Sail Craft Comanche 32' Catamaran, 1978, Nassau, Bahamas, to South Florida, $47,000, Ad expired

1978 Sail Craft Comanche 32' Catamaran Sailboat with a 14' beam and 3.3' draft on fixed, beachable keels. Coast Guard Documented. Manufactured in England using only materials approved for marine use through Lloyd's Of London makes this boat as solid as they come. Equipped with buoyancy chambers at all four corners, it can be full of water and still stay on top. This is a highly sought after low production small cruising cat that you will rarely see come up for sale, so take this opportunity to make her yours. This is the big brother to the very popular 30' Iroquois and they upgraded many things with this design.

My wife and I purchased this boat in September of 2012 in North Carolina (according to the previous owner we are the third owners) and set about updating it with the intention of living aboard and cruising the Bahamas. We took it down the ICW, across the Okeechobee Waterway to Ft. Myers, down the west coast to Marathon in the Keys. Then we anchored in Key Largo for a while before making the crossing to Bimini. From Bimini we traveled to Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands, then down the Berrys and to Nassau where we spent two weeks. After that it was the Exuma Chain to Staniel Cay before turning around and heading back. It took us almost three years to complete the process and we're only in Nassau right now, but we'll be back on the east coast of Florida in a week or two if the weather will get right and it can be seen there. It's been one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life, but we've decided to start having kids and would like to be back around family to do that, so our beloved Elysium is up for sale. You can read a more detailed account of our story and see more pictures on svelysium.com. Thanks.

Boat Specs:

Rig-

The mast has been updated from the original design with a beefier Z Spars masthead unit that has double diamond spreaders. The new 130 Genoa is on a Schaefer 2000 roller furler and the fully battened main is new also along with sunbrella sail and winch covers, all new in Nov 2014. There's an LED anchor light in an Aqua Signal 40 housing up top along with VHF antenna and a garmin wind sensor. There are also incandescent spreader lights that illuminate the deck very well. One nice feature of this boat design is that the mast and chainplates are all tied together with metal substructure so that it is very strong and does not stress the fiberglass unnecessarily. We also have an extra genoa set up to use with the furler, but I'd have to take it out of the locker to see what size it is. All lines lead to the cockpit. The traveller runs across the rear of the cockpit. There is a Lewmar 44 3 speed winch at the rear of the cockpit for the jib sheets and a Lewmar 40 2 speed for the halyards and outhaul on the cabin roof. I also have an extra Lewmar 25 2 speed that came off the old mast I hung on to that comes with it along with many extra fittings.

Engine-

We purchased a new Evinrude 25hp outboard in December 2014. The advantages of this motor are: The warranty is 7 years, meaning you don't have to worry about anything until December of 2021. It was the highest horsepower/largest displacement that would fit in the motor well just below the helm. The location helps to minimize prop lift by keeping the engine in good water as you crest waves, but also allows you to lift the engine completely out of the water to minimize drag when under sail. It's a great idea and also means no through hulls, easy serviceability, and low replacement cost and time involved. You can have it changed out in less than two hours using the main halyard. No required services until 300 hours and then it's only a lower unit oil change. You just add oil to the internal tank and put gas in it. Which leaves you more time to relax and enjoy yourself. It's also equipped with the highest output alternator in the industry to run all the modern electronics. In addition, it's a direct injected two stroke which means you get the power of a two stroke but it passes stringent California three star emissions regulations. No bad smell, instant starting, and quiet running are all qualities it possesses. It will run 5 knots at 3000 rpm, 6.5 at 4000 rpm, and tops out at a little over 8 knots. I usually see 4-6 miles per gallon depending on the current/wave situation running around 4200 rpm (where it seems to like running). I mounted an Evinrude systems check tachometer with warning lights to keep tabs on the engine. We carry extra spark plugs and an impeller kit which will come with the sale.

Fluids-

1) The main engine tank is 6 gallons but we carry an additional 60 gallons in cans in the fuel locker. That puts the range on engine alone between 250 and 400 miles under normal circumstances. 2) Also in the fuel locker is two 10 lb propane tanks which feed the stove. There's enough room to carry another one, but we go so long on the two we have that it's never been an issue. There is a remote propane shut off valve mounted at the tank. 3) The fresh water tankage consists of a 26 gallon flexible tank under each double berth for a total of 52 gallons, plus we carry an additional 36 gallons in cans in the sail locker. The flexible tanks are great because they can so easily be taken out and cleaned unlike rigid tanks. 4) We installed a new 35 gallon holding tank in January 2015 along with a new Jabsco manual flush full size toilet. It's plumbed to a Y valve that allows you to pump out through the deck fitting or overboard with the electric macerator pump if you're far enough off shore. It will empty the tank in around 2 minutes. 5) There is a 70 psi wash down pump and hose in the starboard sail locker for anchor and deck wash down.

