Skookum is FOR SALE - Plan your escape today!
Selling Skookum
Skookum V - 2010 Leopard 40 bluewater cruising catamaran
Skookum V is a passage-ready catamaran that has been home for our family for much of the last two years. She is a seaworthy cat and has been extensively refitted to facilitate an off-the-grid cruising lifestyle. We have thoroughly enjoyed cruising the Sea of Cortez and Pacific coast of Mexico. As our journey comes to an end, we are excited to find the next owners who will take her to familiar anchorages or on new journeys.
Skookum is currently located near Tapachula in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. Stu will be traveling to the boat early October to remove our belongings and relocate the boat to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a very easily accessed location from most parts of North America. The anticipated arrival of Skookum in Puerto Vallarta is October 21st, barring any delays by weather, of course.
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Skookum V is a Leopard 40 catamaran, designed by Morelli & Melvin and built in South Africa by Robertson & Caine. She is 39’4” in length, with a 20’1” maximum beam width. Her displacement is 16,820 pounds, and her overall height is 61’11” from the water line.Vessel details
2010 Robertson and Caine Leopard 40 catamaran
HIN: RAC40129G910
Canadian registered, registry number: 844194
Name of vessel: Skookum V
Valid Mexican TIP, expires 4th December 2030
More about Skookum
Skookum’s first passage was across the Atlantic Ocean from the Robertson and Caine factory in Cape Town, and the vessel is certainly very capable in all sea conditions. The large-area high-roach main sail is her primary motor and provides excellent propulsion in all winds. Combined with the jib and symmetrical spinnaker she makes passaging a breeze. Her sail plan and elevated helm station in the cockpit are easy to operate when single handing. The standing rigging was replaced in 2021 and most of the running rigging has also been updated.
3 cabin Owner’s version with queen berth, desk and large heads in starboard hull
Queen sized berth and 1 twin berth with pilot berth forward, with full head and standing shower in port hull
Elevated helm station with good visibility on all sides, with retractable roof panel to provide protection from weather and sun exposure
Sheeting and furling lines brought back to cockpit. Main, jib and spinnaker halyards at mast
Twin Yanmar YGM30 engines with SD20 sail drives provide strong propulsion and offer excellent control for docking in close quarters
Shallow draft with sacrificial keels facilitates access to idyllic remote anchorages
Mantus 65lb anchor with 400’ 3/8” G4 chain raised using electric windlass
Main sail, jib and symmetrical spinnaker all in good working condition
Custom stainless arch at stern with integrated davits, solar array and communications antennas
New standing and running rigging 2021
Salon and Galley
Leopard 40s provide a very flexible living space that can easily accommodate couples or families. The open plan salon to cockpit living area with sliding patio door is a perfect entertaining area, and the chef can stay connected to the conversation while guests relax at the large cockpit table. When the weather doesn’t cooperate the inside salon table seats four and the windows on all sides provide both light and a view to the outside world. A 32” Roku TV and Fusion Apollo stereo add to the entertainment options both inside and outside the boat.
The galley is well laid out and enjoyable to cook in, including a double sink, corian countertops and good storage for cookware, pots, crockery and glassware; through-counter garbage disposal, and an under-counter ice box that can double as a storage for oil, spices and other bottles. Switching to electric cooking has reduced our propane consumption by over 60 percent and all our appliances can be run at anchor from the invertor. Built-in fridge and freezer powered by a SeaFrost 12v compressor and cold plates provide good storage for both refrigerated and frozen food.
Bright salon with windows on all sides and double sliding door to cockpit, 6’8 head clearance throughout
Galley kitchen with corian counter tops, Force 10 two burner stove and stainless-steel double sink
Spacious counters with sufficient power capacity to run electric cooking appliances including air fryer, Vitamix and Instapot pressure cooker from inverter
Under counter fridge and freezer with stainless steel doors powered by Seafrost 12v compressor and cold plates.
