Living on a 63 Outer Reef

We now have 14 months of experience living aboard the 63.  Readers will recall that we took possession on February 10, 2014.  We have been living on her since that date, which as of this writing constitute a total of 427 days.  This is almost the same as the 444 days we spent aboard the 48 Sundancer when we did the Great Loop (October 3, 2010 to October 10, 2011 - Chicago to Branford CT; July 1, 2012 to September 6, 2012 - Branford to Chicago).

Guided Discovery at Marina Jack

Guided Discovery at Marina Jack

While the time frames are similar, the experience is totally different on so may levels.  The Great Loop was a 6,150 mile counter clockwise circumnavigation of the eastern half of the US.  The last 14 months on the 63 involved just two major trips; a 1,165 NM up the east coast from Palm Beach to Hingham MA in April and early May of last year (actually 35 days)  and a 1,446 NM trip from Hingham to Sarasota last November, which was accomplished in 9 days.

The Great Loop was a series of 50 to 100 mile cruises involving stops at 135 marinas over the 444 day period.  The last 14 months involves extensive stays at two marinas; Hingham Shipyard Marina in Mass for the summer and Marina Jack in Sarasota FL for the winter.  Yes we stopped overnight at a few marinas (13) on the trip north and three on the trip south (Stuart, Moorhaven and South Seas) but these were quick stops.  We would have characterized ourselves as cruisers during the Great Loop, especially since we had a condo in Chicago.  Now, since selling the condo, we are definitely "liveaboards."

Another key difference between cruising and living aboard is the availability of a vehicle.  Ours follows us to our "home" marinas courtesy of Diana and Kodi who team up to move the Taurus.

In summary, we are spending our winters in Sarasota where it is warm and our summers in New England where it is cool.

Now to living on a boat and in particular the 63 Outer Reef.   Diana would often complain that living of the 48 Sundancer was like camping, which is not an unreasonable characterization given that it had a "camper canvas."  While the camper canvas does not make it a camper, the 48 was never designed for living aboard.  Storage was at a premium (and we used all of it on the trip), the galley was not designed for cooking, the V-berth was not a master stateroom, the outdoor spaces had limited usage when docked, the camper canvas was a pain in the neck (as the eisenglas windows needed to be stored in the V-berth during the day), there was effectively no guest stateroom (as it was used for storage and had little headroom) and we lived in a cave, which is the nature of an express cruiser. She was a great weekender or vacation boat.  She was also quite adequate for the loop.

The 63 Outer Reef is a home on water that has the capability of moving to where we want to be (except it cannot do the Great Loop because of its height).

The key to the boat's livability is the open layout.  We chose this over a traditional layout where the pilot house is a separate room.  No matter where you are on the main deck you have a feeling of space and openness (despite it being an area of only 400 square feet).

Now to the details.  Let's start with the galley.  The 63 has a complete kitchen with GE Monogram appliances, the same ones a person can purchase for their home.  This includes a side by side refrigerator, stove top, oven, microwave, 18" dishwasher, trash compactor, disposal and a 26 bottle wine cooler.  The only "small" appliance is the dishwasher which is three quarters the size of a regular 24" model.

Galley facing aft

Storage is plentiful.  We have two pantries with pullout shelves, the larger one is lighted.  We use the lower drawer of the large pantry as an appliance garage.  Drawer storage is also plentiful with 8 drawers and a ninth large drawer for pots and pans.  Cabinets above the aft facing counter tops hold a dishes, glasses and serving pieces.

Pots and pans drawer

Pantry

Appliance garage

Additionally, Outer Reef did a great job with the layout.  The dishwasher is convenient to the sink for loading and to the cabinets for unloading.  There is considerable counter space and all of the drawers are easily accessible.  Finally, we specified two extra 2 plug 110 volt outlets in the galley (for a total of 6 outlets).

Glassware cabinet (6 white wine, 12 red wine, nine 12 oz tumblers and 6 coffee mugs)

Flat ware (all plastic) service for 10 and outdoor service for 4

Trash is efficiently handled with a trash compactor.  Additionally we specified a trash container on the aft deck which we use for recycle.

We had a spectacular kitchen in our Chicago condo but it was no where near as efficient as the one on the 63.  While there was considerably more storage it was all spread out.  Note: Most of the stuff comfortably fit in our galley.  We ultimately donated lots of extra stuff when we sold the Chicago condo.

