Exploring The Boat Type Of Calico Skies

Calico Skies is a 36-foot sailboat, to be specific, a 1985 Sabre 36 footer. It was bought by college sweethearts Grace and Bill in 2009, and they have since travelled over 25,000 nautical miles, crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice, and ventured to more than 20 countries.

Calico Skies is a 1985 Sabre 36 sailboat

Owned by college sweethearts Grace and Bill from Manhattan College, Calico Skies has travelled over 25,000 nautical miles, crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice, and ventured to more than 20 countries. The couple bought the boat in the summer of 2009, gradually spending more time onboard until they sold their apartment. In 2017, Bill quit his job to prepare the boat for their first trip to the Caribbean, with Grace joining him soon after.

The specifications of Calico Skies include a length of 36 feet, a waterline length of 29 feet 4 inches, a draft of 4 feet 2 inches with the centerboard up and 7 feet 8 inches with the centerboard down, and a displacement of 13,500 lbs for a light load. The boat's tankage includes a main tank of 18 gallons of diesel, supplemented by 40 gallons of diesel in jerry cans and 10 gallons of gasoline for the generator and outboard. Additionally, Calico Skies has a water capacity of 77 gallons and is equipped with an EcoTech 780 AML watermaker, powered by AC for higher output and capable of 32 gallons per hour.

To ensure the boat's functionality across various conditions, Calico Skies boasts an extensive sail inventory, including a main sail, a 130% genoa, an asymmetric spinnaker, and a code zero for light air work. For windier conditions, the boat is also fitted with a staysail on a solent rig. The power system consists of six 100 a/h Dragonfly Energy (aka Battleborn) Lithium Batteries, providing a total of 1100 watts of solar power. A 400-watt SilentWind Generator and a 120 Amp Victron Inverter Charger further enhance the boat's energy capabilities, along with a Honda 2200 Generator.

With its combination of high-quality construction, meticulous attention to detail, and extensive modifications, Calico Skies is a remarkable example of a Sabre 36 sailboat, enabling its owners to embark on extraordinary sailing adventures around the world.

It's designed for coastal cruising and racing

Calico Skies is a 36-foot Sabre sailboat, designed as a coastal cruiser/racer. Built in 1985, Sabres are high-quality, hand-built boats originating from Raymond, Maine. While Calico Skies was designed for coastal cruising and racing, the high attention to detail in her build quality means she is more than capable of blue water passages.

The specifications of Calico Skies include a length of 36 feet, a waterline length of 29 feet 4 inches, and a centreboard draft of 4 feet 2 inches. With the centreboard down, the draft increases to 7 feet 8 inches, and the boat has a displacement of 13,500 lbs when lightly loaded. The water tank capacity is 77 gallons, and the fuel tank can hold 18 gallons of diesel. To compensate for the light fuel tankage, the owners of Calico Skies carry an additional 40 gallons of diesel in jerry cans, as well as 10 gallons of gasoline for the generator and outboard motor.

The boat's power system includes six 100 a/h Dragonfly Energy (aka Battleborn) Lithium Batteries, providing a total of 1100 watts of power. The boat is also equipped with a 400-watt SilentWind Generator and a 120 Amp Victron Inverter Charger, allowing for flexible energy usage. Additionally, a Honda 2200 Generator is on board, providing backup power when needed.

Calico Skies boasts an extensive sail inventory, ensuring they can keep the boat moving across various conditions and distances. In addition to the main sail and a 130% genoa, they carry an asymmetric spinnaker and a code zero for light air work. When the wind picks up, they have a staysail on a solent rig ready to go. With their well-equipped sailboat, Grace and Bill, the owners of Calico Skies, have travelled over 25,000 nautical miles, crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice, and explored more than 20 countries. Their adventures are documented on their YouTube channel, "Calico Skies Sailing," where they release weekly videos of their sailing journeys.

Capable of blue water passages

The Calico Skies is a 36-foot sailboat, a 1985 Sabre to be precise. Sabres are high-quality, hand-built boats originating from Raymond, Maine. While the Calico Skies was initially designed as a coastal cruiser/racer, it is more than capable of blue water passages.

