When I was invited aboard "Dawn Piper" I immediately knew this was one of those times. She brought back to me memories of what a fine classic sailboat from days gone by should look like. A graceful entry at her bow with a substantial teak bowsprit, purpose built and obviously strong. A wonderful reverse transom with her rudder hung on huge bronze gudgeons. Good solid bulwarks, capped in teak, above a burgandy and gold stripe. Cleats at her stern that could pull a barge. Strong, thick bronze chainplates mounted externally amidships, pinrails and belaying pins keeping her lines shipshape. A teak lashing board for extra fuel jugs. Tanbark sails. Baggy wrinkles and ratlines to climb aloft- all a picture of classic nautical beauty.

Custom built, "Dawn Piper" is truly a unique vessel. One of only six built, she is without a doubt a true bluewater boat- strong, powerful and simple. She has seen her current masters safely on many voyages over the last six years- cruising grounds that ranged from Maine to Bermuda, through the Caribbean and down to South America. She is a simple, graceful lady that will gain admiring gazes in every port or anchorage she visits.

If you are looking for a true bluewater passagemaker with a simple approach to cruising- that won't cost you a fortune to maintain- then "Dawn Piper" is seriously worth further inspection.

Head:
Upon entering the head, you will find a stainless steel sink with a Whale foot pump for your water supply. There is a nicely molded shower pan and drain, a mirror and storage cabinets behind the sink and head and below the sink. There is a top-of-the-line Wilcox Crittendon Skipper manual head- reputeded to be able to pump entire bath towels and small mammals without clogging (try this AFTER you buy the boat, not before, OK?). Y valves allow for holding tank or overboard discharge when appropriate. Ventilation is provided by a nicro-vent and an opening bronze port.

Workshop:
Across from the head on starboard is the workshop area. There is a workbench with storage behind it and drawers below for parts and tools. There is a diesel heater mounted on the bulkhead between the workbench and the forward cabin, a Hella fan to circulate the air and a bronze porthole above it.

Saloon:
Continuing aft into the saloon, there is a straight settee to starboard and an L-shaped settee to port. Both of these settees have open shelf storage outboard of them and additional storage behind them. A large flat chart storage area is included in the port side shelving. The large dinette table folds conveniently out of the way onto the bulkhead when not in use; when dropped down it will quite comfortably seat six people. There are reading lights located on port and starboard behind these seating areas, tone oil lamp and, for ventilation, a screened hatch overhead, two dorade vents, a Hella fan and a total of nine opening bronze portlights in the saloon and galley areas.

Nav station:
Aft of the settee on starboard is the nav station. Forward facing, it features a generous area to lay out charts and storage outboard of the nav seat as well as beneath it.

Quarter berth:
Aft on starboard behind the nav station is a comfortable quarter berth. Whether used as a seaberth or for storage, the space also features the same charming fiddled rail shelving outside and locker storage below as the forward cabin has. There is a wet locker for foul weather gear below and starboard of the companionway steps.

Galley:
Simple yet functional in keeping with the rest of the boat, the galley is to port at the bottom of the companionway. U-shaped, with ample stowage, a propane stove, a well insulated ice box with refrigeration and two stainless steel sinks. Below the companionway steps is the battery compartment.
Two stainless steel sinks (1 large, 1 small)
Shipmate 3 burner LPG stove and oven
Oven safety bar
Propane solenoid w/monitor
Dry storage locker
12 volt refrigerator/freezer (needs compressor)
Fresh and seawater foot pumps
"Instant hot" water faucet
Seaswing single burner (sterno) gimballed stove
Overhead dish rack