And the adventure continues ! Gratis , a 48' Spray was custom built to a Bruce Roberts Design based on The famous "Spray" . She was named Gratis, "because the wind is free".
In 1890's Joshua Slocum was the first man to sail single handed around the world . He accomplished this feat in a boat he named the Spray . Her design dates back to the North Sea fishing boats in use as early as the 1700's According To the naval architect Bruce Roberts there are more than 4000 Spray sailing around the world They have travelled to the farthest reaches and returned safely .
Gratis is on her third around the world voyage a testament to her sturdy fibreglass construction. She was totally refitted over a 4 year period from 2008 to 2013 by an experienced marine professional.
Everything was replaced .She has new sails, rigging, engine, electrics, electronics, plumbing, and hydraulics.
She sailed from Australia in 2013 and followed in Slocum's wake: from Cocos Keeling across the Indian ocean to The Mascarenes then to South Africa, around Cape Agulhas, Cape of Good Hope and on to St Helana. the Caribbean, the Azores. Finally arriving in Europe at La Rochelle France in 2015 the mast was removed for her sojourn on the Canal du midi and were reattached for her journey across the Mediterranean to Italy, Albania and Greece. In 2016 the mast and sails went into storage and Gratis, with her shallow draft (1.5M), become a motorboat and has since travelled throughout the European inland waterways. Her exploits can be seen on the ships blog site.
The "Admiral" , The fabulous , Award-winning children's Author , Susea Spray, sailed on Gratis and her adventures aboard Gratis were the basis for her award-winning series, " The Big Blue Boat"
Gratis is now ready for her next Master.
Will Gratis carry you and your dreams to new far away shores ?
Came and see this amazing vessel for your self at Bankert Boating,Vlissingen the Netherlands.
You won't be disappointed, and you just might fall in love.