DECK & HULL:

SEA OTTER is fabricated from marine grade, welded aluminum for strength and integrity.  The hull is insulated with sprayed foam in way of living areas for thermal and acoustical reasons.  This classic Dick Koopman’s design has a pleasing shear line and traditional overhanging bow and stern.  A hydraulically controlled centerboard minimizes leeway while sailing to windward and minimizing draft to access shallow cruising grounds.

SEA OTTER’s hull sides are painted with Flag Blue linear polyurethane.  A 2” tall white boot stripe located well above the waterline.  The bottom was painted with red Petit Vivid in August of 2021.  A 2” high welded rub railed runs from bow to stern protecting hull sides from pilings and piers.  A 3 ½” wide teak cap rail is secured to the 3” high bulwark.  Freeing ports located at low points on each side deck drain sea or rainwater.  Four fixed ports are recessed into the hull sides to illuminate the salon.

Side decks and foredeck are wide and covered with Marinedeck cork/rubber.  The decks and cabintop and cockpit are painted with Oyster White polyurethane.  An 18” high coachroof located between the cockpit and mast is fitted with stainless steel handrails on each side.  Deck hatches and cowl vents with integral dorades are mounted forward of the mast atop a 3” high raised platform.  27” high uncoated wire double lifelines run be tween bow pulpit, stern pushpit, and midships boarding gates.  Midships gates are fitted with Gibb snap hooks for easy opening and positive closing.

The ”T”-shaped cockpit is spacious and well-protected behind the cabin and cockpit dodger.   A fixed bimini aft provides shade for the helmsman.  A connector panel can be used when not sailing by moving the mainsheet attachment to either rail.  7” high teak-capped coamings are 12” wide; for stepping on, sitting on, and winch placement.  Cockpit seats measure 66” long by 18” wide with 11” high backs.  The cockpit sole and seats are covered with teak.  A 17” high by 25” long bridgedeck keeps seas out of the companionway.  The helm seat is 20” wide by 56” long.  The cockpit sole is sloped and slated to enhance standing comfort while steering to windward and healed.  An LED light in the boom is located above the cockpit table for dining at night.

Deck accessible storage includes a liferaft locker below the port cockpit seat.  A 34” by 13” gasketed and guttered hatch in the starboard cockpit seat access the huge “walk in” storage locker/technical space in the starboard quarter.  This space is also accessed from below via a door in the head compartment.  There are three lazarette locker in the stern with deck hatches aft of the coaming.  One houses the cooking gas cylinder.

• (6) 13-1/2” stainless steel mooring cleats mounted on caprail at bow, stern, and midships
• (6) Gebo cabinside opening ports
• (4) Lewmar deck hatches
• (4) Large Vetus cowl vents with dorade boxes welded integral to the deck structure. Stainless steel bars protect the cowl vents
• Double bow rollers with aluminum cheeks welded integral to the hull and caprail
• Lewmar 12V vertical anchor windlass with line capstan and up/down foot buttons on bow (new motor and gearbox in 2015)
• Rocna 25kg anchor with 275’ of 5/16” G4 chain
• Vulcan 15kg secondary anchor with rode
• Fortress 37 storm anchor
• 8’ AB Lamina RIB – (new in 2014)
• Tohatsu 3.5 hp two stroke outboard motor – (new 2016)
• Outboard engine storage bracket on stern pushpit
• Outboard engine hoist on stainless steel wind generator pole (port quarter)
• White painted aluminum radar mast with air horn, and antenna mounts on stern (centerline)
• Navy blue Sunbrella cockpit dodger with aft handrail (new 2019)
• Navy Blue bimini over helm/aft cockpit, connector panel to dodger, removable side/rear panels (new 2019)
• 26” x 27” Teak drop leaf cockpit table mounted on binnacle guard
• Cockpit cushions
• (4) welded rings at corners of cockpit for attaching harness tethers
• Windpilot self-steering vane
• 42” diameter dual spoke, leather covered, steering wheel
• Whitlock single lever throttle/shift lever on pedestal
• Vanished teak flagstaff and US ensign
• Stainless steel swim ladder on stern (not usable with Windpilot steering vane)
• LED foredeck light on mast
• LED cockpit light in boom
• (4) Fenders with cloth covers
• Docklines
• Name “SEA OTTER” is welded proud on bow and stern. Name change would require grinding off raised letters

