Encore Owner Remarks

Encore is a well-built handsome spacious motorsailer with excellent sailing ability. She offers comfortable, safe, extended, all-weather cruising for two people with two occasional guests.

Encore is an especially fine Sea Sailer. Her former owner was a gentleman of means whose hobby was collecting and restoring quality wooden vessels. He had Encore refitted and upgraded at a cost of approximately $200,000. New engine, fuel tanks, transmission, mast, sails, rigging, bowsprint, boomkin, shaft, folding prop, electronics. All electric and water systems were replaced and the hull and interior were professinally rebuilt and refurmished to the highest standards. The decks and cabin tops were glassed and the bottom was recaulked. I have kept the boat in excellent shape.

So what's so great about Sea Sailers and Encore in particular?

1.) Sea Sailers are safe, seaworthy and soundly built.

2.) Encore offers dependable long range cruising with ample power via a reliable new engine that's easily serviced. She'll go 500 miles under power in almost any conditions (and sailor that you be, most time in boats is under power).

3.) Encore has a comfortable all-weather helm with good visibility. In November of '03 I traveled from Norfolk to Wilmington in Encore, through storm, after storm, after storm. It was cold and wet outside, but inside the pilothouse with the oversize mahogany seat I was comfortable and dry. The Espar heater with forced warm air kept me warm and dry day and night. The heater is diesel and uses little fuel. It can be left on while sleeping with no fear of CO2 as it's externally vented. Visibility was good with the wipers on and navigation was easy with the large color GPS chartplotter/fathometer and radar. The autopilot steered as needed and coffee and snacks were easily at hand in the galley; an arm's length from the helm.

4.) Encore is easy single handed under power or sail, a feature my wife appreciates. Encore's of a handy size and with the self tending jib (a feature now appearing on Island Packets, Freedoms and other high end boats), roller furling genoa and main with lazy jacks, one handed sailing is no problem. Anchoring with the windlass is no longer a time to test the strength of marriage bonds. It's easy and it's fun to watch all that chain rumble into the chain locker because you pressed a button with your toe. With the 35-lb. CQR and custom bow snubber, Encore stays put when the hook is set.

5.) Encore looks good, plus she's salty. And last but not least, with her shoal draft Encore can go almost anywhere plus there is no fear of running aground (maybe mild anxiety) because with her long keel, 40 HP diesel and Maxi prop (which has the same power in reverse as forward) she comes off easily. This is a big benefit as our Southern waters and the Inland Waterway are shallow in a lot of places and having a shoal draft boat which can unground itself is a big benefit. These features are also a plus for Bahamas and Keys voyaging which I have done several times. Whether shoal draft has much value in New England, I don't know. I hear there are rocks up there and grounding is viewed somewhat more seriously than down “heah.”

6) Encore needs little maintenance, her decks have been professionally glassed and her hull protected witha 2 part epoxy paint.

However, Encore would be most suitable for New England or West Coast cruising with her Espar heater, radar and pilothouse. You'd be warm and dry and have eyes in the fog.