Mazatlan to San Diego - Bashing North

Location:  San Diego, CA

We finally got out of the boatyard in Mazatlan at the end of February and then spent a few days at Marina Mazatlan, waiting for a weather window to cross over to San Jose del Cabo.

And we're off... Leaving the boatyard launch area and moving to Marina Mazatlan.  

Thursday, Febrauary 24, 2022 - Boatyard to Marina Mazatlan:  Our launch today was scheduled at 11:00 but they had one boat to launch before us and we went into the water about 12:30.  Our space at Marina Mazatlan was right next to the launch and it was only a 10 minute cruise before we were backing into our slip.

The Grupo Naval Mar de Cortez crew who worked on the boat:  Angel, Raul, B, Dave, Lanier, Fernando, Jose, David, Sergio

B, Ignacio (the crane operator), and Dave. 
Seabiscuit is in the slings behind us ready to be moved to the launch area.

Ignacio lowering Seabiscuit into the water.

We stayed in the marina for a few days, doing post boatyard clean-up, provisioning and enjoying the area.  

Two oystercatchers sitting on the dock at Marina Mazatlan. 
There was a small flock of them nearby and you could hear them going out to search for breakfast every morning.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - Marina Mazatlan to Stone Island Anchorage (13 nm, 1.8 hours):  We left the marina at 8:15 this morning, near high tide.  The channel leading to the marina is shoal and it is best to leave between mid and high tide to avoid scraping the bottom.  On the voyage, we tested the Wesmar stabilizer system and verified it was operating properly.    The Stone Island anchorage is just south of the Mazatlan Harbor, where the cruise ships and commercial vessels dock.  We cruised past the lighthouse and dropped anchor between two sail boats.  We dug out the deck chairs and enjoyed the afternoon sitting in the sun and watching the nearby activities.

The Mazatlan Lighthouse and the Crystal Lookout at the top of the hill, east of the entrance to the Mazatlan Harbor. 
Dave and I hiked up to the top in January.

The beach at Stone Island where there are a lot of restaurants and water activities available.

Wednesday and Thursday, March 2 - 3, 2022, Stone Island Anchorage to San Jose del Cabo (181 nm, 25 hours):  Anchor up this morning at 9:00 for the voyage to San Jose del Cabo.  The winds were light and the seas were calm, so we decided to run without the stabilizers.  We took turns at the helm, had sandwiches for lunch and enjoyed the nice weather.  Mid-afternoon, a pod of dolphins joined us and cruised the bow wake.  It doesn't matter how many times you see dolphins, they are always a welcome and enjoyable sight.

Sunrise, Stone Island Anchorage, Mazatlan, Mexico

Dolphins cruising our bow wake

Later in the afternoon, we had two blue whales cross in front of us and saw another large pod of dolphins.  The sun set and we turned on the radar and the navigation lights, had supper and then Dave took the first night watch.  I came back up at midnight.  It was a clear night with very little traffic and we had a chance to do some stargazing.

Sunrise at sea on the way to San Jose del Cabo.

As we got close to San Jose del Cabo, Dave saw a humpback whale breach and a sailfish leap out of the water and we both saw a humpback cow and calf.  We pulled into the marina Puerto Los Cabos at 10:00 and tied up in our slip.  We spent the rest of the day unlaxing and wandering around the marina.

Beer, fish tacos and chips and guacamole to celebrate our arrival in San Jose del Cabo.

We spent the weekend exploring the area, doing boat chores, walking and checking out the local restaurants.

The beach near Puerto Los Cabos Marina

Tuesday - Wednesday, March 8 - 9, 2022, San Jose del Cabo to Bahia Santa Maria (194 nm, 27 hours):  This morning the weather looked good for our overnight journey up the coast to Bahia Santa Maria.  We left the marina just before 9:00 and cruised west towards Cabo San Lucas.  We counted 8 humpback whales before rounding the cape to cruise north up the outside of the Baja peninsula.  