Ground Tackle-

Our main anchor is a Rocna 22 lb galvanized. We bought it new at West Marine in December 2014 and have had great luck with it. It's taken 60+ knots of wind and 45 knots switching 180 degrees. The only place we ever drug was in Nassau where the holding is terrible and that was only once. We also have a Fortress FX-37 that I purchased barely-used in case we were going to get hit with something really bad, but have never needed it. A small Danforth is included as well, but would really just be good for a lunch hook. There is 30 feet of 3/8" chain into over 200' of 5/8" nylon rope. There's a Lofrans manual windlass that works great on the starboard bow. We have many extra lengths of line that work great for bridling if you're in an unsettled anchorage.

Deck Layout-

There are large aluminum cleats at all four corners, 13" on the bow and 10" at the stern. The entire perimeter is trimmed with an aluminum toe rail. The bow pulpit is 1" stainless steel and has LED nav lights mounted to it. I installed new stainless steel cable life lines in October 2012. There are turning blocks for the jib sheets on tracks on the combings and fixed blocks at the rear corners of the cockpit so they both lead to the center mounted winch. The furling line runs down the port side to the rear of the cockpit also. Handrails run along the cabin roof on both sides. New safety glass was installed in November 2014 so it's clear as a bell and no leaks for a long, long time because commercial Dow Corning 795 sealant was used. There are two opening hatches in the cabin roof with custom made wind scoops to enhance air circulation. A new trampoline was installed in January 2015 from Sunrise Yacht Products.

Helm-

A 21" stainless Vetus wheel steers cables back to brass arms atop beefy stainless steel rudder posts joined by a large diameter aluminum connecting link with a removable emergency tiller handle that stows in the battery compartment. Rudders are skeg hung and the posts are encased in tubes that run well above the water line to ensure trouble-free use. To starboard of the wheel is the ignition switch for the motor, above is a cupholder and the tachometer, and in front of that is a new Ritchie compass installed December 2014. Just port of the wheel is the Garmin 4208 chartplotter that runs a GMR18HD radar and a GSD22 depth sounder reporting from a brass Airmar B60 transducer, all installed October 2012 along with the Raymarine wheel autopilot and C70 color display. The charts have all been updated April of 2015 so they are current. The captain's seat is a supportive flip-up bolster Wise unit that is color matched to the boat. It was installed new February 2015 and is incredibly comfortable.

Electrical-

2 Sunpower 345 Watt panels, which are the most efficient panel available at 21%. They also come with a 25 year warranty on output stating it will remain over 80% of original value for that time period. That runs into an Outback 80 amp MPPT controller that can also take additional input from a wind generator if you would like to add one. I prefer the quiet of solar and rarely have to run the generator, so I never bothered with wind. I routinely see over 45 amps output from the array. It even puts out well on cloudy days. I do have a Yamaha EF2400iSHC generator, that will run everything on the boat at the same time, that can be negotiated into the deal. It has a custom matching tan cover for it as well. It has a built in start capacitor for things like a/c which require a high amp output to get started. It is quieter than the Honda 2000i as well as more powerful. If you're plugged into shore power, the Xantrex Freedom HF1800 inverter/charger will put 40 amps into the batteries and pass 110v to the outlets, and if you're not, it will give you good, reliable power at all those same outlets. It runs fans, the TV, and charges everything we plug into it with no issues. A high load appliance like a toaster or heater must be run with a generator. We currently have four 95 AH batteries (one dropped a cell, but it runs fine with the remaining three) as well as the dedicated deep cycle start battery which can be integrated into the system with the flip of the selector switch at the panel in the salon. The house bank can be split in two with a different selector switch located in the port battery box at the rear of the cockpit. The switch panels for 12v power are located in the salon above the chart table along with the remote for the inverter/charger. I've mounted them to a section of dry erase board to give you a good place to make quick notes or lists that are easily seen. A second switch panel is mounted in the galley above the fridge and controls power to the fridge, propane shut off, and in-cabinet lighting with a remaining switch that is unused and can be dedicated to future use. The breaker box for shore power is also located in the galley for easy access.

