Owner/Broker Comments about Magic Carpet Features
True Bluewater Boat
Class A designation promoted by Production Boat manufactures is just the minimum, just the beginning of the true requirements for a safe comfortable ocean passage machine. 12-foot Seas and 35 to 40 Knots of wind will qualify for this Classification. That’s not enough for anyone looking to travel the coasts and oceans to adventure travel the world. Very few boats made in the last 20 years have the necessary Bluewater aspects unless you go to a high quality, extremely expensive custom yacht. So-called modern design cruisers are now made to be lighter, faster, and less expensive. This is because that is what will be accepted by the common local vacationer, charterer, and racer. Unfortunately, they are less safe, and less comfortable for Ocean passages.
The most important design aspects of a True Bluewater Cruiser are:
Incapsulated Keel, never bolted on. Worrying about a loose Keel or the potential damage to a bolted-on keel during a grounding is not the path to a relaxing enjoyable passage.
Full Hung Rudder will always support the rudder during a grounding or underwater obstruction and will allow the many fishing lines and traps pass by without catching and causing problems. Blade hung rudders are good for racing and making quick turns but have no place on a serious cruiser.
Full Displacement Hull, not a modern flat wide aft section and flattened bow section before the mast which is designed to go faster but also means pounding and slamming the bottom through waves. Full Displacement pushes through the seas and offers a safer and more comfortable ride.
Heavy ballasted keel for stability and high righting moment will reduce the possibility of broaching and will allow caring more sail for the ability to sail with light winds and reduce the need to reef as winds increase. A long keel is also beneficial in helping the boat move with fore and aft stability in rough or swelly seas.
Thick solid over built hull layup may make the boat heavier but will protect you in a grounding and in rough conditions. Modern boats are built to specifications to hold together in normal conditions and to still be light enough to help increase the speed and reduce the cost of the boat. I feel better with a big margin of design safety.
Center Cockpit is the safest design for a cruiser. Its design keeps you dry, and safely seated and protected from being swept out of falling overboard. Newer designs with open, wide transoms are unsafe for people and things to slip off at sea.
Complete Cockpit Sail Handling. All sail hoisting, lowering, and reefing should be able to be conducted from the safety of the cockpit. Staying off the deck is the best way to stay on the boat during a passage.
Tall solid tow rails and flat decks with adequate nonskid texture will increase the crew's safety and ability to work on deck when it does become required.
Keel Stepped Mast with heavy rigging is much stronger and more reliable than a deck stepped mast in a broach or knockdown.
Solent Head Sail Rig. Twin head sails offers the crew sail size options and the push of a button or crank of a winch without needing the complexity of running backstays or reefing the headsail into an inefficient configuration because both headstays are run to the top of the mast and are supported by the aft backstays.
Staysail allows the easy ability to reduce sail in high winds when required. It provides a lower center of effort and moves it closer to the center of the boat. The reefed head sails will raise and move the center of effort forward. A proper staysail will also help in the process of controlling the boat during a hove to maneuver. A Bluewater boat must be able to Heave to when needed.
A Solid Hard Dodger and top with tempered glass windows is a big secure improvement for crew and cockpit protection over a wobbly canvas and isinglass dodger when it comes to heavy weather.
A proper Fuel Filter and Polishing system will eliminate the problems with taking on inferior quality fuel or dealing with dirt, moisture, or biologic growth within the fuel tanks.
Heavy Duty Hydraulic Autopilot and possible redundant system that can handle the tough conditions and reduce the possibility of having to hand steer during a passage.
Large Generator, Adequate Solar Panels and Battery Storage for continuous off grid cruising.
A True Bluewater Cruiser is a boat that will take care of its crew and passengers when the wind is above 35 knots and not have to be managed by the crew in order to survive.
