Journal · Boat Systems
An overview of everything that's changed aboard since Sue and John took ownership in 2019 — the full list, in one place, before each item gets its own deep-dive post.
Gran Blau's story doesn't start in 2019. She had a full refit back in 2002, at the Belliure yard in Calpe where she was built — the last major yard work done on her before she came under new ownership. But the seven years since have been a steady, deliberate programme to take a well-built Mediterranean cruising ketch and turn her into a genuine blue-water expedition boat: not one big rebuild, but a running list of upgrades, each done because a passage plan demanded it.
This post is the index. Below is every major system that's been touched since 2019, in brief. Each one is getting its own full write-up over the coming months — what was replaced, why, what it cost, and how it's actually performed at sea — starting with the rigging and working through the list.
The Full List
New standing and running rigging in 2021, followed by a new suite of sails in 2024 — the two changes that matter most for how she actually sails and stands up to sustained ocean wind.
A new mast and new cockpit winches, reducing the physical load of sail handling on long offshore watches.
Lithium batteries and solar panels, replacing older lead-acid power with something that copes with instruments, autopilot and refrigeration running continuously offshore, without needing the engine on to keep up.
A new watermaker fitted in 2025, turning multi-week ocean passages and long Caribbean seasons from a fresh-water-rationing exercise into a non-issue.
All seven seacocks replaced with GRP TruDesign fittings in 2026, plus new hose clamps throughout — unglamorous, but the single most common source of a serious problem at sea, and now fully replaced rather than patched. A new 60-litre Vetus blackwater tank was also fitted over winter 2025, serving both heads.
An induction hob run entirely from a 3kW inverter, with no gas carried on board at all — removing an entire category of onboard fire and explosion risk.
A full Raymarine upgrade: instruments, chartplotter, radar, AIS and VHF radio, giving proper situational awareness for busy shipping lanes and squally night watches alike. See the full gear review.
A secondary autopilot, planned before the 2028 Atlantic crossing, to back up the primary system — because an autopilot failure mid-ocean turns a relaxed passage into a very tiring one, fast.
Two Vulcan anchors, a Mantus Chain Hook snubber and a spare Delta kedge — proper ground tackle, tested for real in a 50-knot blow in Port Pollença. See the full gear review.
Beyond the Headline Systems
Alongside the nine systems above, the wider refit has covered a long list of less glamorous but equally essential work — the kind of thing that doesn't get its own gear review, but matters just as much to a boat genuinely fit for offshore use.
A full osmosis treatment carried out at Tecni Yacht, Port Balis — dealt with early, before any of the rest of the refit began.
A full engine overhaul carried out by Catmar, an authorised Volvo Penta dealer — the kind of job only trusted to a manufacturer-approved specialist.
A new mast step, replacing a structural point that takes the full compression load of the rig.
A new propeller shaft and stuffing box — a classic source of slow leaks on an older boat, now fully replaced.
A new exhaust elbow and anti-siphon exhaust, along with all new pipework for both the engine and the generator.
A full Awlgrip paint job, giving Gran Blau a durable, high-quality topsides finish.
A new washing machine and dryer aboard — a genuine quality-of-life upgrade for longer passages and extended seasons with guests.
Coming Up
Each system above will get its own dedicated post: the reasoning behind the choice, what installation actually involved, and an honest account of how it's performed underway. First up — the rigging and sails.
Why we replaced the standing rigging before the winches, and what changed underway.
Read the ReviewLiving off-grid for weeks at a time without touching the engine.
Read the ReviewWhat changed once fresh water stopped being a rationed resource.
Read the ReviewCooking underway with no gas aboard, on a 3kW inverter.
Read the ReviewInstruments, autopilot control, radar and AIS — how it all works together.
Read the ReviewA full binnacle overhaul: new compass, galvanised wheel holder, and the steering chain inspected and greased.
Read the ReviewWhy one autopilot was never going to be enough for ocean passages.
Two bow anchors, a proper snubber, and a kedge held in reserve.
Read the ReviewA Duarry liferaft and Hammar hydrostatic release, mounted at the stern.
Read the ReviewFollow Along
Sign up to the newsletter to get each write-up as it goes live, or see the full system list on the Boat & Safety page.
Sign Up to the Newsletter See Boat & Safety