Phoenix VII

Ketch Phoenix VII

This one is not going to last long! Hughes boats have been recognized for years for their battleship-like construction, strength, and "sailability". They certainly aren't the fastest blue-water cruising boats out there, but they're pretty tough to beat when it comes to stable sailing and dependability. And, this one has had lots of upgrades that take it well beyond the standard production Hughes.

In 2015, all standing rigging and everything inside the hull was removed. All the chainplates and all the standing rigging were replaced. Additionally, all electrical wiring was replaced and upgraded, and all lighting converted to LED. The fuel tanks were replaced with three (3) new aluminum tanks (200 gal total capacity), and new fresh-water tanks (4 poly/33 gal ea., 1 52 gal SS) were added. The hull was then insulated from the waterline up, the joinery was reinstalled, and new headliners were added.

In 2022, a rigid dogger was added along with an integrated fold-up swim platform, and a dedicated locker was added for the twin LP tanks feeding a new ENO LP stove. The cockpit was also fully enclosed with new canvas and Isinglass.

In 2024, an all-new refrigeration system was installed, and a new 2000-watt sine-wave inverter was added.

Finally, in 2025, a new hydraulic autopilot was added.

This one's a cruising sailor's dream. The two-cabin, two-head layout provides plenty of privacy for everyone onboard, and the cockpit access to the aft cabin is a unique feature. And, since the current owner sailed alone 85% of his time on the water, it's set up to single-hand it with ease.