Gaff Rigged 61 Topsail Schooner

7 VIRTUAL TOURS - 1 VIDEO - 104 PHOTOS - FULL SPECS & BROKER'S COMMENTS CAN BE VIEWED OF THIS VESSEL!

HEALTH DICTATES THAT THIS BOAT NEEDS TO SELL!

SPIKE AFRICA has become an icon in the world of active schooners. Bob Sloan, the builder, took seven years working mostly alone to complete the construction of the boat. He took time away from other builds taking place in his boat yard to prioritize completion of this vessel.

Upon completion he set out operating her in a traditional way as a long distance cargo vessel, hauling racing sail boat gear for boat races like the Transpac and others in Mexico. He also used SPIKE AFRICA to tow the racing sailboats back to their home ports as well as providing commercial towing for the insurance companies. This boat also towed a 115' Feadship motor yacht across the the Atlantic from the Mediterranean Sea. SPIKE AFRICA traveled more than one million sea miles and transited the Panama Canal more than 50 times.

The current owner has completed a total re-build and re-fit and has used SPIKE AFRICA as a very successful charter schooner in the Pacific Northwest and includes a current USCG Certificate of Inspection (COI) for continued charter work. This level of certification requires a diligent inspection for vessel structural and mechanical condition and safety compliance annually.

The surveyor commented favorably on the vessel in his 2022 report summary:

"SPIKE AFRICA presents the appearance of a well designed and constructed wooden sailing vessel that is structurally sound and in very good condition. The overall impression is that the vessel was initially well-built to robust scantlings, and has been extensively restored starting in 2009 then culminating in 2019."

Wooden Boat Magazine #70 (available on-line) has a wonderful article about the builder, Bob Sloan and the story of the schooner SPIKE AFRICA. She's an exceptional historic vessel in outstanding condition, ready for continued service and truly representing an exceptional opportunity for her next owner.

These boat details are subject to contract.
Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

Visit our website for the full specifications of this boat with up to 100 photos, videos, and virtual reality images.

Accommodations

The vessel is laid out from bow to stern as follows: Forwardmost is the chain locker, accessed through a watertight hatch in the fo’c’s’le. The fo’c’s’le holds two pilot berths, a double to port and a single to starboard with stowage beneath both. A small workbench is also in this compartment as well as an enclosed head. Passing aft through a watertight bulkhead door leads to the center cabin. This area was previously used for cargo but has been converted to accommodate passengers. To port is a U-shaped settee and table that can be converted to a double berth. To starboard is double-berth. Moving aft through another watertight door leads to a small area forward of the engine compartment. In this space, an enclosed head to starboard and double pilot-berth is to port. Passing through the head leads to the engine compartment. A passageway on port leads up to the main salon. In the main salon, a passenger berth is tucked under the deck to port. The captain’s quarters are port-aft, with a double-berth and full-sized chart table. Raised over the engine is the galley table and built-in settees. The L-shaped galley is to starboard-aft. Centerline steps lead up to the aft deck.

Additional Equipment

(2) 12 VDC 3500 GPH Rule electric bilge pumps; (1) Engine Power Take-Off (PTO) bilge manifold pump; (1) Whale Gusher 25 GPM manual bilge pump; (5) Bilge compartment alarms; (2) Watertight door alarms; 25 person Revere inflatable liferaft, recently inspected;

Sails Rigging

2009 The standing rigging was completely overhauled and replaced. 2010 A new set of sails. 2012/13 New mainmast. Chainplates removed, re-galvanized, and reinstalled. 2014/15 Running rig overhauled and upgraded 2015/16 New foremast. 2016/17 New bowsprit. New Kranze iron of bronze. Bronze chainplates on the whisker stays. 2017/18 New Main Gaff. Comments on the sails and rigging from the surveyor: "The masts are solid Douglas-fir and are less than 10 years old. Equipment on the mast was well secured. The spars are also solid wood and are in good condition. Finish is firmly adhered." "Stitching was found tight and not UV degraded. Boltropes were without chafe. Cloth was clean and without mildew. The lines aboard are in very good condition. The sails were made by Force 10 Sails on Marrowstone Island, Washington. The rigging was inspected by world-renowned tall-ship captain, rigger, and sailmaker Wayne Chimenti when the vessel was brought to the Pacific Northwest." Force 10 Gaff mainsail; Force 10 Gaff foresail; Force 10 Staysail; Force 10 Jib; Force 10 Main gaff topsail; Force 10 Fisherman staysail; Force 10 Gollywobbler (flying sail)

Electrical Systems

;Chargetek Automatic Battery Charger