'Enterprise' Classic Yacht |
Yacht ‘Enterprise’ Van Dam 34
Built at Van Dam at Aalsmeer, Netherlands 1974
MMSI 244130118 ; Call Sign PH 5626
Built at Van Dam at Aalsmeer, Netherlands 1974
MMSI 244130118 ; Call Sign PH 5626
The cockpit has a varnished mahogany combing and foresail winch platforms. The seats are teak slats (removable for cleaning). The floor is a teak grillage over fibreglass over plywood. The starboard seat incorporates a sail locker lid (renewed in 2014). The wheel is mounted on a steering post in the centre of the cockpit giving a secure position for the helmsman in the roughest of seas. On the starboard side, low down is the engine control lever that can be adjusted by the foot of the helmsman. On the port side is a push button for operating the electric horn. Harness anchors are located on both sides.
When the wash boards are not in place, the helmsman can view the navigation screens in the main cabin. Low down in the front is the engine control panel and key. The key is protected by a guard (installed when its vulnerability to being knocked in heavy weather was discovered). Also in front, up on the cabin bulkhead is the VHF remote control microphone (this can be unplugged and stored inside when in dock).
The wheel post has been fitted with a grab rail (fitted after our first storm and now we wonder how we managed without it). There are also grab rails around the cabin entrance. And a grab rail on the edge of the canopy. The Raymarine Autohelm is mounted on the wheel with its control panel on the steering post. A depth sounder repeater screen is also mounted there.
Under the canopy, on the cabin roof is where all the rigging lines come back, through grabbers, to two self tailing winches. Also mounted here at helmsman’s eye level is the brass, prismatic compass which is both practical and gives character to the ship. It is illuminated at night.
The ship can be completely sailed without leaving the cockpit. Winch handles are stored on the stern wall of the cockpit. The fuelling point is located through a piece of removable grating in the cockpit floor, as is the emergency tiller post.
When the wash boards are not in place, the helmsman can view the navigation screens in the main cabin. Low down in the front is the engine control panel and key. The key is protected by a guard (installed when its vulnerability to being knocked in heavy weather was discovered). Also in front, up on the cabin bulkhead is the VHF remote control microphone (this can be unplugged and stored inside when in dock).
The wheel post has been fitted with a grab rail (fitted after our first storm and now we wonder how we managed without it). There are also grab rails around the cabin entrance. And a grab rail on the edge of the canopy. The Raymarine Autohelm is mounted on the wheel with its control panel on the steering post. A depth sounder repeater screen is also mounted there.
Under the canopy, on the cabin roof is where all the rigging lines come back, through grabbers, to two self tailing winches. Also mounted here at helmsman’s eye level is the brass, prismatic compass which is both practical and gives character to the ship. It is illuminated at night.
The ship can be completely sailed without leaving the cockpit. Winch handles are stored on the stern wall of the cockpit. The fuelling point is located through a piece of removable grating in the cockpit floor, as is the emergency tiller post.