Spike Africa
Specifications
| A Classic Schooner
Spike Africa is one of the most prized treasures of California's nautical heritage. |
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| Vessel type: | gaff rigged coastal schooner |
| Length overall: | 70 feet |
| Construction: | Douglass fir planking over Apitong frames. |
| Sail complement: | Mainsail, foresail, staysail, jib, main topsail, fisherman topsail, gollywobbler, genoa, storm jib. |
| Power: | Detroit Diesel 6-71 |
| Berths: | 7 |
| Heads: | 2 |
| Tenders: | 12' custom built mahogany lapstrake sailing skiff, 10' inflatable with 9.8hp outboard |
| Passengers: | Inspected and certified by the US Coastguard for up to 35 passengers |
| Safety equipment: | automatic inflatable buoyant apparatus, Satellite Emergency Position Indicating Radar Beacon, life jackets for all passengers, boarding ladder, emergency strobe lights, automatic halon fire suppression system. |
| Navigation: | GPS, Loran, Fathometer, Radar, VHF radio |
History
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Spike Africa was built in 1977 by Bob Sloan of Newport Beach, California. Bob was known and respected throughout the world for his lifetime of experience on sailing vessels. His goal in building Spike Africa was to create the ultimate schooner. Since her launching, Spike Africa has been featured in major articles in every important yachting publication, and universally praised as one of the most beautiful schooners built in modern times. She combines the functional elegance of the 19th century coastal schooners with unobtrusive touches of modern luxury. Bob named the boat for Spike Africa, a seaman renowned as a living legend of the sea. Spike, the man, was renowned up and down the West Coast as President of the Pacific Ocean. Bob built Spike Africa as not only a yacht but a true working schooner,
which in every detail combines beauty and grace with sturdy seaworthiness.
It is this harmony of form and function that gives Spike Africa her
timeless elegance. |
In 1998 through 2000, Spike Africa's current owner took her through a complete refit. Many friends and long time admirers of Bob and Spike participated with world-class skills in wooden boat building, rigging, finishing, and mechanical systems. From keel to topmast, every part of the boat was renewed, replaced, or upgraded as required to bring her into Bristol condition. The goal of the restoration was to maintain the traditional character of every detail just as Bob Sloan envisioned. |
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Film and Advertising
Spike Africa has been
featured in film, TV, and advertising, including:
She continues to be available for selected film, TV, and advertising projects. |
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Call For More Info: 1-800-641-3195
Spike
Africa has served as support boat for some of the most important yacht
races, has won honors in her own racing career, and has starred in films
such as "Joe vs. the Volcano" with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, TV
shows including Baywatch and Hotel, and numerous national advertising
campaigns.