Voyageur is a 16m/53 ft centre cockpit ketch. With electric furling for the main and genoa and electric primary winches, she is eminently suitable for shorthanded, comfortable ocean passage making.
A two double cabin layout sleeping fore and aft, both with en suite heads.
There are two watertight bulkheads, one in the bow section, the other in the stern. In the event of a collision at sea they can be sealed off.
Her galley is equipped with double sinks, a four burner gas hob and oven, microwave, front opening fridge/freezer, washing machine and dishwasher. A large chest freezer is situated under seating area in the main saloon. There are two good sea berths one in saloon with the second in the passageway which leads through to the aft cabin. Her fuel tank is 600litres and the water capacity 1000litres.
For a touch of luxury we have a television and DVD player but if it is like Stella it will remain switched off for the entire duration of the trip! We just never found the time to watch it. There is a CD player with cockpit speakers. The most valued piece of kit is a portable CD player which we use all the time for night watches playing our music CD's and talking books. We also love to read on the long passages so therefore have a very well stocked library, not including around 50 pilot books and travel guides so no excuse to be bored. There are reputed to be over fifty lockers on this boat. Just as well!
She is equipped with Radar, SSB and VHF radios, AIS transponder and See Me Radar.
We use electronic charts for navigation but do also carry paper charts as backup, around 250.
Three GPS's, one in a metal box in case of a lightning strike and a sextant.
We communicate with friends and family via email and satellite phone.
The engine, a Yanmar 75hp diesel turbo charged with a Brunton autoprop and ropecutter
The Dessalator watermaker produces 100lites an hour.
Sadly no wind vane this time, two Raymarine autopilots instead.
No wind generator or solar panels either but an Onan generator for charging batteries and running all power systems.
The wind speed, boat speed, echo sounder and directional instruments are Brookes and Gatehouse.
Our safety equipment includes an Epirb, four man liferaft, Jonbuoy, Lifesling, lifejackets, flares, etc
A spade anchor (the first item we bought) with 100metres of chain with a CQR as a second bower anchor. The Fortress kedge anchor has 30metres chain and warp.
Amel always consider the ladies, and in each heads there is a hairdryer and brush set. Of course I realise that is a very sexist remark but in Voyageur's case David will not have any need of it!
Finally as everybody knows I like our boat to be homely and so she has the usual rugs, cushions throws, pictures, family photos, shell collection and most important of all, Skipper Ted, our ship's mascot in his RNLI jumper. And since leaving Yatlift my beautiful magic third eyes, one attached to the pulpit at the bow and the other on its special stand, both gifts kindly given to us at our party.
IMPROVEMENTS TO VOYAGEUR
Stern davits
Lifting pulley for the outboard engine
Canvas hatch covers, pc cockpit screen cover, cockpit pilot book bag
Jackstays and two cockpit U bolts for clipping on our harnesses
Pfifertex side screens for the bimini, plus alteration to same in order that we have a full, see through screen behind the steering position to keep dry in squalls
Removable inner forestay and staysail
UV strip to Genoa, Main and Mizzen sails
New Lifesling
New liferaft, Mini B diving kit, two new lifejackets (all to be collected in Gibraltar)
New Aquapro aluminium rib (to be collected in Palma, Majorca)
See Me active radar antenna and AIS transponder
Cockpit repeater screen for the chart computer
30 meters of extra anchor chain
Removable stern fender