We used the boat hard for years, the tropics age equipment rapidly. To keep the boat trouble free and safe, I decided the refurbish the boat. Well, one thing led to another and now the boat is better than new. I am making all the improvements we found that would make sailing more fun during our years of using the boat.

Selling the old and buying a new was not an option as the newer boats have hulls that are designed more for fast than comfort at sea. Lusty is comfortable in winds up to about 50 knots. After 50, or in high seas, she becomes a motor boat.

Lusty is classified as a motor sailor and is 56 ft on deck, 60 ft overall. She is a Balsa cored fiberglass hull and deck, draws nine feet, weighs about 35 tons when equipped for cruising. The deep draft and 22,000 pound keel allow the engine room and all the liquid storage to be below the water line, making the stability exceptionally good.

The engine is a 4-53 Detroit Diesel with a ZF 3 to 1 reduction gear running a five blade 28 inch prop. The generator is a Northern lights 10 KW.

Lusty has an unlimited cruising range. With 400 gallons of diesel and two hundred gallons of water and a water maker that makes 20 gallons per hour. The fuel carried allows for 2,000 miles in bad weather and 3,000 plus miles in good weather on power alone. The boat sails very well and so the range of use is unlimited.

Lusty has a washer and dryer, Ice maker, forced air heat, electric toilets, air compressors to fill dive tanks. A large front opening freezer a large front opening refrigerator. The anchor is a 120 pound plow with 600 ft of 3/8 high test chain. The anchor windlass is a custom electric that does not require manual handling of the anchor.

The rig is a ketch rig with a club footed working jib.. Lusty has a fin keel and an articulating rudder that allows the the vessel to go to wind very well. The reefing is slab and allows great sail control in most all weather conditions. The sail arrangement allow easy tacking and one person can handle the vessel well. When the wind goes above 50 or 60 knots, Lusty is transformed into a motor boat.

Handling sails in heavy wind is not fun. Lusty has the power to handle well in winds up to more than 100 knots. We have never tried stronger winds. One person can handle the boat, but for many reasons, we always keep a crew of three or four when cruising.

Lusty is equipped with an Auto pilot (that steers better than a human), Radar, depth and wind instruments. Two VHFs, SSB and GPS. Lusty carries eight deep cycle batteries for operating the auto pilot, water pumps, electronics, lights and so forth when the generator is not running.

The generator is run to operate the refrigeration, heat water, charge batteries, operate the compressors, and the variety of tools such as a TIG welder. The generator is normally run about two hours per day when at sea. At the dock, shore power is used for all the normal electrical demands.

The galley allows electric or propane to be used for cooking. The three staterooms each have a vanity with a sink and hot and cold water. The two heads have a vanity, shower and electric head. Sweet water is not a problem, showering daily is normal. A fresh water shower for rinsing is available on the aft deck.

The good ship Lusty has taken my two daughters and myself through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean and back. We sailed and lived board for 15 years. Lusty is a fantastic cruising vessel. She handles well in heavy weather and has the space to allow modern comfortable living.

Lusty has seen several hurricanes without a problem.

The girls have their own life now, but they still sail for fun.

Lusty is out of the water and in a major upgrade cycle at this time. New Engine, new Generator, new Sails and new most every thing to bring the boat back better than new and to trouble free status. It will take several months to finish all the chores. The boat will be ready for use about the end of 2007

The plan is to get the boat back into the water and go from that point with whatever is good and fun. Could be trips to the local islands or another trip to the tropics.

To make all these wild and crazy dreams become reality, knowing that my daughters will stay home, I will need a mate. I really enjoy sailing with a female. It is great to be on a boat that has the female touch. It is great to be with someone that cares, for example, a romantic relationship .

Lusty is a modern vessel that does not require huge muscles to operate, so a female can do everything and more on board than males do. My daughters, are Captains also. They Captain a 100 foot plus brigantine/schooner in San Pedro often with a crew of males that get bossed around totally.