One of the rules of the Setka Atlantic Challenge is to keep the blog updated, so… here we are again. Honestly, this task feels harder than building the boat 🙂

The hull is officially glassed, what a milestone! A massive shoutout to everyone who helped get us here so quickly and perfectly. It’s not just a layer of fiberglass, it’s the foundation for my dream of crossing the Atlantic solo. But there’s still a mountain of work ahead before this boat becomes my tiny floating home.

With the flip done, I’m now realizing just how small this space is. Imagine building something you’ve never sailed before, knowing it’ll be your entire world for months. It’s thrilling, nerve-wracking, and a little absurd all at once. Where do my legs go? How will I even sleep in this shoebox? These are the questions that keep popping up beside many more but they’re part of the fun, right? 😀

The next steps are all about transformation. Sanding, priming, and setting up the interior stringers are tedious but essential. Two coats of primer are already in, and we’re gearing up for the final color. We’ve also reinforced the keel and stern, welded critical components, and are nearly ready to tackle the rudder. Slowly but surely, the boat’s skeleton is turning into something livable.

And then there’s the race itself. The sails just arrived (thanks, Ullman Sails!), and they’re absolute works of art. A mainsail with three reefs, two jibs, a fractional rig gennaker, and a storm jib—this setup is built to handle anything the Atlantic trade winds throws at me. But while the sails are ready, the mast is still on hold. Progress isn’t always as fast as I’d like, but every step forward is one step closer to launching this dream.

One of the most exciting updates is closing up the cockpit. After weeks of sanding and painting the interior, it’s refreshing to see visible progress. The deck is next—plank by plank, reinforcing every key point to ensure it’s solid enough for open-ocean sailing.

Of course, there’s still the small matter of fitting everything into the cabin. Solo sailing isn’t just a test of endurance—it’s also an interior design challenge! Every inch of space matters, and comfort is critical for survival. Good sleep, functional seating, and enough storage for food and equipment are non-negotiables. So, while assembling seats, I’m playing a game of “Where Do My Legs Go?” because, apparently, tiny boats make everything a puzzle.

As we chip away at the to-do list, I’m constantly toggling between two thoughts: Wow, look how far we’ve come! and What the hell have I gotten myself into? But hey, isn’t that the spirit of adventure? If you’re not second-guessing your life choices while sanding for hours, are you even building a boat?

Stay tuned for the next steps: finishing the deck, prepping the mast, windvane and a lot more before testing this beauty on the water before the big race. It’s a mix of excitement, exhaustion, and pure determination over here. This is the adventure of a lifetime—and I can’t wait to share every step with you.

Down below are some photos of the progress , apparently this website works different on laptop and phone also the blog does not let me to upload much of media cause of its storage capacity , anyways
For those who are interested in more media you can keep track on my Instagram and youtube profiles

https://www.youtube.com/@erdalluso/shorts

https://www.instagram.com/erdalluso/profilecard/?igsh=MWNycXBoYjAwb3B5Zw==