Rocks west of Cabo San Lucas

A blue whale, just below the surface of the water, crossed in front of our bow mid-afternoon.  The ocean swell was from the northwest as expected, but the winds were from the southwest which helped to knock down some of the swell and kept the wind waves at bay for most of the day.  The wind picked up later in the afternoon and blew 20 - 25 knots until it finally settled down again about 3:00 on Wednesday morning.  We pulled into Bahia Santa Maria at noon, rinsed the salt off of the boat, had lunch and spent the rest of the day unlaxing.

Fresh tuna and crackers for lunch at Bahia Santa Maria.  

We checked the weather for the next leg of the journey and decided to spend a few days here doing maintenance, projects and chores.

Sunrise, Bahia Santa Maria

The smallest person on the boat gets to work in the smallest spaces.
B working in the mid-ship hold.

Dave cleaning lobster we got from the local fishermen.  We made lobster salad for lunch and lobster pasta for supper.  We gave them some candy "for the children".

Saturday - Sunday, March 12 - 13, 2022, Bahia Santa Maria to Turtle Bay (231 nm, 34 hours):  We were up early this morning and on our way out of the anchorage at 5:45.  The winds had died down during the night and the seas were lumpy but not too bad.

Sunrise on Saturday morning after leaving Bahia Santa Maria

Sitting on the stern watching a sea gull flying along with us. 

The sea gull invited a few friends to join him as he surfed on the davit.  Dave went up to shoo them off and counted 20. 
You can image the mess we had to clean up after they left.

Mid-afternoon, I got hopeful that the wind would stay calm and that we would have a peaceful overnight voyage, but it wasn't meant to be.  The wind from the northwest picked-up about 19:30 and blew 20 - 25 kts until after midnight, creating short, steep seas and causing a few things to roll around, including us when we were off watch trying to sleep.

By the time my watch was over at 4:00, the wind was down below 15 knots.  Mid-morning we spotted two pods of humpback whales and two pods of dolphins.  We turned into Turtle Bay about 15:00 Sunday afternoon and dropped anchor west of the fuel dock.  We rinsed the salt off the boat and the bird poop off the decks and the solar panels, then settled in for happy hour beers.

Monday morning we put the dinghy in the water and went to town to use the internet and stretch our legs.  We worked on boat projects for the next few days while waiting for a weather window to continue north.  

Baking scones (craisin, coconut, walnut) counts as a boat project.

Turtle Bay anchorage

Early Thursday morning we watched three sailboats leave the anchorage and turn north so we decided to go into town to get internet and check the weather.  A window had opened up and if we left tonight, we would get to Ensenada before a front moved in on Saturday night.  We headed back out to the boat and got ready for the next leg of the voyage.

The dinghy on the beach at Turtle Bay.

Pedro from Turtle Bay.  He watched the dinghy for us while we wandered around town and helped us get rid of our trash.

Thursday - Saturday, March 17 - 19, Turtle Bay to Ensenada (283 nm, 40 hours):  We heaved anchor at 17:45 and turned north out of Turtle Bay.  We estimated it would take us 40 hours to get to Ensenada if we averaged 7 knots, so by leaving early evening, we would arrive there in daylight Saturday morning.  The wind blew 20 - 25 knots until after midnight and we bumped along up the coast.  The moon was full and provided lots of light.  

During one of his engine room checks on Friday, Dave found that the Wesmar stabilizer cooling water pump was weeping so we shut down the system and he installed a new pump.  The rest of Friday was uneventful.  By the time I came up for my watch at midnight, the wind had died down to below 15 knots; there was a long, low swell with no wind waves so it was a calm night of cruising.  

We pulled into Cruiseport Village Marina in Ensenada Saturday morning and were secure in our slip by 10:30.  We got checked in to the marina, then went to the Port Captain's office to check in to Ensenada.  We had lunch at a nearby seafood restaurant, then spent the rest of the day unlaxing.

Sea lions on the dock at Cruiseport Village Marina, Ensenada.

