Big Sky has a new owner
August 2021.
August 2021.
Below are two videos for a close up look at Big Sky. First from the outside, and the second from the inside.
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Con and I have had 13 glorious years aboard our floating condo, Big Sky. The decision to leave this lifestyle didn't come easily as it's been an awesome journey sailing from country to country, sea to sea, exploring sites as old as dust, sailing with whales, dolphins, flying fish, and turtles, and meeting the most beautiful people inside and out around the world. She is our all-weather safe sailing yacht, that kept us comfy and cozy during rain storms and wild seas, and she can move like lightning across the water, reaching 8 knots on 15 to 20 knot beam winds.
Above: Big Sky is pictured in the Vigo, Spain marina in 2018 with the full sides of the winter/rain house zipped onto the bimini.
Above: Big Sky is pictured in the Vigo, Spain marina in 2018 with the full sides of the winter/rain house zipped onto the bimini.
About Big SkyBig Sky is a beautifully built cutter-rigged Nauticat sailing yacht, 51.5 feet, (15.2 metres), and 27 tons. Built in Turku, Finland, by inventor and designer Kai Gustafsson. Big Sky was Nauticat's hull #9 which took more than 7,200 person-hours to construct and finish.
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Big Sky, formerly named Lady R, by the original owner, Herr Kroll, was custom built in 1999. In her first couple of years, she saw limited use before being returned to the Nauticat Yard in Turku, Finland where she was stored in a heated boat shed for approximately four years, that is until we came along.
In 2006, Con Sprenger, a life-long admirer of Nauticat boats learned about Lady R, (like new, fully equipped) made the purchase, and registered her as Big Sky under a Canadian flag. Con has great respect for Nauticat boats which allow for round-the-world cruising in complete safety, and are beautiful, sturdy, excellent sailability, thoughtful design, with unmatched craftsmanship. In 2007, Con and Barb moved aboard and began their sailing adventures that May when the Baltic Sea ice melted. "Bursting with wonderful memories, and a heavy heart, we have decided the timing is right to put Big Sky up for sale," says Con Sprenger. "We've had quite the ride! Matching our past 13 years aboard with a life on land is going to be a tough act to follow, but we're going to give it a try." |
About the 515 Nauticat Boat: Big Sky
(Information as per the manufacturer)
Nauticat Yachts have been the leading manufacturer of traditional motorsailers and pilothouse sailing yachts in the world.
The Nauticat 515 is classical, elegant, and spacious. She can reach high speeds in any weather conditions.
* Big Sky is a centre cockpit design.
* LOA: 15.42 m
* LWL: 12.22 m
* Beam: 4.6 m
* Draft: 2.2 m
* Displacement: 27 ton
* Boat design category: A
* Sails area: 144 m2
* Height above waterline: 23 m
* Engine: 4 LH 140 HP Yanmar
* Fresh water capacity: 1600 litres
* Fuel capacity: 1570 litres
Nauticat Yachts have been the leading manufacturer of traditional motorsailers and pilothouse sailing yachts in the world.
The Nauticat 515 is classical, elegant, and spacious. She can reach high speeds in any weather conditions.
* Big Sky is a centre cockpit design.
* LOA: 15.42 m
* LWL: 12.22 m
* Beam: 4.6 m
* Draft: 2.2 m
* Displacement: 27 ton
* Boat design category: A
* Sails area: 144 m2
* Height above waterline: 23 m
* Engine: 4 LH 140 HP Yanmar
* Fresh water capacity: 1600 litres
* Fuel capacity: 1570 litres
Why a Nauticat?
Historically, the Nauticat boats have held the philosophy that a boat is built for demanding climates and also with elegant good taste. "It's like living in a luxury floating condo with a 360 degree sea view," says Barb Sprenger.
Big Sky is cutter rigged, with full visibility outside through the pilothouse windows. She can be navigated from the cockpit, or from the comfort of the inside spacious pilothouse.
The benefits of a pilothouse design provides shelter underway from adverse weather and for safety when navigating at night. It's suitable for all temperatures, build with three heating systems and air conditioning throughout. In addition to seating six people comfortably, the pilothouse also houses the navigation station and the electrical control panel. The pilothouse captain chair can be situated at the controls or the table for added seating.
Big Sky is designed for easy handling and can be sailed single handedly with the help of the electric and hydraulic furling sails and the over-sized electric sail winches. The 515 was designed for high performance under sail. "Big Sky can reach in excess of 8 knots comfortably either under sail in the right conditions, or on the engine," says Con.
