The Comfortable Pocket Yacht 
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Flicka Sailing
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According to the hull number, Solar Wind was molded in December of 1988 and manufactured as a 1989 model. She was equipped with an enclosed marine head but no diesel engine. However, the cockpit and hull were molded as if a diesel were to be installed at a later date. This means that the cut out for the propeller is already in existence, the engine bed was installed, as well as the opening hatch for the diesel engine in the cockpit. The boat was originally named "Traveler" after being delivered to her first owner at the 1989 Miami boat show. She was apparently intended to serve a knowledgeable sailor who would prefer to sail rather than motor. Her systems were kept very simple with only four bronze thru hull connections installed. No halyard winches were installed on the mast and the head sail was a hank on type. While she was equipped with original sails and a storm jib, at some point, she acquired a new set of customized Blue Water capable working sails. The new sails included three reef points in the main sail and one reef point in the head sail. Extra reinforcement and chafing patches were added at every possible point of wear. During my pre-purchase marine survey, the sails were inspected closely and rated conservatively to be in good condition, Under the name "Traveler", the boat is reported to have cruised Florida and Gulf of Mexico waters extensively and made one "Great Circle" Voyage. This was a trip up the East Coast and into the Great Lakes via the New York Canals. From there she went thru the Great Lakes and then back down to the Gulf and her home waters via the Mississippi and related river systems. In other words, she was a very well traveled lady! "Traveler" was purchased by another individual in December of 1997 and renamed "Dee" with the intention of some significant cruising. The new owner had wanted to buy either a Flicka 20 or a Westsail 32. Starting with the Flicka, the new owner customized some of the interior and significantly updated the electronics. However, she proved too small for what the owner wanted to do so after two years of day sailing, she was back on the market and listed on The Flicka Home Page where I first saw her description. This page was last updated: 08/28/01 11:12:48 AM |
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Copyright © 1999-2002 Jobst Vandrey |
