Shaman is lovingly owned by Jean and Doug Fernandes who don't allow her too much time alone at the dock.  In their 2½ years of ownership, Shaman has already made one voyage to Alaska and will leave on May 15th  for another several-month-long adventure in northern waters.  Jean notes there is a whole wall of provisions and 150 charts already set aside for the trip.

Doug and Jean are seasoned yachties:   three previous sailboats, a powerboat, and , in younger days, even a ski boat.  They lived aboard their 40' Beneteau for 3½ years.

At left, Shaman proudly displays her new name-- turns out that another boat named Windwalker had stiffed some marinas in Alaska nd Doug and Jean were falsely accused!  With her sparkling brightwork, gelcoat, and canvas, Shaman looks 'new' and certainly deserves a new untainted identity.

Shaman sports extensive (rhymes with expensive), new electronics systems with displays at the helm-- no more running below to the radar and plotter to monitor hazards during a thick fog.  The suite of new instruments include radar, GPS with multifunction chart plotter, autopilot, depth sounder, speed indicators radio and even an AIS system which plots positions of commercial vessels.  This last item should be a godsend in crowded inside passage waters.  Just to make sure everything is as reliable as possible, Shaman also has a new DC panel and extensive rewiring.

Below, Jean dressed for action.  Note the generous nav table and roomy galley.  C&C's have abundant and gorgeous teak resulting in a very warm and cozy interior.  Note the Dickenson diesel stove for those chilly Alaska mornings.

      
 
Above, owners' cabin aft, plus a comfortable forward berth.

Shaman is powered by a 30hp diesel engine which will be called on often during this passage through fickle winds.  She draws 7'10" but her owners have found plenty of suitable anchorages-- too often the problem was very deep waters.  Jean has written a delightful account of the first voyage (see www.fernandesadventures.blogspot.com) and we are looking forward to new chapters of the Chronicles!  For those of us who are Alaska-bound wannabees, perhaps we can prevail on them to recount their adventures for us some evening this fall?