When we started this restoration project the plan was to keep this boat in Key West and take her to the Tortugas and Bahamas. The more we invested and worked on this boat, the more obvious her shortcomings, and ours became. We needed to do more to ensure our comfort onboard than we were willing to invest, while we were also very reluctant to give our "sweat equity" away.
For instance, boarding the dinghy across the stern of "Tango" involves climbing down the round rungs of the swim ladder. Not a big deal at the dock, but hazardous with any kind of wave action.
Handling the anchor and chain, was going to require that I install a windlass with another round of structural and electrical modifications.
Finally a rigging inspection revealed major corrosion damage to the rig. Coupled with a 30 year-old fuller that was never installed properly, and the task became overwhelming.
A further complication is that Micky was very unhappy with the sleeping arrangements on the boat. The Vee-berth is too cumbersome and high, the aft berth too stuffy, so we had to make the dinette into a bunk every night.
These are not big problems on a lake boat that used on weekends, but not so good on a coastal cruiser.
Our solution is to get the largest, competent cruiser that the local rules will allow into our slip at Boca Chica. Several boats fit that bill, one is a Hunter 36 from 2003 onward. The Vee-berth is great for guests Micky likes the dinette, and the aft stateroom has a queen bed running athwartship.
So we are changing boats, but not giving up "Tango".
Here are some of the changes we've accomplished.
The interior was well-used.
Not the stylish, comfy space we have created.
The thing I had the most impact on was the engine which went from a rusted, overheating, unreliable lump of iron.
To a very clean and shiny piece of clockwork.
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