Visiting Ecuador

The Good Ship Nine of Cups

A stylized picture of a Nine of Cups nameboard (there's one on each side of the bow). David hand-carved the nameboards and finished them off by applying gold leaf. The nameboard doesn't have the rectangular gold frame, I added that with a picture-editing program.

I have some basic information about Nine of Cups, David and Marcie's floating home. Their boat is a Liberty 45 cutter, which is a rugged yet handsome sailboat that they have outfitted very well for blue-water cruising. Here are some highlights:

On deck

• Deck layout - Spacious, comfortable, yet secure center cockpit (with dodger and bimini), spacious aft deck (with two large storage boxes), huge forepeak locker accessible via foredeck hatch, full set of jacklines for on-deck security, life raft.
• Sails and rigging - Two roller-furling headsails (operated from the cockpit), mainsail with three reef points, mast pulpits for extra safety and convenience when at the mast.
• Ground tackle - The main ground tackle uses a massive 110-lb Bruce anchor with high-strength chain (they have a few more anchors and anchor lines), plus a powerful electric windlass.
• Dinghies - Hard-bottomed inflatable dinghy (stored on the foredeck or on davits at the stern), second folding dinghy (stowed along the foredeck lifeline stanchions), Yamaha outboard.

Below

• Galley - with reefer/freezer, gimballed propane stove, microwave, watermaker, etc.
• Aft cabin - owner's stateroom with head
• Nav station - with chart table and electronics
• Saloon - spacious, with two settees and table
• Forward cabin - with berths for guests/crew and desk/chair for office
• Forward head
• Storage space - lots all around the boat

Systems

• Electronics - GPS, VHF (built-in and handheld), radar, SSB radio, Pactor modem for HF radio email, two laptop computers, TV/VCR, stereo, sailing instruments.
• Electrical system - Several large DC storage batteries, high-output engine alternator, two wind generators, solar panel, shore charger, inverter, energy management system.
• Steering system - Hydraulic wheel steering with electromechanical autopilot.
• Propulsion - 90-hp Ford Lehman diesel engine

Pictures of Nine of Cups

I have included only a few boat pictures here, the rest are scattered around the remainder of this web site. If you want the full photo tour, take Marcie and David's "nickel tour" on their web site at http://www.nineofcups.com/nickel_tour.html.

Nine of Cups med-moored at the marina after launching but before leaving for the Galápagos.

Stern view of Nine of Cups moored at the marina. Our neighbors are Cosmos to the left (hailing from Hermosa Beach, California) and Belair to the right (hailing from Hamilton, Bermuda). By the way, Nine of Cups hails from Denver, Colorado—sure must have been bumpy sailing over the Rockies!