Everything was spread out

Stove and refrigerator

The salon has proven to be quite useful and comfortable.  We have had a dinner party for 6 and easily seat 8 people on the settee and barrel chairs.  The 46"Samsung HDTV located aft of the settee is perfect located for viewing from the salon and while we are working in the galley.  It hides in a cabinet when not in use.

46" Samsung HDTV deployed.  Next to the TV is entertainment center cabinet

Additionally, there is a storage cabinet just before the stairs (i.e., under the sculpture).  We use that to hold our complete set of paper charts and cruising guides for the east coast.  There is also storage under the port settee, most of which is not used.  The salon has two 2 plug 110 volt outlets in the space and another six in the entertainment cabinet.

The aft deck is my favorite place.  It's dimensions are 10 feet deep by 15 wide long.  The settee seats three to four and we have three teak deck chairs.  Comfortable seating for six to seven with a lovely varnished teak table in the middle.  I love sitting on the aft deck and reading a book or playing with my iPad.  We specified a refrigerator, sink and storage along with the trash container.  We also specified teak for this area, a decision that added warmth and charm.  Turns out the aft deck is often the coolest place in Sarasota as the the prevailing winds (westerlies) provide a lovely breeze.

Aft deck with settee, deck chairs and teak floor

Looking forward to port at the cabinetry holding the refrigerator, garbage, sink and storage

Last summer in Hingham the aft deck was only usable in the morning and early afternoon due to our stern facing due west.  Late afternoon and evening was problematic as the hot sun zeroed in on us. This was also a problem in the January and February in Sarasota where we also face due west.  I solved the problem with a custom made sun cover,  The 90 UV Textaline PVC screen clips to the aft deck ceiling and straps down to the stainless steel swim platform rails.  On and off in less than 10 minutes it will shield us from the sun and cut down its heat without compromising the breeze.

New sun cover

The pilot house has proved to be amazingly comfortable, useful and bright.  It serves perfectly as my office (and the place where I write my blog articles).  We specified additional 110 volt outlets making it possible to have a computer, printer, air card, portable VHF charger, iPad charger and camera charger all plugged in at the same time with two open plugs to spare. The pilot house also serves as the control center for the home part of the boat.

AC controls are located over the control station as is the tank tender (for gauging fuel and water on board), holding tank capacity lights and alarm system.  There is plenty of room on the control station for the computer and printer freeing up the table for dining (comfortable for four with the Stidd helm chair re-positioned).  Located by the flybridge stairwell is a file drawer and located under the table are two storage drawer, one houses "office stuff" while the other holds the myriad of cables and connectors needed to survive in the modern world.  Located under the settee is still more storage where we keep the hard copy of the boat's manuals.  Still more storage is located under the control station where the "black boxes" that feed the electronics are held. All can be accessed easily.  There is even a storage compartment under the first stair leading to the flybridge.

Storage under control station and black boxes

Access to black boxes and wiring under control station

Speaking of storage.  Under the aft deck is the lazarette, which in our world is the equivalent of a basement.  Here we store our bikes (on a SUV rack custom mounted to the floor), extra fenders, lines, spare parts, tools, miscellaneous gear (compressor, shop vac, blower, etc.) and extra cold weather jackets. We specified additional cabinetry including a hanging locker, locker with shelves and a locker with open storage.  I'll let the photos tell the story.

Looking forward to port

Looking forward to starboard

Storage cabinet

Hanging locker

Exiting the lazarette through the aft deck door places you on the swim platform.  Our swim platform serves as the boat's primary boarding point.  We also have two additional boarding points (doors) on either side of the aft deck and on either side of the pilothouse.  A Marquip boarding ladder mounts at each boarding door.  We specified teak decking on the swim platform and had the platform lengthened by one foot.  Both of these decisions proved correct.  The extra foot makes boarding very easy and the teak decking looks good.  Another standard feature found here are three 2" stainless steel safety rails, which both look good and add a significant safety element both at the dock and underway.  The door on the transom is water tight.  On either side of the swim platform are boarding doors providing access to the aft deck.

Swim platform (photo from the Miami Boat Show Feb 2014) 

Now to the upper deck features.