Monday we decided to go up to Valle de Guadalupe, the wine valley about 30 miles north of Ensenada.  This article, Valle, provides a good overview of the area.  We rented a cabin at Cerveceria Bellinghausen, a nano-brewery in the town of Valle de Guadalupe.  Unfortunately, the brewery is only open for tasting on the weekends so we didn't get to try any of the beer.  The owners, Erika and Todd, were there on spring break with their kids and provided us with a lot of good suggestions of nearby places to eat and drink.  Monday night we wandered around town and had supper at a local restaurant.

Tuesday, we spent the morning enjoying the courtyard at the brewery, then walked to Fuentes winery for wine tasting.  We ate brunch at Restaurante Sarmiento's.  Our next stop was Dubacano Winery; we sat outside on their patio and tasted a variety of wines.  From there we went back to our cabin for an afternoon nap, then played a game of corn hole.  For supper, we walked into town and ate empanadas at a roadside stand.

The brew pub / beer garden at Cerveceria Bellinghausen.

B and Dave having wine and brunch at Restaurante Sarmiento's and Vinos Fuentes.

B and Dave wine tasting at Vinos Dubacano.

Dave tossing a bean bag during a game a corn hole at Cerveceria Bellinghausen beer garden.

Wednesday morning we caught an Uber back to the marina in Ensenada.  After a few boat projects, we went for a walk along the waterfront then went to Hussong's Cantina  "the oldest and best known cantina in Baja California, Mexico" and the place where the margarita was invented.  

B at the Port of Ensenada sign on the malecon.

Dave sitting at the bar in Hussong's.

Hussong's famous margaritas.

Thursday morning we went to the Port Captain's office to clear out of the country and then spent the rest of the day getting ready for our voyage to San Diego.

Friday, March 25, 2022 - Ensenada to San Diego (66 nm, 9.5 hours):  It was foggy this morning when we left the marina so we turned on the radar and the navigation lights and cruised with them on until lunchtime.  The journey was uneventful.  We crossed the Mexico - US border at ~15:00 and tied up at the customs dock in San Diego at ~16:30.  We cleared into the US using the CBP ROAM app then tied up in our slip at the Harbor Police Guest Dock.  

We're booked in here for 10 days and are working on projects and exploring the area.

Until next time...

Seabiscuit is for sale.  See our March 6, 2022 blog posting for details.

Seabiscuit is for Sale **SOLD**

 After almost 11 years of some amazing cruising on Seabiscuit, we have decided to sell her.  Technical and other information including interior and exterior photos are below.  If you are interested in purchasing Seabiscuit, you can contact us using the contact form at the bottom of the blog.  Serious inquiries only please.

Location:  Anacortes, Washington

Seabiscuit is a high-quality steel hull long range trawler built in New Zealand to Bureau Veritas Class standards.

Seabiscuit is an excellent long-range trawler for an active owner operator couple. Designed and built in New Zealand, the size is large enough for generous accommodations, but also appropriate for a two-person team to dock, maneuver and manage upkeep and maintenance.

Seabiscuit is one of very few trawler style yachts designed and built to demanding Bureau Veritas Class standards which include plan approval and survey during construction.  A full set of drawings and an approved Stability Manual are available on board. Lifetime technical support is provided by the designer / builder T.C Watson and Sons.  You can read about the quality design and construction of the Watson 48 on the builder’s website at www.realtrawlers.com and by studying the magazine review from Pacific Powerboat Magazine: Watson 48 – Power Boat News (powerboatmagazine.co.nz). 

Seabiscuit Port Side

Seasbicuit Starboard Side

Seabiscuit's interior layout features three staterooms and two heads.  The engine room has standing headroom with easy access to all of the machinery for maintenance and servicing. The raised pilothouse provides an exceptional view for commanding her underway.  The main deck entry level has a spacious saloon and an ideal U-shaped galley. Macro-Suede upholstery, teak interior, carpet in the saloon and the master staterooms, and granite counters in the galley and heads enhance the luxury aboard.

