We are surrounded by stinkpots – and on one ourselves. That’s normal this time of year when the sailors have left for a cooler climate. Present count: Power boats 9 – Sail 1.

To give you an idea of how benign this area is thought to be check out the boat above. Not what you would want to be caught out on in even a moderate gale. Yet by picking their time to cross the Gulf Stream between Florida and the Western Bahamas, they then have some of the best cruising grounds on the planet in which to play.

A large Westport – probably 130 feet. All GRP production mega-yacht. A Bill Garden design (the ultimate yacht designer) and handsome in a mega yacht sort of way (except for the twin sat com domes).

We are not fans of cats for crossing oceans. But in protected waters like these they can make sense, where the efficiency pays dividends and motion is not an issue.

Wing clearance is never enough and this would only deal with small waves. Which is why a lot of multi-hulls have protrusions under the center of their wing decks. They still slam, but with less force.

One of these cats at speed – doing about 12 to 14 knots. Very clean bow wave and little wake.

By comparison, a displacement trawler going a lot slower and burning more fuel. Note the bow wave in comparison to the cat.

Another interesting yacht anchored nearby. Black Douglas is 93 feet long and displaces 190 tons, yet draws just 6 feet. We got a brief tour and she has a huge engine room (our kind of layout). She was built in Florida of steel, and went into the water eight years ago. For a "rust bucket" she looks really good. We did not see one streak of rust anywhere.

That is a two and a half ton diesel inboard dink being lowered onto the deck (in the same fashion we handle our 700 pound dinghy).

Black Douglas has hydraulic winches scattered around the deck for lifting and working dock lines.

That’s a really solid Bimini top over their flying bridge. And only one small satellite dome (most yachts this size have a variety of domes).

The engine room had some interesting features. One is this combination of open decking, which allows a good view of the bilges and plumbing below, and has really good anti-slip properties, and the Pirelli style floor covering. The open decking is available from McMaster Carr.

This is an Alpha Laval fuel polishing centrifuge. Powered by an AC motor, it polishes fuel down to 10 microns.

Speaking of power, this engine room has two 20kW gensets and a pair of 50kW gensets (in addition to the two Lugger propulsion engines).

Here’s an interesting detail. The fuel change pump is connected to the four gensets, two engines, and two transmissions using a single quick disconnect hose. A lot less plumbing than you would have with a manifold and hoses to each device, with less chance of operator error.

The photo above is of a quick disconnect on a genset oil changing hose.

We’ve seen plastic caps for band style hose clamps, but this is a first for the bolt style. Another McMaster Carr item (which we need to emulate on Wind Horse).

The top of the salt water sea chest (connections are below the water line). Engines are keel cooled as are hydraulics, so this is primarily for air conditioning, wash down, and gensets.

We liked the clear top and ability to inspect the sea chest (and get inside for cleaning).

Black Bart has dry exhausts for their engines. These are not easy to get right and very complex. One the many small details are how to connect and support the many pieces. These have to be vibrationally isolated as well as trying to maintain some form of heat break. One of the many support points is shown above. After eight years they are still fine tuning the exhaust.