Dark Angel is a 2006 Fortuna Island Spirit 401. Designed and built in South Africa, all Island Spirit catamarans were delivered on their own bottom from Cape Town, and thereby undergoes a rigorous sea trial.
Island Spirits are an excellent offshore boat, boasting solid construction, simple, robuts systems with decent access, safe and efficient sailhandling, a roomy interior and good sailing performance.
A hard bimini covers the spacious cockpit and the raised helm offers excellent visibility over the low, sloped coach roof.
4 hatches provide plenty of airflow for the saloon
The bow sports a rugged cross-beam with divided trampolines, the soft on the feet kind. Unfortunately we are due for new ones. They are coming apart at the stitching. Any recommendations? The anchor hides in the centre, near the bridge-deck, keeping the weight back from the bow.
The windlass is a beast, but she’s treated gently. The chain locker is shallow, and presents a challenge when hauling up the anchor chain.
The solar array is worn out, but there’s plenty of room for replacement panels. We are in the market for them now. Probably need batteries too. What would you recommend?
Some cats have the traveler up on an arch over the cockpit, but the Dark Angel’s traveler runs across the coachroof, handy to the helm station.
The sidedecks are comfortably wide and easy to navigate, and the long, shallow transoms make it easy to board from the dinghy.
Her rounded hulls are pretty, but make climbing on and off of non-floating docks very challenging.
The cockpit is comfortable with plenty of areas to sit, lay out, and even sport a hammock.
The dinghy davit system is awful. The sheeves built on to the davit lift posts are too close to the post, so the davit lines chafe when raising, lowering and under way. That’s why we’ve installed a set up block and tackle below the sheeves. It’s a compromise.
Out on the bow, our trampolines allow lots of air flow, and our beanbag chairs are very comfortable and versatile
Inside, the galley is spacious and well laid out, with considerably more counterspace than most boats in this size range. The countertops are broken and the deteriorated paint is very hard to clean. We are looking for replacement options. Totalboat might have a solution for us.
Dark Angel has a rear-facing, stand-up navigation desk. This is not a layout we’d have chosen, but it’s simple. We rarely use the space for anything resembling navigation.
The settee is the heart of the living space aboard Dark Angel. Meals, Computers, Charts and drinks all vie for space on the table, and it’s pedastle has plenty of stowage. The comfortable overstuffed cushions hide more stowage, the 900+ ah battery bank and the a/c system. The battery bank is not meeting our needs, so we are in the market for good LiFePo upgrades.
The gaming and entertainment centre is not something you often see on a boat. Lisa – I was a gamer before we set sail, and I brought my gaming systems and favourite games with me. The power supply and video production computer take up lots of valuable space. Dave – No room for the 65″ tv we gave up, but we squeeze in one of the 32″ ultra HD Asus monitors that used to be part of my work station.
The guest hull used to have two bunks, one forward and one aft. The forward cabin wasn’t practical, with the water maker and water pump located underneath it. Transformed for stowage, this area now houses a 100L dometic freezer and much much more. The electric head and roomy standup shower divide the bunks.
The aft cabin is roomy and comfortable for our guests. Roomier than the owners cabin. Many Island Spirit 401 cats were built with the owners hull to port to take advantage of the extra space
The owners hull houses forward stowage for tools and parts ahead of a stand-up shower big enough for 3, or even 4 if they’re friendly enough. The full-size head is electric, and there’s a desk and seat to round out the ample stowage.
The owners bunk is a comfortable, cozy space. Upgraded mattresses, however, would not be amiss. The stern bunks both cover the Volvo MD2030 29hp engines and sail-drives.