Ample storage with drawers for cutlery and cooking utensils, pot storage under stove, glassware and plate storage in two locations. Large storage compartments below salon cushions house air-conditioning units, watermaker and still have room for food and cookware
Newly reupholstered salon cushions with comfortable seating around a dining table
Led lighting with red/white colour options for overnight passaging
Roku TV and Fusion Apollo multi-zone stereo for entertaining
Large cockpit is excellent for socializing with newly recovered Sunbrella cushions.
Navigation Electronics
Garmin GPSMap 742xs Chartplotter with North America to Panama charts
Garmin GMR18HD radar
Raymarine i70s multifunction display
Raymarine i70s autohelm
Plastimo 4” spherical compass
Vesper XB8000 class B AIS with wifi providing GPS and AIS data to laptops, tablets and smartphones
Raymarine 55 VHF with remote at helm station
Simrad DST800 depth/speed/temperature transducer, replaced in 2022
Icom M802 SSB with insulated shroud antenna and KISS ground plane
Electrical Systems
Skookum was extensively refitted in 2021 to create the possibility of living off-grid for extended periods. A new Victron electrical system designed and installed by Marine Vallarta was at the heart of this upgrade, paired with an expanded solar array mounted on a custom stainless arch at the back of the boat. This paired with a new 1120AH 12V LiFePo battery bank provides more electricity that we have ever needed. There is nothing quite as comfortable as sleeping comfortably in your air-conditioned berth while at anchor, knowing that the sun will bring your batteries back to 100% by the early afternoon. Coupled with the ability to cook using electricity we have not only reduced our propane consumption by 60%, but also dramatically cut the amount of heat and moisture in the boat.
1120 Ah 12v LiFePo house battery bank with
2285w solar panel array in five separate banks, controlled by Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controllers (2 x 150/60 TR, 3 x 75/15)
Victron Quattro 5000W/220A/12V inverter charger with Digital Multi Control
Victron BMV-712 smart battery monitor with shunt
Victron Cerbo GX hub with GX Touch 50 for full system monitoring from galley
Victron Orion Smart DC to DC chargers 12/12-30A to charge house bank from engine alternator
Micro-Air soft starts for CruisAir STQ6-16 Stowaway reverse cycle air-conditioning units
2 Smart Plug 30A 50’ shore power cables with Smart Plug sockets at stern
AC input selector switch for twin 30A shore power load splitting
Plumbing Systems
Skookum carries 160 gallons of water divided between two tanks in the forward lockers. The 12v pressurised water system includes freshwater flushing at both electric heads, hot and cold water to sinks at the galley and heads, and a cold-only washdown shower by the swim ladder on the aft deck. The CruiseRO 40 gallon-per-hour watermaker can be run from the invertor and easily fills one of the two tanks in just over an hour. It can be run underway or at anchor. Our usage as a family of four typically required us to run the watermaker every four to five days, but we have also installed the auto-flush unit so that it can be left unattended and will flush itself every 4 days.
CruiseRO 40 gph watermaker with 160-gallon water tanks
Two heads onboard with electric macerator toilets, holding tanks and shower stalls
Fresh water shower at stern for rinsing off after time at the beach.
Two 6 gallon Seaward hot water tanks located under aft berths in each hull, heat supplied by engine and/or 110v from inverter/shore power.
Communications Systems - bring your work with you, if you must
Take your office to the tropics. Skookum is a fully capable remote work vessel, both nearshore and offshore. Stream Netflix and Disney+ to the Roku TV in the salon, download and view weather gribs quickly whilst underway, or Zoom in to the office from a remote anchorage. Simply connect to the onboard wifi network and don’t stress about keeping in touch with land when you need to.
