BORO ISLANDER 44 CUTTER KETCH WITH ENCLOSED WHEEL HOUSE  

CATALPA, a BORO Islander 44, is a steel ketch designed for coastal and blue ocean cruising with 6 beds. The hull was built to the Boro design, fully welded, but the cockpit was changed to an enclosed fully welded wheel house with an open poop deck.
The wheel house is entered down steps from the poop deck. The wheel house has a settee for 5 people on the starboard side with storage underneath. The steering position (on the port and forward) has full engine and navigation instrumentation. A B&G 12 inch plotter was installed in late 2023. This connects to a new ss60 transducer and the B&G wireless wind direction/strength kit. A secondary wind direction/strength indicator provides additional data. On the starboard side at the front of the wheel house is a large navigation table for charts. VHF and HF radios are installed along with EPIRB.
The engine is below the floor of the wheel house. It is easily accessible from all sides. The main batteries, 2 fuel tanks (about 900 litres total) and 2 water tanks (about 900 litres total) are in the engine compartment. The engine utilizes bilge coolers which prevents debries entering the cooling system. The 84 HP diesel motor has 650 hours on it and provides 6 knots at 6 litres per hour and has proved to be very reliable.
Moving aft in the wheel house and down two steps is the Master cabin under the poop deck providing stand up head room, a double bed, an office space and plenty of storage. Under the double bed is additional storage and the hydraulic steering unit with provision for a manual tiller for use in an emergency.
The meals area (to port) and galley (to starboard) are accessed with steps down from the front of the wheel house. The meals area provides comfortable seating for 5 or 6 around a fixed table. The galley has a double sink, a small fridge freezer, a kero stove and oven, a microwave and good storage for food and utensils. Both salt and fresh water is available at the sink.
Moving forward is a cabin with a double bunk on the port side. On the starboard side is the head and shower. The head (recently replaced) is a manual salt water flush that can be directed overboard or diverted to a holding tank (with an electric pump out). The shower/head is set up for a shower, but this has never been plumbed.
Forward of the head is a workshop with work bench and tool and material storage.
2 Vee berths complete the sleeping facilities. These sit over storage lockers. An extra fridge freezer could be installed here.
Above deck, the Ketch layout provides for balanced sailing rig options with a 135% Genoa, a fully battened main (3 reef point) and a battened mizen. Addition sails including a storm jib, are available. Large genoa winches (two speed) are located on either side of the boat and each mast has multiple winches for managing the sails. The mizen mast has a bracket and wiring for a wind turbine (not installed).
The dingy davits on the stern allow for lifting of the dingy well clear of the water on long passages. A large duck board just above the water line provides for easy access to the dingy when it is in the water. The 3 meter aluminium dingy has a 5 HP Yamaha motor (needs a service). Above the dingy davits are two 420 W solar panels installed in late 2022.
All sailing lights and internal lights (including internal red lights) provide 24 hour operation.
Below the water line is a central balast keel with two outboard half inch plate fin keels. This provides a shallow draft of 1.4 m. The rudder provides steerage through the hydraulic steering via the wheel or a remote and cable that reaches from the wheel house to the main mast and the poop deck allowing steering from outside the wheel house. There are only 3 through hull fittings in use (a 4th one is blanked off) along with a water level through hole for the diesel exhaust.
CATALPA is named after the (infamous or famous, depending on your views!) American vessel that sailed around the globe from America to Fremantle to rescue some Irish prisoners in a drama played out off Fremantle and Rottnest Island in the Autumn of 1876.