Blue water sailing requires a boat capable of sailing thousands of miles without needing to stop for boat maintenance or resupplying. This means the boat must be able to carry enough fuel, water, and supplies for extended periods at sea. The Calico Skies has been modified to increase its water and fuel capacity to make it suitable for blue water cruising.

The boat's main tank carries 18 gallons of diesel, but the crew also carries an additional 40 gallons of diesel in jerry cans. They also carry 10 gallons of gasoline for their generator and outboard motor. This gives them a range of several hundred miles, depending on conditions, before needing to refuel.

Water capacity is crucial for blue water sailing, and the Calico Skies has a water capacity of 77 gallons. The boat is also equipped with a watermaker, an EcoTech 780 AML, which can produce 32 gallons of water per hour. This is powered by a large lithium battery bank and a solar array, allowing them to make water using their inverter or generator.

The Calico Skies also has an extensive sail inventory, including a main sail, a 130% genoa, an asymmetric spinnaker, and a code zero for light air work. This allows them to keep the boat moving across vast distances and variable conditions. With these modifications, the Calico Skies is more than capable of blue water passages and has already crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice.

Owned by college sweethearts Grace and Bill

Calico Skies is owned by college sweethearts Grace and Bill, who met at Manhattan College. After graduating, the couple decided to invest in Bill's lifelong passion for sailing, purchasing the 36-foot sailboat Calico Skies in 2009. The boat, a 1985 Sabre, was originally designed as a coastal cruiser/racer, but with her high build quality, she is more than capable of blue-water passages. Grace and Bill have certainly put her capabilities to the test, travelling over 25,000 nautical miles, crossing the Atlantic Ocean twice, and visiting more than 20 countries.

Before embarking on their sailing adventures, Grace and Bill slowly transitioned to life on board, eventually giving up their apartment. In 2017, Bill quit his job to prepare the boat for their first trip to the Caribbean, a journey that would mark the beginning of their nomadic lifestyle.

Calico Skies is well-equipped for extended cruising, with modifications made by her owners to enhance her capabilities. While her diesel tank capacity is somewhat limited, carrying only 18 gallons in the main tank, Grace and Bill have supplemented this with additional diesel and gasoline reserves for the generator and outboard motor. They have also invested in a watermaker, ensuring they can produce their own water during their voyages.

The sailboat's extensive sail inventory enables them to navigate across vast distances and adapt to variable conditions. In addition to the main sail and 130% genoa, they carry an asymmetric spinnaker and a code zero for light air work, as well as a staysail for windier conditions.

With their weekly YouTube videos and active social media presence, Grace and Bill have built a community around their sailing adventures, sharing their experiences and offering a glimpse into the unique and fulfilling life they have created for themselves aboard Calico Skies.

They've travelled over 25,000 nautical miles

Calico Skies is a 36-foot sailboat, a 1985 Sabre to be precise. Since 2009, owners Grace and Bill have travelled over 25,000 nautical miles, crossed the Atlantic Ocean twice, and visited more than 20 countries. That's a lot of sailing!

Sabres are high-quality, hand-built sailboats from Raymond, Maine. Calico Skies was initially designed as a coastal cruiser/racer, but with her high attention to detail in build quality, she is more than capable of blue water passages. Grace and Bill have certainly put her to the test, embarking on a life of travel and adventure.

Their first trip was to the Caribbean in 2017, and they've never looked back. With a 36-foot length, 29-foot waterline, and 4-foot-2-inch draft, Calico Skies is the perfect size for a couple to explore the world. And with a 180-Amp Victron Inverter Charger and Honda 2200 Generator, they have all the power they need for their travels.

One of the critical considerations for extended cruising is fuel capacity. Calico Skies' main tank holds only 18 gallons of diesel, so Grace and Bill carry an additional 40 gallons in jerry cans. They also carry 10 gallons of gasoline for their Honda 2200 generator and outboard motor. Water capacity is ample at 77 gallons, and they have a watermaker that can produce 32 gallons per hour.

With their extensive sail inventory, Grace and Bill are prepared for various conditions. They carry a main and 130% genoa, an asymmetric spinnaker, and a code zero for light air work. When the wind picks up, they have a staysail on a solent rig. Their YouTube channel, Calico Skies Sailing, documents their journey and offers weekly videos and a deck tour of their beloved boat.

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