All sailboats have systems. Here's what makes Sisu operate.

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 In 2023 Sisu got an entirely new electrical system.  It started with a 300 amp-hour Lithium Ion house battery and a 100 amp-hour AGM starting battery.  The house battery provides multiple days' worth of power for electronics, cooking, lights and charging your cell  phone.  

But battery was only the start.  She has a new in 2023 100 Amp Alternator with programmable voltage regulator, that will refill an empty battery within 3 or 4 hours of engine run time.  As a practical matter, simply motoring in and out of anchorage or marina will provide more than a full day's (or night's) electrical usage.  

The sophisticated charging system will operate safely under all conditions - no need to worry about the battery selector being in the wrong position when the engine is running.  And the combination of ACR and Smart Shunt charges both batteries at the same time, while giving accurate information to your blue-tooth devices on real-time usage, and battery state-of-charge.  

When connected to shore power, the 2023 Sterling 50 amp charger is configured to safely and efficiently charge both Lithium and AGM batteries.  

And a 1,000 amp Inverter enables enough AlternatingCurrent for cooking, computing and even running power tools, whether connected to under way or at anchor.  

2022 saw a full electronics suite upgrade.  All components are networked via Raymarine SeaTalk to the Axiom 7 Chart plotter.  From this control panel, the skipper can see AIS targets, plot a course, view wind, speed and depth and even control the autopilot.  

We even replaced masthead sensors and the depth / speed / temperature transducer.  

The autopilot was new in 2023.  It is the newest version of Raymarine's EV100-Based Wheel pilot, also networked into the full electronic suite.  

You can set a course to target coordinates, to a compass heading, or even to maintain a point-of-sail as the wind changes.  

Sisu is set up for short-handed or single-handed sailing.  I've sailed her from one end of Lake Michigan to the other - and a bit beyond, single handed.  Not only are all lines led aft, but the nav pod holding the Axiom 7 is on a swivel mount.  You can lounge with your back comfortably against the cockpit bulkhead, and turn the chart plotter so that you can watch speed, course, wind and AIS from any position in the cockpit.  

Sometimes bad events have a silver lining.  In 2023 Sisu's diesel fuel tank received a tank ful of gasoline.  Fortunately, the problem became apparent before any real damage was done.  

As a result, the engine was virtually rebuilt  with everything but pulling the head cover.  The entire fuel system is new, from the tank, to all hoses and lines, new muffler, re-build fuel injectors and pumps, Racor, and even a brand new water cooling pump.  

While we were working in the lazarette spaces to do engine work, we put in new cockpit hoses, too.  

The Bukh engine used in a CS33 is a 20 hp Diesel commonly used in ocean going life boats.  It's a tank! 

Sisu's propeller is a folding two blade, right hand turning, for efficient sailing and excellent motor cruising.  

The Bukh is a fuel efficient engine as well.  On a recent cruise, for a period of about 25 hours motoring at aound 2200 rpm, we made speed of around 5.2 knots and consumed 13 gallons fuel, for an average hourly rate of .52 GPH.  

Sails are in great shape.  Sisu carries a fully-battened loose-footed main, and a 130% genoa on roller furling, and a separate storm jib.  She also has a spinnaker, with a spinnaker pole and four forward halyards (not counting the pole lift).  

The main has two reef points.  Other than going to the mast to hook a reefing tack to the rams-horn on the boom, all other reefing activity is done from the cockpit.  

Sisu comes with lazy jacks to help lower sails, and jacklines for safety when on deck.  

All running rigging was replaced in 2022.  In 2025, the forestay was replaced.  Other standing rigging is in great shape - Sisu has never been in salt water, so no corrosion is evident.  She has a hydraulic backstay as well.  

In 2021, I replaced the old "sheet stoppers" with a full suite of modern clutches.  This tool a bit of re-routing through the traveller bridge and some deck organizers.  The result was well worth the 30+ hours' work.  

