REFITTING ORIGAMI

1986 S2 11A

NEW BERN, NC

JULY 17, 2025 - MAY 24, 2026

We purchased Origami a month before we actually started her refit. Directly after taking possession of the vessel, we dismantled and prepped our landlocked beauty for transport. We were looking for a do-it-yourself accepting boatyard with access to the coast. After lots of research and an overwhelming amount of recommendations, we decided to call New Bern, North Carolina, our home for the next few months…

What fools we were! Now, we know about boats. Before this, we completely refitted an O’Day 25 into an amazing liveaboard adventure vessel. The fact that Evan quit his job and dedicated all of his time to those 25 feet of boat didn’t quite register when we planned for Origami’s 36. Ten plus months later, we finally reached the point where enough was enough. It was time to shove off!

Our time in New Bern was greatly enhanced by the awesome crew at Duck Creek Marine Services and the many boaters who generously offered us help and encouragement!

THROUGH HULLS | SEACOCKS | LIGHTNING PLATE | RAW-WATER STRAINER | BOTTOM PAINT | STUFFING BOX | FRESH WATER HOSES & CONNECTORS | WATER PUMP | SHORE POWER | LITHIUM BATTERY BANK | INDUCTION STOVETOP & ELECTRIC OVEN | MAST PAINT | INVERTER | MAIN BREAKER | TRANSDUCER | FANS & DISC LIGHTS | MAIN HALYARD | RADAR | DECK LIGHTS | STEAMING LIGHT | WIND INSTRUMENTS | FORSTAY | RIGGING | TURNBUCKLES | INNER FORSTAY | AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP | CAMERAS | CHARGE PLUGS | BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM | ANCHOR RODE & CHAIN | SOLAR ARCH | COMPOSTING HEAD | CHART PLOTTER | DINGHY DAVITS | SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLERS | STARLINK | SOLAR PANELS | BIMINI & DODGER | WINDLASS | STRATAGLASS | AUTOPILOT | ANCHOR |

THROUGH HULLS | SEACOCKS | LIGHTNING PLATE | RAW-WATER STRAINER | BOTTOM PAINT | STUFFING BOX | FRESH WATER HOSES & CONNECTORS | WATER PUMP | SHORE POWER | LITHIUM BATTERY BANK | INDUCTION STOVETOP & ELECTRIC OVEN | MAST PAINT | INVERTER | MAIN BREAKER | TRANSDUCER | FANS & DISC LIGHTS | MAIN HALYARD | RADAR | DECK LIGHTS | STEAMING LIGHT | WIND INSTRUMENTS | FORSTAY | RIGGING | TURNBUCKLES | INNER FORSTAY | AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP | CAMERAS | CHARGE PLUGS | BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM | ANCHOR RODE & CHAIN | SOLAR ARCH | COMPOSTING HEAD | CHART PLOTTER | DINGHY DAVITS | SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLERS | STARLINK | SOLAR PANELS | BIMINI & DODGER | WINDLASS | STRATAGLASS | AUTOPILOT | ANCHOR |

BEFORE

AFTER

ON THE HARD

JULY 17 - AUGUST 20, 2025

The refit started off a bit rough, or maybe mostly uncomfortable. North Carolina gets very hot and humid in the summer, and the marina had no working showers. We were still living on our 25’ sailboat, with a window air unit blocking the companionway. Due to the heat, we were storing all our paint supplies inside the cabin with us, leaving no space to move around. We spent our days working on the business or sweating in Tyvex suits. Each evening, we would take turns hosing off in the cockpit.

PROJECT LIST

  • First things first! We removed the leaking waste tank, the marine head, and everything in between. Thanks to our composting head, we have no use for this system. Removing the tank created ample space for our future battery bank.

  • As soon as we started to remove unnecessary thru-hulls, we discovered something that made our hearts sink. A wet balsa core. Luckily, we were able to dry it out and move on.

    • Removed unnecessary to us thru-hulls, refilled with thickened epoxy and fiberglass.

    • Cut out and replaced old seacocks with new ones

  • Next, we suited up for more bottom work. We removed loose paint and then applied primer over the newly glassed areas. Lastly, we applied three coats of Interlux Micron CSC paint.

  • We constructed a lightning plate from copper, using a forklift to bend it to match the hull's curve. We tinned the plate before mounting it below the waterline. Later, we wired it to the mast.

