Rainshadow has a surprising amount of original equipment, compliments of the care given for 27 years by her second owner. Here’s a breakdown of her specs and equipment showing both how she was at the time we took over as her third keepers, and the modifications we made.
ENGINE, GEARBOX and STEERING
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications/Repairs |
|---|---|
| Perkins 4-108, ~3000 hrs | Added an inline fuel pump to help with engine bleeding (spring 2013) Replaced high pressure fuel lines (2015) Replaced injection pump (2024) |
| MotorCraft Alternator 80 amp | Replaced with Prestolite 90 amp alternator. (2014) |
| Lucas Starter | Replaced with IMI starter (2020) |
| Original fuel tank | Had tank polished, and added a dedicated fuel polishing loop (spring 2010) |
| Nicor Marine (TMP) Mk IV Type 12000 gearbox with 2:1 reduction gears, flexible couplers | Couplers repainted, shaft stuffing box threaded rods replaced with SAE threads (were BSF) 2026 |
| Mathway Steering gear | Backlash explored in gearbox, drag link and ball joints between gearbox and stub-tiller replaced. Aug-Sept 2022 |
| Monitor Wind Vane | Improved control lines (2017) |
| 16″ diameter 12″ pitch screw prop | Replaced with Axiom prop summer 2011 |
GALLEY
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| Calor Gas propane stove with oven and banger grill | Replaced with Dickenson Carribean (2019) |
| Adler Barbour 12v electric 3.2 cu/ft front loading refrigerator/freezer | Added 1.5” R9 insulation board inside the box to improve efficiency (summer 2010) Replaced Adler Barbour with Isotherm 3701 holding plate and Danfoss compressor. Add more insulation to the outside of the box. (summer 2014) |
| Original SS sink and blue plaid Formica-type countertop | Replaced tap in summer 2011, and again in 2018 to single pot filler tap. |
| 12v hot/cold pressure water with accumulator tank | Replaced accumulator tank, and all water hoses to galley (summer 2010). Replaced accumulator again in 2021. Replaced fresh water pump with Shurflo Aqua King Junior (summer 2014) Removed the on-demand hot water heater because we coveted the space, and it wasted water and propane (2017) |
| No watermaker | Added a Little Wonder LWM-145 (2016) |
| Fresh water foot pump | Converted foot pump to salt water (2012) then disconnected in 2015. Reconnected as saltwater foot pump (2023). Added dedicated seacock under galley (2026). |
| 70 gallon fiberglass fresh water tank, complete with plenty of blisters | Resurfaced with Sanitred products (summer 2010) – this was lengthy saga that went from bad to worse. Completely removed the Sanitred coating and reverted back to the blistered fiberglass surface. Instead installed an under-counter filter to remove any impurities. (2013) |
V-BERTH CABIN
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| Original chain locker with hawse pipe through v-berth has been abandoned. The new chain locker is just forward of the original at the bow, with the new hawse pipe being just aft of the stem fitting. Problem with this arrangement is that there is sometimes not sufficient fall for the chain, and it piles up without sliding downward and aft when pulling the chain back onboard. | New chain slides better than original chain that had gone rusty with use and time (2023) |
| Single berths converted to huge bed by installing a wood platform on top the cabinetry and adding a section of foam. | New cushions. Changed style of making it a single large berth is it is possible to get into lockers easier (2012). Added memory foam topper (summer 2014) Replaced cushions with a Serta foam queen mattress, cut to size. The original DriFast cushions had disintegrated. (2021) |
| Original sidewall board | Remodeled v-berth: area under berths converted to sail storage. Replaced dirty sidewalls with new plywood, and insulated hull above waterline.(winter 2010) Painted the wallboard on the bulkheads (spring 2010) |
| Uninsulated hull | Added sheet insulation in spring 2012. |
MAIN CABIN
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| Uninsulated hull | Added sheet insulation in spring 2012. |
| Newly reupholstered seats with ultra suede | Fore and aft dinette top fabric replaced due to wear (2025) |
| Original lighting | Replaced main salon, galley, and chart light with LED bulbs (summer 2010). Added more LED lighting in 2012. |
| Ducting for Webasto heater into all cabins, but the heater is gone | Added a Webasto 3900 forced air diesel heater (Spring 2011) Removed ducting to forward cabin, leaving only main salon vent that now works better (Summer 2014) |
| Fixed glass portlights | Replaced galley portlight with opening version from New Found Metals (2017). Portlights rebed over time as leaks developed. Posting about the process. |
AFT CABIN
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| Original ship’s design had two quarter berths in the aft cabin, but the second owner remodeled the aft cabin in the 80’s so it contains a single quarter berth on port side. The starboard side now has a chair, bookcase and built-in drawer cabinetry. It makes for a cozy second living space. | Replace the quarter berth cushion (Winter 2010) Replaced the aft seat cushion and aft berth cushion with Serta Foam mattress (2022) |
