We dropped into the Nordic factory on our way back from Canada. I was hoping for a firm delivery date, but didn’t get one. As best we know, Étude will be on the water some time before the end of the month.
But that’s not delivery. It’s the start of “sea trials”. This is where a team from the factory tests every system aboard: every instrument, every plumbing connection, the watermaker, the generator, the heating system, and so on. And yes, they also check for leaks.
Once sea trials and any resulting work is complete, Étude will be turned over to the dealer, Seattle Yachts in Anacortes. More tests are made along with detailing and cleaning. I believe the dealer is also responsible for providing some of the standard equipment like fenders (the hot dog shaped inflated things that keep a boat from banging against a dock), flares and life preservers. Also the traditional full tank of diesel.
Strange but true – as we get closer to the finish line, the photos become perhaps less interesting. What I have to show today is not that much different than last time, even though quite a bit of work has been done. The interior won’t look complete until the upholstery is in, but that’s one of the last things to happen.
From the outside, things look pretty much as they have for a while. Those are steering system hydraulic lines sticking out of the porthole.
Meet Tim. He’s the guy who will install the carpeting.
Many Nordic owners choose a kind of artificial wood flooring made by Amtico. We prefer carpeting because it makes a boat both quieter when underway and warmer in cool weather. It’s also easily replaced when the time comes.
Our Boat Guru Jeff points out changes to the pilothouse since our last visit. The many devices in the upper panel (called the Canoe for reasons I don’t understand) are in place. Some of these are normally located elsewhere in the pilothouse or salon, but Jeff suggested that we collect them all in one place.
From left to right:
Fusion stereo
Tank tender (shows the level of fuel, fresh water, waste water, etc.)
Watermaker
Battery charger/inverter (with white cover)
Generator
VHF radios
Fire suppression system
From left to right and top to bottom:
Chartplotters (16″)
Autopilot control
Engine status
Bow and stern thruster controls (with grey cover)
Spotlight control
Throttle
You can finally get some sense of how the galley will look. We’re awaiting appliance installation and countertops.
A trip next door to the wood shop. Mary Anne seems happy with the table. It has pop-out extensions at each end and a height adjustment to allow use as a dining or cocktail table.
Mary Anne and Jeff examine various doors and the master berth headboard.
Mary Anne chats with Dave, the Nordic guy who has guided us from the beginning.
Building a boat is not a lot different than building a house. There are a lot of decisions to be made, custom requests that the builder may or may not want to do, inevitable mistakes and re-dos. Whether we agreed or disagreed, Dave has been consistently polite, helpful and patient.
An off-the-shelf Suggestion box at Nordic Tugs? Not likely!
Next: Ètude – Fini