Peplink Balance One router provides the backbone of the system
Peplink Transit Max Duo cellular and wifi modem
Starlink satellite dish for near-shore high-speed internet
Intellian v45 dome for offshore high-speed internet
Sailing Equipment
The large-area high-roach main sail is her primary motor and provides excellent propulsion in all winds. Combined with the jib and symmetrical spinnaker she makes passaging a breeze. Her sail plan and elevated helm station in the cockpit are easy to operate when single handing with the pair of Harken 46 winches at a helm. Standing rigging was replaced in 2021 as was much of the running rigging. The sails were serviced by Pacific Threads in La Paz in 2021, including replacing the UV strip on the furling jib.
Mainsail – Double reefed high roach main in Pacific Threads custom Sunbrella stack pack, installed 2021
Jib on Profurl C350 roller furler – UV strip replaced 2021
Spinnaker - symmetrical
Pair of Harken 40 winches at mast
Pair of Harken 46 winches at helm
Harken traveller lead back to helm
Engines
Skookum is powered by a pair of Yanmar 3YM30 diesel motors, paired to SD20 sail drives with 2 blade fixed props. The Yanmars are mid-life at approximately 3400 engine hours each, and an extensive spares package is included with the boat. Fuel tanks are 46 gallon aluminum tanks located under the aft berths in each hull. Racor turbine primary fuel filters are mounted on the wall of the engine compartment and offer excellent visibility to the inspection bowls. Secondary filters are mounted on the engines. Each engine has a dedicated starter battery.
2 Yanmar 3YM30 diesel motors, Port serial E12755, Starboard serial E12756
Sail Drives final ratio 2.47:1
Aluminium 2 blade fixed propellors
92 gallons diesel in two stainless steel tanks under aft berths
Ground Tackle
Stowed centrally on the vessel, aft of the trampoline, the 65lb Mantus and 400’ 3/8” G4 chain provides ample holding in all conditions. Raised and lowered by a Quick 1000 12v anchor windlass, the anchor can be deployed by any crew member with ease. A secondary Fortress FX37 stern anchor is stowed on a custom bracket on the stern rail should
65lb Mantus stowed on centre line with 400’ 3/8” G4 chain
40kg plow-style storm anchor on 300’ rode
Fortress FX37 stern anchor mounted on stern rail
Sea-anchor for use as drogue in following seas
Safety
Skookum has a Plastimo 6-person liferaft mounted in a custom bracket on the stern rail for rapid deployment. In addition, the cockpit mounted life buoy with strobe and two throw lines are easily accessible in the cockpit. The GlobalFix EBIRB battery was replaced in 2021 and is guaranteed for 10 years. The Vesper XB8000 AIS transceiver with dedicated GPS antenna gives real time positioning to supporting vessels in the event of an emergency.
GlobalFix 406 EPIRB, battery replaced 2021
Plastimo Trans Oceanic 6-person liferaft. Official service period expired.
Distress signal kit
Life ring with Plastimo strobe
3 portable dry chemical fire extinguishers, serviced 2022
Tender and Toys
2018 Zodiac Cadet Alu Rib 330 11’ tender with Sunbrella chaps and Beachmaster quick launch wheels, Hull # XC1U420L718
Tohatsu MFS20C 20hp 4-stroke outboard with dolphin foil, serial # 039265XH
2 Aloha 10’6 inflatable paddleboards with paddles
2 kids bodyboards
Various swimming floats
Outside Decks
The trampoline at the bow is excellent chill space, you and your guests can enjoy jumping into the water, swimming the length of the boat and then climbing up the swim ladder, rinsing off at the stern shower before returning to the trampoline to read and relax in the sun.
Boat Tour.
Three months after we left Canada we finally managed to record a tour of our boat. It only took another four months before we finally edited the video! Of course, we’ve since made many more changes, and will be providing some additional footage of those once Stu has filmed them in a couple weeks time:
Our eldest tethered to the boat for an evening viewing of dolphins.
Stu returning to Skookum in another favourite Sea of Cortez anchorage.
