The Saga 409 Verbatim really is the best of both worlds. She has all the features that make modern cruising designs so popular. On deck the large cockpit, arch-mounted traveler, twin wheels and a swimstep make Verbatim convenient and stylish. Below deck the cabin is open and airy with features such as a separate shower stall, spacious galley and two staterooms.
On the other hand, everything from the craftsmanship of the glasswork to the woodwork exudes quality. The boat was built by Pacific Seacraft in California and their quality of construction is apparent throughout. Electrical panels, plumbing and other systems are of top quality.
The lines were drawn by Tony Castro, who is known for everything from his super yachts to racing designs. With modest proportions, generous sail area and a long waterline, the Saga 409 will be comfortable near shore sailing or offshore passagemaking. Without the distortions of excessive aft beam, Verbatim should sail well in all conditions including a seaway and light wind. During our photo shoot on Lake Union in 5 to 8 knots of breeze, Verbatim ghosted along impressively.
Verbatim is a one-owner boat that was ordered new and is hull #9. She has cruised exclusively in the Pacific Northwest and has been rigorously maintained and relatively lightly used.
- One owner boat
- ~800 hours on engine
- Genset
- Walk-through transom
- Radar arch aft
- Traveler arch for mainsail
- Electric halyard winch
- Tall (28”) lifelines with rail at cockpit
- Aquamarine watermaker
Name of vessel | Verbatim |
Model | Saga 409 |
Year | 2006 |
Builder | Pacific Seacraft |
Designer | Tony Castro |
Price | $150,000 USD |
Location | Seattle |
Length (feet) | 43 |
Beam (feet) | 12.5 |
Draft (feet) | 5.9 |
Displacement (pounds) | 19800 |
Ballast (pounds) | 7300 |
Engine model | Yanmar 4JH4E |
Engine horsepower | 54 |
Engine hours | 800 |
Fuel tank capacity (gallons) | 82 |
Water tank capacity (gallons) | 150 |
Holding tank capacity (gallons) | 60 |
Accommodations
Starting forward, the V-berth features custom cushions. Cedar-lined hanging lockers are to port and starboard is to port, and a vanity with seat and mirror are to starboard. Large drawers are under the V-berth. There is a separate door to the head. This cabin has served as the master for the current owners.
On the port side is the head. The single-head configuration allows the space for this head to have ample elbow room and a separate shower with a semi-circular sliding door. Mirrored cabinets are above the sink and head. The head is a Vacuflush system with a 60-gallon holding tank. The head has its own heating ducts for those chilly mornings. There is an entrance from the passageway, providing access from both the main and forward cabins.
To starboard is a dedicated with lockers at eye level and more lockers below. This dedicated storage area is very practical, as any items such as tools, spares and other day-to-day items will be immediately accessible, without have to reach behind or under cushions.
The salon features a bulkhead mounted table. When the table is stored in its up position, the salon’s open space feel is accentuated and it becomes the destination for crews to gather and gam. In its down position with the screw-in legs in place, the table is a stable platform for up to six to dine comfortably. Behind the table are surprising spacious shelves for storing those items that come in handy at mealtime.
The nav station is to starboard. While the navigation table surface is foreshortened, it still opens to reveal storage for miscellaneous items and paperwork. There is ample space for interior electronics. The BEP DC and AC electrical panels are outboard with easy access to the wiring.
The galley to port features four large drawers, five cabinets and abundant storage, including swivelled corner access, under the double stainless sinks. The Force 10 stove/oven is gimballed with storage underneath. The refrigerator has access through a low door and the top-loading freezer is aft and outboard.
The aft cabin is to starboard and features an exceptionally large double berth, placed fairly low for easy entry/exit. There is a cedar-lined hanging locker.
LED cabin lights, including courtesy lights, are on wall switches and are found throughout the interior.
Espar D5 LCM forced air heater
Force 10 3-burner gimballed stove with oven
Aquamarine 800 GPD watermaker
Seafrost front loading refrigeration
Seafrost top loading freezer
Isotemp Basic water heater
Eternity water filter
Fresh water foot pump
Jabsco 18670 water pressure pump with accumulator
Extra large holding tank
Upgraded shower sump
LED cabin lights
(5) Hella fans
Vacuflush head
Tankmaster discharge controller (one-button overboard discharge or ??)
