Wauquiez Hood 38 MK II

Leave for the Bahamas tomorrow!

"Kepler" is a fine example of a Wauquiez Hood 38, built by french boatbuilder Henri Wauquiez in 1984 and designed by renowned America's Cup racer Ted Hood. This boat is turn-key ready for long-term cruising or crossing oceans and is fitted with all the necessary safety gear, Starlink communication, enough solar and battery capacity to keep you going without running a generator, and heavy weather sails and rigging. Kepler has just returned to port following a two-year cruise with her current owners and as such has had all systems continuously maintained for safety and functionality. She is comfortable, strong, and fast, and is ready to leave the dock right now. You will love putting the sails up and turning the engine off because she sails beautifully!

While the Wauquiez name is less known in the US, its a case of "if you know, you know" - and this boat often receives compliments from serious sailors. The hull design is sister ship to the Bristol 38, solidly built and very spacious belowdecks, with a more streamlined European-style deck design featuring wide side decks and a sleek line. This is a "big" 38 foot boat in terms of interior space, and as far as performance and comfort in moderate to heavy seas she is equal to or better than many of the well-known boats in 40-45 feet. Look up her specifications on sailboatdata and see for yourself. This is a centerboard boat drawing only 4'-10" with the board up - able to sneak into the best shallow anchorages. With the centerboard down, she has a 10' draft that improves upwind performance and speed.

The performance rig features a keel-stepped Selden mast which at just under 60' high is ICW bridge-friendly. She has a furling headsail and an inner forestay for flying a storm staysail to better balance the boat in high winds. The wire rigging is oversized with massive chainplate connections. Rigging was all new in 2015 with some replacements in 2021 and re-inspected in 2024 in preparation for offshore sailing. New dyneema running backstays counteract the staysail forces for additional stiffness in heavy weather and can be moved out of the way when not in use. The cockpit is comfortable behind a new dodger with opening middle panel for breeze, bimini with zip-off shade panels, and a full set of cockpit cushions. Wheel steering and Raymarine autopilot work well with the B&G electronics and the extremely reliable Perkins engine which has been regularly maintained.

Below, the companionway from the cockpit lands you with the galley to port and a private and comfortable cabin to starboard which is great as a seaberth. The galley has a functional layout with a 2 burner gas stove/oven, hot/cold freshwater and a saltwater tap, a large fridge and plenty of storage. The salon features a U-shaped settee to starboard and a deep straight settee to port which also serves as an excellent wide seaberth with a sturdy lee cloth for longer passages. All salon seating has new foam inserts, there are fans throughout, and air conditioning for when it gets really hot. The teak and holly floor, timber lining boards and plenty of light from the generous hatches make for a lovely space.

A dinghy and outboard engine are included. Other accessories onboard include a Honda generator and a folding bike for shore trips.

The current owners are very sad to be giving up this fantastic boat but family matters are calling them home. They hope she finds a new owner who is ready for their own amazing adventures aboard Kepler!

Equipment:
New antifouling May 2025.
Rigging: Wire rigging all new 2015, inspected and serviced 2021 and 2024 (in preparation for offshore sailing October 2024). Dyneema centerboard cable and dyneema lifelines. Spinnaker/whisker pole.
Sails: Fully battened main in excellent condition with slab reefing - 3 reefing points; 135 furling jib in good condition; hank-on storm staysail for inner forestay, multiple high aspect ratio headsails and spinnaker in very good condition.
Engine: Perkins 4.108 running smoothly, 4300 hrs. High output alternator.
Ground tackle: 25 Kg Rocna on 200 ft of chain, Lofrans Cayman windlass. Multiple spare anchors (bruce, danforth).
Canvas: new Mackpack lazy jack/sailbag system (2023), new dodger (2025), Bimini with shade connector, full cold weather enclosure, side shade panels, and cockpit cover for long storage.
Safety: 6 person offshore life raft (in-date), Rescueme EPIRB with AIS (new 2024)
Equipment: B&G electronics suite, Garmin chartplotter, Raymarine Autohelm, Radar, VHF, Starlink satellite internet
Tender: 2023 Suzuki 6hp 4-stroke engine (on dinghy engine davit mounted on transom), with Achilles air floor inflatable dinghy.
Freshwater system: 100 gallons fresh water tankage, Hot water heater, Hot/cold cockpit shower
Power generation: AGM batteries (400Ah) and 400w solar, all new in 2024, battery monitor.
Electrical: 30amp shore power and battery charger, 120 volt system with standard power outlets. LED lighting. 12V USB outlets in all cabins.
Blackwater system: Raritan manual head. Holding tank/pump out, or direct overboard, or overboard from tank via macerator
Webasto air conditioning.
Adler Barber refrigerator-freezer
Custom insect screens on all hatches and companionway.
Lots of spares.

Detailed maintenance log available on request.