Comments
Owners Comments
I had sailed wooden yachts for most of my life, but they needed a great deal of maintenance. When we married in 1989 I realised a different approach was needed if my wife was to remain onside! In 1991 we bought the Cromarty 36, which met all our requirements and in particular would be a comfortable start to sailing for my wife. The Cromarty is very well built to a very high standard, and is much more luxurious than anything I had owned before.
Sea Orchid has proved to be a very comfortable vessel in all sorts of weather conditions, from calm to Force 8. We have cruised extensively each year on holiday, and very few weekends are missed. She particularly comes into her own in wet conditions, when the deck saloon is a perfect haven. I can honestly say that foul weather gear is hardly ever worn! There is also the individual seat in the aft cabin to which my wife sometimes retreats in bad weather.
The galley area is well equipped for use both in harbour and at sea, the Force 10 cooker being gimballed. There are two fridges and plenty of storage space, and the whole work area is tiled.
As for the accommodation generally, it is spacious and comfortable. The two toilet and shower areas are functional and easy to keep clean. Effectively there are two cabins with ensuite facilities, with occasional sleeping in the deck saloon. There are curtains to cover every window in such a situation, so privacy is ensured.
All in all Sea Orchid is an excellent motor sailor, with a more than adequate performance under sail. We are now purchasing a larger yacht, and therefore she is available to a buyer who looks for a well maintained and luxurious yacht. Because she is kept, summer and winter, outside our house we have been able to look after her to an extremely high standard.
Builders Comments
If you enjoy cruising in supreme comfort, entertaining in style or just
soaking up the sun, the Cromarty 36 is tailor made for you.
Gordon Wyatt and David Freeman, designers of the renowned Fisher Class of
motor sailers, have excelled themselves with the Cromarty 36. She is an
exceptionally strong, superbly finished three-cabin, six berth cruising
masterpiece.
Emphasis throughout the yacht has been placed on space, function, light and
comfort. Step aboard and you immediately feel at home.
The Cromarty 36 has an easy to sail ketch rig. Wide side decks with low
bulwarks, robust stanchions and the split rig with manageable sail areas, enable
alterations to be made to the sail plan with consummate ease and safety.
Add a furling system and sailing the Cromarty 36 short-handed becomes
simplicity itself. Whether steered from above or below deck, she is well
balanced and responsive making sailing a delight whatever the weather. (Note:
Sea Orchid has Sailspar headsail reefing and Kemp in-mast mainsail reefing)
The reliable, well proven, Volvo Penta 43hp diesel engine with a fuel
capacity of 100 gallons gives a range of over 1000 miles at approximately 5-6
knots. (NOTE: Sea Orchid is fitted with a Volvo MD22A 59hp diesel
engine!)
Add some sail and the Cromarty 36 comes into her element. All you have to do
is decide where to go and at what speed. Once in harbour the three bladed propeller
and 2.4:1 reduction and reverse gearbox make manoeuvring into the tightest berth
easy. (Note: Sea Orchid is fitted with a Brunton Auto-prop and a Vetus
6hp bow thruster!)
Two sumptuous double cabins (one with a double berth) each with en-suite WC
and shower compartment; a luxurious raised deck saloon with panoramic views and
comfortable settees (one converts into a double berth); a spacious dining table
seating six and a gourmet galley with double sink, fridge and gas cooker. There
is even space for a microwave. (Note: Sea Orchid has two fridges
and a microwave)
Combined, these all add up to the comfort and convenience of your very own
home away from home.
Blondecell Marine
Yachting Monthly boat test
The attributes of this yacht add up to an
interesting and successful package with a
distinct and discerning niche in the market.
The accommodation is practical, extremely
well put together and fully equipped. We
felt that the overall design was a bit
cluttered but this only emphasised her
rather country-cottage type of charm.
Sailing and power performances are
well matched. She can be a genuinely powerful motor-cruiser when conditions
dictate but she also has a rewarding performance under sail, which will encourage
more than the occasional downwind run.
She is, as Blondecell say, an all-weather,
multi-purpose cruiser which takes a lot of
the strain, stress and discomfort out of
going to sea.
JJ
Classic Boat magazine
..... The design concept of the Cromarty
places maximum emphasis on creating a
feeling of spaciousness. This was apparent
when moving around the decks where
Treadmaster coverings and double
guardrails on 6” (150mm) bulwarks also
give a feeling of security and whether
alongside or under way, I always had the
feeling of being on a much larger vessel. An
impression which was reinforced by the
large combined deck saloon and
wheelhouse, much like those of northern
European craft which have to contend with
the rigours of the colder climate.
One of the lasting impressions of the
Cromarty 36 is that it is possible to walk
the full length of her decks without ever
having to step down into a cockpit. An
outside on-deck steering position and seats
aft — which double as cavernous lockers for
stowing fenders, buckets and warps — cater
for those who like their sailing in the fresh
air. The general layout makes certain that
whether sailing, anchoring or securing
alongside, it can all be done with the
minimum of fuss. The sheets and control
lines are all led to the outside wheel
position so that the yacht can be sailed
single or short handed. .....
...... The system of sail control is just one
example which illustrates the considerable
thought that has clearly gone into designing
and planning the 36. The result of this
attention to detail is that after very little
practice, handling the Cromarty under sail
is quite simple. The directional stability of
the long keel meant that tacking was a
steady and predictable affair with
everything under control, rather than the
boom—clatter—crash that can be typical of a
boat with a narrow fin keel. .......
CONCLUSIONS
Equally at home cruising the Western Isles
or the Mediterranean, the Cromarty 36 is a
well found motor sailer ideal for the owner
who demands equal measures of comfort
and luxury, combined with sailing and
power performance. I didn’t expect to be
surprised by her performance under power
but her sailing qualities certainly exceeded
my expectations.
Brokers Comments
I have always admired Sea Orchid and, in the past when sailing in company
with her, have turned down opportunities to have a look around because I knew how
much it would upset me.
I have now had to go aboard! She is very close to being my dream boat, she is gorgeous!
Her owner, who had her equipped by Blondecell Marine to his detailed
specifications, has maintained her in 'as good as new' condition.
She has almost every conceivable accessory and everything fitted has been the
very best available. But she has also been used, for everything
from day and weekend sailing to long holidays around the coast and on the
continent.
Click on photo for enlargement.
The ships towels and bedding have the Sea Orchid logo!
Sea Orchid has been laid up ashore outside the owner's home under cover every
winter and whilst general maintenance has been done by the owner, sails, engine
and generator set have been professionally serviced every winter.
Sea Orchid is seriously for sale as the owner has now bought another (larger)
boat.
Adrian Espin, Astonbury Marine.
