All about Us – Michaela, the training vessel and Dave, the Instructor
Our sailboat, ’Michaela’, is a Swedish built Hallberg-Rassy 35 ft. center cockpit cruising sloop. She is specifically designed for dry, comfortable coastal and offshore cruising. She is fast, responsive and goes well to windward. She is a very luxurious vessel with comfortable over accommodations for four guests plus 2 crew. She has been approved by Transport Canada as a passenger vessel for Near Coastal II voyages. Note the permanent windscreen and the large deck space for working. The cockpit can be completely enclosed in inclement weather.
Comfortable accommodation is built into ‘Michaela’. The main saloon is shown here, showing the beautiful mahogany woodwork and luxurious accommodation. Note the bright airy cabin and the lovely brass oil lamp. The settee converts to a comfortable double berth. There is lots of storage. The entire boat is heated with a hot-air furnace, for comfort on those infrequent ‘less than perfect’ days.
The steering station is well protected in the large cockpit by a permanent windshield. Just picture yourself having a great time steering her from this location.
The aft cabin sleeps 2 in privacy and comfort – and surrounded bymahogany. Like the rest of the interior of ‘Michaela’, there is an elegance and warmth that is difficult to find on most boats. Lots of locker and shelf space are available.
Particulars
Machinery
- Length 35′, Beam 10′, 11.38 gross tons
- Engine 28 hp diesel ( new September 2011); cruising range 700 NM, Top speed 7.2 knots
- 3 blade feathering prop
Electrical
- high output alternator with split electrical system; AC inverter, LED cabin and running lights
Safety Equipment
- 8 person life raft, jacklines, tethers, 7 inflatable PFD’s with lights
- Bruce and Danforth anchors, lifelines and stanchions, boarding ladder
- smoke detectors and CO monitors
- 2 bilge pumps, firepump, fire monitoring system
- Washdown Pump (2010)
- New Main and genoa (2007), Storm Jib (2011)
- New hydraulic steering (2009)
Electronics
- Raymarine C80 Radar (2010), Furuno GPS, VHF/DSC radio, AIS receiver
- 2 compasses, autopilot, sounder, speed/distance log, automatic fog horn
- Electronic Charting, radio and CD player
- Radio, CD player
Other
- Permanent spray dodger
- Cockpit enclosure
- new hot air furnace (2009) – 4 outlets
- 280 l fresh water
Meet the Instructor
Dave DeWolfe, owner of Discovery Sailing, is a CYA Advanced Cruising Instructor and has the CYA Yachtmaster Ocean award. As well, he is an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and Yachtmaster Examiner in the RYA Cruising program and has an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate with a 200 ton commercial endorsement. He personally teaches the live-aboard courses. He has been sailing for more than 30 years, and has extensive knowledge of the Nova Scotia Coast. Dave has a good sense of humour and loves to share his passion for sailing and the south shore of Nova Scotia. His years of teaching people sailing, being a charter captain and his easygoing nature will guarantee you a wonderful learning experience.
The sea has been his interest all his life. He worked as a sea-going Hydrographic Surveyor for many years with the Canadian Hydrographic Service. He is an expert on tides, having been head of the Tidal Division at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography for almost a decade. He has made a number of trips to the Arctic to measure tides in Nunavik (Arctic Quebec), where the tidal range equals that of the Bay of Fundy. He continues to do consulting work in Hydrography and Coastal Oceanography. Dave is also a certified diver.
He is a past commander of the Bluenose Squadron of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons and has taught courses ranging from the Boating Course to Advanced Piloting. He has a Transport Canada Masters Certificate.
During the winter season, he skis a lot and teaches as a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol System and the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance. He is an Instructor Trainer with the Canadian Ski Patrol System.
Contact Us
Discovery Sailing
RR #1
Chester Basin, NS B0J 1K0
Canada
(902) 275-8377 Toll Free