  • We accomplished a couple of engine projects during this time. The rest came later.

    • Repacked stuffing box

    • 2 new Groco bronze thru-hulls (raw water and ac)

    • Upgraded large Groco raw water strainer

  • All of our free moments were spent getting the boat move-in ready.

    • Cleaned the entire cabin interior, top to bottom

    • Stain removal on cushions and carpet

    • Refinished some worn wooden trim

    • Reconditioned the remaining teak

    • Removed old decals

    • Washed boat exterior

SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS

TREE FROGS

BEER GARDEN

EXPLORING

CELEBRATING

MOVING ON BOARD

AUGUST 20 - SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

It wasn’t long, and Origami was ready to splash! Once we got to our new slip, we made quick work of emptying out little Novella and moving on to the big boat. Leading up to the move, much consideration and planning went into “organization.” The first mate recalls buzzing and being blissfully high on life as she found just the right baskets to fit each cubby and checked item after item off her to-do list. Shortly after splashing, we welcomed our first guests!

PROJECT LIST

  • We easily found a place for all of our belongings with room to grow within Origami’s hull. To keep things tidy and our sanity intact, we rented a small storage unit to stash away the project supplies that were now arriving daily.

  • Along with the tools and project supplies, we were also receiving fabric samples in the mail. (A moodboard for the interior design of this boat had been created long ago...) Next came wallpaper, pillows, photo frames, artwork, and more!

  • We continued to modify the interior to make the space feel like a home. We hung pictures on the wall and added motion-activated lights in the darkest cubbies. A cat door was cut to create a private room for our cat, Tildy.

MAST WORK

SEPTEMBER 18 - NOVEMBER 23, 2025

Compared to the rest of Origami, her mast was looking pretty sad. At the time, we thought a quick paint job would be just the ticket. If we could go back in time, we would skip the chore of repainting the mast and simply strip it down to bare aluminum. It was a lot of work and ended up costing much more than anticipated. It was during this project that our enthusiasm started to dwindle, and as soon as the mast went up, we left town for several weeks.

Our new rigging was made by TM Yachts, Rigging and Consulting out of the Lake Norman area (where we purchased the boat), and then Maveryk’s Marine (New Bern) helped us finalize everything and step the mast. We highly recommend them both!

PROJECT LIST

  • We created a work zone by connecting four tents with lots of plastic sheeting.

    • Removed hardware

    • Ran messenger lines

    • Sanded the mast down to bare aluminum

    • Sanded the sail tracks down to the aluminum, but left them raw

  • Painting aluminum is a bit finicky; you cannot simply apply paint, as it won’t adhere properly. There were multiple stages and timeframes to consider, and all of it is weather-dependent.

    • Acid etching primer applied immediately after sanding

    • Second stage primer applied, always sanding in between coats

    • Mast painted with Awlgrip high gloss white

  • As if the process of painting and sanding on repeat didn’t take long enough, we then had to run wiring and mount all of the accessories.

    • All new mast wiring

    • Forespar Lightning Master static dissipator

    • Lights: Spreader, 3-purpose masthead, steaming, deck

    • Furuno radar and mount

    • NASA anemometer with display in cockpit

    • Miniblocks and flag halyards

    • Windex wind indicator

  • Origami was sporting her original rigging, so it was time for replacements (and upgrades)!

    • All new standing rigging and dyneema topping lift

    • Dyneema removable inner forestay, blocks, and halyard for storm jib

    • #6 winch added to mast for storm jib halyard

    • Blocks for mast base

FALL HIGHLIGHTS

FALL FLOWERS

FIRST VISITORS

BEACH HIKES

BIKE RIDES

ELECTRICAL + SOLAR

NEVERENDING

The majority of the winter was spent inside working on wiring projects. We ran hundreds of feet of wire throughout the entire boat. The captain spent a lot of time researching, creating schematics, and referencing all the knowledge he gained during our last refit. While we have not yet fully completed the electrical system, we are confident we will have enough power to live comfortably and sustainably using only the power of the sun. The first mate went from knowing practically nothing about electricity and wiring to handling the connections for almost everything towards the end.

PROJECT LIST

  • By removing the wastewater tank, we opened up an entire locker large enough to house our battery bank.

