Sailing KopeliaOur boat. Our home. Our story.

The refit · Main Cabin

A place to
settle in.

A photo journey through Kopelia’s main cabin rebuild.

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Rebuilt for life aboard.

The main cabin became part of our complete interior rebuild. We kept most of Kopelia’s layout, but the spaces we would live in were rebuilt by hand. These photos show the room opening up, then slowly coming back together.

Seating, books, and woven cabinet fronts in the rebuilt main cabin.
Seating, books, and woven cabinet fronts in the rebuilt main cabin. Photo: 2025-04-29.

The rebuild · 01

Taking the old interior out

The early work exposed the cabin surfaces and storage spaces. The piles beside the boat give some idea of just how much came out.

Sanding the interior woodwork.
Sanding the interior woodwork. Photo: 2020-09-13.
The main cabin with its storage opened up.
The main cabin with its storage opened up. Photo: 2020-11-01.
Removed interior pieces piled beside Kopelia.
Removed interior pieces piled beside Kopelia. Photo: 2020-11-07.
Looking through the stripped main cabin.
Looking through the stripped main cabin. Photo: 2020-11-07.

The rebuild · 02

Starting again inside

With the old interior removed, work moved to the surfaces, seating bases, and the spaces behind them.

Exposed surfaces along the cabin side.
Exposed surfaces along the cabin side. Photo: 2020-11-08.
Work underway around the seating and side storage.
Work underway around the seating and side storage. Photo: 2022-01-16.
A rebuilt seating base with access to the space behind it.
A rebuilt seating base with access to the space behind it. Photo: 2022-09-05.
The cabin during the rebuild, with work still underway overhead.
The cabin during the rebuild, with work still underway overhead. Photo: 2022-10-15.

The rebuild · 03

Seats and storage

The seat bases, access panels, and shelving brought shape back to the room. These working photos show the details that would sit beneath cushions and behind cabinet fronts.

The seating base taking shape.
The seating base taking shape. Photo: 2022-11-24.
Panels fitted into the seating base.
Panels fitted into the seating base. Photo: 2022-11-26.
Fitting work around the seat and storage opening.
Fitting work around the seat and storage opening. Photo: 2022-12-04.
Shelving in place along the cabin side.
Shelving in place along the cabin side. Photo: 2023-01-06.
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