Two steps down from the pilothouse is the fully equipped galley equipped with dishwasher, fridge, electric oven and stovetop, microwave, two sinks and ample counter-top space for delicious creations. Big Sky has two fridges, and one freezer. Across from the galley is an attractive U-shaped settee adequately seating six. A wine cabinet and a fine china and crystal cabinet provide a pleasant display, with book shelves below. Forward of the galley/settee is a spacious double-bed V-berth with couch, full-length closet, and five large cupboards; another bedroom with bunk beds and a full-length closet, with one cupboard; a head equipped with an electric toilet, wash basin, three cupboards, and a separate shower area with glass closing door. Aft of the pilothouse is the master stateroom and ensuite head. A queen-sized bed with large drawers below. The stateroom has a couch, two full-length closets, ten cupboards, and plenty of storage below. The heads have electric toilets, wash basins, and separate shower area with glass closing door. Both the V-berth and stateroom have locking safes. Big Sky sleeps six, with six separate reading LED lights.
Adjacent to the spacious engine/generator room are a full-sized washer, and separate full-size dryer, water maker, work bench, and wet locker.
Big Sky is cutter rigged, with full visibility outside through the pilothouse windows. She can be navigated from the cockpit, or from the comfort of the inside spacious pilothouse.
The benefits of a pilothouse design provides shelter underway from adverse weather and for safety when navigating at night. It's suitable for all temperatures, build with three heating systems and air conditioning throughout. In addition to seating six people comfortably, the pilothouse also houses the navigation station and the electrical control panel. The pilothouse captain chair can be situated at the controls or the table for added seating.
Big Sky is designed for easy handling and can be sailed single handedly with the help of the electric and hydraulic furling sails and the over-sized electric sail winches. The 515 was designed for high performance under sail. "Big Sky can reach in excess of 8 knots comfortably either under sail in the right conditions, or on the engine," says Con.
Two steps down from the pilothouse is the fully equipped galley equipped with dishwasher, fridge, electric oven and stovetop, microwave, two sinks and ample counter-top space for delicious creations. Big Sky has two fridges, and one freezer. Across from the galley is an attractive U-shaped settee adequately seating six. A wine cabinet and a fine china and crystal cabinet provide a pleasant display, with book shelves below. Forward of the galley/settee is a spacious double-bed V-berth with couch, full-length closet, and five large cupboards; another bedroom with bunk beds and a full-length closet, with one cupboard; a head equipped with an electric toilet, wash basin, three cupboards, and a separate shower area with glass closing door. Aft of the pilothouse is the master stateroom and ensuite head. A queen-sized bed with large drawers below. The stateroom has a couch, two full-length closets, ten cupboards, and plenty of storage below. The heads have electric toilets, wash basins, and separate shower area with glass closing door. Both the V-berth and stateroom have locking safes. Big Sky sleeps six, with six separate reading LED lights.
Adjacent to the spacious engine/generator room are a full-sized washer, and separate full-size dryer, water maker, work bench, and wet locker.
Big Sky Nauticat 515 is very well equipped and professionally maintained; an excellent boat for the Blue Water cruising. Details:
Sails and Rigging
* Seldon hydraulic in-mast furling system
* Hydraulic boom outhaul
* Electric Profurl 52 furling system jib/genoa
* Electric Profurl 42 furling system cutter sail
* Hood mainsail (new 2018), NorthSail Genoa and cutter sails
* Selden Spinnaker boom with moveable stays
* 2 electric Harken 53.2 winches
* 2 electric Harken 46.2 winches
* 2 electric Harken 64.2 winches
Electronics
* Raychart 630 C-Map Plotter with interface
* Raytheon Pathfinder R70 RADAR/Plotter inside and outside
* RADAR Dome 4 KW with stainless steel brackets and stainless steel pedestal (also for DGPS aerial)
* 2 x Raytheon Autohelm ST60 echosounder
* 2 x Raytheon Autohelm ST60 log
* 2 x Raytheon Autohelm ST60 wind
* 2 x Autopilot systems (Raytheon 650 inside and Raymarine ST 6002 outside)
* 1 x Raystar 112 DGPS 12 channel receiver
* 2 x Shipmate RS8300 VHF
* Autopilot Autohelm ST6000
* Furuno Navtex receiver NX 300
* 1 x Raystar 112 GPS
* Windex windvane
* Selden aluminum covers for turnbuckles 8 pieces
* Shore power 220 V
