Tropicbird

Built in South Africa in 1980 from high quality materials including fully seasoned wood salvaged from a demolished department store in Zimbabwe, Tropicbird has since sailed around the world.

Maintenance of all the systems including the engine is religiously done by the captain. (Read ‘profile of the captain’)

Her logbooks describe many comfortable miles of ocean sailing and numerous ports of call throughout the world. She is always eager to sail and tugs at her anchor to set sail for further adventures.

Sailing
Her rig is made for easy handling and flexible enough for any weather conditions. Even in the highest seas there is little or no water over the bow as she is designed to rise up against oncoming seas and to slide down even the steepest of following seas.

Whilst other more lightly built yachts are tossed about when the seas are at their beams (sides) Tropicbird merely rises sedately as rollers pass beneath. To the passenger this means a comfortable motion at all points of sail with less time tending sails and steering and more time to enjoy the surrounding environment.

Safety Equipment
Throwing floatable devices.
Brand new life jackets.
Brand new dinghy.
Handheld and fixed VHF radios.
Fire extinguishers.

A briefing is held before going to sea which explains the duties of all aboard in the unlikely event that someone should fall overboard. However the captain insists on knowing where everybody is at all times. At night during other peoples ‘watches’ he will rest in the pilothouse and be on hand to deal with even the smallest concern.

Accommodation
Below decks she is spacious and airy, in the saloon she has eight foot headroom and in all the cabins full standing headroom.

There are berths (beds) for eight people and the saloon for lounging around. The pilothouse is great for getting out of the sun eating or even watching movies whilst at anchor! Her spacious decks are perfect for sunbathing or sleeping beneath the stars whilst anchored.