The Boat

After cruising the Caribbean since 2002 in our 45 foot monohull, we made a change.  In November 2010, we sold our beloved monohull Heart of Texas and purchased a 47 foot catamaran which we named Gypsea Heart which we took possession of on April 1, 2011.

Gypsea Heart

The name Gypsea Heart represents our love for roaming the sea and our memory of our former sailing vessel Heart of Texas.  Gypsea Heart is a 2005 owner's version Leopard catamaran which has never been chartered.  She has the standard equipment that most Leopard catamaran's have which includes 200 gallons total fresh water capacity plus a Spectra Newport water maker; 170 gallon diesel fuel capacity; Onan generator; two 56 hp Yanmar diesel engines; radar; GPS; two E120 Raymarine chart plotters; plus Icom 802 single side band; Automatic Identification System (AIS with transmittor & receiver); Icom VHF radio; Sailor Thrane & Thrane Inmarsat system; hard top bimini; six solar panels; three heads (bathrooms); three private staterooms (plenty of room for guests); four dive tanks and a Bauer dive compressor (yeah); ice maker; and a Splendide washer and dryer which is very much appreciated.  Gypsea Heart is very spacious so our family and friends will be comfortable during their visits.  Below are some interior  pictures.

Bahamas Guest Cabin

San Blas Guest Cabin

South Pacific Owner Cabin

Owner Head

This is our home hopefully for the next ten years.  We moved all our belongings at least the important things from our monohull to Gypsea Heart with room to spare.  This is our first catamaran and it's been a bit of an adjustment.  Hanging up our clothes for the first time was exciting and we are still in the habit of storing and securing things before a trip even though it's not necessary.  Sometimes, we can't find things we've stored very quickly (like the beer and wine) and we're making constant tweaks to where we store things (beer was moved to salon area), but this will improve with time.  As we had heard before we purchased a cat, the pounding can at times sound like cannons and the vibration travels up through the hull and through your bottom.  However, like with anything, we're adapting which hasn't been difficult. 

Like with any vessel, it takes time to get to know her, how she moves, feels and sounds.  We're looking forward to spending the upcoming year(s) getting to know our Gypsea Heart.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 25, 2014:
After sailing aboard Gypsea Heart for three years now, we can honestly say we LOVE it!   Sailing on a catamaran is definitely different than a monohull, but it did not take us any time to adapt.  We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her, how she moves and sails.  We are really enjoying the speed and comfortable that Gypsea Heart provides for us.   Our friends, Mark and Anne, took this picture of us cruising along in Vanuatu.  They did a great job and were kind enough to share this photo with us.  Thank you so much Mark and Anne.

Gypsea Heart in Vanuatu