Conference unifix::sailing

2234.0. "SF <-> Mexico, Dec 95 - Jan 96" by SX4GTO::WANNOOR () Tue Aug 22 1995 18:30

    
	Greetings:
    
    	  
    
    	Below is the Float Plan for the 2nd Annual Cruise
    	onboard the Sea Star, a 57' Island Trader Ketch.
    
    	As before this is NOT a charter, but an expense-sharing
    	educational and hands-on cruise! The 1st Annual cruise was
    	a blast! See note 2202 for the trip report.
    
    	I can be reached at DTN 543-3441 to answer any questions.
    
    	Cheers,
    
    		- Ashikin.
    
    *******************************************************************
    
    
    
SEA STAR CRUISE PACKAGE-ALAMEDA, CA TO MEXICO & RETURN, 1995/6

SEA STAR
1120 B Ballena Boulevard
Alameda
CA 94501
FAX: (510) 814-8030
On board: (510) 769-0744

Here's our cruise package for the 1995/6 San Francisco-Mexico round 
trip, which is a month's cruising punctuated by short passages. I 
hope you enjoy reading it as much as we've enjoyed putting it 
together, and let's hear from you soon if you would like to come 
with us on this once-in-a-lifetime voyage.

The emphasis on this cruise will be the joy of sailing in the 
prevailing northwesterlies amid dolphins and whales, fishing for 
mahi-mahi and bonito en-route, enjoying sunsets and sunrises, 
botanizing in beautiful anchorages, landing the dinghy and playing 
in the Pacific surf on sandy beaches, treks on uninhabited islands, 
meeting local people in remote places and practicing their 
language, watching sea lions and birds, the challenge of rounding 
Pt. Conception and the ease of sailing on and off our anchor, 
learning navigational skills and seamanship, bargaining, bartering 
and boozing in Ensenada, long conversations about everything and 
nothing in Sea Star's cockpit, the excitement of a passage 
punctuated by relaxation with a marguerita in the sunshine under 
the awning and above all - doing it in style!

Best regards,

Ray Thackeray and Ashikin Wan-Noor
Owners
S/V Sea Star


CRUISE SCHEDULE

LEG A) Alameda to San Diego  N3243' W11714'
Depart dawn Weds Dec 27th, 1995
4 days sailing
Arrive Sun Dec 31st NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY!!!
2 days at Police Dock, Shelter Island, San Diego

LEG B) San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico
Depart dawn Tues 2nd Jan, 1996!
1 days sailing, arrive evening of same day
1 day at anchor in Ensenada Harbour to clear customs and 
immigration

LEG C) Ensenada to Turtle Bay, Baja
Depart dawn Thurs 4th Jan, 1996
3 days sailing
Arrive Sun 7th Jan
4 days anchoring and cruising the Baja and Bahia Asuncion

LEG D) Turtle Bay, Baja to San Diego
Depart evening Thurs 11th Jan, 1996
7 days sailing via Isla Cedros, Islas San Benitos, Bahia San 
Quintin
Arrive Fri 19th Jan at Police Dock, Shelter Island, San Diego
Layover 2 days

LEG E) San Diego  to Alameda 
Depart dawn Sun Jan 21st, 1996
6 days sailing via Catalina Islands if time allows
Arrive approx Jan 27th 


MORE ABOUT THE DESTINATIONS
   This information comes from various sources, including Charlie's 
Charts and the Barnett Yacht Insurance Baja Guide, plus advice from 
cruisers we've met.

Catalina Islands
   We hope to be staying one night at Avalon, the famous harbour in 
the Catalina Islands.

San Diego
   This is another stopover to drop off and pick up crew. We're 
going to keep on moving because what we really want is to be in 
Mexico!!

Ensenada
   This is a Port of Entry, and the skipper must land and check in 
with Customs and Immigration while crew wait on the ship for 
clearance.

Turtle Bay (Bahia San Bartolome)
   This is a fascinating and calm anchorage that looks like the 
parched surface of a dry planet, overlooked by high hills. There 
are two sandy beaches with gentle surf, and a strange, poor village 
with a few shops and restaurants. There is a fishing camp and even 
the skeletal remains of whales scattered on the beach.

