Repair, restoration and renovation of an old vessel is a significant undertaking. The reasons motivating a retrofit vary; however, in the case of Tivua, a 1982 Island Gypsy Europa MK1 retrofit, the impetus for change began in the engine room.

“Before, the old engine oozed oil out of every corner,” said Rich Fricke, Tivua’s owner. “And we were so slow, running 7 - 7.5 knots and 6’s when windy. We were so slow that sailboats passed us.”

And so the seven year retrofit began on this trawler’s 35th birthday, upgrading every system and appliance, inside and out.

Finding a reliable engine that doesn't leak

"I didn’t want a leaking diesel,” said Fricke, who repowered with a mechanical engine, Cummins 6BTA and Northern Lights 6 kW generator.

“This engine - it just works!” he said. “It is so reliable. It’s an engine you don’t think about. You just start and go, no worry, no rattling."

As the highest production 6-liter diesel ever made and the most proven mid-range diesel platform, the Cummins 6BTA 5.9 is a complete engine including heat-exchanger cooling, water cooled manifolds, starter, alternator, raw water pump, exhaust elbows and wiring harness and panel with a ZF transmission 2:1 ratio.

Opening the deck hatch in the newly renovated galley provides engine room access with excellent workspace. With access on all four sides of the main engine, the generator is positioned aft. With continual updates, this engine room received new sound deadening acoustical and lightning, reconfigured hoses and wires, an upgraded charger and inverter, a period enhancement not yet available in 1982. 

With reliable power, the 1982 Island Gypsy Europa MK1 interior and exteriors were brought up to speed

As a traditionalist appreciating timeless, classic lines, Fricke realized his boat’s bones were solid. With a deeper-depth draft and wide beam, Island Gypsy is a popular trawler for overnight cruising built by Halvorsen, the visionary behind Grand Banks.

Tivua’s sedan style with a large saloon is very livable. The interior sports a large master forward, a bunk room and a separate head and shower. Two helm stations provide easy navigation as well as more social space to hang out on top or lounge aft or bow.

Originally a freshwater boat on Lake Michigan, Tivua was weathered and didn’t have a mast, so Fricke redesigned a new aluminum mast and boom and relocated the radar which was ill-placed in the front of the vessel. While the foredeck and interior decks were replaced, all lumber and teak remained original.

The interior refit was taken down to the frame, resulting in a brand-new galley, fridge, countertops, cabinets, trash compactor, ice maker, upholstery and pilothouse. With lovely brightwork, two large hatches under the aft deck cockpit accessing her oversized lazarette, now illuminated by new LED, vapor-proof light fixtures. The new swim platform is now accentuated by underwater lights.

Entering the salon through the teak door, one receives a warm, open, and bright room with sweeping views, surrounded by windows opening to covered side decks.

Moving forward from the salon into the galley with all new teak cabinetry and LED under cabinet lighting, granite counters and new appliances, the wheelhouse has an excellent 360-degree view around the vessel.

The varnished teak ship’s wheel is anachronistic. The simple console has basic instrumentation including a small MFD with pilot controls, Azimuth digital compass, VHF, GPS Raymarine digital radar with color autopilot, all within the captain’s grasp. Inverter and generator controls are easily accessible, with the forward center window opening for sea breezes; starboard of the pilot house seat is a sliding door to the deck.
“With gleaming white paint and the underwater lights, Tivua is lit like a Christmas tree,” said Fricke. “She is Bristol, with polished chrome and a yacht quality finish inside and out; you can see your reflection in the paint.”