| Original ship’s design also had a toilet and sink in the aft cabin. Both have now been removed. The aft head is now a hanging locker and tool storage | Added a watermaker in this locker (2016) |
| Fixed portlights to port and starboard. Opening portlight aft. | Replaced starboard portlight with opening version from New Found Metals (2017) |
HEAD
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| Lavac Zenith toilet with Whale Mark V pump | Replaced Whale Mark V pump winter 2010. Toilet bowl has noticeable crack in 2011, so we bought a new Lavac toilet that we installed in winter 2012. |
| No holding tank | 13 gallon holding tank installed behind the head sink, all new hoses (winter 2010) |
| Fixed portlight | Replaced portlight with opening version from New Found Metals (2018) |
| Tannoy vent | Replaced Nico solar vent, which failed after few years. Then added Vetus electric vent (about 2017). |
ELECTRONICS
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| Neco/Raymarine MkII Autopilot (rebuilt) | Drive unit failed in 2021. Replaced all autopilot components: Octopus SD-10 drive unit with RFM, NAC-2 controller, interface to B&G Zeus2 – (2022) |
| Handheld GPS for navigation | Used OpenCPN on a netbook computer, which worked great until we left regions with free charts. Replaced with B&G Zeus2 7″ MFD (2018) Added Maretron Gyro SSC300 compass (2020) |
| Furuno 16mi Radar (rebuilt) | Replaced with B&G 3G radar (2017), which failed so had to be replaced again in 2020. |
| Icom VHF | Standard Horizon VHF with remote mic in cockpit (spring 2010) |
| Icom SSB radio with auto tuner | We got our HAM licenses and renewed the ships call sign. Also added a counterpoise, detached the radio from the dynaplate and the copper grounding. (Spring 2011) Then replaced it with ICOM M802 and moved antenna to starboard shroud by installing Stalok insulator. (Spring 2012) ICOM factory repaired after failure (2025) |
| Datamarine Knotmeter/Depthsounder | Series of replacements with fish finder shoot through hull types. Original DM failed. Installed Maretron Depth/Speed DST110 (2023) Added B&G Triton2 display (2024) |
| No wind speed equipment | Added a used DataMarine Wind Speed indicator system (2011) Added Le Capteurs CV7 ultrasonic wind sensor (2023) to replace failing DataMarine sensor |
| No AIS | Added an AMEC AIS transponder (2015). Failed, so replaced with emTrack B951 (2023). |
| No networking | Added NMEA 2000 backbone (2017); Added Shipmodul Miniplex-3 Multiplexer to support NMEA0183 and backup computer running OpenCPN (2020) |
| Sestral Major pedestal compass | We got the light working again (summer 2010). Then shorted out in 2023 so not working again. |
| Ancient depthsounder with graphical display | removed it (summer 2010) |
ELECTRICAL and CHARGING
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| 2-Arco 65 solar panels (20 years old, and still working) | Added a Blue Sky MPPT Solar Charger and replaced switch to control which battery gets the charge (summer 2010). Replace solar panels with BP 485J panels (Summer 2012). Added second Blue Sky charge controller in prep for adding more panels, and added Blue Sky IPN to better control charging (2020). We later abandoned the IPN because it’s charging logic is poorly designed. Added flexible solar panel to coach roof (2023) |
| 2 older Golf cart house batteries plus starter battery | Replaced house with Trojan T-105 golf cart batteries (Spring 2011) Replaced starter battery in summer 2013. Replaced Trojan house batteries with two Firefly Oasis carbon foam batteries (2017). Added more Firefly Oasis for more capacity, for total of 3 (2019) Replaced starter battery in prep for passage (2023) |
| Isolator and voltage regulator charging system with 90 Amp Alternator on switch | Replaced with Alternator regulator (Xantrex) and Battery Combiner (Blue Sea) (Spring 2011) Replaced alternator with 100amp Prestolite model 8MR2069TA (summer 2014) Replaced failed Xantrex alternator regulator with Balmar regulator MC-618 (2021) Also added a battery monitor so we know the charge state better. |
| Original electrical panel (12V) plus organic growth add-on wiring | Replaced panel and massive electrical improvements (Spring 2012 and onwards) |
| Main mast wiring for AquaSignal tri-color | Hauled mast and rewired decklight, steaming light. Added wind indicator light and replaced tri-color with LED bulb (fall 2013) |
SAILS/RIGGING
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| Barient #23 2 speed/self tailing primary winches | |
| Lewmar #8’s and 1 Lewmar #5 winches on masts | |
| Mast Steps on main mast | |
| No roller furler, standing rigging about 15 years since replacement | Added Harken MkIV Unit 1 furler and replaced headstay, using Hi-Mod compression fitting (summer 2010) Replaced all standing rigging between 2014-2016 (except the mizzen running backstays). 2023 replaced headstay for 2nd time. Added Garhauer ridged boom vang (2022) |
