The Hazel refit project is steadily progressing, with a small team of volunteers having stripped the cabin interior of linings and floors and replaced some of the floor bearers. The next job is a thorough clean of the interior prior to the refit.
The boat will be leaving the water within the next few weeks for the glass fibre modifications to the cabin top to create the aft well to accommodate the new platform lift. Once these are complete, both the internal and external works will be carried out. These include soda blasting the hull prior to repainting and antifouling, installing a new floor (which will also accommodate the drive batteries), installing new systems including electric propulsion, electric wiring, fresh and grey water systems, a doc M compliant toilet, a small galley, repositioned steering console, bowthruster, platform lift and solar panels. One of the key features will be the hydraulic lift, which will be longer and wider than the one on our current largest cruiser, with a higher capacity to accommodate the larger and heavier electrical wheelchairs we are encountering more frequently.
Provided that all progresses as anticipated the refit works should be completed by the Spring of 2024.
