Reflections on Hawkswood during and after a 2,000+ mile cruise, much of it offshore, around Maine and to North Carolina last summer and fall.

1 . Hawkswood is seaworthy and feels secure . Offshore in rough seas with winds gusting to 50 mph plus Hawkswood just sailed or motored along; in tough conditions Hawkswood feels solid and safe.

2 . Hawkswood's Perkins engine is reliable . In 2,000 plus miles I tightened the alternator belts twice and changed the fuel filters twice. The Perkins pushes Hawkswood at 8 mph at 2/3 throttle, and if the wind is on the nose at 40 mph Hawkswood's 34,000 lbs and 3 blade prop goes into it with no problem and with little reduction in speed. This is welcome comparison to my last boat, a Pearson 35, that went backwards if you tried to motor into winds of 30 mph or more.

All sides of the engine and all components of the power train including the stuffing box and rudder shaft are easily accessible and well lighted.

3 . Hawkswood's electrical system is reliable and simple . The 90-amp double belt alternator charges the batteries quickly. The batteries, alternator and entire electrical system is easily accessed and understandable . The gauges provide clear information on the system. The battery system has 3 redundant components. The 2 6-volt house batteries, the starting battery and a 600-amp jump-start battery. After a night at anchor with fans, light, etc. running the engine will start on the house battery. The 600-amp jump-start battery is peace of mind just in case the whole electrical system failed. It's never been used. Years ago, about 30, I decided generators on boats wasn't for me. The only reason I ever used the generator was to power the air conditioner at anchor. I figured out that with fans, hatch ventilation, and a hard dodger that allows the companionway to remain open in any weather, I didn't need AC when anchored out, plus running the generator was noisy and with it running I might as well be in a motel rather than on the water.

4 . Hawkswood is maneuverable and fun to steer , she handles well, is predictable and can be eased into about any slip. With her weight, wind and waves don't push her around and she goes easily against the current. Short bursts of power will turn her in her own length, also she backs down in a reasonably straight line. During our cruise we had to maneuver into slips and fuel docks and pickup buoys over 75 times and had no problems.

5 . Hawkswood is comfortable , the ceilings are high so you aren't always stooping or bumping your head and the cabins are spacious, especially the main cabin and galley. There is room for people to move about without bumping into each other. The forward head shower is great, it's large, light and airy and there's plenty of hot water. The aft head is fine and has a shower but the forward shower is a real treat. The well-insulated hot water heater keeps water hot all night. At anchor there's no need to run the engine in the AM to have hot water; it's nice to have peace and quiet in the AM.

The bunks are comfortable with thick mattresses. There is a fan and light for each bunk.

6 . Hawkswood's galley is great , it's spacious and uncluttered, the double stainless sinks are large and deep, the stove and ice box are easily accessed, the ice box is well insulated and can be turned off at night and will be cold in the morning.

7. Hawkswood's has ample tankage . It's convenient and reassuring to have fuel and water for a week of cruising even with long showers and running the engine most of the time. With minor water conservation and sailpower 2 weeks without replenishing is no problem.

8. Hawkswood is easy on the helmsman , since that's me or a shipmate, 24 hours a day offshore, this is big. The hard dodger and curtains provide protection from wind and weather, visibility is excellent even in rain with the large windshields and wiper. The engine controls and instruments are convenient and within reach, the large wheel and hydraulic steering turn Hawkswood easily and there isn't any steering feedback to fight. The autopilot is reliable and easy to understand and use. Hawkswood tracks straight in almost any condition; wind and waves don't bounce her around and fatigue the helmsman or drive the autopilot nuts with constant corrections.

9. Hawkswood is easy to sail . The roller furling handles the 120 Genoa easily. Most of the time, especially when alone, I just use the headsail. Hawkswood heaves to easily under jib and main and hove too her notion is kind even in heavy seas; a crew saving feature on long offshore trips. With a good wind Hawkswood sails comfortably at 7 mph.

10. Hawkswood's shallow draft (4 ft.) full length keel is a big plus and mind easer in cruising thin waters. Her shallow draft allows her to go places other boats can't, a significant attribute for cruising the ever shallowing Intracoastal Waterway and Southern and Bahamian waters. Another big plus is that with her long wide keel, powerful engine and 3-bladed prop Hawkswood ungrounds herself easily and the full-length keel, unlike a fin keel, is bulletproof and not easily damaged. Exploring shallow waters is no problem and no worry. (Also for whatever reason she doesn't pick up crab or lobster pots, in Maine after running over hundreds in night cruising, and also during the day, I finally just ignored them.)

11. Hawkswood is easy to anchor. Her 35lb CQR deploys easily and the chain and anchor can be deployed, raised and stowed from the helm by pushing a button; the windlass has both power down and power up. Hawkswood also has a hurricane anchoring system that has held her in 3 hurricanes without dragging.

Hawkswood has been readied to give her next owner enjoyable cruising. She has been painted and varnished inside and out, the bottom has been painted and zincs changed. The engine has been serviced and all filters have been changed.

The sails have been inspected and repaired as needed (mostly the weather cover on the headsail needed restitching). There are laminated checklists and diagrams for all of Hawkswood's systems; electrical, plumbing, fuel, thru hulls, tanks, electronics, etc. plus laminated easy to understand instructions for the electronics, stove, engine, etc.

Hawkswood is good to go . I will be glad to spend whatever time needed to familiarize

Hawkswood and her new owner with each other.

Why is Hawkswood for sale? I'm getting on in years, the kids have their own boats, and I bought a smaller sailboat for the wife and I to use. I'm not quitting, just downsizing.

Please call if you have questions or need additional information.
Asking $47,000- Free Dockage