Work continues to progress well. Phil and Marcos have continued to make great progress and Valent is starting to come back together now and look like the boat that is going to become our home for 2 years. The new deck is now down and finished, the bowthruster installation is just about complete and work has started on getting the bottom ready for the new copper coat treatment. Inside, the electronics are being installed along with an general update of the wiring.
The great looking new deck 
New deck and new anchor chain
The chartplotter is in and Marcos and his team have made a smart new backboard to house the displays. In the afternoon we got the power on and inserted the new chip – and hey presto it all looks to work. Not only that, but I successfully linked the chartplotter to the ipad and sat on deck viewing and controlling the plotter. It was a wonderful sensation to get technology working correctly without too many wrong turns (i.e. once I stopped messing around with Bluetooth and set up a wifi connection it was all great). The radar will get added in once Valent is back in the water. We have also got the pedestal refitted with the new instrument displays.
From this 
to this 
A fully working chartplotter
The new house batteries arrived safely from the UK via Landrover courier transport (thanks to Alan) along with the Nav lights, life jackets and some safety electronics.
During the afternoon we managed to erect the old bimini, and whilst it was in better condition than we expected, the fittings are not robust and the structure feels as if it would collapse in a decent breeze, let alone 2 years sailing around the world. So the decision has been taken to replace the bimini and supporting structure rather than repair the existing. This will enable the new canvas to be made to accommodate the solar panels rather than trying to fit the panels into the existing structure. I have had a chat with the Jim at Sailfish Marine and the new 200W panels sound great.
So after all this great progress, we started talking dates…and we are looking to relaunch Valent on Tue 17 March and then carry out sea trials on the weekend of 21/22 March. The big jobs that need tp be completed before then are finishing prepping the bottom and then redoing the Coppercoat, receiving the new electronic winches and fitting and finishing the electrics. Loads more little jobs, oh, I forgot to mention the new kicker that we have also found we need. Lots to do, but she is definitely starting to look more like the boat we envisaged.
Hi,
Your job list is so similar to ours – But we have been doing ours for four years!! Like you we plan to head off soon, but still sooo much to do.
We had coppercoat and so far have been really pleased with it. Had haul out yesterday after one year in the water and almost clean….will post pictures on our blog in a few weeks.
Good luck with the rest of your preparations
Caron and Martin
Looking good. Any room for a little one if I find myself without employment following collapse of Flybe!?!
It would be great to have you on board. Always welcome.
Really nice to follow your progress!
Keep sending.
François