Gaucha

Cruisers Gaucha

S/V Gaucha was built in 1980 and is perhaps the best example of the design. She underwent an extensive and thorough refit in 2016-2018 that included new standing rigging, new sails, new chainplates and bowsprit fittings, new fuel tanks, repowered with a new engine, and complete rebuilds of the bowsprit and rudder. The boat was converted to TILLER steering for increased reliability and a larger cockpit at anchor. She has been actively cruised from Rhode Island through to Bonaire and back to the Chesapeake. She has been recently repainted with durable 2-part polyurethane paint and is ready for the next adventure.

Highlights

• Beta 38 engine installed in 2019, including new exhaust system, propeller shaft, and bronze 3-blade propeller
• Bottom below waterline was soda-blasted and barrier coated in 2023. Bottom paint was applied afterwards in early 2024.
• Chainplates replaced in 2017 with 316 Stainless from Garhauer Marine.
• Bowsprit fittings (cranse iron, bobstay, whiskerstay padeyes) replaced with Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) titanium fittings from Allied Titanium
• All standing rigging replaced in 2017
• Rudder rebuilt by The Foss Company in 2018
• Fuel tank replaced in 2017 with 2 main tanks and day tanks for a total capacity of 54 gal capacity
• Deck painted in 2019
• Topsides painted with Epifanes 2 Part Polyurethane in 2025
• Achilles LSI-260 dinghy (2022) and Yamaha 2HP motor (2019) are available for sale separately.

Mechanical/Electrical

• Beta 38, 38HP 4-cyclinder diesel engine (~1000 hours since installed new in 2019)
• 4x 6V 125A GC2 Lead-Acid Batteries under nav station (2023)
• Em-trak AIS transponder with antenna splitter (2019)
• Standard Horizon Matrix GX2100 VHF with DSC and AIS receiver
• Standard Horizon handheld VHF
• Depth, wind, speed instruments connected to Shipmodul Miniplex multiplexer accessible via wireless network
• 175-Watt Solar Panel on Tracker mount (2019)
• 50-Watt Panel (2016)
• Superwind 350 3 blade wind generator with controller (2020)
• Inverter and Battery Charger, Mastervolt 1500-Watt Pure Sine Wave (2022) 
• GAM/McKim Split Lead SSB Backstay antenna and KISS-SSB Grounding Plane (2024)
• Pelagic PA1 autopilot (2022)

Hull/Deck/Other

• All hoses replaced (2016 and as needed)
• All thru-hulls and seacocks replaced with bronze Groco IBVF adapters (2016)
• Windpilot Pacific self-steering (2018)
• AP/Armaflex closed-cell foam insulation added to most accessible areas of hull above water line in 2016
• Dickinson Newport Diesel heater with gravity tank (2024)
• Rule 1500 emergency bilge pump with 2in separate thru-thull (2019)
• Whale Gulper 330 bilge pump (2022)
• 2 water tanks with total capacity of 80 gallons
• Henderson manual bilge pump in cockpit
• Lee cloths port settee
• Spare ropes, oil pump, Power cord

Sails and Rigging

• Tides Marine Mainsail Track (2017)
• Removable staysail stay with Wichard adjuster and stowage kit (2017)
• 1 mainsail with 3 reef points (made by Evolution Sails in 2018) 
• 1 Yankee jib sail (hank-on, made by Evolution Sails in 2018)
• 1 Staysail with one reef (hank-on, made by Evolution Sails in 2018)
• 1 Storm try-sail (made by Evolution Sails in 2018)
• 1 Drifter (nylon with dyneema hank-ons, made by Quantum in 2018) 
• 1 Spinnaker with sock (nylon, age unknown)

Ground Tackle

• RC Plath Model 7B chromed-bronze windlass (2020)
• Spade 44 primary anchor (2016)
• 181ft 3/8 BBB Chain for primary anchor (2025) 
• 35lb Delta secondary anchor (2022)
• 65lb Mantus M1 storm anchor (2020)
• 22lb Fortress stern anchor
• Assorted rope and chain for secondary and stern anchors

Galley

• Icebox with 12V refrigerator 
• Force 10 3-burner propane stove with oven  
• Two propane tanks in self-venting starboard stern lazarette
• Trident Propane Regulator and Solenoid (2024)
• Double sinks
• Whale Gusher foot pumps for fresh and salt water taps

Accommodations

• Salon with drop leaf table and 2 saloon berths
• V-berth
• Navigation station
• C-head composting toilet (2018)

Safety

• ACR RLB-36 GlobalFix iPRO GPS EPIRB (Battery replaced 2025)
• Assorted flares and lifejackets that meet USCG regulations
• Emergency Wire Rigging Cutter 
• Boarding Ladder