About the SV Shannon

When we first began this blog, we were heading into the adventure of sailing down the coast of North America, from Victoria, BC to La Paz, Baja Mexico... on our wonderful little ship the SV Shannon (Hull #1 of the Ontario 32 yachts).  We arrived in La Paz in December of 2011 and since then have behaved much like snow-birders, driving from Canada to Mexico each fall in order to enjoy winters sailing in the Sea of Cortez. Sadly, we let our Shannon go... to a lovely couple from South Africa, who fell in love with her and dearly want to sail her in the Sea of Cortez and then continue on to Australia... where she will be taken over by their son and his family and assume a life of family cruising... in the great down under.

As of May 2014 we have moved to a 1986 Catalina 34. She 'was' Wild Goose.  Her new name, in honour of the good ship Shannon, is SV Shannon's Spirit and her specifications will be posted soon.


Overview of the good ship Shannon's Equipment...

Mechanical:

• 1996 2GM20F Yanmar, 2 cylinder diesel
• Leece Neville 80 amp alternator
• Racor 500 FG fuel filter
• Campbell Sailor Cupped D15 RH P 7.5 propeller
• PSS Dripless Shaft Seal

Tankage:

• Fuel
• 20.8 Imp. Gallons, or
• 24.9 US Gallons, or
• 94.4 litres.
• Water
• 25 + 13 = 38 gallons, or
• 173 litres
• Holding
• 28 Imp. gallons, or
• 127 litres

Electrical:

•  Batteries
• Starter battery = 31-1250 S Magnacharge
• House batteries = four Trojan 105 golf carts
• Link 10 monitor
• Balmar smart voltage regulator
• Bilge pump and bilge alarm
• Solar Panels
• Soltec AB 55 watts
• Solar AB SAB 50 watts
• Solartech 01-SP-SMO 90 watts
• Bluesky SB2000E Solar Controller 25 amp 12V

Communication:

• Standard Horizon MATRIX VHF/AIS with remote mic

Navigation:

• Standard Horizon CP 175C Chart Plotter
• JRC 1000 Radar
• Raymarine Smart Pilot X-5 Wheel - Auto Helm
• Garmin Fishfinder 160 Blue - Depth Sounder
• Raymarine ST60+ Wind Speed Instrument
• Danforth pedestal compass

Sail Equipment & Inventory:

• Equipment
• MK IV Unit 1 Harken furling gear
• Detachable solent stay
• Winches
• Barlow No. 16 (2)
• Barlow No. 18 (2)
• Engkes No. 26
• Sails
• Main - full batten with 3 reefs and loose footed
• Genoa - 140% 
• Jib - 110%
• Jib 100% (hank-on)
• Storm Jib - (hank on) 
• Cruising Spinnaker - 3/4 oz. with sock

Safety Gear:

• Fire Extinguishers
• 10 lb. Kidde A,B,C, Dry Chemical (2)
• 5 lb.
• Flares
• Hand-held smoke daytime flares
• Miscellaneous hand-held flares
• Life ring with floating line
• Forced air sound horn
• Anchor lights (w/solar sensitivity)
• on radar pole at stern
• on mast head
• S2 Mobri tubular radar reflector

Ground Tackle:

• Lofrans Kobra windlass (1000x 12V)
• MZ Electgronic LO-MWPULSAN remote control (corded)
• Delta 22 anchor with 250' of 5/16" HT chain and 100' of 1/2" 3 strand
• Claw 22 anchor
• 30'chain and 180' 1/2" line

Other:

• Powersurvivor 40E water maker
• Custom aluminium mast head (new sheaves, bail, axles and pins)
• New standing rigging 9/32" 316 SS
• SS rails for jerry-can support, mid-ship, both sides
• Freezer = Engel Dual Voltage Refrigerator MT27F-U1

Thumbnail Sketch of the good ship Shannon...

Shannon has a very noticeable arch on her transom. Made of 1 ¼” stainless steel it 'cuts quite a profile'. Originally designed for the purposes of mounting solar panels, we now use it for transom seats, holding lots of toys, and creating a very secure feel to the cockpit.
Shannon is hull #1 of the Ontario 32 fleet. Built in 1975 by Ontario Yachts she is a great example of the strength and durability of the Ontario 32. While her interior furniture is of the original design, most of her electronic and mechanical equipment has been replaced and upgraded. The process of renewing and refreshing this wonderful little boat continues. It’s a great hobby and past-time and mostly keeps us out of trouble.

Shannon's Story

The good ship Shannon has quite a history. Not only is she Hull #1 of the Ontario 32s, but she was also raced with great success during her introductory years to the west coast. Her original owner, Mr. Bob Ramant, successfully raced races (for example she came first in her Division of the 1978 Strait of Georgia race) and, I am proud to say, Shannon also participated in the 1978 Vic Maui, coming second in her Division (taking only 16 days for the crossing)… second only to a yacht (the Angela K) that had no business in that Division; and I quote:
"Some observers wondered how Angela K, a Maple Leaf 48 sailing in Division B, managed to get away with such a favorable rating. After all, they say,Maranda, a Maple Leaf 42 with shorter waterline, less sail, etc. was rated into Division A. Whatever the reasoning, there’s little doubt that Kritsis can expect a sudden drop in his PHRF rating. First Canadian boat in PHRF was Robert Ramant’s Ontario 32 Shannon. Crew member Marian Vanderwood reports that it was a pretty straight forward race without any serious mishaps. They sailed carefully, pulling in sail when the wind strengthened and not taking any unnecessary risks.” Pacific Yachting 1978

About the Name

Bob named her Shannon in remembrance of the wife of his good friend who died tragically in a canoeing accident back east. In Bob's words, "She was way too young to go and so 36 years later, she lives on in this boat. Also Shannonseemed a fitting name for the boat with her gleaming green hull."

In a nutshell

The good ship Shannon is sea-kindly. She is a pleasure to sail, in all kinds of weather, and looks after us as well as she can. AND, we love that she is hull #1 and that she has some unique and exciting history. 

(article and photo originally published by Enise Olding in the MBYC Spreader, Feb 2010)