We have completed two years of research and have narrowed our search down to two boats - Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37 and the Cabo Rico 38.  In making these choices, we took into consideration blue-water capabilities, seaworthiness, absence of serious problems, live-aboard comfort, capsize ratio, comfort factor and many other categories.

As of April 30, 2005, all we have is a name, "Pioneer", and the possibility of a ship of the same name, to complete our Canadian registry.  The Vancouver Port of Registry (Kaye in particular) was extremely helpful in helping us secure the name we wanted.  We have a thing about putting Roman numerals after a boat name but Canada will not allow two vessels with the same name or the same sounding name, so we just had to work extra hard to find out if our desired name could be made available.  After all the boat's present name was given to her using the traditional boat naming ceremony and we would therefore have to de-name her (officially) and give her a new name (officially).

Pioneer in Oriental, NC

Pioneer being hauled out for her survey

In early May we head out to North Carolina to meet "Pioneer" and her present owners. We have arranged haul-out and survey dates and secured a yard and surveyor.  Now it is just up to "Pioneer".  We hope she passes the test!

While in NC, we will be seeing another CR 38 "Good Winds", which we also interests us.  They have different interior plans, but on the outside they are the same.  If we end up with "Good Winds" we will have to spend more time refitting her for cruising. We really think that one of these two boats will be the one for us.

Good Winds, a 1984 Plan A CR 38 in Washington, NC

"Pioneer", formerly "Windflower" was built in 1987 in San Jose, Costa Rica.  Don Hardy and Rebecca Hill - her present owners - are her third owners.  We would be her fourth owners. Don and Becky did an extensive refit and re-powering of Pioneer to get her ready for their travels. In November 2004, they sailed her in the Caribbean 1500 - from Norfolk, Virginia to the BVI. She stood up to a lot of abuse by heavy seas and very strong winds and came through the ordeal in pretty good shape, although Don and Becky were a little worse for wear. I don't think that Ron and I will be doing such a demanding rally - in fact we like going our own way at our own speed.  We will never tire waiting for a weather window to take us to our next port.

Judy and Becky "seal the deal"

Don and Becky have a well established website which they have maintained for 6-7 years. Their adventures are fascinating and we look forward to meeting them.  Their web address is www.twogypsies.com  if you would like to visit their site.

Having passed her survey in Oriental we put in an offer to Don and Becky, which they accepted! We were pleased with how things went - no broker to pay made it a good deal for all four of us! So, now Pioneer is ours.  She will remain at her new marina, Wayfarer's Cove, in Arapahoe, NC. for most of the summer.

                    Pioneer's cockpit

Don and Becky, Ron and Judy transfer ownership

Pioneer in her slip at Minnesott before we head back to Canada

Pioneer is all set to go cruising but she will have to wait a few months for us to get back to her.  Hopefully we can make the Caribbean this winter!

Description:

Cabo Rico 38, LOD = 38 feet, LOA = 41 feet, Beam 11 ft 6 in., draft 5.5 ft., modified full keel, cutter rigged, fiberglass deck with non-skid surface, white hull with green trim, green sail covers, tan dodger and bimini with full set of roll down isinglass curtains and screens (all isinglass zippers replaced 2007 and 2008).  Tan Sunbrella sun awnings forward from the dodger (with rainwater catch system).  50 Gal fuel storage capacity plus 50 gal on deck, 150 gal water storage capacity. The interior is solid honey Costa Rican teak with solid brass fixtures (lights, door and cupboard handles and hinges), solid brass head sink taps, tide clock and barometer (Weems and Plath) and towel bars.  Pioneer sleeps 5 using two double berths and a single (the single has a lee cloth for night passages).  Nav station has drop down nav table. Salon cushions are covered with washable sunbrella ultra suede material.

Pioneer setting out for an evening passage. Note "on deck" fuel storage - still lots of room to walk up the deck

Extras:

Achilles 11.3 ft. inflatable dinghy, 9.8 Nissan outboard. Kato davits with separate Kato outboard engine lift.

Scout - Achilles inflatable

Sails:

Newer Quantum mainsail (2004),  new furling genoa - 4 reef points (2008) and older staysail in good condition. Tides Marine Strong Track System in mast.

Teak:

Beautiful Honey Teak Signature Finish (exterior) requires minimal maintenance.  The interior is also teak with a new polyurethane finish - in excellent condition

2002 Yanmar 56 HP Engine

Engine:

Yanmar 56 HP (2002), 2200 hours.  New Balmar 70-110 alternator.  Balmar (Digital Duo Charge) Charge Flow Regulator (like having a second alternator). Auxillary Racor primary fuel filter.  Remoted oil filter for easy access. DC oil change pump (new).

Electronics:

2500 watt charger/inverter with Heart Interface Link 2000, 4 AGM Lifeline house batteries (210 A ea.), separate new starter battery, Autohelm 6000 autopilot, Furuno 24 mile radar, Garmin 182C Chartplotter at helm (includes up to date chart data cards for the entire Caribbean, Central America and the East Coast of the USA up to Delaware Bay), depth, wind speed/direction and speed/distance instruments at helm, Ritchie compass at helm. Icom VHF/DSC, Icom M-710 Single Sideband Radio, 1200 watt Lofrans' Windlass, Cruisair air conditioning and heating system, new Seaward water heater.

Other Equipment:

Seagull water purifier in galley, two burner Tasco propane stove with oven, Alder-Balbour refrigerator (runs off 12 volt system) with smaller freezer, new Seaward water heater, Weems and Plath clock/tide clock and barometer, Blakes Lavac head, Force 10 Barbecue, new Kenwood CD Player/radio and 10 disk cd changer, 60 lb. CQR anchor with 250 feet 3/8 inch chain, secondary Bruce anchor with chain and rode, two Fortress anchors. Screens in all portlights and hatches. Sunbrella covers on Lofrans' windlass and all fuel cans.

Additional Pictures:

Straight settee in main salon (upholstery is washable Sunbrella ultra suede)

Galley (with water purification tap)

Galley stove (2 burner propane)

In counter fridge with butcher block style top

Looking into Forward berth (double berth)

Medicine chest in Head