SAILS & RIGGING:

SEA OTTER is equipped for shorthanded sailing.  Top shelf gear was selected and installed with a focus on reliability and dependability while sailing to the world’s most remote locations.  A balance of crew safety and ease of use was achieved by leading headsail furling lines aft yet keeping mainsail halyard and reef lines at the mast where one can see what’s happening while tucking in or shaking out a reef.  Wide side decks and flush foredeck make working at the mast base safe and easy.  The staysail is on a fixed furler to take full advantage of the cutter rig.

• Hall Spars deck stepped two spreader aluminum mast painted with Oyster White LPU
• Hall Spars aluminum boom painted with Oyster White LPU
• Dyform standing rigging with continuous wire cap shrouds, intermediate shrouds, baby stay, aft lowers, backstay, forestay, ands fixed staysail stay
• Mast at staysail doubly supported with jumper strut and running backstays
• Running backstays are 1:1 Dyneema with tails
• Cutter rigged with jib and staysail on Reckmann furlers (control lines led aft to cockpit)
• Harken manual backstay adjuster
• Backstay with insulators for SSB radio antenna
• ABI folding aluminum steps from deck to masthead
• (2) Harken deck-stored whisker poles with topping lifts and mast end adjustment cars and lines
• (2) Anderson 40ST halyard winches on mast
• Lewmar rope clutches on mast for halyards
• Anderson 12ST reefing winch under boom gooseneck
• (4) Reef clew and outhall stopper levers in boom aft of gooseneck
• Vangmaster rigid boom vang with lifting air cylinder
• Mainsail preventer system led aft to cockpit on each side
• Fredrickson cars and track on mast for mainsail luff
• Fredrickson 8:1 mainsheet tackle at end of boom with fine/course adjustment
• Lewmar 4:1 mainsheet traveller forward of steering pedestal
• 52” long 1-1/4” Lewmar “T” track with pin adjustable lead cars located inboard on side decks for staysail sheets
• 72” long 1-1/4” Lewmar “T” track with pin adjustable lead cars located atop caprail for jib sheets
• Lewmar double foot blocks outboard of cockpit for jib/staysail sheets
• (2) Andersen 46ST staysail sheet winches on cockpit coaming forward
• (2) Andersen 52ST primary winches on coaming for jib/spinnaker sheets
• (2) Andersen 28ST winches on coaming for jib/staysail furling lines and running backstays
• (4) Lewmar stoppers outboard of cockpit for preventer, jib, and staysail furling lines
• Pull forward lines and cleats for running backstays led to cockpit
• Boom topping lift
• Spectra jib halyard (new 2022)
• Spinnaker halyard, staysail halyard
• Spectra mainsail halyard
• Spare spinnaker halyard
• LED tricolor light on masthead
• LED anchor light at masthead with photo cell on/off
• Masthead VHF antenna
• 2018 Neil Pryde high modulus dacron full batten mainsail with three reef points
• 2018 Neil Pryde high modulus dacron jib with blue Sunbrella UV cover
• 2018 Neil Pryde high modulus dacron staysail with blue Sunbrella UV cover
• A & F Sails Ltd. mainsail stackpack/cover (New 2022)

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION:

