What Is The Purpose of This Web site?
The goal of this web site is to inspire others to join in the wonderful world of cruising. We also hope to help others avoid the mistakes we have made in the past and will undoubtedly make along the way.
We are currently wrapping up with sea trials and outfitting of our new boat with a planned departure sometime in late 2008 or early 2009. This is a complex process and we feel it's worth documenting so that we may share our knowledge and experiences with the boating community at large. After all what is the point of an adventure if you don’t share it?
We invite you to join with us in our adventure as we journey through the process of outfittin and later sailing Makara.
What Does "Makara" Mean?
We were originally fond of the name Pleiades but found that there were over 50 documented vessels with that name. Given that we were looking for something a bit more unique we continued to consider other names. During some late night research we discovered that in Aboriginal mythology Makara referred to the seven sisters who eventually became the Pleiades. Quickly after this discovery "Makara" was born. The logo of Makara has a representation of the seven stars making up the Pleiades.
A secondary meaning of Makara is a crocodile like sea monster who was the mount of Varuna, one of the most important gods in the Hindu Pantheon. We like to think of this boat as a sea monster designed to cross the worlds oceans.
Lastly Makara in old Greek means "Blessed". We hope that in our journeys that Makara will indeed be a blessed vessel.
When Are You Leaving/Why Haven't You Left Yet?
We have been getting asked this question a lot lately. The simple answer is that we will leave as soon as we can, with the biggest blocker in this process being the sale of our house, which in the current real estate market is a significant challenge. Once our house is sold we will depart as soon as we can falling into one of two weather cycles - November to December for a southbound departure, May to June for a northbound departure.
Another answer to this question is, as soon as we are ready. Makara was delivered to us in October 2007. Even though she is a new boat that we have "owned" her for over 18 months we are still both learning the complex systems on this boat and making significant adjustments to the boats systems to make her "southern ocean ready". Once we really know our boat and feel comfortable with her we will know it.
Last answer: Never on a Friday.
What was the most complicated design issue with Makara?
This would probably be the electrical system. In general, on more complex boats this is the one that usually takes this title. Maraka is a DC boat, there is no AC generator. We have a DC generator, large house bank, an alternator on the engine to get some current when it is running and solar panels will be installed. We do have AC, but only through a beefy inverter when at sea. When attached to shore the boat has been de singed to handle either US 110/60Hz or European 220/50Hz. The shore power circuitry took a long tome to get "just right". Electrically the boat is truly geared for global cruising.
What are some of the reasons you choose a Passport?
All boats are compromises. The Passport 470 was the best compromise we could find of all the traits we like in a cruising boat. The hull is strongly built. She has classic lines and good motion underway. We specifically sailing on one before making our decisions as we did with many of our possible choices. A thorough technically grilling of the builder indicated good choices in systems and construction. The layout was in general consistent with our cruising style and was customizable to accommodate specific our needs. The particular layout and configuration has an extremely large amount of storage both inside and outside the main living area. Plenty of space to live and plenty of space to hold supplies and gear. Tankage is excellent and adding a third fuel tank gave us enough cruising range under power to cross critical passages in case of emergencies that prevented sailing (e.g. Drakes Passage).
Why did you heat the boat?
First, Makara not only has a beefy heating system but she is also insulated in the hull. Our cruising plans include early on excursion north and south to more temperate or even down right cold climates, hence the heating system. Tropics are fun and we will enjoy them but cruising is multifaceted and we aim to take advantage of that. In case you are wondering, the heating system is diesel fired and is hydronic, which is a fancy name for a hot water circuit heating system.