A tour of the inside of Evolene!

As we've been onboard for over four months now we felt that a tour of the boat was long overdue.  We took the opportunity a few weeks back to take some photos prior to our guests arriving as it was about as clean and tidy as it gets!

To begin, here are a few general details about Evolene...  She was built by Sitala Yachts in Finland under the model name of Nauticat 42.  She is 42 feet (13m) long but this doesn't take into account additions to the bow and stern such as the bowsprit and davits to hold the dinghy.  She was built in 1997 and launched in 1999.  Her first owner was Swiss and must have had connections to an area of south west Switzerland called Evolène.  Initially she was kept in and around Nice and since then gradually moved her way northwards, with two further owners before us.  She has 3 cabins (bedrooms) and 7 berths (space for 7 people to sleep conventionally, although we could always create extra sleeping space in the saloon seats if required).

All of her internal woodwork is teak and beautifully done.  It's largely holding up well, although we do plan to revarnish many areas over this winter.  All of the soft furnishings have been refurbished either by ourselves (curtains and cabin cushions) or the previous owner (saloon cushions).

Looking down into the saloon

The steps down from the cockpit area take you directly into the saloon.  This is standard for almost all boats but what is less common, and that we hugely enjoy aboard Evolene, is a raised saloon area (called a deck saloon) where we can sit comfortably at the table and watch all the comings and goings of outside life.  The large windows can make it quite warm when the sun is beating down but there are plenty of hatches and windows to open (and curtains to close!) to make it comfortable and, of course, a sea just outside to swim in to cool down if needed!  There are also lots of fiddled (edged) shelves to provide both plenty of places to store items and also to hold onto when the boat is moving.  Behind all the saloon cushions there is ample storage for boat mechanical items and the floor can be lifted to provide roomy access to the engine below.

Saloon seating

There is a moveable seat next to an indoor helm and the main dashboard for the boat (containing all the switches for navigation lights, engine ignition, interior radio and various gauges etc).  However we rarely operate the boat from this position, preferring to be outside where it is easier to monitor, for example, wind effects on the sails.  Sometimes, though, when conditions are very inclement we will hunker down in the saloon and the all round visibility of the deck saloon means we can safely keep watch from there.

Starboard side of the saloon

View forward and down to the galley

Moving forwards from the saloon we have a linear galley to starboard and mid cabin and forward heads (toilet) to port.  Since moving aboard we have been increasingly impressed by the galley space and layout.  Given that its location is low down in the boat and at the foot of the mast there is considerable stability underway and  plenty of handholds and or places to brace against when preparing food or drinks.  There is abundant storage across all the cupboards, drawers, including a larder cupboard across from the fridge on the port side.  Also, there is ample worktop space and I love the very generous fridge space that is 'top down' (meaning that it is opened from the top).  Ours has two levels and provides a rather cavernous space.  Plus, with it being top down, there is also no risk of items jumping out and making a run for it when you open it and the boat is heeling!  

Galley

For cooking, we are currently using only electric (see earlier blogpost 'Boat preparations' 15 May).  We still have gas on board and a gas hob but we plan to decommission it this winter, replacing it with a gimbled electric hob.  The other characteristic of the galley that I particularly like, is that it is on a different level to the saloon and therefore any dirty dishes following cooking are not directly in eyesight and can be largely ignored until after dinner!

Across from the galley is the mid cabin.  This is the smallest of the three cabins and is a cosy double berth.  However, it is also the most insulated from engine/autopilot/wave noise and provides a super-comfy berth when underway. There is a wardrobe, shelves and a wee nook to the starboard side for smaller items also.  Furthermore under the bed there is plenty more storage that we can use for larger items such as the spinnaker sail.

Mid cabin

The forward heads contains a standard pump toilet (it is flushed by manually pumping in and out sea water) and sink.  There is also a hand-held hose that can be used as a shower if required, although the aft heads is better set-up for showering so when guests are aboard we just use the aft one.  Again there is plenty of storage and hand-holds in the heads.

Forward heads

In the bow, there is a forward cabin.  This is a typical v-berth but with an additional bunk above the port side, enabling three to sleep very comfortably in this space.  As with the mid-cabin there is plenty of storage around and under the v-berth.  In addition, we tend to use the bunk bed for easy access of bulkier items, for example our kayaking gear, yoga mats and rucksacks.  Although not shown in the photo, we also have inset that can be placed in the triangular gap to fill that space if preferred.

Forward cabin

The 'owner's cabin' or master bedroom is at the rear/aft of Evolene, underneath the cockpit area, accessible from a second set of steps down from the saloon.  This is a superb space for living aboard, with masses of shelf space, hatches that can be opened to enable airflow, plenty of cupboards and storage under the bed if required, and a row of bookshelves on the forward wall.  There is also a small vanity area, complete with pseudo-armchair, electrical point for hairdryer/straighteners and mirror for the few more glamorous times aboard!

Aft cabin looking aft

Aft cabin looking forward

An en-suite aft heads completes the owner's cabin, with standard pump toilet, sink and spacious (for a boat!) shower area with fixed but adjustable shower head.  In addition there is a reasonably sized hatch that provides further access to the engine from the port side.

Aft heads

And that completes the interior tour of what you can see!  In a future blog we'll go into more depth on the infrastructure that keeps all of the above going.  The more time we spend on Evolene the more we appreciate just how well she works as a space to live in, sail, enjoy and host guests aboard.  Whilst she is approaching thirty years old we would be hard pressed to find a newer alternative that we would wish to change to (notwithstanding the extra cost of buying a newer boat!).  If anyone wants any further details on any element please do not hesitate to contact us at sv.evolene@gmail.com.