Isla Cedros
   This 21 mile long and 9 mile wide island of volcanic origin has 
a backbone of mountains culminating in Cerro de Cedros (3,950'). 
Fog and haze usually obscures the island from the Baja coast, 
creating the appearence of a 'lost isle'. The North Anchorage, in 
the lee of various rock buttresses, holds a colony of sea lions, 
whose grace and beauty in a phosphorescent  underwater ballet can 
keep one thrilled at night, a memorable anchorage. A historic spot 
14 miles south is La Palmita, a small beach with some palms and a 
source of fresh water for sailing vessels of bygone eras. The 
village of Cedros is to the south west of the island with a 
breakwater. The main business is the salt depot, but gold and 
copper were once mined here.

Isla San Martin
   Just north and offshore of the entry to San Quintin.  Perfectly 
conical volcanic island with a natural "J" harbor of huge, 
spherical basaltic boulders apparently heaved there by the volcano 
that formed the island.  On the beach is a small, "permanently 
temporary" settlement of fishermen who stay there for weeks at a 
stretch before going home ashore.  Very friendly, willing to 
barter for fresh lobster, etc.  Also, the beaches there are a sea lion 
burial ground.  Stacks of bones up and down the strand where 
they have come ashore to die. From there we follow the 20-
fathom line as it curves to the mouth of the entry to San Quintin.  
Beyond a fairly bodacious surf line, the channel is narrow, 
tortuous and changing daily.  It is ill-marked with saplings stuck 
in the banks of the channel.  At the head of it is an old mill and (at 
least there used to be) an old but well-maintained "motel" of 
cabins with rudimentary accomodations and astonishingly good 
food.  It is (or was) run by a Texican chef named Al Vela and his 
wife.  If Al is still there, we can raise him on VHF or shortwave 
and arrange for a local panga to come out to meet you and guide 
you in. The name of the motel is, naturally enough, the Viejo 
Molina.

Bahia San Quintin
   A bold, rocky bluff, extending for two miles, ends in a small 
rocky hill with a long, sandy beach, where there is a wealth of 
large pismo clams and abalone shells. Anchoring in Bahia Santa 
Maria for a rest from sailing, we can dinghy in to the quiet town 
to buy tacos.

Bahia Asuncion
   A day beachcombing on Thurloe Bay, then a few hours sail round 
Punta Asuncion to a small village, anchoring in 5 fathoms sand, 
puts us in the lee of the sandstone Isla  Asuncion, home for 
thousands of sea birds including pelicans.

Islas San Benito
   Few yachts visit these islands, but keen fishermen know there is 
great ocean fishing around them, among rocky outcroppings 
supporting cacti, surrounded by kelp beds. We will anchor in 7 
fathoms of sand next the West Bonito Village and can land in a 
small cove. Sea Lions and seals use the other two uninhabited 
islands as a breeding area which can be spectacular. A great place 
for trading for fish.

CONNECTIONS AND WHERE TO MEET
a)	Tuesday 26th December at the Fuel Dock, Ballena Isle Marina, 
Alameda. If you need transportation, call us to arrange a shuttle. 
If you can arrive early, you'll be helping us to complete the 
provisioning! Departure is dawn Wednesday 27th to catch the tide, 
so people should be aboard Tuesday evening to settle in.

b)	San Diego Monday 1st January at the Police Dock, Shelter 
Island Drive.

c)	Turtle Bay, Baja Wednesday 10th January. We'll be at anchor in 
the bay, easily visible from the pier.

d)	San Diego Saturday 20th January at the Police Dock, Shelter 
Island Drive.

   Please note that dates may change a little in unforseen 
circumstances, even though we have planned ample "slack" in the 
schedules. 
   We will, of course, keep in touch with all of you through the 
AT&T High Seas Operator or landline and you can call for the latest 
updates on Sea Star's movements through our contact number (510) 
814-0471. With this in mind, you might book flights with the 
ability to change flying dates.

VISAS AND TOURIST PERMITS
   All persons need a valid passport to enter Mexico by boat. If 
you are American, no visa is required for the whole cruise. If you 
are non-American, you may need valid visas for Mexico and 
definitely for the United States, please check with your nearest 
consulates.
   Every crewmember must have a Mexican Tourist Permit and we keep 
a good supply on the boat.

ENTERTAINMENT
Torpedo
   This is an inflatable two-person "ski-bob" which we tow from the 
dinghy or ship for hilarious results.

Snorkelling
   Bring fins, snorkel and mask. I will give lessons to novices.

Fishing
   We will usually troll for Bonito and Mahi-Mahi and often bring 
aboard enough for a big meal for the whole crew. We also have a 
fishing rod for times at anchor and snapper can often be caught 
from under the boat or fishing from the dinghy.

