MASTER SUITE. The craftsman at the Ranger factory are really good and Dave Livingston's design is so comfortable. Though the boat can sleep more, we tweaked Andiamo's interior room design, every so slightly, so it is predominately a two-person boat. Looking at this photo, the wise eye will notice that the teak cabin door is gone, but it can be easily re-installed. We took it out and stored it and this widened the hallway and made it easier to go in and out of the main stateroom. There is still privacy with the factory installed curtain. We just added a few snaps to the curtain's edge where it meets the head so the visual privacy is complete.
Laurie also added a 3-inch memory foam top to the bed and what an incredible difference that made! She created a pattern from butcher paper and then got the memory foam at Overstock.com. There is not link to that product because it comes and goes off the website. Custom sheets and a cover were made. Quite comfy!
Laurie also added a 3-inch memory foam top to the bed and what an incredible difference that made! She created a pattern from butcher paper and then got the memory foam at Overstock.com. There is not link to that product because it comes and goes off the website. Custom sheets and a cover were made. Quite comfy!
UNIQUE BOOKCASE. The factory installs a very nice folding down desk or small table on the wall. You may see the outline of it in this photo that is caused by sunlight caused fading of the teak finish. Laurie is a collector of useful books and wanted a place and to store them. I used the material of the desk to build this book case that can hold the large Waterway Guides (on the left) and shelf for the field guides and a couple of do-it-yourself manuals. The basket was found at Cost Plus and holds those small things that just rattle or roll around. The prints on the wall are easily hung with velcro as it grabs hold of the wall fabric quite securely.
ADDING LIGHT TO THE MASTER CLOSET. This closet can be dark and the common solution of putting stick on pucks of LED lights would not work with clothing stacked on the shelves. The solution was getting a battery powered task light from Home Depot and installing it on the inside of the closet door. The light is aimed for the best effect.
PLUG BAR & SURGE PROTECTOR. The salon table is the center of all the action. We use this table to for our lap top computers and to FaceTime or Skype with the family. This is also where most of the devices get charged while the the tug is underway and creating electricity. The wall receptacle had to be located under the table and getting to it gets old after about three times. The plug bar from Home Depot easily mounted to the wall with a couple of screws and the remainder of the cord was zip tied and attached to the wall to make a clean installation and no cords to entangle the feet.
COAT RACK IS REPLACED WITH HOOKS. This is the entrance to the mid-cabin berth and it look different because several items were removed: the teak lid that is hinged in the back and the bi-fold doors. We use this space a lot and those just got in the way and the lid hit Laurie in the head once when she did not put it up all the way and she saw stars. We added the wall mounted coat hooks that also store the hats and the PFD's. Two shelves were added to create a place for the canvas that covers the hatches, the windshield, the windows and the backdoor. A roll-up screen door was made from the canvas that covers the back door and it is stored here. The light was easily re-located to accommodate the shelves. The baskets on the counter do not move because they are on non-skid material. Not shown is the garbage can that is perfectly situated in the corner.
Labels and LABELING: to know and remember what does what
FAN & HAND HELD VHF RADIO. Andiamo does not have air conditioning but adding these quiet 12 volt fans from West Marine can make life more comfortable. These blades will stop when they are obstructed, they move a lot of air and install easily.
For this application, there was already 12 volt power in the overhead storage area. A Blue Sea distribution panel was added to this area and the fan and the handheld VHF radio are powered from that. The hand held VHF is mounted next to the navigator so they can easily hear the radio traffic. The hand held is part of our abandon ship kit. Like most preparation: if you have it, you will not need it; if you have not prepared for it, it will likely happen.
For this application, there was already 12 volt power in the overhead storage area. A Blue Sea distribution panel was added to this area and the fan and the handheld VHF radio are powered from that. The hand held VHF is mounted next to the navigator so they can easily hear the radio traffic. The hand held is part of our abandon ship kit. Like most preparation: if you have it, you will not need it; if you have not prepared for it, it will likely happen.
THE HEAD. We are fan of quality micro-fiber towels because they absorb water really well and dry very quickly. Two towel racks were installed on the head door. These metal racks are from IKEA and are mounted by drilling holes in the head door and threading one screw into each end. Once you drill one hole, the others come easy and if you measure twice, you will cut only once. Also any mistakes or change of plans is easily filled with the appropriate filler.
We are so fond of this head and shower, that we prefer it over the marina ones. Two minutes to prep the head, the water pressure, temperature and room to use is wonderful. We take the shower head out of its bracket and use it. The last one to shower, does the three minute wipe down and put it all back, and the head is clean!
We are so fond of this head and shower, that we prefer it over the marina ones. Two minutes to prep the head, the water pressure, temperature and room to use is wonderful. We take the shower head out of its bracket and use it. The last one to shower, does the three minute wipe down and put it all back, and the head is clean!