* Throttle, start and stop engine from cockpit or inside pilothouse
Other Equipment
* Generator Kohler 15 kw with 850 hours running time
* Yanmar 140 HP Turbo charged engine. Hours: 4370 (Range: 1500 NM)
* 2 x Separ 2005 fuel filters
* Maxprop 3-folded blade propeller, on 40 mm stainless steel propeller shaft
* Rope cutter on propeller shaft
* Bowthruster 15 HP (control in cockpit and pilothouse)
* 4 x 250 Amp/hr AGM Batteries (new 2018)
* 1 x 145 Amp/hr dedicated engine-starting battery (new 2020)
* 1 x 125 Amp/hr battery dedicated generator starting
* Air conditioning with reverse heating (2 at 16000 BTU, and 1 at 7000 BTU)
* Eberspacher D5LC diesel heater
* Charger/Inverter: Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120 (with reconditioned spare)
* full bimini with zip on/off enclosures for spray hood, winter house, and summer shades
* Three helmsman seats (one behind the helm and two aft the cockpit) with floor fastenings
* Full white window covers and three-part full-boat tarp, and winch covers
* Black mesh sun screen covers for pilot house windows
* Life raft for 8
* 3 electric anchor winches
* Bruce 50 KG main anchor with 100 meters galvanized 10 mm chain mounted on bow roller
* CQR 25 KG second anchor with 80 meters stainless steel 10 mm chain mounted bow rollers:
-- 2 x Lewmar Gypsy/Capstain Cosept 2 12 V/1500 windlass
* Push button cockpit control for up/down windlass
* 3 pairs of cleats and 3 pairs of fairleads
* Delta 15 KG stern anchor with 80 meters (30 m stainless steel and 50 m galvanized) 8 mm chain
* RADAR reflector
* Emergency tiller
* Hydraulic swim platform
* Tender 2.7 meter
* Johnson engine outboard 2 stroke 5 HP
* crane for outboard engine
* Stainless steel bow ladder with teak steps
* Stainless steel stern swim ladder
* Aluminum Passerelle mounted starboard with removable side rails
* Sunbrella cockpit cushions (matching bimini and winter house)
* Watermaker Sea Recovery 27 1/h
* 4-plate Miele cooker Halogen
* Asea Skandia oven 230 V
* Panasonic microwave
* 2 x Isotherm fridges & 1 Isotherm freezer all 12V
* Miele dishwasher 230 V
* Miele washing machine 230 V
* Miele dryer 230 V
* Hot water boiler 55 litres (heated by engine and 230 V)
* Carbon filter for septic tank
* Electric and manual septic tank
* 2 grey water tanks (for showers)
* LED lights inside and outside including courtesy lights for night, lights built into bimini
* Freshwater gage in galley for water tank levels
*Jabsco cartridge charcoal filter in drinking line with designated faucet
* deck shower
* Seawater pump and hose at bow and stern, and with a designated faucet in the galley
* Extensive manual library including diagrams, some in German
Deck
* Teak deck in good condition, well maintained in natural wood
* Rail is 32 mm stainless steel tubing with 2 side opening gates
* Bow spit
* 4 x Dorado vents
* 8 x fenders
* 2 life lines, with deck eye pads
Interior Comfort
* Tan/peach coloured Alcantara Leather luxury material furnishings
* Alcantara textiles in all cabins
* Cream coloured pleated curtains throughout with UV backing
* Pilot house front three window with pull-down cream-coloured blinds
* Ocean Air hatch blinds for all hatches
* Aluminum mesh screens for all hatches
* The inside finishing is in satin-rubbed teak
* 2 Heads:
-- toilets connected to holding tank
-- main head with large overhead hatch
-- 2 separated shower stalls with glass folding doors
-- showers connected to holding tanks
-- tiled floors
* 1 x Aurora heater; 6 x electric heater; 1 x diesel heater
* carpets in all cabins
* 3 brass decoration lamps with shades, and 7 brass reading lights in sleeping cabins (all LED)
* Stereo in all cabins
* 3 televisions
Sails and Rigging
* Seldon hydraulic in-mast furling system
* Hydraulic boom outhaul
* Electric Profurl 52 furling system jib/genoa
* Electric Profurl 42 furling system cutter sail
* Hood mainsail (new 2018), NorthSail Genoa and cutter sails
* Selden Spinnaker boom with moveable stays
* 2 electric Harken 53.2 winches
* 2 electric Harken 46.2 winches
* 2 electric Harken 64.2 winches
Electronics
* Raychart 630 C-Map Plotter with interface
* Raytheon Pathfinder R70 RADAR/Plotter inside and outside
* RADAR Dome 4 KW with stainless steel brackets and stainless steel pedestal (also for DGPS aerial)
* 2 x Raytheon Autohelm ST60 echosounder
* 2 x Raytheon Autohelm ST60 log
* 2 x Raytheon Autohelm ST60 wind
* 2 x Autopilot systems (Raytheon 650 inside and Raymarine ST 6002 outside)
* 1 x Raystar 112 DGPS 12 channel receiver
* 2 x Shipmate RS8300 VHF
* Autopilot Autohelm ST6000
* Furuno Navtex receiver NX 300
* 1 x Raystar 112 GPS
* Windex windvane
* Selden aluminum covers for turnbuckles 8 pieces
* Shore power 220 V
* Throttle, start and stop engine from cockpit or inside pilothouse