The boat deck is amazing.  Below is a photo of my friend Mark Fidanza with his children John Marco and Helena next to the tender.  This photo does not fully show the amount of room.  The tender is launched to port with a 1,000 pound davit (crane)

Mark, John Marco and Helena

Dakota, Nathaniel and I launching Kodi's (a 13 ft RIB with a 60 HP)

When the tender is on its cradle there is plenty of room for washing it, loading it or doing maintenance.  The tender is an AB DLX 13 with a 60 HP Yamaha.  It has way exceeded my expectations.  It holds 5 people, cruises at 30 (or 28 with a FULL load) and has a top speed of 36 MPH.  My favorite play toy.

The boat deck houses the three burner full size gas grill and four storage compartments.  It also has a fresh water faucet and two 110 volt power outlets.

AB DLX13 with 60 HP Yamaha 4 stroke

Moving forward is the flybridge.  Great fun when the weather is right (which is never the case when we are moving north and south in May and November),  This space has seating for 5 to 6 along with its own refrigerator, sink and storage.  The control station duplicates everything in the pilothouse except the night vision.  This turns out to be the least used space.  It is only used for local cruising in Hingham and Sarasota when we have guests.

Now to the accommodations.

The curved stairwell to the accommodations is located to starboard in the pilothouse.  Stair are teak with Bolon insets.  They are easy to negotiate.  At the bottom of the stairwell is a cabinet housing the Bosch washer and dryer and across from it is the linen closet and soap draw.  We had a washer/dryer combination unit on the 48 Sundancer that was essentially useless.  It could do at best 2 towels and took forever.  We also had a spectacular laundry room with over sized appliances at our Chicago town home.  However, it was located on the ground floor and had limited counter space.  Outer Reef located the washer and dryer next to the master stateroom thus allowing the master bed to act as work surface for folding clothes. Hard to believe but the Outer Reef's laundry system is the best we've ever had.

Linen closet and soap drawer

A turn aft (left) from the stairwell takes you into the master stateroom.  Here we have a king size bed with a custom mattress.  We also have abundant storage.  There are large two hanging lockers (one with double clothes rods), a locker with four shelves, a cabinet with three shelves on top of three drawers, four large drawers under the bed, open storage under bed and finally another locker on the forward bulkhead.  Accessed through the forward hanging locker is a finished lighted space under the stairwell which we refer to as the cavernous area.  Here we store our suitcases and expensive dress pillows in large plastic containers.

Master stateroom looking to port

The master stateroom has a complete entertainment system including 20" Samsung HDTV, satellite receives, Bose audio system and DVD player.  Adjacent to the bed are built-in night stands with three drawers each.  Located on the nightstand counters are a total of six 110 volt outlets.  Here again we specified two extra plugs.  Each side of the bed has a complete set of lighting controls.

The master head is located to starboard through a pocket door.  The head has a Kholer sink with a modern single lever faucet and a large marble counter top. A single 2 plug 110 volt outlet is located next to the electric head controls.  An additional 2 plug 110 volt outlet is located inside the cabinet for recharging appliances.

Adjacent to the sink is the stall shower,  This is a full size 4' by 4' shower with a seat.  It also has a etched glass shower door and a rice paper covered port hole providing great light.  Under the sink is storage and under the counter is one drawer.  We had four large drawers and two under counter storage areas in our Chicago town home master bath. All of our stuff comfortably fit into the boat's head, which seems to be statement about our inefficient use of storage when we living on the hard. The head has its own HVAC outlets.

The shower goes all the way to the hull

Master bath at our Chicago townhome

Turn right (or forward) as you come down the stairs and you enter the guest quarters.  This consists of the VIP (V-berth) stateroom, a guest head and guest stateroom with two bunks.  The head is accessed from the hall of from the VIP making in partially en-suite.

VIP stateroom

The VIP stateroom has full size two hanging lockers, two large drawers at the foot of the queen size bed, two storage lockers on the bulkhead, two storage area under the bottom steps leading to the bed and voluminous long term storage area under the bed which is accessed from a hinged mattress. There are book shelves on either side of the bed, which now house our books and, of course two 110 volt 2 plug outlets on either side of the bed.  Each side also has its own lighting controls.

Guest head and stall shower

Guest stateroom with two bunks

Kodi and the 63.

