A sailing yacht known around the world with all the comforts of home ...

Let us introduce you to SHIBUMI, a 65 foot pilothouse ketch designed by Alan Wright and built in New Zealand in 1974.  After her chartering days in the Caribbean during the 80's, two different families sailed her around the world. 

A week on SHIBUMI is ideal for one or two couples, a family of four, or a single parent with children over 6 who can swim.  Your charter deposit secures the entire vessel for the week.  The crew is at your disposal to take you to the landfalls you choose at the time that you designate.  You share your time aboard with no one!   Weather and safety are the only issues constraining you.

Start your charter at noon.  Relax aboard after a short security and safety briefing.  Spend the next seven nights and days on your custom cruise.  Modify your plans as your needs and wants change.  You can even request a shorter and longer charter as your time permits.

First, review the ship's layout.  Next, decide what you want to do. 

Visit exotic ports of call to shop, hike the many craters in the Caribbean or explore secluded anchorages?  Lounge on deck?  Visit nightclubs?  Walk the many beaches? Rent a car to explore the historical interior of the Caribbean Islands?  Discover the many native restaurants?  Snorkel or dive on marine wrecks or natural caves?  Fish  between passages?

Are you interested in learning more about sailing and seamanship?  How to navigate using GPS and electronic systems?  How to use the VHF or SSB radio?  How to steer?  How to hoist and furl sails?  How to command the dinghy?  We are willing to "show you the ropes!"

SHIBUMI is equipped to make your cruise enjoyable. Use the fresh water aft shower to rinse off after a swim or your return from the beach.  Use our fishing gear to provide fresh fish for dinner!   Use our snorkeling gear to watch the show of reef fish at your doorstep.

Float off the stern on our water rafts.  Poke around anchorages on our double kayak.  Enjoy the breeze on deck and from our wind scoops or activate the fans above each bunk. Savor a nap in a  hammock or pull out the pilot house seat to make a double bed for a nap protected from the sun.  Lounge on deck and read a book.  Or go ashore in our inflatable dinghy with a 40 hp outboard to explore the island and meet other cruisers.

When planning your trip, review our suggestions for packing.

After a full day enjoying the sun, the sea, the beaches, and island hopping, relax after dinner to a movie or music. SHIBUMI is equipped with (Region 1) TV, DVD, VHS and a CD player.

Or choose a book from our book collection.  Feel free to take one home if you don't finish it onboard. 

Or bring your own selection of cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs and VHS films to enjoy at your leisure.

You are never far from home on SHIBUMI.  To receive and send emails during your stay aboard SHIBUMI, inform your family and friends that they will receive instructions to create a message which will be forwarded to our onboard email within 24 hours.  We access this service twice a day, early morning and evening

We use SSB High Frequency radios and VHF radios to communicate with other ships and shore locations.  Our cellular phone allows us to easily communicate ashore.  We use a GlobalStar Satellite Phone for emergencies.

When underway we use radar to identify and track potential targets, i.e. an object which might hit us.  Of course, we will never hit anything!  We check our automated, on-line weather-fax and NAVTEX daily to understand the weather patterns approaching us.  When necessary, we order and receive by SSB radio binary GRIB weather downloads to confirm weather forecasts.  And, of course, our GPS communicates with our electronic navigation systems to validate our position.

SHIBUMI is known for it's cuisine!  Before you arrive, we will discuss your dietary wants and needs to ensure that our menus enhance your cruise. Here are some sample menus for breakfast:

... and lunch

Your Co-Captain, Jackie Lambertsen