Interior-

Large companionway doors lead to a salon with a settee that seats 8-10 people. The table has removable supports that allow the top to drop down and make a 6' x 6' flat area. There is storage under all seating areas. Some accessed from the salon while others are from the galley or head. This boat has so much storage for its size that when friends of ours with a Hunter 37 came aboard they were quite jealous (as well as almost every other sailor who's come aboard). There is no wasted space whatsoever. To starboard of the companionway is the radio station with an Icon VHF and Kenwood AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit. To port of it is the fold-down chart table with additional seating and the 12v switch panels. We do not have an SSB radio but the backstay is set up with isolators so it can be used as an antenna. Almost all interior lighting has been converted to fluorescent. I made sun shades for all the windows from 1" thick foam with reflective backing and it really keeps the interior temps down. When you step down to starboard the head is fore, storage amidship, and a double berth aft. The head is huge, bigger than you'll find on much larger boats and has a full size toilet, sink, and shower pan with many storage locations. The storage amidship consists of a double hanging locker and two shelves. The aft double berth is tight for two people but we've been doing it two years steady and you adapt pretty quickly. There's a hanging locker here as well as 4 storage bins and quite a bit of shelf space. Under the berth you will find another storage compartment (another advantage of having the engine mounted in the middle instead of twin diesels) that is large and contains the water pump, followed by the water tank, and then the buoyancy chamber. At the end of the bunk is two access doors. The lower is just empty space around the runner post where more stuff can be stored, and the upper is access to the steering arm and top of the rudder post. There is an opening portlight that faces the cockpit and a small fan for circulation. Stepping down from the salon to port is a single berth fore, galley amidship, and another double berth aft. The single berth we use as storage and has a similar hanging locker as the double berths with cubbyholes to the side, but the previous owner added a clothes rod for hanging things as well as some other shelves. Under the bunk is a large storage area and access to the depth transducer. In the galley you'll find a new in November 2014 Dometic refrigerator/freezer. The freezer holds 3 ice trays. It's not huge, but it works great. There is a good amount of counter space, a sink, and a built-in cook top with three burners. There was a separate oven, but the control tap was missing parts and they were no longer available, so it was removed and replaced with a storage bin that we keep pots and pans in. There's tons of cabinet storage space on both sides of the galley as well as in the bilge which stays pretty dry since there's no through hulls. There is another double berth aft that mirrors the starboard one except that we've installed a 19" flatscreen TV with a cable to hook to a laptop so we can watch DVDs, play games, or go online. There is also a Rogue Wave WiFi booster for weak signals. Under that berth is a safe for valuables as well as access to the other water pump, water tank, and buoyancy chamber. The same access panels for storage and steering are in this berth as well.

Cockpit-

There is seating around the entire perimeter, access to the battery banks in compartments at the rear, and an elevated subfloor that ensures you stay dry no matter how much water comes in. There are dual drains in the floor just in case that happens. A new enclosure was constructed November 2012 using Sunbrella and Strataglass, not the cheaper Eisenglass. It can be fully enclosed if you live somewhere cold, or you can unzip the sides and let the air flow through like we do down south.

Dinghy and Davits-

New arch constructed of 2" aluminum August 2014 to support the two solar panels that shade and shed water away from the dinghy that hangs below them. We have a Watertender 9.4 hard dinghy, but it will suppport a much heavier setup. The tender has a Mercury two stroke 3.3hp engine that we carry extra spark plugs and shear pins for, but have only ever had to change shear pins. Starts easy and is enough to push the two of us around, but will not plane off with two people. The dinghy also has a set of sturdy wooden oars, stainless oarlocks, lift brackets, and drains that I added in case it gets swamped.

Miscellaneous-

Extendable three stage floating boat hook; four 8" fenders as well as several other smaller ones; Standard Horizon HX290 floating handheld VHF; ACR personal locator beacon; Zodiac 4 person life raft; ditch bag with additional water, food, and other survival supplies; fire extinguishers at all corners as well as radio station and cockpit; many life jackets; extra ropes and lines, fittings, shackles, cables, pulleys, pins, screws, bolts, and possibly tools; SSB receiver; vacuum cleaner.

I am not going to tell you this boat is perfect, but you could literally fill it up with water and fuel and go on a trip. It comes well enough equipped to do that. It also isn't $150,000 like most of the other catamarans out there so if you're on a budget but still want a cat for all the comfort, style, and speed that you get with them, this is one of the few you will find under $50,000 and probably the only one that is as well-equipped as ours is. We are only reachable by text or email until we get back to the states, but if you'd like to talk on Skype, we can probably arrange something. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to arrange a time to see the boat. Thanks.