S/V “Privateer,” ready for your expedition… (Page Under Construction 8/26)

The Beloved Ship: Our Expedition boat “Privateer” is a 1991 Cape George Cutter.  She is 36 feet on-deck and 42 feet overall.  Her gorgeous, sea-going lines were designed by William Atkin, and built in Port Townsend WA under the exacting and masterful eye of Cecil Lange, in the Cape George yards.  “Privateer” is a one-of-a-kind treasure, a blend of modern shipbuilding technique with due diligence to tradition and proven naval architecture. In effect, “Privateer” is a wood boat inside of a fiberglass boat.  Belowdecks, “Privateer” speaks of a true sea-going vessel designed for ease of use in a heavy seaway.  Above-decks: “Privateer” is a cutter rigged sailboat.  She carries a 100% jib (or “Yankee”) on her bowsprit, and a stays’l on her inner fore stay.  Her main sail is 350 square feet, about the upper limit of what you’d want to handle on your own.  For complete technical details and specs of “Privateer,” click here.

Sleeping Arrangements: “Privateer” sleeps 4 crew very comfortably.  Captain Frost and Kelsey sleep aft in the port and starboard quarter-berths.  Expedition crew sleep forward on the port and starboard settee berths, which are a full 6′4” long.  The port settee slides out into a spacious double when there are couples aboard.  Fore and aft staterooms are partitioned for maximum privacy.  All berths are fitted with lee-cloths and are comfortable and easy to get into and out of.

Galley: “Privateer” has the finest galley of any boat her class.  She boasts a large refrigerator and freezer, deep double sinks with hot & cold running water, and a large Paul Luke oven & range.  Expedition chef Kelsey Boesch turns out meal after meal of fine cuisine for the duration of the voyage.

Ship’s Head (Toilet): Ahh, down to details…  “Privateer” has a center-line porcelain head (toilet) and washbasin, with hot & cold running water.  The head is a Groco Type-K model, known for reliability and durability–we’ll knock on wood to that one!  The head is in a large forward compartment, and a far cry from the “telephone booth” style heads found on most boats.  The Groco is simple and easy to use, as it should be.

Engine Room: “Privateer” is fitted with a BMW D-35 diesel engine.  The engine is quiet, clean and usually off most all of the time (lest we forget this is a sail boat, not a motor boat.)  Regardless, you can eat your dinner off the engine room floor.  Trust me, it has been done!  The engine is accessed through double-swinging doors and also through a submarine hatch in the cockpit that gives one complete access to all areas of the engine.  The BMW “Iron Jib” pushes us through those tight tidal passages of the wild north coast when the wind dies, and helps us to navigate tight harbors.

Cabin Heat: “Privateer” is outfitted with an enameled cast-iron wood stove.  One thing we’ve learned again and again on our expeditions: There is no substitute for wood heat in the North country!  The only way to get all of your wet clothing and the rest of the boat bone-dry in ten minutes is with wood heat.  Once you experience the magical simple heat of wood you will never go back.  Diesel heat stinks, propane is wet, and hydronic heat is best left to rocket scientists.  The wood stove is so valuable in Alaska it becomes a well-loved member of the crew.  Bank the coals and fall asleep as the fire warms you to the core all through the night!

Ship’s Tender “Trinka”: We travel to and from “Privateer” in her anchorage with our 8′ rowing and sailing dinghy.  “Trinka” is sort of like our car: we use her to get groceries, visit friends, and take joyrides.  Unlike a car, we never have to put gas into her tanks and she never breaks down.  She has two horsepower: one horse in each rowing arm!  When the winds are light we rig her with a sail and let the wind do the work.  “Trinka” is a thrill to row and sail.  In fact, a major element of our Expeditions is spent exploring all the quiet winding waterways.  Prepare to spend many quiet peaceful hours watching the wildlife and exploring shallow tidal lagoons with “Trinka.”  It’s one of the hidden joys of our Expeditions!