Kodi is the quintessential boat dog, totally comfortable anywhere on the boat.  She hangs out during the day on the salon and pilot house settees.  At night she initially sleeps on our bed and then late in the evening retires to her own bed.  She loves sitting on the aft deck settee and watching the action on the dock.  Most mornings we hear a soft bark which beckons us to let her onto the upper deck where she goes to boat deck to sun herself.  Occasionally she will make her way via the side deck to the Portuguese bridge and sun herself on the bow.

From time to time we play a game called go find your squirrel.  The game starts out with her in a sit stay in the galley while I hide her stuffed squirrel somewhere on the boat.  Then she is given the command "go find your squirrel" and off she goes.  Hiding places even include the engine room and lazarette. Kodi finds the squirrel 98% of the time and some searches last as long as 6 to 7 minutes.

A word about maintenance.

Living on a boat is very different than living in a home on the hard.  A long range cruiser like the 63 has a considerable equipment related to both the operation of the boat as a boat and as a home.  All of this requires maintenance.

Explanatory Note: Prior to taking delivery I was concerned about having a complete list of the boat's equipment including model and serial numbers.  I also expressed concern about maintenance and specified in the contract three full days of training.

Outer Reef to the rescue.  Not only did their delivery captain and warranty manager, Randy Ives, take me through the operation and maintenance of every system, Outer Reef provided me with a maintenance software application called Wheelhouse Technology.  This software provides not only the model and serial numbers but also the manuals, spare parts needed and spare parts on hand for every system.  The software uses time and hours to alert me to maintenance tasks on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual basis.  While there is a lot to be done at least the process is well organized.  They also provided a iPad Air that houses the Wheelhouse Technology software and the boat's owner's manual and manuals for every system.  I also have hard copy manuals organized in tabbed plastic file boxes.

For a complete list of equipment go to the 63 Outer Reef tab at the top of the page.

Maintenance is work.  Fortunately, the 63 is just big enough and well designed to allow easy access to almost every system.  The only difficult to reach items are the outboard zincs on the main engines. There are three tough ones on the starboard heat exchanger and three on the port engine's after cooler and one on the raw water pump.  Changing out the impeller on the port engine is also a challenge but doable.

Now to marinas and our living arrangements.

Marina Jack has also proved to be prize.  We discovered this marina in December 2010 while visiting Sarasota on the Great Loop adventure and stayed for 19 days.  It was the best of the 135 marinas we visited and it was perfectly located in relation to downtown Sarasota.

Initially we were assigned a 60 foot slip that did not allow us to launch the tender as it was a stern-in port side tie.  We could have gone bow in with a starboard tie but that would have eliminated use of the swim platform for boarding and killed our great view.  But that still would not have solved the problem as the adjacent boat, a 60 foot Viking, was too wide making it impossible to launch the tender.  Marina Jack to the rescue.  First, they helped us off load the tender at the slip and then gave us a hydraulic platform to store the tender for the month of November.  Then they assigned us slip D-11 which permitted a stern in starboard tie with a great view and room to launch the tender as the boat next to us, Ronda Voo, is a 53 Carver Voyager.  We also got great neighbors in Hank and Ronda.

When I informed the dockmaster that we would definitely be back next year and that we would like the same slip he said great but that he could not guarantee slip D-11 or for that matter dockage (as Marina Jack is a first come first served municipal marina).  No problem.  We took the slip on an annual basis, which, while a bit more expensive, guaranteed us our perfect situation.

Our situation in Hingham also improved.  We now have the T on I-dock.  This is a very big deal.  A little history.  Hingham Shipyard Marina, as you may recall, extended a 45 slip with a 20 foot extension to make room for us.  We loved the location but it came with one significant drawback related to the 10 to 12 foot Boston Harbor tides.  When the tide was ebbing (i.e., going out) the current effectively made the fairway narrower by dragging the boat toward the boats to our port side. The problem was exacerbated when there was wind from the west.  This made for a bit of a white knuckle maneuver requiring us to steer toward the boats to starboard and the use of power, which is not desirable with a 95,000 pound 63 foot boat.  Yes, we made it every time but it was not fun.  The T-dock TOTALLY eliminates the problem as there is no fairway and we can come abreast of the dock and use the thrusters to gently dock.

In summary, the 63 Outer Reef LRMY (Long Range Motor Yacht) is both a long range coastal cruiser and a comfortable home on the water.  The boat excels in both roles.  Meanwhile, Outer Reef stands behind their product and provides outstanding support.  They are a pleasure to deal with.

Written by Les.
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