SCUBA
   The skipper has dived extensively and will be working hard to 
find good dive sites. Bring your own equipment (everything except 
tanks, weights and buoyancy compensators which you will rent). As 
you will be aware, tanks and BCs are very bulky and take up too 
much space on-board. 

Celestial Navigation
   Please bring your own sextant if possible. I recommend the Davis 
Mark 25 plastic sextant, if you have to purchase one; on board we 
have a Merlin II celestial computer and all the almanacs and sight 
reduction tables, so you won't need anything else.

Windsurfing
   We will try to find space for a board.

Sailing Dinghies
   We will have two Tinker inflatable sailing boats on board, which 
are great fun for sailing around anchorages, etc. There is also a 
Tohatsu motor for each boat, and they row well too-for those who 
need the exercise!

Videos
   We have recorded a number of films and Star Trek episodes 
(because we are hooked on Captain Picard, Data, Worf and company!). 
Feel free to bring your favourite videos - and we will also have 
fun reviewing clips made by the camcorder fiends throughout the 
cruise. For the really morbid, we have "Survive the Savage Sea" 
about the family who abandoned ship into a liferaft, and of course 
there are plenty of instructional videos about every aspect of 
sailing and seamanship.

Music
   Sea Star is equipped with CD, radio and cassette tape players, 
and we have a broad selection of music, but feel free to bring your 
own. We also pack an electronic keyboard for singalongs, and the 
skipper is thinking of bringing his saxophone...if there's room, 
that is.

Reading
   Have you read the complete Captain Aubrey series by Patrick 
O'Brian? Or the Horatio Hornblower series? And there's a selection 
of nautical references. But feel free to bring your own books too!
Hammocks above deck...
				...for the truly decadent. Mix your own 
Marguerita, if you please.
Walking the plank...
				...for those who are deemed not to be enjoying 
themselves enough.

Lessons in seamanship
   While cruising, you can learn Celestial Navigation, the 'rules 
of the road', knotting and splicing, maintenance of the machinery 
and anything else your skipper would be delighted to pass on.

SHIP'S EQUIPMENT
Autopilot
   'George', our Autohelm ST6000 hydraulic steering autopilot can 
steer by the wind, GPS or by his integral fluxgate compass. The 
remote control will reach the hammock on the aft deck!

Dinghies
   The two Tinker inflatables are equipped with a Tohatsu motors. 
For coast-hopping, we will tow one, and one becomes a lifeboat with 
auto-inflation. The motors are securely mounted on the taffrail and 
winched up or down from the mizzen boom. Whenever we are towing, 
the dinghy's life ring, anchor, rode, bailer and any other loose 
items will be stowed aboard Sea Star.

Radar
   The Vigil RM 16-mile radar will be used while underway, although 
only in conditions of restricted visibility to conserve energy.
Navigational Electronics
   GPS and Loran-C. The GPS can be tied into 'George' the autopilot 
to take care of cross-track error, when appropriate.

AC/invertor
   Our invertor is a Heart Interface Freedom 10 invertor, capable 
of producing 110v AC up 1kw, with short-term peaks up to 1.5kw. 
This will be used underway mainly to charge power tools, handheld 
VHFs and other small devices. Obviously, invertor power depletion 
from the house batteries will be quite severe (sometimes drawing up 
to 100 amps at 12 volts), therefore ship's AC supply will normally 
be turned off unless needed.
   While we are generating full charge, we will be able to use the 
invertor for personal convenience, such as use of the hair dryers, 
and use of low power-draw devices, such as electric shavers, will 
be appropriate most times.

Toiletries
   We are fully equipped with the following, and you are not 
required to bring your own:
*	Electric hair dryers (both 12 volt and 110v AC)
*	Fresh and salt-water soap and shampoo
*	Towels
*	Sheets and blankets

NAVIGATION
   Although our primary navigation system will be by celestial 
sights (mainly of the sun and moon) and DR, we are equipped with 
Loran-C and GPS and will make full and appropriate use of all 
navigation methods while underway.
We typically take one celestial shot per day, and Sea Star is 
equipped with all required plotting instruments and charts, 
including Great Circle and general plotting worksheet, charts, 
almanacs and up-to-date tables.

WEATHER
   North of San Diego, the nights can be quite cold, so bring warm 
clothing and a good waterproof jacket. Off the Baja, Mexico, 
although the nights can still be cool, the days are generally warm 
and comfortable.

