The two most recent projects on BLISS are a complete repaint of the nonskid areas and building a permanent nav station.

The photos at the right display a "Before and After" treatment of the cockpit... the engine hatch is not standard equipment.

After I rebuilt the top end of the Volvo MD11C 25 hp diesel engine, the oil pump failed and the engine seized up. I decided to repower with a brand-new Volvo 2030 and cut the cockpit floor to "R&R" (remove and replace) the new motor. After seeing how convenient this access was, I built the hatch with a foam gasket and chrome/bronze latches. It's heavy alright, but that knocks engine noise way down. While I was repainting and sprinkling sand on the nonskid, I thought it might be nice to add the boat name to the hatch.

I hired the LPU spray painter in the yard (this all takes place at the Marina Seca boat yard in San Carlos. Mexico, March-May 2001) to shoot the hatch with white LPU after I had prepped it. That cost $10. Then I taped the logo and the edges of the hatch and did my non-skid number... looks good huh?

I know that many later Morgan 33 O/Is came with navigation stations from the builder. Mine did not... it came with a large and heavy teak hanging locker with heavy teak drawers. So I tore it out and built the one you see here. I'm still in the process of cutting out and mounting the instruments and electronics.

The frame is built with light pine, and covered with external plywood (marine ply is not available here in Mexico). Then I bought a sheet of mahogany door skin (about $6 USD) to finish it off.

The curved section was created by sanding off a layer of veneer on the backside of the piece and the door skin magically curved on its own into this lovely shape. I'll finish it up with polyurethane to protect it from scratches, etc.

Projects I'll post later include a replacement of part of the cabin sole including beams, a rewire and insulation of the engine room. Til then, fair winds!