For 2025, Sisu received a 15 kg (33 pound) Vulcan anchor.  Check out the Vulcan on SV Panope's website as one of the top two or three of all modern anchors for holding, setting and re-setting.  Sisu's anchor is one size larger than that recommended by Vulcan for a 33 foot boat with 10,000 pounds displacement. 

We also installed an electric Maxwell Windlass with controls in the cockpit and at the bow for single-handed or crewed anchoring.  

Rode is 235 feet altogether, with 35' of 3/16 chain, and 200' of 5/8 nylon three-strand.  

She carries a backup Danforth anchor with a similar rode setup.  

The anchor alarm system on Sisu's Axiom 7 keeps you comfortable all night long.  It is easy to set, and when linked to the boat's bluetooth entertainment system, sounds an alarm enough to waken the deepest sleeper.  

In 2025 we were freed from the tyranny of pumping out the grey water tank while out cruising.   This process also removed the black water holding tank from under the main sleeping cabin in the V Berth.  

I can't begin to tell you what an improvement this made over the old Jabsco system!  

We now have an OGO Composting head, which easily separates solids from liquids.  We went the full season without having to empty the solids once - and emptying solids is as simple as pouring the dessicated compost into a trash bag, which can be legally and safely left in marina trash bins.  

Liquids get carried to the rest room when in a marina, or emptied overboard when sufficiently far offshore.  

There is also a hand shower with DC-powered water heater.  

One of Sisu's great joys is preparing an onboard gourmet dinner for friends.  The gimballed stove and integrated pot holders even support cooking when under way.  

In 2025, she received a new 12-volt refrigerator / freezer, good enough to make ice!  Sisu's 300 amp-hour battery has always kept the refrigerator running, even when at anchor for a couple days without external power.  

The 1000 watt inverter lets me cook with either toaster oven or Insta Pot, whether or not we have shore power.  

In 2022, I did my first single-handed crossing of Lake Michigan.  It was a 65 nautical mile passage, of over 16 hours.  It meant a night sail.  

In order to safely transit at night, I felt the need for an AIS receiver to warn me of freighter traffic.  So I installed a new B&G VHF, with DSC / MMSI / Passive AIS.  The radio connects to my SeaTalk network, which enables display of AIS traffic on my Axiom MFD, and allows configurable AIS traffic alerts.  It works wonderfully! 

I have yet to fully explore the DSC "buddy list", which enables tracking of up to six buddy vessels on my MFD, based on DSC-generated position requests.  But I'm looking forward to it on my next multi-boat voyage.  

The cockpit remote control is more than just a remote microphone.  It controls all functions of the radio, just as if I were down below in front of the primary radio unit.  

Cockpit speakers configured to play either VHF content or music. 

The prior owners added a full enclosure in 2009 for a trip to the North Channel.  I use anything from just dodger, to dodger and bimini, to full enclosure, depending on conditions.  It is easy to set up and a real comfort in either rain or hot sun.  

By 2025 the eisenglass was getting cracked and faded, so I replaced all of that ... and it looks just fantastic.  Zip up for a rainy day, or open up to starlight on a clear sky, all with just a few minutes' effort.  

LED lighting, switchable between bright white and night vision-saving red.  

Upholstry replaced in 2024 with sturdy indoor / outdoor fabric.  Table folds up against the wall when space is needed, or to open up the starboard settee to a comfortable queen bed.  

 The Teak and Holly Sole was pulled out, sanded, varnished and epoxied in 2020.  She looks sharp and well maintained down below!   

Doesn't she look great?  

In 2009 the prior owner stripped and re-painted the bottom.  There were no blisters found during that operation.  Today, Sisu receives Vivid Anti-fouling paint about every third year.  The above photo is after a fresh bottom application in the spring of 2025.  

She has had annual waxing, and in spring of 2025, a full de-oxidization treatment prior to wax.