STRAVAIGIN is a wonderful example of the Lyle Hess-designed and Sam Morse-built Bristol Channel Cutter 28, a classic pocket bluewater cruiser with a reputation far larger than her length overall. Built from a hull-and-deck package purchased by a Maine schooner captain, she was ultimately completed by Apache Marine under the direction of shipwright Bill Buchholt and launched in 2009.

She is reported to have been completed to Morse factory standards using components supplied by Cape George Marine after Cape George acquired the Sam Morse molds. STRAVAIGIN is described as the last hull done at the Morse factory in Costa Mesa, giving her an especially compelling place in the Bristol Channel Cutter story.

Her owners sailed her from Maine to Grenada, throughout the Caribbean, and back to Florida, using the boat only about three months per year. She is now on the hard in Indiantown, Florida and ready for her next adventure, with good canvas, recently completed varnish, recent engine service, Coppercoat bottom protection, and the distinctive Morse trim-tab self-steering system.

Key Features:

• Last Bristol Channel Cutter 28 reported to have been done at the Sam Morse factory in Costa Mesa
• Lyle Hess-designed, Sam Morse-built Bristol Channel Cutter with classic offshore pedigree
• Completed by Apache Marine under shipwright Bill Buchholt and launched in 2009
• Yanmar 29 HP diesel with approximately 1,125 hours; recently serviced
• Unique Morse trim-tab self-steering system
• Coppercoat bottom protection; light sanding required year after year
• Good canvas, recently completed varnish, and a well-maintained presentation
• Forespar mast and boom with cutter rig, high-cut Yankee, staysail, triple-reef mainsail, and unused asymmetric spinnaker

STRAVAIGIN offers a compact, practical cruising interior arranged for serious passagemaking and simple liveaboard comfort. The layout sleeps three with a pull-out double to port, a seven-foot standard saloon berth to starboard, and an aft quarter berth that can be used for crew or storage.

The main saloon is centered around opposing settees and a fold-down table that seats three. The galley is to port, refrigeration is to starboard, and the refrigerator top doubles as a navigation table. Forward is a separate cabin with the head, sink, vanity, mirror, storage, and access to the anchor locker. A privacy door separates the saloon from the forward head area.

Interior Styling and Additional Features:

• Pull-out double berth to port
• Seven-foot standard saloon berth to starboard
• Aft quarter berth for crew or additional storage
• Separate forward head compartment with sink, vanity, mirror, and storage
• Privacy door separating saloon from forward head area
• Functional port-side galley
• Starboard refrigeration with top surface doubling as the navigation table

MAIN SALOON

The main saloon is designed around efficient use of space, ventilation, and practical sea berths. A large opening hatch, multiple bronze opening ports, and a butterfly hatch provide light and airflow, while the fold-down table creates a functional dining and working area.

• Sleeps three in three different berths
• Large opening hatch for air, light, and ventilation
• Six opening bronze ports in the saloon
• Butterfly hatch over the main saloon
• Fold-down table that seats three
• Storage outboard in the saloon
• Refrigerator top doubles as navigation table

MASTER STATEROOM

STRAVAIGIN does not have a separate master stateroom in the conventional sense. Her accommodations are arranged as a traditional Bristol Channel Cutter interior with saloon berths, a quarter berth, and a forward head compartment.

• Pull-out double berth to port
• Seven-foot standard saloon berth to starboard
• Aft quarter berth for crew or storage

Master Head

The forward cabin contains the head area with a holding tank, sink, vanity, mirror, storage, and access to the anchor locker. A privacy door separates this space from the saloon.

• Head with holding tank
• Sink, vanity, and mirror
• Storage area forward
• Access to the anchor locker
• Privacy door between saloon and forward head area

The galley is located to port and is fitted for extended cruising, with diesel cooking, refrigeration/freezer capacity, hot and cold pressure water, Corian countertops, and useful locker and drawer storage.

• Diesel stove and oven
• Refrigeration and freezer
• Double stainless steel sink with hot and cold water
• Corian countertops
• Hot water heater
• Lockers and drawers
• Pull-out garbage holder
• Dishes and flatware included

NAVIGATION STATION

The navigation area is compact and integrated into the saloon layout, with the refrigerator top doubling as the navigation table.

