In true first time new home owner exuberance I began immediately to change Bonita to suit my housing needs and aesthetics. She became "The Puzzle Boat" where everything has a place (in theory).

With the old outboard I couldn't see over the cabintop and could only steer by hanging over the stern. I rigged a remote in the cockpit (seen with blue covers on cables and grip). Also added a bigger scupper as the little ones fill with dog hair. Right: A wooden fuel cover that doubles as a princess perch with cup holder.

Also in the picture is the replaced hatch cover, added solar fan, removable hatch screen, windlass, Samson Post, jib bag, and anchor roller. The underside of the old stovepipe hole is capped with a deckplate that can be screwed in if it's too cold or wet for the vent to help.

Added a dorade box to vent the main cabin through a former stovepipe hole that had proven drippy.

After: It turns out the existing doorway was also mahogany and the woods matched. The stainless steel hinge pins allow the doors to be removed easily and stowed when underway. The tinted plexiglass can also be removed and screen put in. The former drawer handles are cute but won't last.

This change has been the greatest improvement thus far in my Live Aboard lifestyle.

Before: my doors were once a custom optometrist desk I'd used for 15 years.

Before

After

Removing the large table turned out to make a huge difference in space. The small fold out table from OSH hangs on the wall when not in use. I added a magazine rack and wall rack and a thriving Lucky Bamboo plant. The changes made the salon area much more inviting.

Before

And after
with a plate trap wall between
galley and dining to contain dishes.

 

I repainted the home port on the stern to read
Brattleboro VT

 

And gave her an eye at the bow - this particular eye is a West African Adinkra symbol

Every scrap of wallspace is useful.

A wooden inbox that belonged to my grandfather became a bookshelf bound by a marlinspike sailor braid and a wooden toggle, mounted in an unused odd corner.

Hand-sewn custom boat tent makes not only a great sunshade but also a terrific rain cover. Sturdy enough to hold up in high winds, easy to put up and take down, and visually cheerful. It took a long time to sew it but it has been well worth every second.