 

YACHT NAME:	SEABISCUIT
BRAND AND MODEL:	Watson 48
TYPE:	Long range passage maker with raised pilothouse
MODEL YEAR:	2006
HULL COLOR:	Green Hull, White Topsides
REGISTRY:	United States Coast Guard documented
DESIGNER:	T. C. Watson and Sons
BUILDER:	Pacific MotorYachts, Whangarei, New Zealand
HULL MATERIAL:	Steel
RANGE:	4,200 nautical miles @ 8.0
DISPLACEMENT:	99,550 lbs. | 45.16 MT

Seabiscuit with fresh bottom paint, topsides paint and zinc anodes, Mazatlan, Mexico, February 2022

Seabiscuit launch, Mazatlan, Mexico, February 24, 2022

General Overview and Equipment

MAIN ENGINE:	Perkins Sabre M185C 185 HP Commercial Rated  (Main Engine hours: ~5896.1 February 24, 2022)
MAIN ENGINE TRANSMISSION:	ZF W220 3.55:1 reduction transmission
MAIN ENGINE PROPELLER / SHAFT:	2.5" Aquamet 22 shaft (new 2021) | Four blade propeller 40”
MAIN ENGINE AC GENERATOR:	Mecce Alte 17 KVA Belt Driven with electric clutch
MAIN ENGINE EXHAUST:	Dry stack
GEN-GETHOMETM (GGH) ENGINE:	Perkins Sabre M65 65 HP  (GGH hours: ~1268.7.0 February 24, 2022)
GEN-GETHOMETM TRANSMISSION:	ZF 25MA
GEN-GETHOMETM PROPELLER / SHAFT:	1.5” Aquamet 22 shaft (new 2021) | Three blade 22” Varifold propeller
GEN-GETHOMETM AC GENERATOR:	Mecce Alte 17 KVA Direct Drive
GEN-GETHOMETM EXHAUST:	Dry Stack
THRUSTER:	SidePower SP 155 TCI 24V/12 HP Bow thruster
STABILIZATION:	Wesmar RS700 active fin stabilizers | Paravane system with fins for underway and flopper stopper for anchoring
ELECTRICAL:	50 or 60 Hertz – US style and international style
SHORE POWER:	50-amp shore power aft
INVERTER/CHARGER:	Victron MultiPlus 24 V/3000 VA/70 Amp Inverter / Charger (new 2018)
SOLAR POWER:	960 Watt Solar system including stainless steel solar panel rack and 3 x 320 Watt Kyosera solar panels (New 2014) | Victron Smart Solar Charge Controller MPPT 100 / 50 (New 2018)
BATTERIES:	House Batteries – Lithionics LiFePO4 (New 2018) | Main Engine Start Batteries – AGM (New 2021) | GGH and Radio Battery - AGM
WINDLASS:	Lofrans Titan B 24V, Dual chain gypsies and line capstan
GROUND TACKLE:	2 x 60kg Poole “N” HHP anchors | 2 x 290' 13mm short link chain | Secondary Fortress Kedge anchor aft with 30’ 1/2” chain
CRANE:	Oceanlift HD 400 kg (880 lbs)
TENDER AND OUTBOARD:	AB 11AL | Yamaha 20 HP outboard (New 2017)
DECK:	Solid Teak main deck (New 2017) and Portuguese bridge deck | White steel deck with gray nonskid foredeck, boat deck and upper deck
CLIMATE CONTROL:	Cruisair air conditioning with reverse cycle heat | Kabola KB45 hydronic heating / defrost / hot water system with 20 gallon water heater tank (New 2017)
INTERIOR LIGHTING:	LED lighting
NAV/COM BRANDS:	Furuno | Icom | Standard Horizon | Pepwave
ENTERTAINMENT:	Flat screen TV and DVD player in saloon (New 2017) | Stereo in Pilot House
STATEROOMS:	(3) Master Starboard, Master Port, Forward Cabin
BEDDING:	Custom mattresses
HEADS:	(2) Techma Silence (electric freshwater)
SHOWERS:	(2) Master Starboard and Port
LAUNDRY:	Forward Cabin plumbed for combination washer / dryer
GALLEY:	Award (NZ) propane 4 burner stove with electric convection oven| Isotherm marine grade refrigerator and freezer | Fisher & Paykel Dishdrawer | Panasonic microwave oven
INTERIOR WOOD:	Teak
INTERIOR COUNTERS:	Granite counters galley and heads
INTERIOR UPHOLSTERY:	Macro-Suede
INTERIOR FLOORING:	Teak – Pilot House, passageway, forward cabin | Carpet – Saloon, Starboard Stateroom, Port Stateroom | Ceramic Tile – Galley, heads
BILGE PUMPS:	2 x Jabsco Electric
SAFETY:	Engine room FireBoy fire suppression | Viking Life Raft (recertified September 2021) | EPIRB | Fire Extinguishers | Smoke Detectors | CO Detector | Remote Fuel Shut-off | Remote Propane Shut-off | Survival Suits | Ditch Bag | PLB | Liferings

