Review of the 2004 Ta Chiao Custom Pilothouse Cutter Yacht
Living Quarters
CABOCHON provides sleeping arrangements for six adults and two children within the owner’s group, consisting of three spacious private cabins located aft, split-level dining and lounge spaces in the middle, and two en-suite quarters in front of the galley designated for crew members. The woodwork is of high-quality Scandinavian-style teak, finished with a glossy varnish. A significant interior refurbishment in 2019 resulted in brand new soft furnishings, lighting fixtures, satellite TV setup & screens, Wi-Fi, Sonos audio system, removable carpeting throughout, bathroom fixtures, and much more.
Navigation House
The expansive pilothouse, originally crafted for adverse weather, has transformed into the hub of activity on CABOCHON. It boasts a bright and airy atmosphere with superb visibility in all directions. To the port side, a U-shaped settee with a teak table can accommodate six, ideal for casual dining, cocktails, or organizing daily pursuits. The centerline settee contains numerous drawers for crockery and cutlery, along with extended drawers for nautical charts and ship documentation.
The port-side dining space is excellent for relaxation during poor weather, offering fantastic visibility to the cockpit behind and towards the front through the tempered safety glass windows. There is an uninterrupted sight line from the pilothouse seating area to the helm and forward to the bow, an exceptional feature for a sailing yacht of this size.
To the starboard side and forward is the navigation zone, equipped with throttle and autopilot controls, all electronics, a navigation table, and a seat for the helmsman. Behind the navigation area, there is a wet bar and coffee machine. The entire pilothouse setup is intended for secure sea voyages as well as formal dining and socializing, establishing it as one of the yacht’s primary focal points.
Owner’s Cabin
Accessed from the pilothouse via full-sized easy-access stairs and hallway, the owner’s cabin located aft features one king (new, 2019) and one queen-sized bed on each side, a makeup section, two cedar-lined wardrobes, ample storage, and separate bathrooms for him and her. The port-side bathroom boasts a bathtub, whereas the starboard-side bathroom is equipped with a private shower. Opening portholes allow for ventilation, while deck prisms add natural light. Additionally, an LCD television is accompanied by high-definition satellite and Sonos system (2018). A center vestibule offers access to a private aft cockpit.
Visitor Cabins
Positioned forward of the owner’s cabin and divided by a corridor are two guest rooms, each featuring an en-suite bathroom with a stall shower. Both guest cabins contain two twin beds, plus fold-away Pullman berths for youngsters. The twin beds can be transformed into single queen beds (new 2019) using fillers. Each cabin includes cedar-lined wardrobes, generous storage options, two opening portholes for air circulation, and deck prisms for additional natural illumination. LCD TVs equipped with high-definition satellite and Sonos system are provided in each cabin.
Main Lounge
The main salon spans the full beam and opens into the pilothouse, allowing light from the pilothouse windows to illuminate over 50 percent of the salon. Two hatches provide substantial natural light. To the starboard side, there is a dining space for eight guests. To the port side, a sofa shaped like an “L” accompanies a coffee table and a 40″ LCD TV with high-definition satellite, DVD, and Sonos system (2018). There is also considerable dry storage, a built-in wine rack, a refrigerator, and an ice maker (new 2015).
Kitchen
Forward of the main lounge, accessible through a sliding teak door and a watertight MCA door, is the expansive, modern, U-shaped kitchen and crew dining area. The well-equipped kitchen includes a substantial hatch for light and/or fresh air while at anchor, which often makes running the air conditioning (new 2019) optional. Multiple freezer sections facilitate “around-the-world” voyages.
The kitchen comprises a Broadwater 4-burner propane stove with oven (new propane tanks, 2019), KitchenAid cooktop, KitchenAid microwave (new 2020), KitchenAid dishwasher, KitchenAid trash compactor, Sub Zero upright refrigerator with two lower drawers, Sub Zero freezer drawers, a lift-up under-counter freezer compartment (D.C.), a sub-sole freezer compartment (D.C.), various smaller appliances, an extractor fan and lighting above the stove, dual stainless steel sinks with a retractable faucet, Corian countertops, and cork flooring with full carpeting.
Crew Quarters
Two double crew compartments are situated forward of the kitchen. Each compartment includes its own sink and toilet, sharing a centrally located shower. The crew mess is fitted with its own entertainment unit, featuring an LCD TV (new 2018) with high-definition satellite and Sonos. The Miele washer (new 2015) and Miele dryer are conveniently located next to the crew mess for accessibility.