Peekaboo of Skookum
Stu checking into the morning Amigo HAM radio network. Skookum has a ICOM M802 SSB set up, with a KISS ground plane and insulated shroud antenna.
Entrance doorway to the salon on Skookum. The garbage bin is conveniently located behind Ellie, with an opening in the counter top for easy access.
Our eldest helping run the windlass to raise the anchor. The motor for the windlass was rewound in July 2021, and has run without trouble since then.
Skookum tied up in La Paz, prior to receiving her logo.
A glimpse from the master cabin to the master head (and a tantruming 4 year old). Skookum is an 'owner's cabin' set up, with three cabins and two heads. You can see the chart table in the hallway between the cabin and the head.
The (messy) master cabin. Two large storage compartments are found under the mattress, including storage of the starboard side fuel tank.
Skookum at anchor in one of our favourite anchorages, Agua Verde on the Baja Penninsula.
Ariel shot of Skookum at Isla San Francisco in the Sea of Cortez before adding the additional arch and solar panels.
Relaxing on the bow, before adding the solar arch and panels last summer.
Mid-construction of the new dinghy davits by Sergio Galindo of La Paz Stainless.
Adding the new arch and antenna trident to Skookum's stern.
A nighttime shot of Skookum with her new solar arch and panels.
An interior shot of Skookum's salon and table.
Port side bow, a picture of the messy kids' room with the crew cabin forward (used as a play and storage space for our two).
In the middle of replacing all the locks on the forward lazarettes in July 2021.
Sun and salt water do their thing.
Skookum's dinghy in the northern Sea of Cortez before having her Beach Master wheels added - those wheels have been a game changer for beach landings!
From the table to the salon looking out to the cockpit, for the purpose of perspective.
Erin checking the engine, oil and saildrives before departing an anchorage. These were checked every single time before starting up each engine. (And yes, Erin is short)
Stu replacing the anchor light in October 2021 with a photo sensitive LED light. All of the standing rigging was replaced in July 2021 as well.
Skookum in the Cabrales boatyard, having her bottom cleaned and painted and sail drives serviced.
The girls busy at play in the salon.
Skookum in the slings at Cabrales boat yard.
The antenna and modem control units, stored under the port side aft berth.
Skookum serving as a cinema location in the boat yard last fall.
Electrical distribution panel in the process of being upgraded in July 2021.
Stu in the process of fitting the new bulkhead in the bow between the lazarettes.
Stu de-calcifying the holding tank...all the joys of boating!
Skookum's underside being made pretty.
Re-splicing a new piece of the bridle for the anchor in October 2021.
Rudder and sail drives being checked, cleaned and painted.
400 feet of new anchor chain was purchased in October 2021, and depth markers were hand sewn in 25 foot intervals.
Checking on Skookum in the Cabrales boat yard.
Pulling out the oven to clean in all the nooks and crannies.
Shiny clean 2 burner propane Force 10 oven ready to be re-installed.
Skookum in the slings, read to go.
Another view of Skookum in the slings.
A view from the dock of one of the tighter docking jobs, in Puerto Penasco.
The girls enjoying a calm day on the bow.
Always waiting for Mom and Dad to go on the dock.
Finalizing the new davits and solar arch.
Danny from Pacific Threads installing the new stack pack in December 2021.
Stu replacing all the lacing on the trampoline in December 2021.
In addition to the stainless arch, we had Sergio add a foot rest to the helm seat, which particularly helps with short legs.
Enjoying an evening sunset under sail.
Under way near Christmas time on Skookum.
Sunset view from under the new solar arch.
Skookum docked in Mazatlan at Christmas.
Off for a dinghy adventure in Mazatlan.
The cushions and cushion fabric for the cockpit and salon have been replaced as of October 2022.
Putting our crew to work on shining up the stainless.
Ariel view of Skookum at anchor, showing off her new solar panels, antenna tridents and dome.