Seabiscuit Layout Boat Deck and Main Deck

Description:

Cockpit / Main Deck: The cockpit provides an outdoor space for fishing, relaxing or entertaining. Enter aft from the swim platform or through a gate on the starboard side. A large hatch port forward provides access to the lazarette below and doubles as a seating area with a custom cushion.  A separate hatch starboard aft provides access to the steering compartment. The 50 Amp shore power connection is aft above the swim platform. The stainless-steel solar panel frame with 3 x 320 W Kyocera solar panels provides shade for the cockpit. 

The covered starboard side deck has access to the saloon via a side watertight door.  A fresh water spigot, salt water deck wash spigot, lube oil tank fill and black / grey water pump-out connections are also located on the starboard side deck.  The covered port side deck transits outside the saloon forward and up to the Portuguese bridge and foredeck and allows access into the Pilot House via port or starboard watertight doors. Two large stainless chocks and a stainless crucifix bollard are located at both port and starboard quarters. There are freeing ports amidships port and starboard.

Seabiscuit aft cockpit - steering compartment aft starboard, lazarette access with seat cushion port forward

Saloon: The saloon has a wine cabinet, comfortable bench seating and a credenza to starboard, and a fixed dining table with L-shaped settee to port. Both seating areas include ample storage underneath.  A flat screen television is mounted on the port side between the saloon and galley with a dedicated storage space below for the smart DVD player. The interior stairway to the pilot house is forward starboard and the stairs to the forward passageway, engine room access and accommodations are mid-ship just forward of the galley.  Windows port, starboard and aft provide exceptional views while underway or at anchor.  The interior is spacious and airy with lots of natural light ideal for entertaining and/or relaxing.

Saloon - view from the aft (cockpit) door:  dining table, TV, galley, entrance to passageway, steps to pilot house, credenza, bench seat

Saloon dining table and settee

Saloon - view from the steps to the pilot house: credenza, bench seat, wine cabinet, aft door, dining table, galley

Galley: The U-shaped galley is laid out in the efficient triangle fashion with all of the essentials including a stainless-steel sink with sediment filter, Fisher & Paykel dishdrawer, Isotherm marine grade refrigerator and freezer, Panasonic microwave and Award (NZ) propane four burner cooktop with electric convection oven.  An electric exhaust fan vents to the boat deck.  There is overhead storage for glasses and dishes, as well as drawers for utensils and silverware, and plenty of cupboard space for galley equipment and provisions.

Galley with granite counters, stainless steel sink, propane stovetop, electric oven, microwave, exhaust fan, marine grade refrigerator and freezer

Galley - dishdrawer, overhead storage for dishes, stainless steel sink, TV, propane cooktop, electric oven, marine grade refrigerator and freezer

Pilothouse: The raised pilothouse, with excellent visibility, has a Llebroc helm chair for comfort and control underway, a bench seat and table port aft, a bench seat port forward, a large single watch berth port aft with storage below, a bookshelf aft and a chart table with two chart drawers and cabinet below. 

