58LRC - makes 1st 1000 mile trip (as newer owners)

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We just returned from a nice 31 day, 1000 mile trip from SW Florida to the Exumas, Eleuthera and the Abacos. This is our 1st medium distance trip with the LRC and was a great shakedown cruise. We purchased "Katerina" about 1.5 years ago and have been working on ever since. She was definitely "ready to go" and so were we!!!

Katerina ran great, with only a few easily fixed issues (1 float switch, a few bulbs, one shower hose, a few other little things) but no major problems.

What was really nice - the entire trip was done using only the fuel in our Forward tank and we still have several hundred gallons left. We did use the Aft tank for the generator, which was run twice a day for about 3 hrs. each time.

There were 4 of us on board for the 1st three weeks, but the boat provided plenty of space for us all and we never felt crowded or the need to reduce the size of our crew.

I will say that some of the most enjoyed improvements we made to Katerina during her last 1.5 years of updates included a Victron inverter (thanks to Scott B), replacement of the two old HD interstate 12v (in series for 25v) house batteries with (4) 6v US Battery L16HD's (440am @ 24v), upgraded 170amp 24v alternator, beverage cooler (in the aft deck area) and last but not least a working high output U-Line ice-maker.

We like to anchor out, so only 3 nights in a marina and the rest of the time on the hook. With the upgraded/new 24V house batteries we were able to run our full size (31cu ft) French door refrigerator, flybridge ice maker, beverage cooler, downstairs freezer and flybridge refrigerator for about 9-10 hours before needing the generator. Running the generator twice a day allowed for battery recharge, plus watermaker (800gpd) and some HVAC.

Our route took us south to the Florida Keys. From there we rode the GS to Gun Cay. Over to the Berry's to clear in. Then south the the Exumas, etc.

On the way back we did the Lake Okeechoebee route. While it was on my bucket list and worth doing, I don't believe we'd go that route again in the future. I much prefer to run overnight, non-stop and coming thru the lake was a very slow 3 days back from Pt. St. Lucie to Punta Gorda.

Well, now to unload and clean her up. We look forward to the next trip and will be searching for a great next destination.