About the Yacht

Sabbaticus at Fox's Marina, Ipswich

Sabbaticus is a 2004 Oyster, built by Windboats Marine, Norwich, Norfolk, UK.  Commensurate with our nationality, the boat is now  registered in Wellington New Zealand.  She has a GRP hull built to Category A - 'Ocean' and is 14.97m (49ft) long, draws 2.3m with a 4.58m beam.   Displacement 20,750kg (45,745lb) of which 5,500kg (12, 235lb) is encapsulated lead ballast within the bulb keel which is an integral part of the fiberglass hull.  


The rudder is hung on a skeg, making it much stronger mechanically and protecting it from impact. As a heavier yacht she loves the stronger wind and is comfortable ocean sailing romping along at 7-9 kts in fresh conditions. Sabbaticus is set up for short-handed sailing, and includes electric in-mast furling, furling headsail, electric winches, bow thruster, windlass and auto pilot.  We replaced the 60lb CQR anchor for a 88lb Rocna to ensure she holds firm and we can sleep easy without worrying about "dragging" the anchor in a blow.

View from the top of the mast

Sabbaticus is a sloop rig with a keel-stepped mast with a removable forestay for a storm jib. Her air draft is 20.61m which can be daunting when being winched to the top of the mast.  Her sail area is 136m2 (main and geona) and she is also equipped with a cruising chute and storm jib.  

A tight fit

   

 

When not sailing, Sabbaticus is powered by a 75HP Yanmar 4JH3-TE 4 cylinder diesel engine which drives a Gori folding prop. She also has a 5 kW Northern Lights generator and a 150A house alternator - all of this just fits into the 'engine room' under the companionway stairs.  Not the easiest place to access for maintenance but this is a boat.  She also has a Mastervolt Inverter and Charger with a 24V 480AH battery bank. 

Light salon due to surround windows

Sabbaticus has most of the comforts of home onboard including; air conditioning systems in both the saloon and aft cabin, a Webasto diesel heating system in the salon, aft cabin and aft head, fridge and freezer and watermaker.  She can carry 770 litres of fuel and 890 litres of water. With the large salon windows we have not felt 'cabin fever' being inside when the weather has been inclement.  Two of the forward facing windows can be opened and provide an excellent airflow on warm days.

 

The Nav Station includes a forward facing chart table.  Systems include VHF Radio, Raymarine E90W Plotter, Raymarine E120 Plotter (in cockpit), ICS, Radar,NAV6 Navtex weather receiver, Iridium Satcom, AIS, and a marine PC (running PCPlotter software, a Navtex application, and various other navigation related programs), Raymarine ST60 wind, log and depth instruments, Raymarine 6000 series autopilots (two control heads) and Raymarine 7000 autohelm, and Yachtspot WIFI.   We have also installed LED lighting within the boat to reduce power consumption.

The Galley - includes an Avonite counter-top, a four burner Force 10 Oven, twin sinks, and 24V front opening fridge and top loading freezer.  The pressurized water system provides hot and cold water. The hot water is provided from an insulated 76 litre hot water tank heated by either the engine's heat exchanger or via a 2KW element.  We have now adapted to one cupboard for the two pots and one frypan and one cupboard for baking supplies. Gone our the days of a walk-in pantry of supplies! 

Guest Cabin (sales photo)

Master Cabin (sales photo)

The boat has three cabins with the master aft with ensuite head & shower, a double forward for guests, and a two bunk cabin. Their is
also a forward head/shower for guests. The heads can operate on either freshwater or seawater. 

View from the hatch

Although Sabbaticus has a large lazaret and deck locker aft (accessed via deck) we are using the two bunk cabin for storage of additional gear - cruising shute, cockpit squabs and dive gear etc.  
     

Sabbaticus sails beautifully and is a lovely home to live and travel in.

Oyster 49 configuration