The sailing vessel Diadem
A
medium sized coastal sailer, Diadem is one of the few 34 foot sloops Catalina
has produced. She is a comfortable and desirable vessel. A feature is the generous cockpit, unusually
spacious and comfortable. On day sails, in the cockpit, on deck and below, 6 to
8 people are accommodated without crowding. A dodger keeps the passengers out
of the wind, and a bimini out of the sun, though in
It
is cozy below with rugs on the floor, two cabins and a dining/lounge area.
There is a Board of Health licensed galley in which full meals can be prepared.
The galley contains a two burner gas stove, an oven, two sinks, an ice box, and
a full compliment of table ware. Meals are taken on deck or in the dining room.
The
two cabins are at the opposite ends of the vessel, one fore and one aft. Each
has reasonable storage space, and comfortable sleeping accommodations. Bedding,
suitable for either warm or cool nights, is provided. On multiple day
excursions, comfort and privacy limit the number of passengers to two
individuals who will share the forward cabin.
Also
located below is the navigation table, which is provided with two VHF radios, a
global positing system, a Loran (a land based positioning system) and radar.
These facilities are used to plot the course of the Diadem, keep track of
progress, and keep a weather eye. The instruments allow the location of the
Diadem to be continuously displayed; should an emergency occur, help can be
immediately summoned.
Diadem
is powered by a Universal diesel engine, and sails, a main and a jib. The
Diesel is most reliable, and there is fuel capacity for several hundred miles. However,
once at sea, Diadem is put under sail whenever possible. The sound of the
diesel gives way to the sound of the wind in the sails and water against the
hull.
Sailing
is not a high speed adventure--6 to 7 knots is tops. Diadem is a friendly vessel
operation- wise. Accordingly, guests are
invited to participate in all aspects of cruising and being under sail.
Follow this link for more pictures
of Diadem.
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Safety is a first
consideration of the sailing adventure. The Diadem has an annual Coast Guard
safety inspection. Life jackets are issued to each passenger, and an orientation
is given as to their use. Man overboard procedures are discussed as well as the
use of the radios to summon assistance. Very adequate first aid supplies are
aboard, and the captain has been Red Cross First Aid and CPR certified.
In 25 years of coastal
sailing, the captain has never had a person over board. There has neither been
an occasion when serious first aid was necessary, nor an incident in which the
summoning of assistance has been required.