Deck Area
Behind the pilothouse lies a spacious deck area, sheltered by a rigid bimini top and dodger (both new 2019) for optimal comfort. A U-shaped seating arrangement exists to port with a teak table that opens for drinks or alfresco dining. On the opposite side, to starboard, there is an L-shaped seating set with another teak table. Blue cushions with white piping (new 2020) complement the “Whisper Gray” Awlgrip structure. The look is finalized with Awl Brite finished teak trim and a teak deck. In the deck area, a top-loading refrigerator is situated to port of the pilothouse companionway, while storage options are available to starboard.
At the rear of the deck area is the elevated helm section. A U-shaped settee surrounds a 4.5-foot wheel and pedestal, which houses navigational instruments, a compass, engine controls, and toggles for intuitive command and control of all sail management. CABOCHON can be effortlessly navigated by a single person without departing from the helm. On the aft deck, there is a private cockpit for the owners and a hydraulic swim platform for easy entry and exit from the water.
Electronics and Navigation Instruments
The electronics suite was upgraded in 2020. It features four Zeus3 16” displays, one Zeus3 7” display, Precision 9 Compass (2023), H5000 Wind/Depth Processor, four 20/20 displays, four Triton 2 displays, and NAIS 500. Additionally included are the Simrad autopilot and B&G V50 VHF with three remote handsets. A Kahlenberg Air Horn with M511A Whistle Control and Starlink installed in 2023 complete the suite. The navigation and communication equipment comply with MCA and Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) standards.
Additional equipment consists of the B&G Hercules 2000 system featuring Performance Processor, two FFDs, four 20/20 displays, 360 wind, magnified wind, rudder angle, speed sensor, depth sensor, and inclinometer. The Hercules 2000 Pilot is furnished with two stations and one remote control that can operate either Gyro or B&G compass. The Simrad GN33 SDGPS, Simrad GN54 15″ color chart plotter/radar/SDGPS/depth sounder with a 10″ sun view full-function remote at the helm, and Simrad RA42 color radar with ARPA capability are also included. Additional navigation technology includes the Navtex NX-300 receiver, SSB-GMDSS compliant Skanti TRP1150 DSC with SCS PTC-II Pro modem, VHF – DSC – GMDSS, RS8400 – GMDSS, Class B DSC controller for RS8400, RS87 VHF with active handset, another active handset for RS87 SAT-Com, Thrane & Thrane TT-3020C w/GPS, Nera world phone Marine mini-M, KVH G6 satellite TV, Fish Finder Furuno FCV-600L installed in the dinghy, Weather Station Ocens SeaStation 2000 Micro, Weather Fax, EPIRB ACR GlobalFix 406 Category 1, Computer Systemax with Nobeltec, and Weather Works (weather radar, satellite, wind-, wave forecast, etc.) completing the electronics package.
Hydraulic and Deck Gear
The vessel’s hydraulic system is an integrated design by Maxpower, enabling functions powered by three sources: Maxpower DC-pump or two Rexroth Genset driven PTO’s. This system underwent a complete overhaul in 2019, inclusive of a new centerboard ram. New hydraulic manifolds and all hoses were fitted in 2019, along with an overhaul of the backstay hydraulics that year.
The deck gear consists of an 81 kg polished stainless steel CQIR anchor with 450′ galvanized all-chain rode (entirely new, 2019), a 63 kg polished stainless steel Delta anchor (new, 2019) with 350′ re-galvanized (2019) all-chain rode, and a Fortress anchor, three-piece. The Muir hydraulic windlasses are securely mounted beneath a hatch and were both refurbished in 2019. The Solimar flush hatches featuring solid teak rims were taken out, renovated, refinished, and reinstalled in 2019. In 2021, the teak decks were re-caulked. Additional highlights include teak seating arrangements at the bow and stern, aluminum davits with hydraulic operation for the dinghy lift (refurbished, 2019), Spectra line for the davits (2019), hydraulic rear stairs, teak boarding platform, hot and cold shower at the stairs, eight deck prisms, a sturdy rigid bimini, dodger, and connection piece, a Viking 8-person Solas life raft, a comprehensive safety equipment list, custom lifting system for on-deck storage with new lifting boom (2019), newly overhauled fire alarm in 2019, fire extinguishers, lifelines, Viking 8UKL 8 Man liferaft from 2015, Revere 4P Solas A Liferaft from 2023, and a complete safety gear inventory.
Dinghy
The vessel is supplied with a Highfield 13′ center console inflatable hard bottom tender powered by a 70-hp Yamaha outboard motor.
Entertainment Setup
The entertainment configuration features a 40″ LCD in the lounge, a 30″ LCD in the owner’s cabin, and a 24″ LCD in the crew mess. The high-definition satellite TV system was upgraded in 2018. Additionally, the yacht is equipped with a Wi-Fi setup, a Sonos audio system, surround sound in the lounge with extra speakers in the pilothouse, cockpit, and aft cockpit, as well as a distinct system in the owner’s cabin.