Pilothouse - view from starboard interior saloon steps: control panel, helm chair, chart table and port forward bench seat

The navigation and communication electronics are forward with controls for the main engine, Gen-GetHome^TM engine, bow thruster, steering, stabilizers and windlass. The Furuno VX2 combined chart plotter, radar, AIS, and sounder display are in the center of the control console. An ICOM M802 HF SSB radio is to port, a Standard Horizon Explorer VHF radio (new 2021) and a weather monitoring system display are to starboard. Tank level gauges for the fresh water tank and grey and black holding tanks, along with a Maretron house battery monitor, are installed in the control console for easy monitoring.  A Pepwave AP (Access Point) One Rugged is installed in the chart table cabinet and is wired to a Pepwave Max Transit Category LTE router at the top of the mast. 

Pilothouse - view from port exterior door: helm chair, port aft table, berth, bookcase, chart table

An adjustable magnetic compass heading indicator display, originating from the reflector compass binnacle on the deck above, is located for optimum viewing from the helm. The search light control is to port above the control console.  An electrical panel is installed below the port side of the control console with clearly labeled breakers. Port and starboard exterior doors open outboard to allow access to the Portuguese bridge deck. The foredeck is accessed via the Portuguese bridge gate mid-ship; the boat deck and upper deck are accessed via stairs to the aft starboard and the main deck / cockpit is to the aft port. Just outside the Pilothouse are large stainless chocks and crucifix bollards port and starboard.

Pilot House - view from port exterior door: port forward bench, helm chair, control panel, binnacle compass

Passageway:  The passageway, forward of the galley, leads to the gas tight engine room access door and the accommodations area.   A very large, lighted, storage area, convenient for large bulk items and dry stores, is accessed from the midship passageway hatch and stairs.  Access to the freshwater tank hatch, forward fuel tanks hatches and grey and black water holding tank hatches are also located in this large storage area.

Passageway to staterooms, heads and forward cabin.  Storage is located under a hatch in the center.

Master Staterooms and Heads Port and Starboard:  Two mirror image master staterooms are located mid-ship port and starboard for comfortable sleeping whether underway or at anchor.  Each stateroom includes a full-size custom mattress, three drawer night stand, book shelves, a hanging locker with mirror and custom carpeting. Additionally, there are two drawers plus plentiful storage under the bunks.  Each stateroom includes an ensuite head with granite counter top vanity cabinets, electric fresh water toilets, mirrored medicine cabinet, an enclosed glass shower and a ventilation fan.  There are two portholes with watertight covers in each stateroom and one in each head which provide ventilation and natural light. 

Port Stateroom - three drawer night stand, bookcase, full bed, port holes, hanging locker with  mirror, under bed storage

Port Head - granite counters, sink, medicine cabinet with mirror, port hole, fresh water toilet, shower

Starboard Stateroom - Hanging closet with mirror, full bed, port holes, bookcase, three drawer nightstand, under bed storage

Starboard Head - shower, fresh water toilet, granite counters, sink, medicine cabinet with mirror

Forward Cabin: The forward cabin includes two bunk beds on the port side, a desk starboard and ample storage cabinets forward and starboard.   The cabinet to starboard includes plumbing and electrical hookups for a washer/dryer combo unit and the modular storage cabinet can be easily removed to install the laundry unit if desired.  Easy access to the chain locker is provided at the forward bulkhead behind a teak finished cover over a bolted/gasketed watertight inspection cover.  A hatch overhead opens for natural light and ventilation. A hinged teak deck hatch allows easy access to the bow thruster motor for inspection and maintenance.

Forward Cabin - bunk beds port side, office work area and storage starboard side

Engine Room: Few trawlers under 50’ can boast standing headroom in the engine room.  The engine room is entered either from the port aft engine room watertight door via the lazarette or through the gas tight door in the passageway just forward of the galley.  All machinery, equipment and systems required for the operation of the vessel, with the exception of the steering system and bow thruster, are contained in this spacious engine room.  The Perkins Sabre main engine, Perkins Sabre Gen-GetHome^TM engine, Wesmar stabilizers, Kabola heating system, refrigerator / freezer compressors, fresh water pump, black and gray water pumps, house and engine start batteries, inverter/chargers, AC and DC breaker panels, bilge pumps and other machinery and equipment are readily accessible. 