SHIP'S STANDARD RULES

Safety
PFDs
   There is a life vest for every crew member aboard Sea Star. 
These are only any good when worn! If you have your own favourite 
PFD, feel free to bring it with you. 

Lifelines
   Do not lean on the lifelines! The gates will be seized with 
small stuff after every use, and those who opened the gate are 
responsible for ensuring it is safely closed.
NO SMOKING below deck at any time

Man Overboard
   There will be a MOB drill at the beginning of every cruise, and 
it will be repeated every week. MOB equipment includes:
*	Jim Buoy flag pole and horse shoe PFD
*	Multiple throwable PFDs
*	Throwable strobe light
*	Block and tackle on mizzen boom
*	Steps mountable on starboard side.

Power outlets (110v AC)
   Never switch on ship's power until the whole crew and skipper 
have been informed; someone may be working on a circuit!
Use of warning calls
   The skipper is on duty 24 hours per day, every day of the 
cruise, and he will always be glad to lend a guiding hand, at any 
time. Feel free to call at any nervous moment.
   Of course, the shout of "Man Overboard!" should never ever be 
uttered at anything less than a vocal-chord ripping volume...

Heavy weather
   When heavy weather is declared, all crew above deck will wear a 
harness with personal light and whistle. Heavy Weather is declared 
when anyone on watch feels uncomfortable with the situation and 
requests it. Occasionally, this happens, but less than one might 
think on a long offshore passage.
   During heavy weather, all crew will wear a harness and will at 
ALL TIMES outside of the cockpit hook up to a jack line.
   The skipper will brief everyone on procedures prior to the 
cruise and probably at other times. Watches will probably be 
shortened.
   We will be monitoring various weather forecast nets throughout 
the cruise religiously, and forewarned is always forearmed. The 
skipper believes that good fortune is merely opportunity meeting 
preparation.
   This cruise has been planned to be outside of the hurricane 
season.

On Watch
   A crew member will be on lookout duty at ALL TIMES while 
underway, and will observe all radio operation, signal horn, 
lighting and passing/crossing situation regulations.
Waste Disposal
   We will comply with Annex V of the MARPOL Treaty, which is 
clearly posted on board Sea Star. The bottom line is that we NEVER 
dump plastic, and in inshore waters we will leave a "clean wake".

Maintenance

Cleanliness
   Everyone will draw the pleasure of a below-decks clean-up about 
every six days! The person next on the duty list will 
understandably keel-haul those who come on deck with sand or dirt 
on their shoes. 

Ship's Systems
   The skipper will be regularly maintaining or rebuilding various 
systems, but those who are contemplating running their own vessel 
(a few of you, I understand) are welcome to support your harassed 
and exhausted captain, and in exchange he will be glad to mix you 
one of his high-octane-pan-galactic gargle-blasters! The diesel 
engine's handbook requires that the oil be changed every 50 hours. 
When motorsailing, that can sometimes be every three days!

Medical
   We have, of course, a fully equipped first-aid and casualty kit 
locker, and the skipper has been through a first-aid course. Please 
ensure that you have had a medical and dental check-up before 
cruising, we certainly are going to.

COMMUNICATIONS 
Prior to departure
   We will be at (510) 814-0471 (office) and (510) 769-0744 (on-
board) at all times prior to departure.
VHF
   Sea Star is equipped with Marine VHF (base station and hand-
held). This is only useful for short-range communication. Bring 
your own hand-held, if you have one.
SSB
   SSB (or Single Side-Band) is, sometimes, a very long-range 
system, and we will be in touch with land through either the AT&T 
High Seas Operator or through Amateur Radio enthusiasts (known as 
"Hams"). We once spoke to someone in England from just north of the 
Galapagos Islands!
   Occasionally, we might be able to arrange free Ham telephone 
patches to our loved ones through a Ham maritime network (you won't 
be able to talk, but you can pass messages), or if you are a Ham 
yourself (melodramatic actors need not apply), then you can use the 
amateur station callsign G4FXN. 
   If you plan to have people call you while on board through the 
AT&T High Seas Operator, they should be given the following 
information: 

	Station license:		WBR 2425 
	Ship Station Identity:	366404040
	Ship number:			MS1021KA
	Ship Name:			Sea Star

   We are always registered with the AT&T High Seas Operator and 
anyone armed with the above information can call 1-800-SEA-CALL and 
leave a message for us while underway or call us at predetermined 
times (schedules) set up by the operator. The caller must know our 
approximate position (e.g. which ocean!). 
The AT&T charge is presently $5 per minute with a minimum of $15, 
and outgoing calls can be billed to your own AT&T Calling Card or 
you can call collect. Neat, eh? This is as good as we can get until 
we get global cellular phones.
Useful telephone number
   Sea Star land contact number while underway: 
	(510) 814-0471

WHAT TO BRING
   Try to keep your equipment down to a sailor's duffel bag that 
can be folded and stowed easily; solid suitcases will make 
excellent offshore garbage disposal containers (weighted down with 
rocks!).