Other Equipment
* Generator Kohler 15 kw with 850 hours running time
* Yanmar 140 HP Turbo charged engine. Hours: 4370 (Range: 1500 NM)
* 2 x Separ 2005 fuel filters
* Maxprop 3-folded blade propeller, on 40 mm stainless steel propeller shaft
* Rope cutter on propeller shaft
* Bowthruster 15 HP (control in cockpit and pilothouse)
* 4 x 250 Amp/hr AGM Batteries (new 2018)
* 1 x 145 Amp/hr dedicated engine-starting battery (new 2020)
* 1 x 125 Amp/hr battery dedicated generator starting
* Air conditioning with reverse heating (2 at 16000 BTU, and 1 at 7000 BTU)
* Eberspacher D5LC diesel heater
* Charger/Inverter: Victron Multiplus 12/3000/120 (with reconditioned spare)
* full bimini with zip on/off enclosures for spray hood, winter house, and summer shades
* Three helmsman seats (one behind the helm and two aft the cockpit) with floor fastenings
* Full white window covers and three-part full-boat tarp, and winch covers
* Black mesh sun screen covers for pilot house windows
* Life raft for 8
* 3 electric anchor winches
* Bruce 50 KG main anchor with 100 meters galvanized 10 mm chain mounted on bow roller
* CQR 25 KG second anchor with 80 meters stainless steel 10 mm chain mounted bow rollers:
-- 2 x Lewmar Gypsy/Capstain Cosept 2 12 V/1500 windlass
* Push button cockpit control for up/down windlass
* 3 pairs of cleats and 3 pairs of fairleads
* Delta 15 KG stern anchor with 80 meters (30 m stainless steel and 50 m galvanized) 8 mm chain
* RADAR reflector
* Emergency tiller
* Hydraulic swim platform
* Tender 2.7 meter
* Johnson engine outboard 2 stroke 5 HP
* crane for outboard engine
* Stainless steel bow ladder with teak steps
* Stainless steel stern swim ladder
* Aluminum Passerelle mounted starboard with removable side rails
* Sunbrella cockpit cushions (matching bimini and winter house)
* Watermaker Sea Recovery 27 1/h
* 4-plate Miele cooker Halogen
* Asea Skandia oven 230 V
* Panasonic microwave
* 2 x Isotherm fridges & 1 Isotherm freezer all 12V
* Miele dishwasher 230 V
* Miele washing machine 230 V
* Miele dryer 230 V
* Hot water boiler 55 litres (heated by engine and 230 V)
* Carbon filter for septic tank
* Electric and manual septic tank
* 2 grey water tanks (for showers)
* LED lights inside and outside including courtesy lights for night, lights built into bimini
* Freshwater gage in galley for water tank levels
*Jabsco cartridge charcoal filter in drinking line with designated faucet
* deck shower
* Seawater pump and hose at bow and stern, and with a designated faucet in the galley
* Extensive manual library including diagrams, some in German
Deck
* Teak deck in good condition, well maintained in natural wood
* Rail is 32 mm stainless steel tubing with 2 side opening gates
* Bow spit
* 4 x Dorado vents
* 8 x fenders
* 2 life lines, with deck eye pads
Interior Comfort
* Tan/peach coloured Alcantara Leather luxury material furnishings
* Alcantara textiles in all cabins
* Cream coloured pleated curtains throughout with UV backing
* Pilot house front three window with pull-down cream-coloured blinds
* Ocean Air hatch blinds for all hatches
* Aluminum mesh screens for all hatches
* The inside finishing is in satin-rubbed teak
* 2 Heads:
-- toilets connected to holding tank
-- main head with large overhead hatch
-- 2 separated shower stalls with glass folding doors
-- showers connected to holding tanks
-- tiled floors
* 1 x Aurora heater; 6 x electric heater; 1 x diesel heater
* carpets in all cabins
* 3 brass decoration lamps with shades, and 7 brass reading lights in sleeping cabins (all LED)
* Stereo in all cabins
* 3 televisions
About Con and Barb
Con is a part owner of a thriving pump and compressor company located in Calgary, Alberta. He retired from his role as general manager and has fulfilled his life-long dream, to sail in his retirement. Barb is a founder and retired national executive director of the successful Kids Up Front Foundation of Canada. She helped launch it in 1999 and by taking it nationally helped to positively influence the lives of thousands of deserving kids. Together they are parents to four daughters, five grandchildren, and five step-grandchildren.
Barb's internationally selling memoir, "Sailing Through Life" is about grabbing hold of life and living it. In addition to newsletters, speeches, and brochures, Barb's sailing stories have been published in various magazines around the world.
Barb's internationally selling memoir, "Sailing Through Life" is about grabbing hold of life and living it. In addition to newsletters, speeches, and brochures, Barb's sailing stories have been published in various magazines around the world.
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09/22/19
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