• Simrad IS20 speed, depth, wind, magnified wind, and compass instruments over companionway slider
• B&G Zeus 9” MFD on swivel mount to starboard of companionway (new 2020)
• B&G Zeus 7” MFD in Navpod at steering pedestal (new 2021)
• B&G NAIS-400 AIS transponder and B&G NSPL-400 antenna splitter
• Exterior AIS piezo alarm (also works for radar guard zone)
• Simrad Broadband 4G radome on stern-mounted pole
• B&G Triton autopilot controller in Navpod at steering pedestal (new 2021)
• 4” Whitlock Polaris 125 compass and cover on steering pedestal
• Icom RAM microphone at companionway
• B&G NAC-3 autopilot computer (new 2021)
• Whitlock/Lewmar Mamba mechanical autopilot drive
• Globalstar Pro EPIRB (battery expired)
• Wempe clock, barometer, thermometer/hygrometer set on main bulkhead
• 5” Fusion weatherproof speakers recessed into companionway bulkhead
• (2) Sony 6” diameter speakers overhead-mounted in salon aft of main bulkhead
• (2) Sony 6” diameter speakers overhead-mounted in galley/nav station
• Electric air horn mounted on stern radar pole
• Electronic control for automatic fog signal to air horn
• Bow pulpit-mounted red/green sidelights, stern light, and steaming light
• At Chart Table:
• Icom M504 VHF radio
• Icom M802 SSB with AT140 tuner (new 2017)
• Pactor PTC-III USB modem for SSB
• Furuno GP37 GPS
• Ritchie compass
• Weems & Plath chronometer
• Simrad IS20 MFD
• Pioneer MVH-X390BT stereo receiver
• Very loud alarm for high bilge level, radar, AIS and B&G
• Meteorgraf recording barometer (needs paper)

MECHANICAL & PLUMBING SYSTEMS:

SEA OTTER received a new Beta engine and transmission in August of 2021.  The shaft seal was replaced and Aquadrive shaft coupling refurbished.  New engine space insulation and raw water strainer were installed.  This work was done by Zimmerman Marine in Oriental, NC.   Fuel burn is reported to be 0.8 gallons per hour at six knots.

Access to the engine is very good.  The companionway ladder lifts on gas struts to access the engine front end and dipstick.  The aft end and transmission are accessed through a panel below the aft stateroom berth.  An Aquadrive shaft coupling system allows softer engine mounts and less noise and vibration.  The Volvo shaft seal is truly “dripless.”  Water heater, batteries, and primary fuel filter are below the aft cabin berth.   A large storage/technical area in the starboard quarter holds the watermaker, access to steering, and AC electrical equipment.

• Beta 56 hp naturally aspirated engine (new 2021) with 320 hours
• Custom engine panel with tachometer, water temperature, oil pressure, volts, and alarm lights recess mounted in cockpit and protected by acrylic cover
• ZF model ZF25 hydraulic 1.97:1 transmission (new 2021)
• Aquadrive shaft coupling (refurbished 2021)
• Volvo shaft seal (new 2021)
• 3 blade feathering Maxprop
• Spare 3 blade fixed prop
• Whitlock mamba rod steering system
• 105 gallon aluminum diesel tank welded integral to the hull
• 15 gallon diesel oil day tank
• Jabsco 13 gph diesel transfer pump
• Racor 500FG primary fuel filter
• Maxpower 12V bow thruster
• Whale Gulper 220 shower drain & anchor locker sump pump
• Flojet salt water washdown pump
• (2) Whale 2000 GPH bilge pumps
• Rule Mate 12V bilge pump for centerboard lifting arm area
• Mobilife 20 litre hot water heater
• 35 gallon & 75 gallon integral welded aluminum water tanks
• Aluminum holding tank with gravity overboard discharge and deck pumpout
• Echotec 13gph 12V watermaker
• 12V fresh water pressure pump
• Salt water foot pump at galley
• Engine spares
• (4) Large spare hull zincs
• Manual hydraulic pump for raising centerboard
• Seafrost 12V refrigeration with remote digital control panel (new 2020)
• Dickinson Newport diesel cabin heater in mains salon

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:

• (4) Lifeline Group 31 105 ah 12V AGM batteries (new Dec 2021)
• Mastervolt 80 amp 12V battery charger with remote control
• Optima 55 AH engine start battery
• Mastervolt group 31 AGM windlass/bow thruster battery
• Mastervolt 15 amp battery charger for windlass/thruster battery
• Mastervolt isolation transformer (allows 110V or 220V shorepower)
• 12V 100 amp alternator with serpentine belt drive system
• Sterling Pro C 130 amp alternator to battery charger (new 2021)
• Victron BMV 6025 battery monitor
• 110V 60 hz Prosine 1800 watt inverter with remote control – powers 110V outlets
• (2) 225 watt Panasonic HIT solar panels on bimini
• Morningstar TriStar TS-MPPT-45 solar controller with TS-RM2 remote panel at chart table
• Air Breeze wind generator on stainless steel pole (new blades in 2020)
• Switch panel at companionway for all nav and deck lights, 12V outlet, horn, alarm control, and nav light mimic
• Dual pole 12V switch/breaker panel at nav station with DC leakage detector
• 220V/110V breaker panel in technical locker (stb quarter)

ACCOMODATIONS:

SEA OTTER’s interior is entered via the cockpit companionway.  A sliding teak overhead hatch and teak washboards seal the companionway.  Bulkheads on either side and rubber non slip tread staves make this five-step ladder manageable in rough weather.  Once below, the quality of build and thoughtful seagoing design are immediately evident.

Interior furniture is even-grained Burmese teak; the best choice for harsh marine environments and pleasing to the eye.  All surfaces are fully sealed in satin varnish.  Corners are rounded and trimmed with solid wood.  Doors are panelled. Countertop fiddles are topped with bullnose doubling as handholds.  Toe kicks are below galley and nav station cabinets.  Hardware is chrome finished and cabinet latches are pop out pushbutton.  The cabin sole is Bruynzeel marine plywood topped with 3/16” thick solid, unvarnished teak and holly.  The entire cabin sole is removable providing full access to bilge spaces.  The overhead is faux tongue and groove marine plywoodand spray painted semi-gloss white.  Reading lights and overhead spot lights are well-placed throughout.  Overhead hatches are fitted with flush-mounted Oceanaire blind/screens.  Upholstery in the staterooms and salon is navy blue with gold accent spots.

Starting in the forward stateroom headroom measures 6’ 3”.  The V-berth measures 78” long by 74” wide aft by 18” wide forward.  A seat step with bin storage under is in the notch.  Upholstered 8” thick cushions lift to access storage bins.  The bow thruster is all the way forward below the bunk.  A door in the upper forward bulkhead accesses the chain locker.  9” wide bookshelves run for 33” along the hull sides below the deck edge, above the bunks aft; great locations for reading glasses, cell phones, headlamps and books.  Aft to starboard is a tall, 29” long locker with three shelves.  The shelves are removable if one prefers this to be a hanging locker.  A locking privacy door in the main bulkhead closes this cabin.  Two reading lights, two cabin fans, two overhead spot lights, a 16” x 16” deck hatch, and a 9” x 12” deck hatch complete this stateroom.

A stall shower is aft and to port inside the forward stateroom.  The shower and head compartments are fabricated from marine plywood, epoxy and filler.  Fully sealed with epoxy and finished in sprayed gloss white paint, they have the appearance of being molded fiberglass but with much great strength and panel rigidity.  A seat is outboard with a storage cabinet above it.  A Grohe single lever mixer, adjustable height mounting bar, spray nozzle and hose allow one to stand or sit while showering.  Two overhead spotlights, a 12” by 7” overhead hatch, an overboard drain pump and locking privacy door (painted white on the inside) complete this space.  A hanging rod below the overhead hatch makes this a great location for hanging wet foul weather gear.