    • 826 AH SOK Lithium Battery Bank (4 batteries)

  • Our bifacial solar panels performed really well on our first sailboat, so we brought them along. And then added six more…

    • 1,400w of solar panels- SunPower and Renogy bifacial (6 flex, 3 rigid)

    • Added a layer of rubber to each solar panel and trimmed the edges with rubber as well

    • Sewed custom fabric pockets for mounting the solar panels on both the bimini and the dodger

  • We modified the arch by adding extensions to better support the length of the rigid solar panels. We then ran the wiring through the bars of the arch to keep things streamlined.

  • We were making near daily trips to West Marine for spools of wire and candy-colored connectors.

    • Various wiring, cables, fuses, lugs, connectors, switches and breakers

    • Blue Sea 12v breaker panel

    • New AC outlets and wiring

    • Rewired shore power main, replaced wiring, inlet and cord after noticing damage

  • As the electrical system grew, so did its space requirements. What was a perfect cupboard for canned goods now holds the inverter.

    • Victon Multiplus II 3,000w inverter, BMV-712 smart shunt, and monitor

    • 3 Victon MPPT charge controllers

    • Victron DC-DC converter

    • Victron Cerbo GX and cable

INTERIOR SYSTEMS

WINTER 2025 - SPRING 2026

We had several systems to weave through the belly of the boat. From running all new fresh water hoses to ventilation hoses for the head. Most of these projects provide us with the creature comforts we desire, while others, like the bilge pumps, are necessary for safety.

PROJECT LIST

  • We weren’t planning to replace the plumbing until we discovered it was leaking. Turns out the old lines were really gross, so it's a good thing we took care of them.

    • All new plumbing lines and connections

    • New faucets in the head and galley

    • Removed the shower hookup in the head

    • New pressure water pump

  • Years ago, when we spent $1,000 on a toilet, we said, "This is our toilet for life!" (That and we have heard too many horror stories involving traditional marine heads...) We are very happy with our “Speckles” and will continue to bring him wherever we go.

    • Airhead composting toilet w/ upgraded fan and modified hose attachments

    • Turned the old pump-out hole on deck into the vent for the head

    • Sewed sound-dampening pillows out of rock wool for the “turbo toilet” fan

  • Neither one of us can handle bright overhead lights. So we bought a bunch of our favorite dimmable warm light discs. We also installed the same style of fans from our previous boat. Only this time, we were able to place them in locations where we couldn't bump into them and no longer have to deal with being softly chopped throughout the day.

    • 10 LED light fixtures

    • Multiple charging ports throughout the cabin

    • 7 Caframo 12v fans

  • Origami came with a gimbaled range and a CNG tank. We traded the convenience of having a gimbal underway for the convenience of not having to worry about gas all the time.

    • Induction cooktop

    • Electric multi-function toaster oven (Had to later swap out the Ninja Foodie 10-in-1 due to incompatibility with the inverter)

  • We both work full-time running our own design and marketing business, so having reliable internet is a must!

    • Starlink Mini and 12v power supply

  • We don’t do wet bilges. Our last boat was 100% dry. This one needs work…

    • Rule Automatic bilge pump (in addition to switched and manual)

CUSTOMIZATIONS

ONGOING

We have always enjoyed making things uniquely ours. We love to repurpose, create, and customize. Long ago, when Evan first got his own place, he bought a teak bench that was on sale. He knew teak was long-lasting and considered it a good investment for his future. The bench saw us through our first home together. When it was time to move on to our little sailboat, we had it cut down into a cockpit table. Now that we are on Origami, this bench exists as a shower grate, the base for a custom light fixture, and trimwork in the galley.

PROJECT LIST

  • Meriah has a heavy-duty sewing machine on board. Having the ability to create things ourselves has saved a lot of money.

    • Sunbrella cockpit cushion covers

    • Sunbrella bridge shade (between bimini and dodger)

    • Outdoor pillows

    • Protective covers for both bikes, the grill, four gerry cans, the Life Sling, and the cooler

    • A cat hammock

    • Several sail ties

  • Our woodworking tools are pretty limited, so we enlisted some help from Meriah’s father as well as a guy at the marina for a few of these projects.

    • Teak shower grate

    • Custom shelf for the library

    • Additional galley storage

    • Trim around the stovetop and oven

    • Mounting plates for deck hardware

  • We’re suckers for mood lighting and ambiance. Now if only the bugs didn’t feel the same way...