Essentials
Everyone must bring the following, most of which can be obtained 
from any marine store:
*	Safety harness. You don't have to purchase one, I can show you 
	how to make one from 1/2" braided line. However, bring a couple of 
	strong stainless steel carabiners (safety hooks) and 20' of 1/2" 
	braided rope.
*	Rigging knife. I would recommend one with a serrated blade, 
	shackle opener and lanyard. Knives are the first things that fall 
	overboard, so tie it to your belt!
*	Foul weather gear... shit happens.
*	Warm clothing (for any cruising north of San Diego).
*	Your own favourite sun screen or lead shield sun block that is 
	powerful enough to allow you to walk naked through a nuclear 
	reactor. Use it or lose it (your face, that is).
*	A big hat: the sun out on the open ocean can be brutal. Make 
	sure you can shade your face while at the wheel or working the 
	ship.

Fun equipment
   This would include cameras, VHF hand-helds, sextants, dive gear, 
snorkel  mask and fins, light diving skins or wet suit, and any 
small water toys. Video cameras can be charged from the ship's 110v 
system and we already have a Sony Camcorder and charger on board.

Medical
   Any drugs apart from aspirin while we are en route: bring your 
prescription forms. You would be amazed how thorough the Mexican or 
US customs can be if they feel like it.

Documents
   Bring Driver's license, passport with valid visas, Amateur Radio 
License, drug prescriptions where appropriate. The captain must see 
all passports before departure and inspect for valid visas....if 
anyone has any problems at all with their documents, let us know 
beforehand. We will be able to help or advise.

Entertainment
   Books, CDs, cassette tapes, videos, magazines, board games even.

Drinks
   Remember to lay in your own supply of alcoholic beverages. We 
will have a goodly supply of soft drinks.


WHAT NOT TO BRING
   Firearms, ANY drugs other than prescription, animals, towels, 
hairdryers, dive tanks, weights or BCs (we will rent them from a 
dive store).

THE WATCH SYSTEM (Ship's Bell Code)
The First Watch 		8 P.M. to Midnight
The Midwatch			Midnight to 4 A.M.
The Morning Watch		4 A.M. to 8 A.M.
The Forenoon Watch		8 A.M. to Noon
The Afternoon Watch		Noon to 4 P.M.
The First Dog Watch		4 P.M. to 6 P.M.
The Second Dog Watch		6 P.M. to 8 P.M.

The First Watch 		Power up & check radar (if vis. is bad), 
get weather forecast
The Midwatch			Helm & deck duty only
The Morning Watch		Check oil water & transmission fluid, run 
				engine at 7am for 1 hour, set barometer, power
 				down radar if visibility is good, swab the 
				decks
The Forenoon Watch		Prepare breakfast before going on watch, 
				get weather forecast and check chronometer 
				against radio, set barometer dead arm, clean 
				up below
The Afternoon Watch		Prepare lunch before going on watch, 
				linen duty, make and mend
The First Dog Watch		Prepare dinner
The Second Dog Watch 		Prepare night snacks, splice the main 	
				brace, log position, heading,  check deck 
				gear,  review sail plan, 
				check engine (if running)
Start of every watch: 		Discuss situation with outgoing watch. 
				Read log and note position. Inspect ship 
				from stem to stern using cockpit checklist
End of every watch:		Make end-of-watch log entry and sign.. 
				Ensure incoming watch is briefed on equipment 
				and navigational issues. Report any problems 
				to the captain
During watch:			If you are unsure of ANYTHING, call the 
				skipper. He is on call 24 hours per day and 
				does not take a helm watch. We will change 
				watch assignments and times as appropriate to 
				the conditions

MEALS
   One hot meal per day is guaranteed and up to three depending on 
weather conditions. In certain conditions, it is very difficult to 
cook and during those times, most people don't feel like eating! 
However, we ensure that good, wholesome snacks are available at all 
times for those hearty stomachs. Very important, of course, is that 
fresh-caught fish, possibly made minto a cerviche, and home made 
salsa and tortilla chips!

