Base Camp Pelagic

A concept rather than simply a sailing vessel, Pelagic was designed and built specifically to operate in remote areas on long term projects.

Built in Southampton England in 1987, She sailed south for her first year and provided a mobile base camp for a mountaineering/filming expedition on the Antarctic Peninsular and South Georgia.

During this maiden voyage, Pelagic proved she was eminently suitable to operate efficiently and comfortably in one of the most hostile environments for a small sailing yacht. Built of steel she is tough, able to cope with ice abrasion and beaching, and unlike wood, glass fibre or aluminium which require specialist equipment or a controlled environment, she can be repaired almost anywhere.

Pelagic in Antarctica

Drying out in Patagonia

Pelagic's greatest assets are her retractable keel and rudder. When raised she can moor in natural harbours that are unnavigable by deeper drafted vessels; interesting for convenience, but ultimately important for safety. In polar regions, Pelagic's ability to get behind barrier rocks and moor to the shoreline in shallow water, makes her safe from drift ice and secure against high winds and sea.

Her ability to enter shallow lagoons and atolls speaks for itself. With keel and rudder "up", the hull is still manoeuvrable under power. With the tide out, she can be safely careened on the beach or rest on the bottom for cleaning or repairs.

Double cabin

Main Salon

Deck Plans showing sleeping arrangments

Operating in cold climates Pelagic can accommodate up to eight team members including a professional skipper and one or possibly two crew depending on the ability of the party. In the tropics six is the optimum team size.