• Refrigerator top doubles as navigation table
• Compact saloon-integrated navigation area

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

STRAVAIGIN is equipped with the essential navigation and sailing electronics expected aboard a compact offshore cruiser.

• VHF radio
• Compass
• Autopilot
• Depth sounder
• GPS
• Wind speed and direction
• Log-speedometer

HULL

STRAVAIGIN is a fiberglass Bristol Channel Cutter 28 designed by Lyle Hess and built by Sam Morse. She is described as a hull-and-deck boat completed by Apache Marine to Morse factory levels and launched in 2009.

• Fiberglass hull
• Lyle Hess design
• Sam Morse-built Bristol Channel Cutter
• Completed by Apache Marine under shipwright Bill Buchholt
• Coppercoat bottom protection

DECK

The deck layout is traditional and robust, with fiberglass decks, molded non-skid, bulwarks, bronze hardware, a bowsprit, dorade ventilation, and recent brightwork/varnish reported in excellent condition.

• Fiberglass decks with non-skid pattern
• Lewmar 12V electric windlass
• ABI classic bronze windlass
• 35 lb CQR and 35 lb anchor in stainless steel cradle on the bowsprit
• Collapsible Fortress anchor in lazarette
• 250 ft of 5/16 in chain
• Six opening bronze ports in the saloon; two fixed ports in the forward cabin
• Opening forward hatch and butterfly hatch over the main saloon
• Bronze stanchions with lifelines
• Two dorade vents
• Bulwarks and brightwork recently done and reported in excellent condition
• Bronze boom gallows

COCKPIT

• Comfortable cockpit with seating for four
• Tiller steering with black locust tiller
• Good canvas dodger and hatch covers
• Cockpit cushions
• Cockpit table
• Wind steering vane
• Two solar panels
• Two self-tailing sheet winches
• Mainsheet winch
• Bronze boom gallows

MAST AND RIGGING

• Forespar mast and boom
• Cutter rig
• Both headsails on Schaefer furlers led back to the cockpit
• Spinnaker pole attached to mast and fully rigged

SAILS AND WINCHES

• High-cut Yankee
• Staysail
• Triple-reefing mainsail
• Asymmetric spinnaker - reported never used
• Genoa cover and staysail cover
• Mainsail cover
• Dodger
• Hatch covers
• Two self-tailing sheet winches
• Mainsheet winch

ENGINE AND MECHANICAL

STRAVAIGIN is powered by a 29 HP Yanmar three-cylinder diesel with approximately 1,125 hours. The engine is reported to have been recently removed, totally serviced, and reinstalled. The drivetrain includes direct drive and a three-blade bronze Max Prop.

• Yanmar three-cylinder diesel engine - 29 HP, approximately 1,125 hours
• Engine recently removed, totally serviced, and reinstalled
• Direct drive
• Three-blade bronze Max Prop
• Double Racor fuel filters
• Balmar high-output alternator with external regulator
• Simpson-Lawrence manual anchor windlass
• Lewmar 12V electric windlass

PLUMBING AND TANKAGE

Tankage includes 28 gallons of fuel and 68 gallons of fresh water. The forward head is fitted with a holding tank, though capacity is not provided in the source listing.

• Fuel capacity: 28 gallons
• Fresh water capacity: 68 gallons
• Forward head with holding tank
• Hot and cold water at galley sink
• Hot water heater

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

• 12V electrical system
• Complete electrical panel
• Balmar alternator with external regulator
• Domestic and engine start batteries
• Two solar panels
• 12V fans
• 12V lighting
• Shore power cord

AUDIO/VISUAL AND ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT

• Main saloon stereo with cockpit speakers

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• 4-person Zodiac life raft - service needed
• Flares and lifejackets
• LED navigation lights

BROKER’S COMMENTS

STRAVAIGIN is a highly appealing example of the Bristol Channel Cutter 28, combining the pedigree of a Lyle Hess design, the desirability of Sam Morse construction, and a practical cruising specification. Her history as the last hull done at the Morse factory, paired with her Apache Marine completion and thoughtful maintenance, makes her a distinctive pocket cruiser with real character.

• Classic Lyle Hess/Sam Morse Bristol Channel Cutter pedigree
• Last hull reported done at the Sam Morse factory in Costa Mesa
• Ready for her next adventure from Indiantown, Florida
• Well-maintained pocket cruiser with recent varnish, good canvas, and recent engine service