Tankmaster monitor
Cedar lined hanging lockers
Hatch screens including main hatch
Deck and Hull
The ergonomics of this deck design are impressive. The cockpit feels larger than one would expect on a 40-footer, and the twin wheels and walk-through transom (with a simple slide-in gate) The layout is practical while retaining footholds and proper bracing under way. The traveler is out of the way on its own arch above the companionway.
The dodger is in two parts, with both the forward and aft parts anchored on the traveler arch. There is a bimini providing sun protection for the helmsman.
In lieu of davits, the dinghy can be flipped up on its edge at Verbatim’s transom to hoist it out of the water.
Solid rails around aft part of the boat and extra tall lifelines provide a sense of security around the deck.
Aft stainless arch for radar and antennae with overhead light for swim step
Companionway arch for traveler
6” Ritchie compass
Electrical panel switches in cockpit
Edson Diamond Series dual wheels
Custom cockpit cushions (bottomsiders??)
Fold-up swim ladder
Forespar Novalift outboard crane
Poly-planer stereo control in cockpit
Stereo speakers in cockpit
Shower in cockpit
Courtesy lights in cockpit
Catnap Bimini
Catnap Canvas dodger and covers for wheels, hatches, cockpit table
Stainless lifeline rails around cockpit
28” tall double lifelines
Stern-tie webbing on reel
(4) Aft mooring cleats
(2) Midships cleats
(2) Foreword cleats
(2) Midships chocks
(7) Moonlight opening hatches
(2) Dorade cents
(6) Padeyes for harnesses
Rudder post access
Stainless bowsprit w/ two anchor rollers
Muir VR-windlass with remote
Rocna 25kG anchor
Danforth Performance 20 spare anchor
300’ anchor chain
Flojet anchor washdown on foredeck
Attwood Sahara bilge pump
Manual Bilge pump main cabin
Electronics and Navigation
Raymarine 4k color radar with dome
Raymarine E80 Display at helm
Raymarine ST6000 Autohelm w/ remote
Raymarine ST60 Speed, depth and wind instruments
Raystar 125 GPS
Navionics Platinum cartography
AIS Receiver
RNS Raymarine software
ICOM IC-M802 single sideband radio
ICOM IC-M 602 VHF radio
Raymarine repeater at nav station
Raymarine ethernet network
Poly-planer MRD-60 stereo
Cell phone extender
Electrical
BEP Marine Circuit breaker panel AC and DC panels
BEP marine 600 series AC Meter
BEP marine 600-DCTLM DC Meter
Lifeline Trojan house batteries, total 1320 amp hours (2020)
Kubota genset for battery charging and watermaker
Galvanic Isolator
Morse single lever engine control
30 amp Smartplug shore power inlet and cord
Secondary AC inlet
Xantrex Freedom Marine 25 charger-inverter
Mechanical
Yanmar 4JH4E, 55 horsepower ~800 hours
Variprop 19 x 14 3-blade folding propeller
PSS shaft seal
Racor R20T fuel filter
Morse single lever engine control
Sidepower SE 80 – 185T bow thruster with dedicated Interstate series-24 battery
Yanmar Digital C-type panel
Stripper rotary cutter at propeller
Sails and Rigging
The rig is slightly fractional with plenty of power in the mainsail and 105% headsail for beating, even in mild conditions. Off the wind, a code zero on a top-down furler and an assymetrical spinnaker in a sock provide powerful options.
Selden swept-back triple-spreader mast
Selden boom
Harken Lazy jacks
Quantum mainsail in “stack pack”
Code Zero Quantum
Asymmetrical spinnaker
Furling 105% headsail
(2) Harken 46ST primary winches
Harken 40 electric power winch (main halyard)
Harken 40 halyard winch
Harken 32 winch on mast
(9) Spinlock stoppers
Selden Rodkicker solid boom vang
Furlex 300S furling
Harken adjustable genoa tracks
Safety and Miscellaneous
BEP Marine Matrix gas detector
Solid rails around cockpit
Lifesling 2
Jacklines
28” tall lifelines
Spares for watermaker and generator
Magma barbeque
Walker Bay Genesis 310 RIB w/ cover
Honda 2hp 4-stroke outboard
Full Cover