Sunbeam Update – Capt. Mike’s Glimpse of Life as Actual Captain

Sunbeam Update – Capt. Mike’s Glimpse of Life as Actual Captain

BELFAST, ME — After spending months addressing design aspects of the Sunbeam not directly related to her operation, I was finally able to get aboard and get a glimpse of my life as an actual captain. Due to [coronavirus] distancing regulations, the yard crew left the marine electronics for me on Friday night. I went aboard over the weekend and began tinkering with the layout.

This is a simple but robust commercial set-up. The large Koden radar on the starboard side is the only remaining piece of equipment from the former helm. In the middle are two Hatteland marine monitors. One is fed from a Furuno radar unit (black box) under the dash, and the second is running navigational software from a marinized PC also located under the dash. Completing the set-up is a standard Furuno depth sounder.

In all of this modern technology, we do not forget the importance of the compass (far port side) which was a gift from the fishermen on Matinicus Island given at the launch of Sunbeam IV in 1964.

Source: Sunbeam Capt. Mike Johnson, April 16, 2020

‘Sunbeam’ Update – Insulating the Main Salon

‘Sunbeam’ Update – Insulating the Main Salon

BELFAST, ME — The Mission’s boat Sunbeam is having its routine major refit at Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME. The first Sunbeam photos out of Front Street, about a year ago, were of a Sunbeam with its interior gutted for the first time in a quarter century. The expansive surface rust made a startling impression. You can see those photos by searching the Mission blog using keyword “Sunbeam.”

This current photo from Front Street, as with all of the shipyard’s recent Sunbeam Twitter photos, is encouraging and gratifying. It shows a Front Street craftsman “putting insulation above the main salon on Sunbeam.

New Insulation Adds to ‘Sunbeam’ Comfort on Cold Maine Days

New Insulation Adds to ‘Sunbeam’ Comfort on Cold Maine Days

BELFAST, ME — This photo, taken February 2020 by Mission Communications Associate Hunter Billings, shows Sunbeam Captain Mike Johnson examining new insulation cut-and-fitted as part of the Sunbeam routine major refit at Front Street Shipyard, Belfast, ME.

Capt. Mike said the insulation will make a big difference in crew and visitor comfort aboard the boat on cold days and nights.

Learn more about the Sunbeam crew’s work.

A Fresh View from the ‘Sunbeam’ Pilot House

A Fresh View from the ‘Sunbeam’ Pilot House

BELFAST, ME — Sunbeam Captain Mike Johnson demonstrating one of the new anti-fog pilot house windows. This photo was taken late February 2020 by Mission Communications Associate Hunter Billings at Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME.

Before and during the Sunbeam routine major refit, Capt. Mike self-produced walk-through video updaters on the work in progress. In February, Hunter manned the camcorder and worked with Mike on the latest boat updater video which will soon be available to the public.

Meanwhile, take a peek at Capt. Mike’s last updater video from September 2019.

‘Sunbeam’ Updater – Meet Freelance Welder John Stoklas

‘Sunbeam’ Updater – Meet Freelance Welder John Stoklas

BELFAST, ME — Sunbeam Captain Mike Johnson spends much of his workdays at Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME overseeing the routine major refitting of the boat. Both Mike and photographers at Front Street continue doing a good job chronicling the Sunbeam refit and the craftsman doing the work.

“This is John Stoklas,” writes Mike, who took this photo on Feb. 28th. “John is a freelance welder contracted by Front Street Shipyard to help with some of the larger welding jobs aboard the Sunbeam. This photo shows John removing an exhaust mounting bracket from the old engine room ceiling to install on the new ceiling,” explained Capt. Johnson.

Thank you, John Stoklas.

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