S/Y Milestone
S/Y Milestone is a 1980 Colvic Victor 34 ketch. She is owned by jelly who lives aboard her in Brighton, UK.
Miley in Brighton Marina
Starting from her bow, we find Milestone’s large anchor locker in the forepeak. The forepeak contains an unusually large double berth, which can be made into two single berths if needed by removing the insert. An Eberspacher vent is located under this insert, making for a toasty forepeak. Four lockers are found either side of the berth, which along with the two full-height hanging lockers provide ample storage space for clothes, shoes and books. Despite this, jelly still manages to leave her clothes scattered around the boat. A large mirror is fixed on the bulkhead next to the forepeak door.
Walking through into the mid-cabin, we find a bunkbed on the port side. We’ve currently removed the top bunk cushion to use this as a brilliant worksurface for the galley. When entertaining we remove the top bunk entirely to enable the bottom bunk to be used as a sofa. Lying against the hull next to the bunk are six cupboards, in addition to the large storage space under the bunk itself.
Opposite the bunks on the starboard side we first find the heads, then galley. The heads contain a Lavac sea-toilet, renowned amongst liveaboards for its robustness, reliability and resistance to blockages over the newer Jabsco design (except when James…). Above the Lavac is a large cupboard which contains all of our toiletries, shower kit, toilet rolls, First Aid kit etc. and next to it is a small stainless handbasin with pull-out shower head attachment.
Aft of the heads we find the galley, comprising of a Plastimo Neptune 2000 2-burner/oven/grill cooker, large worksurface (in addition to the top bunk worksurface), large cupboard above the cooker, storage areas behind the cooker, stainless sink, and large cupboard under the sink. The second Eberspacher outlet is situated in this area, as is the gas alarm control box. Yes, we have farted in the sensor to try and set it off; no, we haven’t succeeded yet.
Moving further aft we walk up a step (which is also full of tools) and find ourselves in the saloon area. On the port side is the internal helm and seat. The seat lid opens to reveal a massive fridge box, the bottom of which jelly can’t reach; it is rumoured to be where Biggles keeps his beer…
Aft of the internal helm, still on the port side, we find the forward-facing chart table, seat, and plenty more cupboards and storage areas. The VHF is mounted next to the chart table, and there is also a teak binocular holder and teak pen rack. The chart table itself opens to reveal ample storage space for charts, pilot guides and BB guns.
Aft again of the chart table is a shelf and hanging locker ideal for oilies, through which access to a very large locker under the cockpit seats is gained.
On the starboard side of the saloon we find a U-shaped seating area capable of seating 4-6 people, or more, depending on how drunk and lacking of personal space you feel. The table lowers and this area converts into a double berth. The third Eberspacher outlet is also found here, keeping our feet nice and warm whilst sitting round the table. In total the saloon can seat 6-8 for drinks and socialising, making use of the internal helm (best seat on the boat, Biggles is often found here) and chart table seats. There is masses of storage around the U-shaped seating area, both under the seats themselves and in the cupboards against the hull next to it. There is also access to the second large locker under the st’b'd cockpit seats.
From here, we take two steps up and open the door - yes, no climbing out of hatches and falling down companionways (well, we still manage that bit) on this fine vessel - and find ourselves out in the fresh air, in the beautifully-polished-by-jelly cockpit. The mizzen is above us, at a sensible height not likely to take off any heads. The cockpit has loads of seats, two big lockers, gas locker (no we don’t leave keys in it), bits of angled floor to aid winching, and a leather-covered wheel.
Moving aft again, we find ourselves - SPLASH! Hahaha!
Miley from aloft
Particulars
Year: 1980
Construction: GRP
LOA: 10.36m
Draught: 1.7m
Beam: 3.35m
Underwater profile: Long fin
Keel: Encapsulated
Berths: 6 in three cabins
Mechanical
Engine: Nanni 37.5hp, 1997, freshwater cooled
Bowthruster: Vetus
Steering: Wheel; dual-helm, cockpit and saloon
Drive: Shaft drive
Prop: 3-blade
Batteries: x2 110A AGM domestic, x2 lead acid 80A starter
Batteries charged by: Engine or shorepower
Shorepower battery charger: Sterling Pro Charge D 40w
Battery monitor: Adverc DCM MkIII
Heating: Eberspacher D3L, outlets in saloon, mid-cabin and forepeak
Instruments
Autopilot: Navico Wheel Pilot
GPS: Lowrance Global Nav IIa
VHF: Icom M505
Anemometer: NASA Clipper
Echo sounder: Echopilot
Compass: Two: Plastimo, 2009 in cockpit and Plastimo, unknown in saloon
Accomodation
Berths: Six in three cabins:
Forepeak: One double berth, or two single berths
Mid-cabin: Two single berths, bunkbed
Saloon: U-shaped seating for 6 converts to double berth
Curtains: Bespoke, blue & white checkered, 2009
Doors: All doors onboard are slatted, allowing for better airflow and ventilation throughout whilst giving privacy
Domestic
Water: Pressurised hot water system, two handbasins
Heads: Lavac sea toilet
Galley: Stainless steel sink, cooker, unusually large worksurface, teak cup rack, teak plate and cup holder
Cooker: Plastimo Neptune 2000; 2-burner hob, oven, grill
Rig
Sail plan: Masthead bermudan ketch
Spars: Aluminium, 1980
Rigging: Stainless steel, 2009
Sails
Main: Fully battened, three reefing points, Owens 1997
Mizzen: Fully battened, two reefing points, unknown
Genoa: Roller-furling, 1997. New UV strip 2009
Sail covers: Bespoke, 2008
Safety
Gas: Pilot two-sensor gas alarm system, carbon monoxide alarm
Fire: Smoke alarm, three extinguishers, fire blanket, automatic extinguisher in engine bay
Water: Three bilge pumps; two electric, one manual
Liferaft
Lifejackets: Five automatic; one Spinlock, four Baltic
Lifebuoys: Two, with lights and boat name
Danbuoy: One, attached to lifebuoy
Boarding ladder: Fixed, foldable, on transom