Engine Room - looking forward from the lazarette:  GGH engine (Perkins-Sabre M65) port and Main Engine (Perkins-Sabre M185C) center

Engine Room - The main engine (Perkins-Sabre M185C).  Starboard aft - tool bench, battery boxes, inverter/chargers, breaker box

Engine Room - The Gen-Get Home (GGH) engine (Perkins-Sabre M65).  The FireBoy fixed fire fighting system is aft and the Kabola heating system is to port forward.

Both engines are salt-water cooled with dry stack exhaust. An electrical supply fan mounted on the boat deck provides forced air ventilation to the Engine Room.  A FireBoy fixed fire fighting system equipped with remote release is installed aft.  A work bench equipped with a vise and a tool box underneath, along with an additional bulkhead mounted toolbox, are located on the starboard side.  A 12-gallon lube oil storage tank with deck fill and sight gauge is mounted forward starboard.

Engine Room Port Forward - Kabola heating / hot water system, refrigerator and freezer compressors, fresh water pump

Engine Room Starboard Forward - Lube oil tank, HVAC pump, Wesmar stabilizer system hydraulic oil tank, bilge pumps

Engine Room Starboard - The work bench with vise, tool boxes and battery boxes

Inspection covers for the two forward fuel storage tanks are located port and starboard at forward bulkhead and the two day service tanks are located port and starboard aft.  A fuel transfer system aft includes two fuel transfer pumps, filtration and transfer valves arranged in a suction manifold and a discharge manifold clearly labeled. All fuel storage and day/settling tanks are equipped with sight gauges and sump, fill, and suction valves.  All fuel storage tanks are filled via a single main deck fill in the cockpit leading to a ring main with fill valves and check valves at each storage tank.

Engine Room Aft - Inverter, Inverter/Charger, Breaker Box and Electrical Switchgear, Fuel transfer pump, Door to Lazarette

Lazarette: Aft of the engine room is a water tight door leading to the lazarette where custom built shelving provides storage for numerous spare parts and maintenance supplies. The two aft fuel storage tanks are located in the lazarette wings port and starboard. A 24V Brownies Hookah system (new 2017) is located to allow for operation either directly from the lazarette shelves via a dedicated outlet and breaker or as a portable unit in the dinghy with battery power. The lazarette may also be accessed from a raised combing watertight hatch from the main deck aft.

Steering Compartment:  The steering compartment is accessed from a raised hatch combing in the cockpit and provides easy access to the two steering pumps and rudder.  The main steering system is TMQ electro-hydraulic with autopilot. A separate standby steering pump provides an immediate independent backup via joystick and non follow-up (NFU) control in the Pilothouse.   The steering compartment includes custom built storage shelves for spare parts and maintenance supplies; a secondary Fortress kedge anchor and chain, as well as a stern tie line and paravane stabilizer fins are stored in the steering compartment.

Foredeck: The foredeck, in front of the Portuguese bridge, has a 24V Lofrans electric windlass with dual chain gypsies and a line capstan, great for pulling your shrimp traps.  Similar to any ship, the two Poole “N” type anchors, each with 290’ 13mm chain rode, self-stow in dual hawse pipes against stainless steel striker plates welded to the bow structure.   The foredeck includes three storage lockers, port, starboard and forward, and a midship combination portlight / ventilation access hatch to the forward cabin. For mooring, the foredeck is equipped with stainless steel bull nose chocks and double bitts port and starboard. For shedding water underway or just washing down the foredeck, large freeing ports are fitted in the aft corners of the foredeck bulwarks.

Fore Deck - Cleaning locker hatch (port) and rope locker hatch (starboard), Forward Cabin hatch, windlass, double stainless steel bitts port and starboard, deep storage locker forward

Bow - the two Poole “N” type anchors, each with 290’ 13mm chain rode, self-stow in dual hawse pipes against stainless steel striker plates welded to the bow structure. 

