Boat Stuff 2011-2012

Enki II is the boat we bought to sail from the Mediterranean back to our part of the world, Australia/New Zealand. We sold our previous boat Kukka, a Malo 39, in Sydney in May 2011, and two months later we bought Enki,  a Hallberg Rassy 48, in France (she was re-named Enki II when we registered her in Australia, where another Enki was already on the books). We found her berthed at Port Napoleon, a large boatyard at the mouth of Rhone river, waiting for her next adventure.  Her first owner, Christophe, is a Swiss architect who had her built in Sweden in 2005, and sailed her to New Zealand and back around Cape Horn over a period of five years.

Christoph's boat Enki as she was hauled in June 2011 at Port Napoleon

You can read all about the HR 48 model on the Hallberg Rassy website, which has masses more  pictures and detailed specifications.

What you need to know about us is that we love Swedish boats, so it was more or less a given when we decided to sell Kukka that we would replace her with another Swedish model. We like the lines of these boats, the quality of their build and the Scandinavian design signature - simple, conservative, classy and functional. Our two previous Swedish boats (Alex owned a 1985 model HR42 called Andiamo which he sold to buy the Malo 39) had looked after us well. They were seaworthy, comfortable and largely problem-free. Enki II is a larger and more up-to-date version of what we've had before, in other words.

What we were looking for was a centre cockpit boat which, by definition, has its master cabin at the back rather than at the pointy end, separating the sleeping and living quarters very nicely. We also wanted a hard top over the cockpit to provide maximum shelter at sea. We could go on....Enki II has a Selden rig with in-mast furling, some desirable home comforts (e.g. washing machine, a fridge and separate freezer, a large capacity ENWA watermaker) and concessions to age and infirmity (e.g. electric Lewmar winches and windlass) which bring an added level of mechanical and electrical complication. All these mean there is another engine on the boat (i.e. a Westerbeke generator) which Alex was initially nervous about maintaining, but comfort doesn't come worry-free.

Enki is now Enki II and has a new bowthruster 

What she didn't have when we bought her, which we're pleased about, were complex hydraulic systems for sail management and auto-pilot control.  We're much happier with electric furling and electric auto-pilot drive. Nor did she have a television,  a microwave, or airconditioning units - we like that too. We've converted the two genoa winches to electric operation, had installed a substantial set of Simpson davits to hang the dinghy from and put in an electric Sidepower bowthruster. We've also installed a Furlex furler on the inner forestay and had the standing rigging completely renewed. 

Another electric winch for the weak of flesh

November renovations on Enki - where's the cleaner?

No doubt there will be other things we'll add, and subtract, as the voyage progresses. That's the way of cruising. Mike Brown, a veteran cruiser, told us (and doubtless many others): "Cruising is just a way of tearing up dollar notes in exotic locations." We hope it's a lot more than that too.

Mastervolt Slimline AGM 180aH each to give 540 Ah at 24V