 weeks to launch date things are progressing nicely. Most of the work in the final phase involves trim, finish work, electrical and plumbing. 

We have had some beautiful, sunny days here. Watching the sunset on Mount Rainier from Queen Anne Hill is like watching the sun set over the water in Key West.

There is an amazing scenic drive along the water toward Bellingham and we were fortunate to have another sunny day.

A fun day at the Fathom plant. On our latest visit to Fathom we were able to witness the culmination of 8 weeks of hard work come together to form what is starting to look like a boat.First we took the last photos of the hull’s interior before the deck was installed.

Top-left:  You’ll see the engine has been installed, the exhaust hooked up.

Top-right:  The generator.

Bottom-left:   The lazarette which houses the batteries, water tanks etc.

Bottom-right:  You can see the interior wall where the staterooms and head will be.

We took some photos of underneath the top deck mold and mast which was being worked on.

Top-left:  The underside of the bow and pilothouse.

Top-right:>  The underside of the bow where the anchor will go.

Bottom-left:  The underneath of the top deck - the salon which fits right over the engine room.

Bottom-right:  Working on the mast.

When we arrived Kismet was sitting side-by-side like this (above). To bring the hull and deck together required the work of about 15 technicians - all knowing what their responsibilities were and accomplishing the task in about 2.5 hours.

Above-left:  First they raised the deck up off of its work cradle as high as possible.

Above-right:  Then they moved the cradle out from underneath and took it outside.

Left:  The next step required moving the hull, which sets on a wheeled cradle, underneath of the top deck.

Right: After careful maneuvering, with only inches of clearance, it is in the position to start lowering the deck down onto the hull.

Top-left:  The final steps, of lowering the deck down  into the hull, were amazing. If you imagine a zig-saw puzzle and how all the pieces need to fit precisely this is how the these pieces needed to fit together.

Top-right:   Side view. They lowered the deck down into the hull with only a few minor adjustments.

Middle-left:  Bow fitting.

Middle-right:  Side view.

Bottom-left: Now the Fathom staff is making some trimming, adjustments, etc. to make sure everything fits exactly before lowering into place.

Bottom-right:  Happy owners.

Here are some shots of the interior after the deck is placed on the hull (below).