We used to own a boat! It’s an uncommon make/model, so I’ll leave this page up since it serves as a good introduction to this kind of catamaran. If you want to read about the ins and outs of our #boatlife, here’s a good post to start you off!

Hobbes is a 2001 Fortuna Island Spirit 37. The first owners sailed her from Capetown to Trinidad in 2004, and she was purchased in Trinidad by the 2nd owners in 2005. The 2nd owners sailed her extensively in the Caribbean and the Bahamas for 6 months a year. After that she was purchased by a 3rd set of owners in 2016 – a family of four. They had big plans to sail far and wide, but we found her up for sale in the fall of 2017.

Here are the big things that made us love Hobbes:

• The layout of the cockpit and salon – it’s a big open space, and you hardly see that kind of layout on a boat this small or this old. It’s an easy transition from the cockpit either forward or aft.
• The way she feels so light on the water – as long as we don’t weigh her down too much she should sail well, and it seems like she’s got some decent speed too.
• All the lines are run to the helm, making it easy to single-hand if needed.
• Galley up, as opposed to galley down in one of the hulls.
• She’s got some important extras – we’re happy to see there’s a watermaker aboard, and the dinghy is new. She’s already outfitted with solar panels and a wind generator.
• Oh, and this is probably the most important one: she’s got two hulls. We were dead-set on owning a catamaran, and now we do!

And here are the small features of the Island Spirit that will make such a big difference:

• The davits look sturdy, and pull the dinghy high off the water. The cross bracing keeps the dinghy from swinging – our dinghy does not move!
• There are two trampolines instead of one big one.
• The anchor drops behind the trampolines, as opposed to running across the trampolines. Doesn’t seem like a big thing, but when the chain runs across the trampolines they’re always going to be mud or rust stained.
• There’s an electric winch at the helm. The luxury!
• 17 opening hatches – with screens! Think of the ventilation! Some of the boats we looked at were so stuffy inside, and the stuffy ones tend to be the mildewy ones.
• Freshwater deck wash. As in, fresh water to rinse off when you get done swimming.

                                  

Stats:
2 Yanmar 3GM30 engines located under the aft berths (diesel, 27 hp each)
Length: 37′     Beam: 22.3′     Draft: 4′     Air Draft: 63′
Fuel: 90 gal     Water: 150 gal
Spectra Watermaker 200/12v – 8 gallons/hour
Solar panels: aft array: 4 solar panels, 55 watt ea. Hardtop array: 2 panels, 360 watt ea.
Wind generator: Airex 400
Primary anchor: Rocna 55 lb
Secondary anchor: CQR 35 lb
Dinghy: 2016 10′ 6″ Walker Bay Genesis G2 310