    • Outdoor hanging patio lights and solar-powered lanterns

    • Custom pendant light in galley

  • Meriah is always configuring something that will optimize our storage abilities. This list is far from complete.

    • Bungee nets for added storage

    • Decals to label pantry items

WINTER HIGHLIGHTS

ROAD TRIPS

NATURE WALKS

A BLIZZARD!?

MAKING SNOWMEN

ENGINE + FUEL

MOSTLY FEBRUARY & APRIL 2026

We were lucky to have a friend at the marina (with the same diesel engine) assist us with servicing our engine. This was when we discovered that our water pump was leaking. He assured us that we could easily rebuild it ourselves. Rebuilding that water pump broke us down with defeat after defeat. It is easily the worst boat project to date. But with a little help from some professionals, we were able to get it up and running correctly.

PROJECT LIST

  • We have big plans for the fuel system on this boat, but so far, this is all we’ve managed.

    • Inspected the tank and fuel

    • Ran new fuel lines

  • Origami has a beautiful motor, a Yanmar 3HM35F. It is so nice and clean, and has very few miles!

    • Full diesel service - all fluids, hoses, and filters replaced

    • Rebuilt diesel water pump

    • Fixed an air leak by replacing hoses, fittings, and crush washers

  • Before our first trial sail, we made sure everything was ready to go.

    • Lubed steering, throttle, and shift linkages

ON DECK

THROUGHOUT THE REFIT

The first major modification we made on deck was the addition of the arch. We opted to buy a prebuilt arch rather than make our own (as we have done in the past) because of the functionality and weight it needed to support. Attaching the arch was a bit of a complex puzzle and took time to get just right. It has made the biggest visual change to the boat.

PROJECT LIST

  • Go big or go home! (Or really, risk losing your home) We will avoid dragging anchor at all costs. With a bigger boat, came a bigger anchor, so we made the switch from muscles to a windlass.

    • Mantus 55 lb. M1 anchor

    • Lewmar Pro 1000 windlass

    • Mantus stainless swivel S1

    • 60’ of 5/16” Grade 43 high-test chain and 200’ of 5/8” 8-plait nylon rode

    • Deck reinforced with fiberglass and stainless channel strut for windlass

    • Added two top rollers to create the correct geometry to avoid hitting the furling drum when lowering/raising the anchor

  • The arch serves many functions. It holds our solar panels up to the sun. It supports our dinghy so we no longer have to tow it. And it provides the perfect place to hang a hammock chair!

    • Atlantic Towers stern arch

  • We have found several good sources for sailing paraphernalia. New purchases from trusted professionals, used stuff from a local collector, and our favorite, the dumpster. Who knew one day we would trade our beloved road bikes for a box of sailing hardware?

    • Hung the main sail

    • Furled head sail

    • Added used storm jib and staysail to the collection

    • Performance headsail halyard

    • New 4-position deck organizer

    • New 3-line clutch

    • Upgraded mainsheet winch on cabin top

    • Custom backing plate

  • We have made some modifications to the helm, but are saving most adjustments for later once we have had a chance to figure out what setups suit us best.

    • Mitered pedestal guard

    • Custom chartplotter bracket

    • Accessory mount for iPad

  • We went an entire year circumnavigating the eastern half of the United States and parts of Canada without either of these! Evan now has some protection from the weather and waves. How luxurious!

    • Reinforced bimini with stainless rail

    • Strataglass installed in the dodger

    • Bedded bimini attachment points (were not sealed previously)

  • It is nice being able to check on the boat when we are away.

    • 360º wifi security camera on spreaders

  • Would you believe that the chainplate bolts are a foot long?!

    • Removed and cleaned up chainplates

    • Replaced bolts inside

    • Rebedded chainplate covers

  • All of the lifelines are due to be replaced. It is on our to-do list.

    • Two sections of stainless rail lifelines in the cockpit

NAVIGATION

MOSTLY SPRING 2026

A lot of our navigation accessories were transferred over from our first boat. But things like having an MMSI# and the ability to send AIS information were new to us. We learned the hard way that we love having an autopilot. So while we were not able to keep the one we had before (tiller-style), we made sure to get one for the new boat (wheel-style). Things started to feel real once we began connecting the chartplotter and VHF radio.

PROJECT LIST

  • The biggest adjustment to life on Origami is her deeper keel. We’re not dealing with a 2.25-foot draft anymore…

    • Garmin GT15M in-hull transducer (no hole required)

  • It was nice not having to buy another chartplotter by using the one we already had.