Cockpit game time in the heat. Note the sun shade on the port side (there are matching ones surrounding the cockpit).
Skookum sunset and our jacklines installed for passaging.
Sometimes a bow nap is necessary while under way.
Another shot of the galley (and one crazy robot kid).
Skookum at anchor.
Legos and passage naps were a common thing.
Lily 'washing the boat' (hiding in the bucket).
Goofing around in the cockpit.
No matter how hard we try, the birds always find us.
Quiet cockpit moments.
Sun shades at the back of the cockpit permit air flow while providing plenty of shade.
Dock view from a dock party.
The birds found us once again.
Dinghy fun with two adults and three kids.
Plenty of room for socializing in Skookum's cockpit.
The party always found its way to us.
Another view of the salon, and two crazy kids.
The helm set up. Thank goodness for the slider over head, providing important shade in the heat of summer.
The stainless steel artwork of Sergio Galindo. We added winches and clutches to ease raising and lowering the dinghy.
Skookum bow in the sunset.
The new bulkhead in the forward lazarettes before being glassed in.
Up close view of the hand sewn depth markers on the new anchor chain.
Our Force 10, 2 burner propane stove. Pots and pans stored in the cabinet below.
Lily relaxing on passage - bbq behind her. We had the side rails next to the cockpit converted to stainless steel as well.
Some Skookum bow time while under way. You can see the insulated SSB antenna on the shroud to the left of the photo.
Always tethered, and always excited to hang on the bow.
Early morning sunrise light in the cockpit.
Stu working on measuring up and setting in the new bulkhead.
Stu working on the bulkhead last fall. You can see how big the lazarette is with Stu inside. Port side water tank is behind him.
Boat work is messy work. Thank goodness for friends who help!
Everyone's favourite place to sit while on passage.
Looking out over the old solar panels (foreground), new solar panels (behind), antenna tridents and the dome.
The cockpit at Christmas time.
Watching Titanic while living on a boat...smart idea? The tv is a 32 inch Roku smart tv, and once we were hooked up to Starlink we could run our apple tv off it without problem.
Skookum just leaving the dock in Puerto Penasco.
Christmas pinata anyone?
Looking over the bow into El Cid marina in Mazatlan at Christmas.
Installing a new arm on the solar arch to suppirt the Intellian dome.
Hanging with a bunch of boat kids on the bow.
We replaced the failing mainsheet boom slides with Dyneema loops in December 2021. Considerably stronger and less likely to fail.
Another view of the galley and the space behind the stove (which at the time was housing our friend's 3D printer).
Skookum with an evening sky.
Napping on passage.
Just pulling out the head sail as we finally caught some wind.
Passage naps and cozy West Marine chairs.
Removing the old, rotten bulkhead and making sure it never happens again.
Due to the abundance of battery power, we utilized our pressure cooker (and eventually an air frier), allowing us to significantly reduce our propane usage and eliminating extra heat within the galley on hot days.
Part of the 'hub'.
More on the solar panels.
Leaving La Cruz and heading into Banderas Bay, just getting the sails up.
Jack lines and the racks for our paddle boards and surf boards.
Our new 220ah LifePo lithium batteries when they arrived, before install, contained within Group 27 AYBC approved battery boxes.
Sergio and his crew taking a break mid-install on the new stainless solar arch.
A stowaway on the solar panels.
Blue Sea battery terminal 600ah bus bar in the process of being installed.
The galley on one of its cleaner days.
Always room to play in the salon.
Our 'guest cabin' full of storage as we re-arrange the boat. Freshly cleaned and serviced Lexan enclosures for the cockpit, which have been lightly used since.
Skookum on one of the not-so-windy days.
A shot under way. We did have wind, we just never were sailing with anyone who took photos of us while we did!
Two Harken 40 self-tailing winches are on the mast, one on each side.
Discovering just how far the rot went and ensuring we got it all.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.”
— misattributed to Mark Twain (actual source unknown)