Description of Ocean Explorer
This is Ocean Explorer's navigation station. Note that one sits facing forward. The breaker panel with its AC and DC components is obvious. Above and to the right of the breaker panel is a VHF radio. Just below the VHF is the control unit for the Espar heater. A handheld VHF is seen in its holder/charger just forward of the fixed VHF microphone cord. The radar monitor is obvious. A simple GPS monitor is mounted on the canted panel just above my sunglass case. To the right and above the GPS is an old Motorola bagphone which I have permanently mounted; it has a Shakespeare antenna mounted at the mast top which allows cellular reception over a very wide area. The faceplate of an Icom-706MKIIG HAM radio is mounted in the mid-portion of the canted panel, while its brains are mounted on the bulkhead just forward of the radar unit. We use the HAM radio primarily for e-mail via the Winlink/Airmail PACTOR system. The SCS PTC-IIe controller for this application can be seen just above the radar screen (look for the white faceplate). The KVH button panel and monitor can be seen just to the right of the HAM faceplate on the canted panel. We believe in the KISS principal and electronically monitor only boat speed, depth, and water temperature. A masthead Davis windvane is used to visually monitor relative wind, and we use the Beaufort system to monitor and record wind speed. We use only paper charts. The only interfacing we do is from the GPS to the laptop computer for sending out our position when we send e-mails. Finally, this photo also shows a spare, handheld GPS and a Grundig Yachtboy radio on the handhold/shelf above the nav station.
Ocean Explorer's galley is very functional. There is plenty of storage for cooking utensils and food. The Seward Princess stove uses propane and is gimbaled. The cross bar in front of the stove has provision for a galley strap for the cook to use in rough weather. Again, note the deep, double sink. The top-loading refrigerator and freezer are to the right in this photo. Refrigeration utilizes an Adler-Barbour SuperCold Machine.
This photo shows Ocean Explorer's starboard settee leecloth. They are made of a heavy mesh (for ventilation) with a Sunbrella edge. The lower edge is solidly fastened to the wood of the settee, underneath the seat cushion, and the upper portion is attached to eyestraps on the handholds and folding padeyes on the bulkheads. They stow nicely under the seat cushions when not in use.