    • Garmin chartplotter

  • We feel much safer now that others can see our location, and it makes radio calls easier too!

    • Garmin 800 AIS

  • Most of these items we were able to bring over from our first sailboat.

    • Garmin VHF with AIS receiving

    • Garmin GHS 11 VHF handset for cockpit

    • Garmin GA38 GPS antenna

    • NEBO tracker

  • Autopilots are awesome! Much like the bimini, dodger, and windlass, we also went a long time without this convenience.

    • CPT autopilot system

  • Data and power, all within arm’s reach!

    • NASA anemometer with display in cockpit

    • Multiple charging ports in the cockpit

SPRING HIGHLIGHTS

FRESH FLOWERS

THE POLLENING

TURTLES RETURN

BEING OUTDOORS

DINGHY + OUTBOARD

SPRING 2026

We were hesitant to spend the money on a new dinghy and outboard, but we knew that going bigger, faster, and safer would be worth it in the end. We were also sad to say goodbye to our original pair, who had accompanied us on many adventures before. But we found some great deals and now we have Murky Currywurst the Furst and Super Puff!

PROJECT LIST

  • Raising the dinghy keeps her clean and out of the way, also there’s less sloshing going on.

    • Modified the arch by adding dinghy davits

  • Named after our first dinghy, Puff, Super Puff is a 2025 Highfield UL 290-FD inflatable dinghy.

    • Adhered registration numbers and stickers

    • Added decals

  • Murky Currywurst the Furst is a 2025 Mercury 9.9 4 Stroke outboard motor.

    • Added an outboard mount on the stern rail

    • Placed souviner stickers

    • Added an outboard extention handle

FINAL TOUCHES

APRIL - MAY 2026

To complete her transformation, we wrapped up Origami’s refit with some cosmetic projects. Bright work and decals all around. Then, with the new name came some superstitious requirements, such as a renaming ceremony. We made time for some necessary fun, aka trial sails. Everything was finally coming together!

PROJECT LIST

  • It took about two weeks to refinish all of the wooden rails (toe rails and hand rails). We used the product TeakGuard. We’ll see how well it weathers.

  • Meriah is fortunate to have a friend in the custom apparel business. She cuts all of our vinyl decals, which makes them even more special.

  • We popped some bubbly and made our offerings in all directions to the Gods of the seas. (Origami was originally named Morningstar)

  • Any item that might move while underway was secured with velcro, tie-downs, bungee cords, or some other attachment accessory.

    Both battery banks were strapped down nice and tight.

  • We practiced sailing our new boat just the two of us, with family, and with friends. While we may have taken on water once and touched bottom, the captain remains excellent at docking the boat. (Wow!)

  • We went through every cubby, cabinet and locker reevaluating what got to stay and what needed to go.

  • The captain’s number one concern at all times is safety.

    • ACR V6 EPIRB

    • Fire extinguishers and mounts

    • New bow and stern navigation lights

    • High water alarm with push notifications to phone and piezo alarm

LEFT FOR LATER

MAY 2026

We could easily stay in the boatyard forever. There are always more projects you could do. Maybe even should do? But there comes a time when enough is enough, and you need to just shove off! We learned this lesson the first time around, and much like then, we set off in the rain with a boat full of projects for another time.

PROJECT LIST

  • Space has been made, and the unit is in place. We probably won’t connect the watermaker until after we return from our first voyage.

    • SeaWater Pro Watermaker

  • We stashed our pile of random teak pieces away for another day. We’ve got some trim work to do and storage in the galley to complete.

  • We carried a washdown unit in its box on our last boat for nearly two years, never getting around to installing it. This time is different, and we plan to complete this project soon.

  • We left with three flex panels inoperable. Two are mounted in place and ready to be wired. The smallest of them was stowed away for another day.

  • We imagined starting our great adventure with a clean and shiny boat… However, this too will have to wait. (Can’t say we are looking forward to hand-waxing 36 feet of boat hull)

  • We packed an oversized Raycor fuel filter and the items needed to assemble a built-in fuel-polishing loop. Hopefully, we get around to this project before encountering any unsavory fuel.

  • We don’t plan on stopping at marinas too often, and we removed the shower option from the head. So, it looks like we will be taking bucket baths until the outdoor shower is plumbed.

WE’RE HEADED NORTH!

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