We – Eva and I – are newly minted members and owners of Frances Josephine, a Victoria-built short coach roof cutter.
We bought her from Tobias and Gaby (member name josephine), in Kiel, Germany.
Eva is working as a textile conservator at the Museum of Applied Arts Vienna and I am a self-employed industrial designer specialized in sporting goods and with a qualification as a boat builder.
We are planning to sail Frances Josephine from Kiel to Oslo, Norway this summer, with the possibility of extending our trip towards the Canaries or Cabo Verde to put her in position for a circumnavigation.
But first we want to prepare her a little more, for this Herculean task.
As far as I can tell, the keel has been deepened by 15 cm, the forefoot prolonged and the rudder blade surface slightly increased, to close the gap to the keel. Also the lower hinge was laminated instead of screwed in.
She got her bowsprit deck attachment changed and significantly shortened to increase foredeck space and the lower fixing points of the roller Genoa and the working jib brought slightly towards the mast.
Also the main winches (nice and shiny Andersens) got a new, more sturdy attachment flange and the fore winches were moved on top of the coach roof.
Some things we want to tackle in the near future:
Reinstalling the hob. We're not sure whether to reuse the existing gas-installation or use white petrol. Gas would have the advantage of a possible oven and an outdoor grill, with only one source. We would want to use white petrol for the Petromax anchor lantern and some of the interior lighting though. We will also reinstall a wood stove, for those Scandinavian summer evenings.
We also want to reinstall a pump toilet again and find a solution for a cool box or compartment.
Opinions and arguments are very much appreciated!
We would also like to revise the electrics, install a secure shore connection and add a solar panel for LED-lights, iPad, radio, sattelite phone and AIS.
