Expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, Cape
Horn, Falklands & Tierra Del Fuego
On these tours you may see: Majestic mountains dipped in snow...
Crystalline waterways... Whales, seals, Soaring Andes condors...
Ice-blue Glaciers that shimmer like jewels...
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.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions
Length 16.5m, Beam 4.5m, Draft keel down 3.0m, Draft keel up 1.2m, Displacement
25.0t, Sail Area 145sqm.
Navigation and Communication Equipment
GPS, Radar, Depth sounder, Sailing instruments, Autopilot, Weatherfax, SSB
HF radio/VHF, SATCOM C.
Days Run
Average under sail - 180 nautical miles.
Range
Motoring at 7 knots - 2,000 nautical miles.
Water
30 days for 6 crew at 3 litres per person per day.
Food and Equipment Storage
Three months for 6-8 crew.
Construction Specifications
Built to American Bureau of Shipping scantlings of 43A mild steel, welded
with hydrogen controlled electrodes.
Insulation
75mm polyurethane foam above waterline.
Keel
Fully retractable swing keel. Operation time 5 minutes.
Rudder
Fully retractable swing rudder. Operation time 10 seconds.
Engine and Propeller
Cummins 6B 5.9 M 115HP with 3 bladed fixed prop.
Electrical system
500 amp hours battery capacity at 24 volts. 24v to 12v, 24v to 220v and
24v to 110v inverters.
Water
Capacity 500 litres.
Fuel
Tank capacity 3,000 litres.
Heating System
Gravity fed diesel stove. Hot water off heat exchanger on engine.
Cooking
42 kilos of propane/butane gas and diesel heater hot plate.
Pelagic supplies heavy duty Musto foul weather gear for all guests.
For all cruises bring:
* Sea boots - rubber, non slip sole. (one to two sizes over normal).
* Thermal underwear, 3 to 4 pairs minimum.
* Fiber pile jacket (Patagonia, Musto or equivalent).
* Fiber pile pants.
* Windproof pants and jacket (lightweight gore-tex or nylon).
* 2 Balaclavas/wool hats.
* Several pairs fiber pile/wool gloves/mittens.
* Rubber or gore-tex overmits.
* 4 to 6 pairs fiber pile or wool socks
* Boat shoes.
* Hiking boots (Vibram sole) and gaiters.
* Medium weight sleeping bag.
* Soft travel bag (no hard suitcases).
* Dark glasses and sun block-out.
* Small rucsac.
* Seasick pills or ear patches.
* Personal photographic equipment (we charge 12 volt video batteries on
board, but you should bring your own charger).
* Film. For Tierra del Fuego bring some fast film as backgrounds are
dark.
We have storage facilities ashore in Ushuaia for hard suitcases, shore
clothes and extra unneeded gear.
CONTACT US
The Arctic, Antarctica and Cape Horn 