Breakfast 	8 A.M.
Lunch 		Noon
Dinner 		6 P.M.

   While in a marina, most of us may be away from the boat during 
the day, but you are free to make your own meals or snacks on board 
at any time you wish.

REFRIGERATION
   We have a large ice box, which will only be opened infrequently 
to transfer a couple of days food supply to the 
refrigerator/freezer, which is a large apartment-style unit. 
However, it is possible, especially on a long cruise, that the 
refrigerator will have to be turned off to conserve energy. This 
will probably not happen, but be aware that just occasionally you 
might not get ice in your Pina Coladas!

NOTES
   This is a bona-fide expenses-shared adventure. Your part of the 
expenses is to cover provisioning, tolls, fees, special Mexican 
insurance policy, repairs, communications, etc. We are expecting a 
mixture of novices and experienced blue-water sailors. During the 
cruise, all aspects of sailing the vessel will be shared; food and 
non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for all meals.

THE OWNERS
   Ray Thackeray, the British captain is a 40 year-old, experienced 
blue-water sailor, with power vessel and sailing time logged in the 
North Atlantic, Great Britain, New England, Caribbean Sea, Central 
America, Pacific to Hawaii and back to San Francisco and Mexico 
over a period of 19 years of personal pleasure cruising and yacht 
delivery . He writes sailing articles for popular sailing journals 
and works in the Marine Industry as Importer and Distributor of 
various marine products.
   In 1993 he captained Sea Star from Boston to the Caribbean, 
through the Panama Canal, to Hawaii and to San Francisco, a voyage 
of 11,000 nautical miles (see "Changes", Latitude 38, January 
1994). Last winter he sailed 3,600nm to Puerto Vallarta and back. 
His experience now totals over 15,000.

He is an accomplished entertainer on board, carrying an electronic 
keyboard to promote "singalongs", and has spent time in the 
vacation industry and knows how to keep a mixed crew of people 
happy. 
   Special skills include celestial navigation, first-aid 
certification and he is a PADI certified Advanced Open Water diver.
   Ashikin Wan-Noor, the First Mate and co-owner. She is an 
excellent chef and will ensure provision of a wide variety of food 
while on board, including any dietary restrictions and vegetarian 
meals. She has sailed on Sea Star for over 7,000nm and is also an 
experienced sailor.

THE SHIP
   Sea Star is a 1983 cutter-rigged ketch Island Trader 51 (often 
referred to as a "Bermuda Ketch"). LOA (length overall) is 57'. 
   She has two (upper and lower) sea berths in a separate forward 
cabin, and coming aft, there is a head/shower, two double sea bunks 
in a huge salon which features a coffee table, dining table, a 
large galley and nav station. 
In the companionway to starboard is a stand-up engine room and 
fully-equipped workshop with Ford Lehman 6-cylinder diesel. The aft 
(Owner's) cabin has a double berth and another head/shower and 
bathtub. Four of the crew's berths have lee cloths. There is  over 
6' headroom thoughout the vessel and there is plenty of locker 
space for crew. A tape, radio and CD entertainment centre is 
accessible in the salon. 
   Above deck, the open area is huge with a large unencumbered aft 
deck. She has tankage for 200 gallons of fuel with a range of 
1200nm, and 150 gallons of water. 
   There are two CQR anchors on rollers in the bows and an 
electric/manual windlass. She is a well maintained and luxuriously 
appointed 54,000lb displacement, full-keeled vessel.
   Her centre cockpit has a hard top and in inclement weather can 
be completely enclosed with vinyl curtains.
Other equipment includes:
   16-mile radar, GPS, Loran-C, Sextant, Navigation computer, VHF 
radio and hand-held, Marine SSB/ham radio, EPIRB, two Tinker 
Lifeboats/Sailing dinghies/Yacht Tenders each with Tohatsu 
outboards, Safety jacklines, Emergency tiller, Autohelm ST6000 
hydraulic autopilot, 1 KW Invertor, TV, Wind Generator and large 
complement of spares in stand-up engine room/workshop.

WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?
   All food is provisioned for the entire cruise (by the way, if 
you'd like to spend a day or two with us to get the provisions and 
help squeeze them aboard ship, you're very welcome!). Insurance, 
en-route and at dock repairs are covered (we hope not to get too 
many.....) Fuel, oil and other en-route consumables are also 
covered. In fact, everything except you must bring your own 
alcohol, and you are responsible for your own entertainment on 
shore.