Power System
The electrical infrastructure consists of two Northern Lights 1800 RPM generators 25 kW (Port gen.@ 7654 hrs, Stbd. gen @ 7676 hrs.) that underwent major servicing, including new heat exchangers, refurbished injectors, raw water pumps, and new hoses in 2021. The yacht is fitted with 2000 Ah Mastervolt batteries, a Mastervolt 3x100A and 1x40A charging setup (new in 2019), a 300A Electrodyne alternator on the main engines with one spare, single-phase 100A shore power equipped with a transformer, a Cable Master for storing 90′ cable, a 4 kW inverter for the house power unit (new 2019), and a 25 kW Mastervolt inverter at the navigation station.
Hull and Build
The hull is constructed using composite materials with a sandwich structure incorporating Core-cell foam core. An additional five layers of Kevlar enhance durability. The deck and pilothouse utilize a similar sandwich construction with E-glass. The centerboard design offers a minimum draft of 6′-6″ when the board is raised and a maximum draft of 18′ when lowered. New rudder bearings were installed in 2013/2016, and fresh bottom paint was applied in 2021. The yacht possesses a Lloyd’s Construction Hull Certificate along with a MECAL Certificate (2019).
The exterior showcases a “Midnight Blue” Awlgrip hull (2021) with varnished teak exterior accents, “Light Gray” Awlgrip nonskid surfaces, and a “Whisper Gray” Awlgrip house. The integral rub rail features a stainless-steel striker bar, accompanied by four watertight bulkheads. The brand new teak cap rail has received 16 applications of varnish since its 2017 installation, and it is regularly maintained with two coats annually.
Engine and Mechanical Systems
The spacious, well-planned engine room (freshly painted in 2015 and partially repainted in 2019) grants straightforward access to all pumps and electrical systems, with sufficient headspace beside the main engine. The primary engine is a John Deere 6-cylinder Model 6090SFM75, a 375 hp engine (612 hours) with a turbocharger and heat exchangers refurbished in 2019. The yacht includes a 90 cm 3-blade Maxprop propeller, a Max Power 35 hp bow thruster (2019), chilled water Marine Air air conditioning (entire system, 2019) with new chillers, air handlers, and ductwork, a fire suppression system in the engine room (2019), Eberspacher diesel heating system (entire system, 2019), Sea Recovery water maker (60 gallons/hour 110 VAC and 8 gallons/hour 24V DC), Isotherm water heaters, fresh water pumps (2019), fuel polishing system, fuel shut-off system (2019), and shaft seal.
Mast / Rigging
The mast was taken down and thoroughly inspected in 2021, with all rigging also removed and meticulously checked that year. The mast was stripped and entirely re-wired in Spring 2018. The yacht is equipped with a renowned French Lorimar Carbon Fiber mast featuring four spreaders and furling, painted “Whisper Gray” Awlgrip, spreader lights (2019), Navtec rigging and hydraulic components, with backstay hydraulic cylinders refurbished (2019), and a hydraulic boom vang (refurbished vang cylinder, 2021), rod rigging (2015), mast partner using Spartite, and Spectra running rigging (2019).
Sail Collection
The collection of sails encompasses a 1,944 sq. ft. North Spectra mainsail (new 2023), 828 sq. ft. North Spectra (new 2023), 2,583 sq. ft. North Spectra genoa (new 2023), 5,346 sq. ft. PCS spinnaker, 204 sq. ft. two-ply Storm Orange Dacron storm sail (Halsey Lidgard), and 527 sq. ft. two-ply Storm Orange Dacron trysail (Halsey Lidgard).
Captive Winches
The yacht features four Nielson (Harken) winches designated for genoa and staysail sheets, one Magic Trim winch for the mainsheet, and one Magic Trim winch in the boom for the outhaul.
Deck Winches
The deck winches comprise two Harken 3-speed MPS/running backstay winches (all winches fully serviced in 2023), two Harken 2-speed halyard/mast winches, and one Harken foredeck winch.
Furling Equipment
The Reckmann furling gear for the main sail, staysail, and headstay received servicing in 2020. All sail management is controlled by fingertip via toggles located at the helm station.
General Observations
Constructed for a seasoned yachtsman and launched in December 2004, CABOCHON showcases robust construction, top-tier features, and meticulous attention to detail throughout. From practical engineering and redundant systems to exquisitely book-matched teak woodwork and dovetail-joined drawers, CABOCHON stands out for harmonizing so many sought-after attributes. The yacht presents a shallow draft (draft w/ board up = 6′ 6″; w/ board down = 18′), impressive sailing performance, and seafaring comfort all within one stunning vessel.
An exceptional opportunity – a thorough inspection is highly recommended.
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