Our Boat: Patronus

s/v Patronus

Boat Model: Beneteau 473

Year: 2006

Name: Patronus (A patronus is the protective spell that is created by using the spell: Expecto Patronum!  It takes the form of an ethereal white light that sometimes takes the shape of an animal.  Each wizard’s patronus is unique to him or her.  Our patronus is our boat.)

Description: Patronus has three cabins, 2 heads, a salon, a full galley, and a spacious, open cockpit.  It is a 47′ sloop with a roller furling mainsail, a roller furling jib, and we plan to add spinnaker gear in the spring.  It has a white hull with navy blue waterline and blue canvas.  The engine is a Yanmar 76 diesel.  It has a generator, 2 zone air conditioning, radar, and plenty of navigational electronics.  We purchased an AB Marine dinghy and a Yamaha outboard engine this winter.

Click here to see and hear our engine come to life after Chris completely disassembled and reassembled her:

Our Little Bundle of Yanmar Joy

Safety Equipment: 6-man offshore liferaft, EPIRB, Handheld VHF.  Offshore lifejackets, jacklines and tethers.

Buying our Boat: The search for Patronus began in March 2011.  Chris quickly became familiar with the many manufacturers and models of cruiser/racer sailboats.  He searched the internet for boat listings from New Jersey to Texas and beyond.  He quickly homed in on the Beneteau 473.  After looking at various boats from Newport to Connecticut to Annapolis, we determined that the Beneteau 473 would be the perfect fit for our family and this voyage. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find one that had the specifications we wanted AND was in great condition.  We looked at beautiful 2 cabin versions, ones with every feature we wanted but in awful shape, and everything in between.

In September, we drove 2 1/2 hours up to Essex, CT to look at yet another Beneteau 473.  It was a 2006, which is the last year that the 473 model was manufactured.  We immediately had a good feeling about the boat when we arrived in Essex and realized the boat is docked at Essex Island Marina.  This is the marina that Erica and her family visited many, many times on their boat when she was a child.  Taking the mini-ferry/launch over to the marina felt like walking into the past.  The marina hasn’t changed in 30 years!

Eating an oh-so-nutritious Hot Pocket on the delivery.

The boat was in pristine condition with only 150 hours on the engine.  It had a generator, a/c, and three cabins.  The only issue was a mast leak which had damaged one of the floor boards.  After a few weeks of negotiations, we had the boat surveyed, we closed, and we were ready to take our new boat “home”.

Chris, Tom (Chris’ brother), Mark (our friend from college), Bryson, and Reese did the 22 hour delivery from Essex, CT to Haverstraw, NY.  The “maiden” voyage didn’t start out well.  The winds were stonger than forecast, the current was against them, and the waves were huge.  Everyone was feeling seasick and they weren’t making much progress.  It looked like they might have to abandon the trip and pull in somewhere for the night.  But once they got down to the shore of Long Island, the land protected them somewhat and they were able to make much better progress.

Everyone loved seeing the lights of Manhattan as they sailed down the East River, around the tip of Manhattan, and north up the Hudson River.  Under the George Washington and Tappan Zee bridges and Haverstraw is up aways on the west bank of the Hudson. Chris’ careful planning and attention to safety and detail saved the trip and they arrived safely early Sunday morning.  They were lucky to have Tom on board, who is an accomplished sailor as well as Mark, who is always up for an adventure and willing to help in any way.

Uncle Tom and Reese enjoying the sunset.

We look forward to smoother sailing in the future but we are glad to have such a great story for our maiden voyage!  See the Gallery Page for more pictures of Patronus!

5 thoughts on “Our Boat: Patronus

  1. This is certainly a rarity…but I am absolutely speechless!!! Obviously thru the years I’ve learned what a fabulous photographer you are…but the depth and scope of your many, many talents are mind-boggling!!!

    Just the creation (much less the execution) of this not-to-be believed adventure…is phenomenal!!!

    If I could figure out someway that would ensure your privacy…think this would make an awesome reality show. Have never seen one…but just knowing of its concept…think this would be such an incredible experience to share with all the many (99.99999999999999999% of the viewing public) that couldn’t make such a phenomenal happen personally. Talk about Vicarious Trills & Living!!!

    Erica, please do keep all of us posted…and thank you so very much for sharing in the incredible exhilaration of your family’s adventure!

    Mary Ann

    (And to think that I could have missed all this as your beautiful Christmas card was somehow inserted into a magazine, somewhere along it’s route to me…and I just found it!)

    I honestly & truly am mind blown!!!

  2. Hi –

    Do you have a desalinator / fresh water maker on board?

    I am very much looking forward to following your adventures. As you progress through this experience I would very much like to read about your lessons learned, and where you were under (or over) prepared. I would especially like to cross reference your beginning of voyage (BOV) checklist, such as First Aid and Diesel Repair classes, sail inventory, gear / safety gear inventory, etc., with an EOV checklist that reflects your experiences (eg. the EOV checklist might have an additional class you wish you had taken, or something you wish you had done to prepare your house for your absence).

    My wife and I are very much looking forward to transition to the cruising life upon retirement. In the meantime we sail my Beneteau 40 out of Greenport NY on weekends, and are planning a trip to BIRI this Summer as well. We have done a bareboat charter in the BVIs and plan on another trip there Winter 2013.

    Fair Winds and Following Seas,
    Bob

    P.S. I grew up in Ridgewood.

  3. It was really enjoyable meeting Patronus and crew at Clifton Fuel Dock yesterday. We will look forward to following your trip .Fair winds & foiiowing sea`s.

    Bob & Pat Va, Beach

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