Many of our land-bound friends (LBFs) have expressed difficulty in understanding how we will be accomplishing this adventure on a boat. Some have asked; "Will you be staying in hotels?" and "Where will you eat?" To assist these landlubbers understand the boat on which we are cruising, we thought a description of the living spaces is in order.
Last Dance is a triple cabin cruising boat, often referred to as a "trawler." She resembles a shrimp boat or off-shore fishing boat. Arthur DeFever, who designed Last Dance, began as a designer for Pacific tuna trawlers. His designs always include capabilities to handle difficult waters. She is powered by two 6-cylinder diesel engines with a 3-cylinder diesel engine powering an electric generator. She is more like an entire city than a house as she has multiple power generating systems, waters systems, and sewage treatment systems.
The interior has all the comforts of home, a 2 bedroom, 2 bath home.
The galley (kitchen) has a double sink, stove, oven, refrigerator/freezer, microwave, and toaster oven. There is ample counter space for cooking and baking and, unlike some boats, is a "double butt" galley with room for two or more people to work together on preparing meals.
The aft head (bathroom) has a tub, shower, counter/sink with storage and, of course, that appliance with the same name as the room. The head (toilet) is much more complex than one found in a home. It is computerized with 4 types of flushes, can use salt water from under the boat, or fresh water from the boat's water supply. It is supplied water from two different pumps and has a pump/maserator for evacuating the contents. It is plumbed to a sewage treatment system, which is operated by another computer.
The salon (great room) serves as a combination living room and dining area. It has a high/low adjustable table that doubles in size with ample seating to serve dinner for 6. This space also contains the lower helm allowing the boat to be operated from this area.
The forward stateroom (2nd bedroom) has a V-berth, essentially two single beds arranged along the bow of the boat in a v shape. This stateroom has drawer and cubby storage and a standing locker. It has its own head (bathroom).
Hopefully, this description and photos will help those who are land bound better understand the floating home where we now live. A future post will describe the outdoor living spaces and the mechanics of this vessel.