In software development, changes in the product are reflected in the version number. As you develop a the program small changes often result in incrementing the tenths or hundredths digit, larger changes will result in a “new version” being released. Before software goes into full commercial production it goes through different testing phases, alpha being the preliminary testing and beta being more live use.
When Illusion left the boatyard, we’d replaced so much on the boat and changed so many things it would be impossible to call it the same boat. It was now Illusion 2.0 but we were just doing some alpha testing — motoring down the ICW to Hilton Head. There were still a lot of features that needed to be implemented. We got down to Hilton Head and started another two months of ass-kicking work or hardcore development in our current metaphor. With each new version comes release notes — or changes in the new version:
For the 2.3 release we glassed in the hole in the floor from removing the mast step, put in a new sole (Konnecto…..great product, post on that to come soon), finished installing all deck hardware (winches, cleats, dorades), put on new handrails and hatch cover mounts, painted the cockpit, installed a wind generator and windvane, made stylish boards to strap the jerry cans to, put in lines to keep everything on the shelves, installed a new head, adjusted and painted the spreaders, made a full length awning out of sunbrella, put in a small inverter, made a teak sign with our documentation number and made a new step to cover the engine since the trash company decided to take mine away mid-refinish….ouch.
Now it’s time for beta testing — got to knock out all the bugs. We’re at anchor now and love the wind generator, it’s a KISS and is extremely quiet and cranks out the energy. So far I’ve seen up to 15 amps!
It’s also late in the year, hurricane season starts at the end of this month and the Caribbean isn’t looking like the place to be — we were hoping to get south of the hurricane line but we’re a little late and pushing the boat doesn’t seem to smart just yet. Now we’re heading up north and looking for a cool place to hang out and refill the cruising kitty.
We went offshore from South Carolina to North Carolina, the boat performed well and of course we found more things we want to fix/change. We’re in Swansboro about about a third of the way up the ICW to Virginia and all my grumbling about doing the ditch has proven to be true. It’s a pain in the butt, bridges, narrow channels, shallow depths and motor yachts everywhere. Good news is our rebuilt engine runs like a champ, we’ve easily put 100 hours on it since Hilton Head without the slightest hiccup. I’m looking forward to getting up to Virginia and tearing it apart one last time to fix an oil leak behind the timing cover, but other than that the engine went well.
Lara has family in Emerald Isle, and I’ve been able to surf the last three days here so it looks like we are getting to do some of the things we wanted to after all, even if we’re not in the Caribbean. In the sound around Beaufort there are a few uninhabited islands with wild horses, old lighthouses and maybe a little surf that we’ll check out this week.
Make sure to check out Lara’s site for more pictures, stories etc. from the boat.