Many Cabots safely cruise the east coast of North America, enjoying wonderful anchorages anywhere between Bermuda and the Canadian Great Lakes.We have lived and cruised on board for 8 years now - and feel it is time for a change of adventure. We'd like to continue cruising - but on the European canals!
Our blogspot pages should fill you in on our adventures around half the world - and in reading the pages you will also see that the yacht is safe, well maintained and in excellent condition. In fact - she is absolutely ready to sail away. All you need to do is buy coffee, bread and milk, start the engine, unfurl the sails and untie the lines! Everything you need is on board - from plates and cutlery to food and even liquor in the cabinet. All our spares, charts and tools stay with Chesire Cat - what a bargain!
And what a way to get to know your new yacht - cruising Malaysia and Thailand couldn't be easier, and a passage to Australia, Japan or the Phillipines is an always an option.
And what a way to get to know your new yacht - cruising Malaysia and Thailand couldn't be easier, and a passage to Australia, Japan or the Phillipines is an always an option.
The Kiss wind generator together with the solar panels provided us with all the power we needed. We keep a small but reliable Honda generator just in case we need to top up the batteries.
We carry a wind vane steering system, with a wheel mounted ST4000 as backup (we did have to use the emergency steering once); our main steering system is an under decks hydraulic unit, installed in New Zealand.
The 9 ft hard bottom dingy has an 8 hp Suzuki engine, and we can keep it out of the water with davits.
When we are traveling, we store it on deck.
A 4 man liferaft is strapped on deck in front of the mast; a sea anchor, (with 300 ft of new line)and an emergency ditch bag and flares come to hand very easily.
Fenders and many lengths of spare lines and are to be found in the extensive cockpit lockers and in the lazarette locker.
The dodger and bimini were made for us in New Zealand, using Stamoid fabric. A full enclosure for the cockpit keeps us dry and warm from inclement weather; side shade curtains and two large boat awnings ensure the boat stays cool and protected from the sun. In the marina we can hook into the electricity and take advantage of the small airconditioner unit.
Profurl roller furling makes for easy sailing - a new yankee jib keeeps us moving well. Other sails include a DRS (with sock) a loose footed mainsail, spare jibs and a self tacking cutter sail. We do need to replace the cutter sail however.
Our main anchor was new in Australia; the manson supreme (oversize - just to be sure) holds us in any anchorage. Secondary anchor with chain and rope rode is a Bruce - we relied on thqat for years. And we have a storm anchor tucked away for emergencies.
Our instruments are easy to see and read at the steering station in the cockpit, above the compass (Wind, speed log and depth) on the Edison pedestal.
Two extra self tailing winches were added recently, making hauling the sheets easier and safer.
Comfortable chair cushions collapse when we have visitors, and we can happily entertain several friends with the opening cockpit table that we had made for us in Venezuela.
Companionway steps are removable so that we can acces the door that leads to the engine. Other acess areas are at both sides - where we have large cockpit lockers providing excellent entry to the engine on both sides.
The VHF radio and EPIRB are located just inside the entrance to the companionway.
The navigation desk is spacious, with a cubby hole at the side where we usually store the boat manuals. a chart light and a spotlight make night reading easy. Radar and an AIS system (both recently installed installed in New Zealand) and GPS are all located here. We keep in touch with fellow cruisers, download weather information and send email via the Ham/SSB radio and a pactor modem.
A cubby at the side is excellent storage for boat manuals
Large windows in the saloon provide plenty of light and a surprisingly open and spacious feeling.
There are five opening ports and two overhead hatches making excellent ventilation throughout.
A large overhead light iluminates the galley and there is another another overhead in the saloon.
Halogen spotlights provide reading lights at every corner of the sofa seats.
On the port side, the table in the saloon slots into the seats to make a good double berth. The berth on the starboard side is ideal when travelling - there is a lee cloth to keep you safe in rolly conditions.
Every cushion hides a capacious storage locker underneath tghe seat and the back cushions hide even more storage space next to the hull.
The storage facilities are exceptional - although we have had to raise the water line a couple of times because we can store so much!Halogen spotlights provide reading lights at every corner of the sofa seats.
On the port side, the table in the saloon slots into the seats to make a good double berth. The berth on the starboard side is ideal when travelling - there is a lee cloth to keep you safe in rolly conditions.
Every cushion hides a capacious storage locker underneath tghe seat and the back cushions hide even more storage space next to the hull.
The stove has three propane burners, a grill and an oven. (New in New Zealand). There are fiddles to ensure that hot pots stay put on the stove in heavy weather.
Propane is stored in special lockers at the back of the cockpit and we have a gas detection device on board. Pressure water is available at the sink and at the hand basin in the head; we installed a foot pump for salt water at the sink.
The PUR water maker is located under the sink. We use several filters on the water system to keep it all fresh and clean wherever we are.
The head is spacious, and easy to keep clean with an electric toilet and macerator.
Seperate doors lead into both into the saloon and the forward berth.
Under the saloon floor we have more storage space - enough for an assortment of spare hoses and other small paraphanalia. The bilge is equiped with an automatic bilge pump and a high water alarm. A spare bilge pump is kept in the engine compartment.
As you see - our Cheshire Cat is a well set up, comfortable yacht - big enough for a couple - but easy to manage by a single person. Maintenance is minimal with a fiberglas hull and interior skin. The yanmar engine is new and lage enough to power us in any weather. For mor information, please consult the page for monohulls in the brokers page in Malaysia at yachtbroker-charter.com I am sure Bob will be happy to answer your questions and provide a full inventory of sails, spares, tools and household items.