| Butler Verner Sails: (The originals!) * Mainsail, jib, genoa, storm jib, Mizzen, Gennaker | Purchased North Sails (summer 2010): * Furling 135% Genoa (Radial cut Dacron), Mainsail with 2 full battens and 2 leach battens (Dacron), Mizzen with 3 leach battens (Dacron) *Purchased mizzen stays’l and hank-on drifter from Crusader Sails (Summer 2014) *Purchased used hank-on working jib (2015) * Purchased Neil Pryde roller-furling working jib and more robust mizzen (Spring 2016) *Purchased cruising spinnaker (2020) |
| New halyards | Replaced jib halyard because needed smaller eye splice for furler install (Sept 2010) Replaced main halyard with dyneema because needed smaller eye splice since North Sails built the main too big (2011). Replaced jib sheets, mizzen running rigging except sheet (2020). Replaced main sheet (2021). Replace more sheets and halyards (2023). Replaced main topping lift (2026) |
| Horn cleat for main sheet, cockpit side horn cleats for preventer | Added cam cleat for main sheet, removed horn. Added cam cleats deck just aft the primary winches for the preventer lines (summer 2010) Replaced the main sheet and mizzen sheet deck hardware after one failed (2015-2016) Added a Spinlock XTR0812 halyard clutch to the main mast to allow one winch to work for solent or headsail (2016) |
| No solent stay hardware | Added Lefiell staysail bracket to construct solent stay (fall 2013) Finished solent stay installation using Dyneema Dux and a custom made plate (summer 2014) |
| Original spars | Major man boom repair/restore work (2026) |
DECK, HULL and GROUND TACKLE
| At Purchase 2009 | Our Modifications |
|---|---|
| Fully enclosed center cockpit with removable hardtop dodger. Roll-Up and totally removable side curtains with windows | Replaced canvas with improved fit and more zippers aft. (2019). Replaced skylights in coach roof (2025) |
| Windshield, sans the windshield wiper | Added a wiper (spring 2012) |
| Laminated teak spoke wheel, beautifully varnished with installed bracket for Monitor windvane control lines | Revarnished wheel 2022. Still beautiful. |
| Removable helmsman seat and matching first mate seat on starboard side | Re-upholstered (2026) |
| Propane locker under aft starboard deck, accessible from aft deck locker | Added a deckplate so can access propane locker from deck and close valves (winter 2010) Completely replaced the propane system with a rail-mounted setup to ABYC standards (2015). Replaced regulator (2023). Replaced regulator, solenoid and pigtail (2025) |
| No washdown pump | Washdown pump installed (2023). Installed deck fitting for hose attachment on aft deck (2026) |
| Lofrans Kobra 1000W windlass | Replaced failed motor. Improve backing plates and deck strength. Added cockpit control switch. (2020) Replaced Windlass with same model. Replaced control box (2024). |
| 45# CQR with 240′ hi-test chain | Replaced with a Manson Supreme 35 lb (summer 2010) After about the first 75′ of the chain corroded into a nasty pile, cut off the bad part and kept only the remaining 130+ feet (2018) Purchased replacement 220′ G43 5/16″ (2020). |
| 20# Danforth with chain & rope rode | Replaced with Fortress FX-23 (Spring 2012) |
| 35# CQR with chain & rope rode | Replaced rope rode (2020) |
| Original thru-hulls, mostly Blakes seacocks but gate valves on head and galley sink drains, bilge pump outlet and engine exhaust outlet. Aft head inlet and outlet thru-hulls, as well as aft sink drain thru-hull, all plugged. Cockpit seacocks also plugged, and all cockpit drains routed to bilge. | Replaced gate valves head sink drain (summer 2010) and galley sink drain (summer 2011) with marelon thru-hulls and flanged seacocks. First replaced aft cabin sink drain with plugged marelon thru-hull (summer 2011) and later installed marelon seacock (fall 2013). Replaced main bilge outlet thru-hull and removed gate valve (fall 2013). Added new 1.5″ Marelon seacock to main bilge outlet (Summer 2014). Replaced head inlet with marelon, replaced head outlet with new Blakes, replaced engine raw water inlet with Groco, replaced former aft head outlet with plugged marelon thru-hull. (2023) Glassed closed unused port cockpit drain thruhull and unused depth sounder transducer hole. Added dedicated saltwater foot pump 1/2″ seacock. (2026) |
| Rudder reglassed due to concerns of water ingress | Rudder rebuilt to replace SS rudder stock and remove saturated foam. Rudder collar replaced with clever coupler (fall 2013). Rudder showing water weeping at weak joint in 2023, so reglassed again. |
| Hull had minor blistering, some repaired in earlier years | Additional blisters appeared over time. Worst blisters repaired on yearly basis beginning in 2023. Some blister repairs made before purchase failed, these also repaired again, this time with more careful surface preparation. All bottom paint removed. Major blister repair effort, including damage from prior Dynaplate location. Barrier Coat with 4 layers of Pettit Protect, alternating colors gray/white/gray/white. Apply 2 coats Pettit Hydrocoat ECO, a copper-free bottom paint. Alternate colors: green/red. (2026) |
| Shaft log is original white metal bearing from C&N | Replace white metal bearing (2011). Replace second time, have a spare cast as well. (2025) |