BEGONIA is a Cape George 38 of 1988.
This model stands as an emblem of excellence in long-distance sailing, hailing from the esteemed American shipyard, Cape George Marine Works, nestled in Port Townsend, Washington.
Confirming the exceptional temperament and seaworthiness of the boats built by Cape George Marine Works, with the model 36, Kirsten Neusheffer won the 2022-23 edition of the singlehanded Golden Globe Race, racing around the world in eight months.
Crafted with a well maintained Burma teak deck, BEGONIA is powered by a reliable Nanni Mercedes 72 HP engine and features a three-bladed bronze propeller adding to its maneuverability a Vetus 95 Klgf bow thruster, supported by dedicated batteries.
When it comes to anchoring, the Cape George 38 BEGONIA is well-equipped with a Light House 1501 stainless steel windlass, powered by its own batteries.
Her substantial structural diesel tanks hold approximately 800 liters, while the water tanks boast a capacity of around 600 liters.
Onboard comfort is paramount, with a Webasto heating system ensuring cozy interiors, complemented by vents in the saloon and bathroom.
In June 2023, the vessel underwent extensive maintenance and upgrades, including the replacement of all hull fittings and valves with Randex fittings and valves composed of composite materials, approved by RINA and Bureau Veritas.
Engine maintenance, anti-fouling painting, and various enhancements were carried out during this period, reaffirming the boat's enduring reliability and seaworthiness.
HISTORY
Says the owner, a long-time sailor and yachtsman: "In 2021 I fell in love with BEGONIA, a Cape George 38 that arrived in the Mediterranean with its first owner from Seattle, where the Cape George Marine Works is located". After having sailed in the Pacific, went to the Atlantic via Panama and landed in Spain. In 2013 he sold the boat to a Belgian yachtsman who kept her until 2017, making considerable improvements, of which we have documentation.
BEGONIA was then sold to a Catalan director, a bit of a hippy, who sailed her for a few years between the Balearic Islands and the Spanish coast, but neglecting her maintenance a bit.
At this point, the boat was bought by the current Italian owner who, after taking her to Genoa, in love with her characteristics and the rarity of such a boat in the Mediterranean, devoted time and resources to restoring her to her original splendour, and sailing with ease and fun with a small crew.
"She is a beautiful boat, very comfortable, fast and safe - explains the owner - but for an eighty-year-old with no crew she is a bit demanding. I'd like to sell her, obviously to buy another one that is smaller and more comfortable to sail on my own".
CONSTRUCTION AND ACCOMODATION
Hull is solid fiberglass laminate utilizing rovings, mat and bi-axial fabrics. Outer laminates use vinylester resin for blister resistance. Original teak deck over 10 mm thick on plywood layers still thick and beutiful. Deck horizontal surfaces are cored with marine grade plywood for solid thru-bolting of hardware. Foam filled fiberglass rudder with reinforcement for hardware.
ACCOMODATION
The Cape George 38 offers a bow cabin outfitted with V beds, a comfortable dinette featuring two convertible sofas, and a well-appointed kitchen equipped with Force 10 gas cooker, 2 burners and oven, 2 cylinders in external locker, 1 electric/motorized boiler. Two large cockpit refrigerators (2015 compressors).
EQUIPMENT
Engine Nanni Mercedes 72 HP underwent a thorough overhaul in 2017, 3 bladed bronze propeller.
Bow thruster Vetus 95 Klgf.
Windlass Light House 1501 stainless steel.
Rocna anchor and a CQR anchor, each paired with 50 meters of 10mm chain.
Tanks
Diesel 800 lt
Water 600 lt
Heating system Webasto.
Bilge pumps 2 electric, 1 manual.
Electrical systems
4 140Ah AGM service batteries from 2020, 1 150Ah engine battery from 2023, and 2 140Ah AGM batteries dedicated to the bow thruster and windlass, complete with their own charging systems.
Mastervolt 70A charger. Another dedicated charger for 2 bow batteries.
2 solar panels of 100W each, installed in 2024 on the New Bimini, to power the 4 services batteries.
2 alternators, one 150W charging the services batteries and one 55W new in 2023 charging the engine battery.
Electronics
Raymarine SXP 30 plotter, wind instrument, C90W digital radar.
Predisposition for AIS and Fishfinder, VHF, 12V TV, Glomex antenna.
Very powerful Raymarine pilot on tiller shaft.
Sails date back to 2013, includes heavy genoa, light genoa, staysail, semi-full batten mainsail and storm mainsail, all featuring UV protection bands, with the convenience of a lazy bag installed in 2023 for streamlined sail handling. Good conditions.
Deck and Rigging
4 Barient winches at the mast and 4 in the cockpit.
Rigging (314 stainless steel) replaced in 2013, checked in 2017 during mast removal and new paint.
Leather protection of the spreaders (2013).
New bowsprit in teak (2014).
Removable cockpit table.
Complete cockpit cushions.
Hot and cold cockpit shower.
Recent maintenance
June 2023 - Replacement of all the hull fittings and valves, installed Randex fittings and valves in composite material approved by RINA and Bureau Veritas, engine maintenance with sea water pump overhaul, anti fouling Hempel paint for the hull.
Gear and accelerator cables replaced including single lever (all Volvo) and new 150Ah engine battery.
May 2024 - New oil heat exchanger and new engine Riser installed.