Boat Deck: The boat deck has an Oceanlift crane port aft, a dinghy cradle mid-ship and a lightweight deck box starboard.  The Viking 6 person life raft (recertified September 2021) with hydrostatic release is stowed on the stainless safety handrail starboard aft.  The AB 11AL dinghy with a Yamaha 20 HP outboard (new 2017) is secured to the dinghy cradle.  The storage box for dual LPG tanks is port forward. A quick release/replace upper section of stainless safety rail on the port side allows for the easy deployment/recovery of the dinghy.

Boat Deck - Storage box, Life Raft, Life Ring Buoys, Dinghy and Motor, Solar Panels, Davit

Upper Deck:  The bimini covered upper deck provides great height of eye for entertaining and watching the world go by. The ship-like magnetic compass, mounted in a binnacle, is located on this deck and, through mirrors, provides a continuous comparison/backup magnetic compass course to the steering station inside the pilothouse. A searchlight is also located on the upper deck.

Uppermost Deck and Fore Deck

Uppermost Deck with searchlight and ship's compass

Bimini on the uppermost deck

Highlighted Equipment aboard Seabiscuit

• Perkins Sabre M185C 185 HP Commercial Rated - dry stack, saltwater cooled with 3.55:1 transmission
• Perkins Sabre M65 65 HP Gen-GetHome^TM Engine
• Furuno VX2 combined chart plotter, radar, AIS, and sounder with C-Map SD Cards for Pacific Coast North America and Central America, South Pacific including AU and NZ, Kamchatka & Kuril Islands, SE Asia, US East Coast & Bahamas, Canada North & East
• Furuno RD-33 weather display equipped with AirMar PB-150 weather station
• Cruisair air conditioning – 5 units: 1 saloon, 1 pilot house and 1 in each stateroom
• Kabola Blue K45 Hydronic heating and hot water system with 6 fan coils (New 2017) (2 x Saloon, 1 x Pilot House plus window defrost, 1 x Port Stateroom, 1 x Starboard Stateroom, 1 x forward cabin)
• Victron inverter/charger (New 2018) with bypass
• Lithionics LiFePO4 House batteries (New 2018)
• 960 W Kyocera Solar panels (New 2014) with Victron MPPT controller (New 2018)
• Shore power connection aft
• Fire Boy fire-suppression in engine room
• Wesmar RS700 active fin stabilizers
• Paravane system with fins for underway and flopper stopper for anchoring
• Lofrans electric windlass with dual chain gypsies and line handling capstan
• Two Poole “N” HHP anchors each with 290’ of 13mm chain
• 24V Sidepower bow thruster
• Oceanlift 400kg crane
• AB Tender with Yamaha 20 HP outboard (New 2017)
• Custom covers for windlass, compass, search light, dinghy, propane box and engine exhaust stacks
• Techma fresh water toilets
• Custom mattresses in all three staterooms
• Award (NZ) four burner propane stove with electric convection oven
• Isotherm marine grade refrigerator and freezer (New Compressors 2017)
• (2) propane tanks in custom locker with remote galley propane shut-off valve
• Fisher & Paykel Dishdrawer
• Panasonic Microwave Oven
• Flat screen television and smart DVD player in saloon (New 2017)
• Pepwave Max Transit Category 18 LTE router and Pepwave AP (Access Point) One Rugged (New 2021)
• Custom carpeting in saloon and port and starboard staterooms (New 2017)
• Custom granite counters in galley, saloon and heads
• Llebroc helm chair
• Ship-like, binnacle mounted magnetic compass
• Searchlight
• Viking 6-person life raft (Recertified September 2021), ditch bag and two adult immersion suits
• LED Lighting

Below the waterline - Port Side

Below the waterline - Starboard side

Below the waterline - Aft:  Gen GetHome folding prop, main prop, rudder

We have truly enjoyed our many years aboard Seabiscuit and know that the new owners will appreciate her quality build and comforts as much as we have.  If you are interested, please contact us via the form below.

We're planning to be at the Anacortes Boat Show in May 2022.  Watson Custom Steel 48 Trawler.