T&T: central vac

[Larry N. Brown]

One of the things on my work list-- albeit not very high up-- has been to 
install a central vacuum cleaner. Having decided I can't get everything on 
my list done prior to going on a shakedown cruise, I came up with a simple 
expedient: transfer things from my current worklist to my future projects 
work list. Works like a charm. You should try it some time.

One day while I was busily shortening my current work list -- not by 
actually working, mind you, but sitting at the computer and pruning-- my 
wife saw me deferring central vac to the future. Not so fast, Larry, let's 
talk about this. We've used a number of different vacuums from a small shop 
vac to my wife's mother's 40 year old Kirby and nothing was satisfactory.

Started researching and came down to two units:  http://tinyurl.com/25rh2m 
and  http://tinyurl.com/ytpezk . I went with the Dirt Devil and found one on 
e-bay for $240. Installed it in an unused place and I've never seen a more 
radiant face the my wife's yesterday as she cleaned up a pile of saw dust 
and fiberglass shavings I made installing the Sirius antenna. I located 
outlet just inside the companionway leading up to the sundeck. The 1 1/4", 
7' slinky-like hose stretches easily to 30' making every space on the boat 
available to be vacuumed including the FB and lazarette.

Thing's noisy as heck but it pulls a harder vacuum than any machine I've 
ever used including my wood shop vac. Draws 11.5 amps. For less than a third 
of a boat unit and acouple hour's work, I've made Cigano's admiral a very 
happy woman.

Regards,

Larry and Teri
M/V Cigano, 47' Prairie Sundeck Cruiser
Lying: Covington, LA
N 30 26.7
W 90 07.1