We have posted bits and pieces of our beautiful home in each blog, but I am not sure we have ever dedicated a blog post to showcasing the interior of Sugar Shack. So, why not now? As Matt loves to say “pourquoi pas?” I will try to explain as much as I can without putting you to sleep so if you have any questions, please send them in the comment sections.
You board Sugar Shack by either the port or starboard sugar scoops. A sugar scoop is the nautical term for the aft (transom) which has “swim steps.” It is easiest to board on the starboard side as we have hand holds and cleats to tie off guest dinghies.
On the top step is a hatch that leads to each engine room. The engine room is large enough for Matt to work all around the engine (front, back, sides). The front is a little challenging to get to as he has to lay across the top of the engine to get to it, but he manages.
The Cockpit
We can operate all of the lines and sail the boat from the cockpit. The only time we have to go forward, while underway, is when we launch or take down the spinnaker. Most of our life is spent in the cockpit: happy hours, passages, reading, dining, and hanging out.
The beautiful teak table opens up and doubles its size easily seating 8 people for dinner. In addition, the table itself is storage for most of our fishing gear and tackle.
There is also storage in each of the floor hatches. The one under the table has a spare outboard, spare anchor, drogue, and lots of other “stuff.” The other hatch has all of our snorkel gear, cleaning products, boat towels, and drinks.
We have “pockets” installed to hold miscellaneous stuff that tends to muck up the cockpit (lines, hoses, scrub brushes, etc…). You can see here that all the lines come to the cockpit. The main electric wench, main halyard operates back stay, 3-foward reefing lines, 3 aft reefing lines. The two smaller wench handles operate the dinghy lines and main sheets.
Of course, we have our two helms on port and starboard. The starboard helm is the “main” operating helm as it has the engine controls. However, both helms have instruments, autopilot controls, and a steering wheel to operate the boat. We take lots of photos from the helm looking out and at the helm.
The Salon
There is a large glass door and glass window that remain open 98% of the time. The exception is when we are away and/or asleep. This lets the outside in and brings the two areas into one. (upper right photo). The salon has super soft alcantera seating in a U shape that allows for fun movie or game nights. There is lots of storage under each of the settees (cushion seats) for our house batteries, canned goods, pots, pans, inverter/charger, etc…
The inside table also flips open and doubles its size. This is a great place to do our sewing projects. Under the table is another storage unit for glasses and a few select liquor bottles. And below that is a large drawer for large, paper maps and charts.
Navigation and Control Center
The nav station where we set our course, monitor conditions, and operate the boat while underway. It is the heart of the boat while navigating. However, the heart of the monitoring is our CZone control panel which tells us everything from battery state and amp usage, to controlling “everything” electronic on the boat. It is the main control panel. We have it in triplicate. You can access the control panel here or on Matt’s ipad or on the small control panel in the master suite.
The Galley (Kitchen)
The galley faces aft (back) which is great as it allows the chef to chat with guests in the cockpit. We have a decent oven (smaller than U.S. ovens), which allows me to bake until my heart is content. We have a 3-burner propane stove, a 200-liter refrigerator (which can also operate as freezer) and a 100-liter freezer (which can also operate as a refrigerator). Storage above each counter and below the sink.
Portside Hull
The port side or guest side, has two cabins and a shared head (bathroom). The hall is full of tons of storage on each side of the hallway. We have one tool cabinet, one towel cabinet, one foul weather gear cabinet, 1 tupperware cabinet, and two pantries.
The port head is rather small but functional. We usually have our guests shower in the master head or off the back of the boat. The shower in this head is the sink faucet which pulls out. It just tends to get everything wet. Not a big deal as it is meant to be all wet, but really its just easier to have guests shower in the large head or off the back of he boat.
The aft cabin is a special option by Catana where it is called an “office/cabin.” You can set it up as an office with a double bed or you can fold up the bed (to twin size) and use the cabin as an office. It too has lots of storage behind the bed, under the floor boards, under the bed, and to the side of the bed (another pantry behind the curtain).
The forward cabin is the most comfortable guest cabin as it has a huge escape hatch that lets in tons of air, another large window, a closet, and a storage shelving unit for clothing.
Starboard Hull
The starboard hull is the “owners’ cabin” which means it only has one cabin, lots of storage and a huge head (bathroom). It is another option Catana offered. This is where you can clearly see I have “nested.”
Most of the décor is from the islands, but some I brought with me from the U.S. Yes, I have put double sticky tape on most of the items so they don’t fall over while we are underway. We are a catamaran which means that we are more stable than monohulls, but we are still a sailboat and $hit can go flying.
The hallway leads to the master head which is large and airy. We have a full stand up shower (which is separated from the toilet and sink by a curtain). This is a luxury as most heads are one space (like our port side).
The hallway has tons and tons of storage. We have 3 cabinets for hanging clothes, set of shelves for Matt’s folded clothes, another cabinet for my folding cloths, 2 cabinets for electronics and a washer/dryer.
Under all of the floor boards is more storage. We keep our medical kit, emergency evac bag, dried goods, spare liquor, milk, juice, filters, here. In addition, the water tanks can be accessed from the floor boards.
Exterior Storage
We also have lots of storage on the outside of the boat. At the mast, or the center of the boat we have 4 compartments. We have two fuel tanks (one for each engine) and two large hatches. We store our dock lines, spare fuel tanks (gasoline and diesel), extra anchor chain, main anchor chain, exterior hose and more in these two areas.
Each bow peak also has storage. The starboard bow peak stows our 3 spare spinnakers, 2 lounge chairs, 2 bean bags, luggage and noodles. The port bow peak stows all of our fenders, anchor “pearl” floats, passerelle (gangplank), spare cushions, spare ceiling panels, and life jackets.
Sugar Shack
Our beloved Sugar Shack, a Catana 471 has been an amazing sail boat and home for us. We have enjoyed being her 3rd owner for the pat 10 years and look forward to many more years and tons more miles under the keel. I’d say the reason I love her most is because she is a sturdy, well-made, strong, safe boat. This boat makes me feel safe while underway and comfortable while at anchor. Sugar Shack offers tons of storage, wonderful air flow, and modern conveniences without compromising her performance. She points well into the wind, she handles big seas amazingly, and she still looks great for being a 20-year-old broad.
More fun photos
Looking down Sugar Shack
Lounging on the bow tramp
For more photos of Sugar shack visit this link.
We are blessed to be able to have this experience and to live on Sugar Shack. Thank you for coming along our journey with us. Stay tuned for more fun adventures.
You can check out other Catana 471…most of these are newer than our boat, but still gorgeous. These are friends of ours.
- El Gato with Eric and Annie
- Element with Shaun and Sherry
- Campechano with Ronnie
- iCan which is for sale
