Is a 50' (15.15m) Admiral catamaran - built for adventure purposes with comfort and luxury in mind. She is 8.7m wide with a 1.1m draft. There are 2 x 54HP Yanmar engines, she carries 600 litres of fresh water and 700 litres of fuel.
She has both 220v AC and 12v DC power, air conditioning, 2 freezers, 1 fridge, an ice maker and a water maker producing 100 litres per hour.
Her electronics include VHF, GPS, Radar, Chart plotter and stereo CD player.
Bert's Boat took part in the Cape Town - Salvador yacht race in 2006 then spent several months exploring the Amazon River. She then sailed to the Caribbean before returning to Cape Town. She was refitted in 2008 and sent to Nosy Be for charter purposes.

Cabins: 2 forward cabins, both with two double beds, privacy achieved with curtains;
2 stern cabins with 1 double bed, (one of these is reserved for the skipper).

Heads: 2 with electric toilets and basin and two separate showers – all amidships.

Equipment:2 x double kayaks, 2 x single sea kayaks, some snorkelling gear, fishing rods & reels, hammocks, on board braai, playing cards, books, guide books.

Crew:
Bert Spalding,the skipper, was born and raised on the Transkei Wild Coast in South Africa. He first started sailing in 1994 when he worked his way around the world on a concrete yacht called 'Dreamer'. She (and Bert) arrived back in Richards Bay, South Africa in 2001 when he obtained his skippers licence.  He sailed several boats to Madagascar and Mozambique before settling permanently in Nosy Be in 2003.  He and a friend set up a charter company with a dhow and started the "camp on the beach" trips.

After five years of this Bert needed a change and was introduced to the owner of 'Explorer'. It was not long before a deal was struck and 'Explorer' was sent to Bert in Nosy Be. Bert has not looked back.

Frederic,the first mate and cook met Bert in 2003. Bert was sailing a yacht back to South Africa and needed crew. They hit two cyclones on route and after days holed up for shelter became firm friends. When the cook jumped ship Frederic announced he would take over. Bert had no idea of his hidden talents which are now well known and appreciated.

Hassan, debatedly the most important member of crew. He is the barman and deckhand. A tall, handsome and gentle giant he is also a good friend of Frederic. He joined the team in 2006 when an extra hand was needed. Once on 'Explorer' Hassan was shown how to work a blender. Since then his "Tropical Island Rhum Cocktails" are fast becoming famous.

Rodgers (aka Mogley) is the smallest and most mischievous. He adds amusement and smiles to one and all. He is great with children of all ages and started his life on boats as a youngster working in the port washing boats. He was used as a guardian for Bert's dingy before escalated to washing the yacht after charters. He was once asked to help out on the yacht for a charter and he refused to leave. He is now permanent staff.

Our opinion:Bert's Boat is more suited to bigger groups of 8 to 10 people. She has an exceptionally large, shaded, upper deck where meals are taken and where you will spend most of your time. She can comfortably sleep 10 guests on board.

The crew will all be your firm friends when your charter is over and between them share a vast knowledge of the sea.