Finding Kikuyu was a very lucky event for us. Its owner had taken it down to the Caribbean in the 1500 rally (where it placed 2nd in its class) and after had decided to sell it. This boat is the new 37' model that Hallberg-Rassy designed based on the very successful HR36 to make significant improvements to their old time 36 foot model, including a longer water line which allows it to sail faster for its size. There are currently only 2 of these boats in the US and they are both in the Washington DC. area. We fell in love with Kikuyu immediately!

Kikuyu was named by its previous owner who very thoughtfully gave it this wonderful name. It is the name of the largest tribe in Kenya, Africa, known for their resourcefulness, intelligence and perseverance in accomplishing goals. It is the tribe with whom Beryl Markham lived as a child. Beryl Markham wrote a very celebrate biography "West with the Night" which described her interesting life and her famous solo east-to-west airplane flight. She was the first person (and female) to fly solo and non-stop to the West (Nova Scotia) from the East (England) in 1936. Coincidentally, this is one of Maria's favorite books. Kikuyu also sounds like the Spanish word "capullo" which is a very romantic-sounding word often used in poetry. It means cacoon or flower bud. It represents beauty, gentleness and determination to spring new life during warm days. Thus, it seemed right to us to keep its name.