El Barco

No longer just wannabes!

Since September 2008 we have been keeping this blog, detailing the steps we have taken towards achieving our goal of becoming live-aboard cruisers. Although we have been diligent in keeping the blog up to date, this is the page that we really, really wanted to update. This is the one which would show that we were in fact committed, “boat owners” instead of just “boat dreamers.” We are happy to announce that we have found our new home!

“Katana” is a very lightly-used and meticulously cared for PDQ 32 Altair Classic cruising catamaran. Built in Whitby, Ontario, “Katana” was delivered in May 2001 and has been sailed exclusively in the fresh waters of the Great Lakes. She was one of the last PDQ 32s made (Hull #32045).

Rebecca on the dock with Katana on survey day.

Builder/Designer

• Builder: PDQ Yachts, Whitby, Ontario, Canada

Dimensions

• LOA: 32’ LWL: 31′0″ Beam: 16′0″
• Displacement: 7300 lb.
• Draft: 3′2″ Bridge Clearance: 49′

Engines

• Engine(s): 2 x Yamaha retractable outboard motors
• Engine(s) HP: 9.9 Engine Model: 4- cycle
• Cruising Speed: 6 knots, Max speed 8 knots

Tankage

• Fuel: 27 Gallons, Water: 47 Gallons,  Holding: 30 Gallons

Additional Specifications

• Sail Area: 507 sq. ft.
• Bridgedeck clearance: 40” (fwd) / 23” (aft)

More to come…

So many nice boats… so little money

We, like many, have become addicted to the “boat-porn” sites such as Yachtworld.com. I have even come so far as to make searching “today’s latest listings” a daily stop in my web travels. Why do I do this to myself?

So, what are we searching for? The “perfect” boat of course! But knowing that such a thing is as plentiful as a unicorn, we will settle for a compromise! The boat of our dreams will be a hearty catamaran (2 hulls are better than 1) that can easily be sailed by the two of us. Some models that we have been drooling over include:

• Gemini 105MC (this “budget” boat is really what started us on our fast-track quest)
• Lagoon 380
• Admiral 38
• PDQ 36
• PDQ 32
• Foutaine Pajot
• Manta
• Priviledge
• Prout

You see, we’re really not all that picky! There is of course that budget thing (if ever there was a curse word it has to be budget)! Most late-model cats are sadly out of our price range and we would rather not go too old as there would no doubt be repairs needed, bringing it out of my “skill range.”

There is of course always a MONOHULL. Aack! Although neither one of us were ever super turned on by monohulls (many people are) I will admit that now after having done our cruising course, and having lived aboard one for a week, they are not all that bad. The right one could be almost perfect. Downside to Monos are that they heal (lean over under sail) much more than cruising cats, have a much deeper draft (can’t sail as close to those beautiful beaches) and have comparatively less room inside. The advantages though are that they are less affected by weight and can thus carry more “stuff,” and are often MUCH cheaper. THAT is a HUGE advantage!!!

What to do? Well, for the time being we will continue to drive ourselves crazy with the boat-porn until we have accumulated enough wealth to actually begin our shopping in earnest. We are counting the days!

For the moment this is all that we have, but we plan on moving up a bit in short order!