Overview
About this vessel
"Wildflower" is a 1985 Ta Chiao 72' Blue Water Ocean Cruising Ketch. The vessel has continued to be maintained with an open checkbook by the current owner with a full-time captain. WILDFLOWER is a center cockpit, raised saloon sailing ketch with three cabins plus a stand-up workshop. She was completely rebuilt from 1997 to 2001, overseen by Patton Marine. The entire interior was removed and started new from the hull shell. All new integral fiberglass tanks, all new plumbing, new machinery, and new wiring supervised by Wards Electric. All systems are redundant and classed for round the world cruising.
Significant Rigging Update: At the time of the original, major refit all the structural rigging, chain plates and chain plate bulkheads were replaced for greater integrity. All original stainless steel was removed and replaced with 316 polished stainless steel. In June 2023 Turbulence Rigging in Grenada carried out the following work on the mast and rigging. Main and mizzen masts removed, stripped and painted. All standing rigging removed, inspected and replaced where necessary. This included the two ProFurl 520 genoa and staysail furling systems. All running rigging removed, inspected and replaced where necessary. A report is available on request.
The master cabin is aft with a king size berth, (4) stainless steel opening ports on the transom with screen and shades,(1) side port light (port & starboard), (2) fans, (6) drawers under the berth, Sony TV, Alpine radio, and CD player, (1)double door hanging locker, ensuite head with granite counter & back splash, Jabsco toilet, shower, and small overhead hatch. Moving forward, the re-done galley is next with huge amounts of storage. There is a Broadwater 4-burner propane stove with oven. Holding plate refrigeration with one engine driven compressor and two 110V compressors, all independent of each other. One freezer, two refrigerators - one top loading and one top and side loading, (3) port lights in the hull, (2) cockpit port lights, granite counter top and backsplash, microwave, purified water, and regular water. The stateroom opposite the galley features a king size bed over the freezer and storage. The exceptionally large salon has a huge chart table and inside nav station are starboard forward. More storage and entertainment are starboard aft. (9) Stainless steel encircled fixed windows with 1/2" thick tempered glass with blinds and shades. To port is the guest cabin with King berth, propane dryer beneath, electric washer beneath, overhead opening hatch, fan, and reading light. The workshop is to starboard with stainless steel workbench, plenty of storage for spares and tools, and large walk-in closet. Overhead opening hatch. The forward head is next with extra-large sink and an overhead opening hatch to starboard. To port is the toilet with overhead opening hatch behind a closing door. Shower is separate. Next is the forward cabin with a double berth and storage beneath.
Additional Upgrades added to the boat since 2013 purchase include Leisure Furl in boom furling with dedicated winch in cockpit. Rebuilt 225 HP John Deere diesel, less than 400 hours. New 20 Kw Northern Lights generator, less than 300 hours. Main engine 800 AMO alternator system with inverters. Custom built Refrigeration and 3 AC units can be powered by the main engine instead of the generator while underway. Four 110 V AC conditioners, less than 2 years old. One salon AC unit less than 2 years old. Two 12 V refrigeration systems, less than 1 year old. Bow thruster with independent charging system, 3 years old. Anchors, Custom 75 Kg Stainless Steel Manson kedge anchor attached to a windlass. 75 Kg SS Danforth attached to awindlass.3 other plow anchors of varied size. 80 gallon per hour water maker. New lithium phosphate batteries. 3 standard AGM batteries for main charging bank. New rigging survey, with some rigging replaced in 2023. All halyards, sheets and lines feed back to the cockpit for safety, and ease of handling for short handed sailing. 2023 June Main and Mizzen mast removed, stripped and painted. All spreaders checked. All standing rigging removed, inspected and replaced where needed. All running rigging. Removed, inspected and replaced where necessary as per riggers report. 2023 September - November New Balmar XT series (170 amp) engine alternator. New Sea Frost freezer system installed. Plates, compressor, water pump, plumbing and control unit. 2024 January 3 x CTM 16,000 BTU combined units and 1 x CTM 16,000 BTU split unit for AC. New plumbing, water pumps, control panels and separate "easy start" boards added to each unit. April, New water pump installed on engine. Dry dock. All zincs replaced. New cutlass bearing and dripless shaft seal fitted. Shaft/prop removed for alignment and polishing. May Dinghy completely re -tubed and professionally fitted by Sea Safety Grenada. New covers also fitted. June New Northern Lights M844LW3G-20 Kw generator installed. 320 hours as of May 2025 August New high pressure water maker pump, installed, along with strip down and service of water maker system. All 4membranes replaced. November New Sea Frost refrigeration system installed. 2 x new reefer systems fitted. plates, compressors, plumbing and control panels 2 separate refrigeration boxes with individual electronic thermostats and speed controls. December. Final commissioning of the new CAD designed engine power bracket containing 2 x E series Mechman 400-amp high output alternators. This "one off 3pecific unit allows engine power alone to produce a DC output to supply the inverter and systems on board. 2025. February / March / April / May New engine turbo installed. New house battery bank installed - 6 lithium Li Time 12 V- 460-Ah. New engine / generator start bank installed- 3 x Lifeline AGM 12 V GPL-8DL. New Simrad NSE-8 multi-function display (used as an independent radar display, primary and back up chart plotter). Complete new lower assembly unit / leg for Yamaha 70 HP dinghy outboard.
