Interior Comforts

Aventura’s interior is as comfortable as we could make it. The single most important alteration that we insisted upon was to install either side of the navigation table two large domestic type leather armchairs. As they swivel they can be turned to either face the table or inwards towards the cabin. They are extremely comfortable at sea and I have not come across such excellent armchairs on any other boat that I have visited.

As Aventura was built and equipped with a cold water voyage in mind the boat incorporates several alterations to the standard version. Both deck and hull have been insulated down to the waterline. While in Antarctica the boat was always comfortable and the diesel heater kept up a pleasant temperature. Later I realized that the insulation was just as useful in the tropics as it helped keep the temperature to a bearable level however hot it was outside.

The Galley

Aventura’s galley is simple and functional, but it is more than adequate for our needs. The gimballed cooker has two burners, an oven and grill. Being concerned about the possibility of a gas leak, I installed an electronic cut-out at the tank that turns off the gas when it is switched off from the galley, which we always do as soon as we finish cooking. Similarly, when we want to light the cooker the system has to be activated so that it opens the valve at the tank end.

In this way when the cooker is not in use there is no gas between it and the tank. The tanks are stored in a special locker that is insulated from the rest of the boat and drains overboard. All burners are fitted with their own bi-metal safety cut-outs. I use the Camping Gaz type 3 kg butane tanks, which are widely used in Europe and we had them easily filled in all the countries we visited. One tank lasts on average between two and three weeks with normal cooking, so with six tanks we have an autonomy of about three months. To save gas I often use a pressure cooker, which is excellent for making stews or cooking vegetables. I also have a barbecue that can be mounted at the stern but I don’t like using it while at sea and even at anchor it is getting used less and less.