Those of you who haven't seen Last Resort in awhile, will see a new version of this wonderful yacht. She has been redecorated and refitted with some wonderful improvements. Here you see the new "hard dodger" which replaced the original blue canvas dodger. It is light, airy, bullet proof, and, as it turns out, a favorite perch for crew, from where they can enjoy commanding views of the harbors and coves I love to frequent.
Based on past experience in Mexico, one convenience that was missing was the ability to go for a swim without lowering the dinghy and removing numerous items stored at the aft of the cockpit (e.g. jerry jugs, fuel cans, ditch bag). For this trip, I've had a side boarding ladder designed, which nicely solves the problem. When fully extended, it reaches almost 4 feet into the water and the broad teak steps make it easy on the feet when boarding. I'm anxious to try this new improvement out in the warm Mexican waters.
I've substantially upgraded the cockpit area (not to mention the hard dodger). The table top I designed and built covers the existing table, which is too difficult to use (in my humble opinion), because the table leaves block passage and allow things to easily slide off and the center, which contains drink holders, is too uneven to be practical when serving. I've solved that by adding the table top, which fits snugly over the existing table without the need for any fasteners or holes. (Dear fellow C470 owners, contact me for pics, top and bottom, if you'd like to build one of your own ;-))
The aft cabin has also been redecorated and upgraded with a new TV (the energy saving kind that only draws 6 amps) and a sconce light fixture that's on a dimmer switch.
Talk about cozy. I enjoy watching movies and good TV drama, as well as Bill Maher and PBS content, not to mention that I'm passionate about my football teams (the old LA Rams and UCLA), so I've seen to it that "The Nest," as I've taken to calling it, is a warm, comfortable place for relaxing during the evening. I also installed a new latex foam mattress....talk about comfy!!! The aft cabin is now the perfect place to unwind and get a good night's rest after a rough day on, or in, the water!
No cruising sailboat can exist without a dinghy. When anchored offshore, how would you get to the market, the laundry, a restaurant or a movie? The dinghy is, in effect, the "family car." The new RIB (rigid inflatable boat) is stored on davits on the stern of Last Resort, where she resides when I'm underway or at a dock. I thought I had a pretty cool dinghy before, a blue catamaran type (shown below), but when I took the new Zodiac out for a spin, I was amazed at the smooth, responsive, FAST, dry, comfortable and stable ride. It was like moving from a Cadillac to a Ferrari, very cool. This dinghy was purchased at the 11th hour before departing, so I spent most my last days before departing to Mexico getting her ready.
Those of you who haven't seen Last Resort in awhile, will see a new version of this wonderful yacht. She has been redecorated and refitted with some wonderful improvements. Here you see the new "hard dodger" which replaced the original blue canvas dodger. It is light, airy, bullet proof, and, as it turns out, a favorite perch for crew, from where they can enjoy commanding views of the harbors and coves I love to frequent.
Based on past experience in Mexico, one convenience that was missing was the ability to go for a swim without lowering the dinghy and removing numerous items stored at the aft of the cockpit (e.g. jerry jugs, fuel cans, ditch bag). For this trip, I've had a side boarding ladder designed, which nicely solves the problem. When fully extended, it reaches almost 4 feet into the water and the broad teak steps make it easy on the feet when boarding. I'm anxious to try this new improvement out in the warm Mexican waters. 
I've substantially upgraded the cockpit area (not to mention the hard dodger). The table top I designed and built covers the existing table, which is too difficult to use (in my humble opinion), because the table leaves block passage and allow things to easily slide off and the center, which contains drink holders, is too uneven to be practical when serving. I've solved that by adding the table top, which fits snugly over the existing table without the need for any fasteners or holes. (Dear fellow C470 owners, contact me for pics, top and bottom, if you'd like to build one of your own ;-)) 
The aft cabin has also been redecorated and upgraded with a new TV (the energy saving kind that only draws 6 amps) and a sconce light fixture that's on a dimmer switch. 
Talk about cozy. I enjoy watching movies and good TV drama, as well as Bill Maher and PBS content, not to mention that I'm passionate about my football teams (the old LA Rams and UCLA), so I've seen to it that "The Nest," as I've taken to calling it, is a warm, comfortable place for relaxing during the evening. I also installed a new latex foam mattress....talk about comfy!!! The aft cabin is now the perfect place to unwind and get a good night's rest after a rough day on, or in, the water!
No cruising sailboat can exist without a dinghy. When anchored offshore, how would you get to the market, the laundry, a restaurant or a movie? The dinghy is, in effect, the "family car." The new RIB (rigid inflatable boat) is stored on davits on the stern of Last Resort, where she resides when I'm underway or at a dock. I thought I had a pretty cool dinghy before, a blue catamaran type (shown below), but when I took the new Zodiac out for a spin, I was amazed at the smooth, responsive, FAST, dry, comfortable and stable ride. It was like moving from a Cadillac to a Ferrari, very cool. This dinghy was purchased at the 11th hour before departing, so I spent most my last days before departing to Mexico getting her ready. 