The saloon is centrally located, low and sufficiently large for entertaining, dining, and sleeping.  The starboard settee measures 80” long by 29” wide aft by 18” wide forward.  Cushions are sculpted and the ends rounded.  A teak leeboard with dedicated storage and “in use” mounting backets makes this settee a wonderful sea berth.  There is storage below and outboard of both settees.  A 13” wide shelf runs along the hull side for 55” centered below two fixed hull side ports.  Storage cabinets flank these ports.  The aft starboard cabinet has dedicated glass and bottle storage.  To port and “L” shaped settee measures 78” long by 54” wide.  Cabinets and shelving are a mirror of the starboard side.  A diesel cabin heater with glass viewing window is mounted on the main bulkhead.  The dining table is mounted on the wood-covered mast compression post.  This table extends with an internal, folding leaf to 38” wide by 48” long; adequate for six diners.  Four dimmable overhead spotlights, two reading lights, under cabinet rope lights, two cabin fans, four 11” by 5” fixed hull side ports complete this space.  Headroom measures 6’ 1” forward and 7’ aft (below the trunk cabin).

The galley/nav area is raised up 10” from the salon, taking advantage of the raised trunk cabintop.  Fuel and water tanks are below the cabin sole.  The “C”-shaped galley is to port, and well configured for cooking underway.  The Corian countertop is white with grey and light blue flecks.  Stainless steel underhung sinks measure 12” x 12” x 8” deep and 9” x 12” x 8” deep.  Grohe single lever faucets provide hot/cold freshwater via electric pump or salt and freshwater via foot pumps.  A 2-1/2” high fiddle and 2” wide bullnose helps keep items and the countertop and also serves as a handhold.  Headroom measures 6’ 3”.  A two cubic foot freezer box with spillover 1.5 cubic foot fridge is located below the countertop forward/outboard.  Insulation is 5” thick.  Lockers and drawers are below the counter and sink.  Pot/pan storage is below the stove/oven.  Outboard, below the deck edge are cabinets for storing dishes and cooking gear.  Two overhead spot lights, two underdeck task spotlights, two 110V outlets,  two 5” by 12” opening cabinside ports complete this galley space.

• 12V Seafrost air cooled refrigeration compressor with stainless steel evaporator, air circulating fan(in fridge box), and digital thermostat
• Broadwater gimballed two burner propane stove/oven
• Trident propane solenoid valve control panel

The navigation station is to starboard and forward of the companionway, adjacent the galley.  The forward-facing chart table measures 40” wide by 31” long with a 3” deep drawer below the hinged top.  A 24” wide seat is fitted with bottom and back cushions and storage bin below.  A “catch all” 18” by 9” by 8” deep storage bin is outboard of the seat.  A storge locker with four slide-out drawers is forward, below the chart table.  Navigation and communications electronics located forward.  The electrical DC switch panel is outboard.  A cabin fan and two opening ports provide ventilation.  A flex arm nav light can be used at night.  Two underdeck spotlights and two overhead lights are fitted with dimmers.  Headroom measures 6’ 5” standing just inboard of the nav station, at the base of the companionway.

The head is immediately to starboard of the companionway, the best location for use underway; especially for the singlehanded sailor.  Headroom measures 6’ 3” just inside of locking, paneled privacy door.  White, wipe down surfaces keep this space bright and easy to clean.  A manual flush Lavac head is flush mounted in a cabinet forward.  An round sink is aft set in a vanity with Corian countertop and varnish teak fiddle.  Cabinets below and outboard of the sink and head provide storage for toiletries and cleaning supplies.  An overhead hatch an opening cabinside port ventilate this space.  Overhead and underdeck spotlights provide nighttime light.

The aft stateroom is aft of the galley and entered through a paneled door.  Headroom measures 6’ 4”; ample for a tall crewmember to stand up and dress before watch.  The double bunk measures 78” long by 64” wide forward and 33” wide aft.  The upholstered cushion is split for easy removal and access to equipment and storage below.  Forward is a locker with three removable shelves, above a set of cabinets and open shelf.  Two cabin fans, two reading lights, two spotlights, a 9” x 12” overhead hatch, opening cabinside port, 110V outlet, and 12V outlet complete this stateroom.