Ocean Watch

Ocean Watch at Bowen's Wharf in Newport before leaving

5 October 2009 Ocean Watch

BOAT: Ocean Watch
OWNER: Ocean Watch http://www.aroundtheamericas.org/log/the-boat/
DESIGNER: Bruce Roberts, Severna Park, MD http://www.bruceroberts.com/
BUILDER: Custom built in Havre de Grace, MD
YEAR: 1988
LENGTH: 64 feet [19.5 meters]
HULL: 1/4” steel on steel frames
HISTORY:
 Originally built to be a rugged cruising yacht, Ocean Watch [ex –Dazantie III] was already working as a research vessel when-after an exhaustive search on both sides of the Atlantic- Captain Mark Schrader and his team found what for them would be the perfect boat for an incredible expedition [see Friday’s Newport Daily News]
 The boat had to be robust enough to withstand the rigors of the Arctic Ocean and Northwest Passage, yet fast enough to traverse large expanses of blue water safely, reliably, and quickly. The double headsail cutter rig consists of a powerful mainsail with three deep reefs, a high clewed jib, a staysail and an asymmetrical spinnaker for off wind sailing. Her underbody configuration is good for pushing through ice, and the steel construction is remarkably tough for a performance boat.
Sitting in the fully enclosed center cockpit gives a feeling of security. The decks feature a no nonsense layout with rugged nonskid. Down below is cozy and warm with full headroom a large shower/bathroom-the galley as big as any studio apartment. Ocean Watch has left Newport bound for Seattle by way of Cape Horn. Track her progress by going to www.aroundtheamericas.org