Friday November 29, 2013
While I’m normally thrilled to receive an email from our friends Luki and Elmari on s/v Skebenga, now that they’ve been gone from the Rio for a few weeks and have made their way all the way up to Isla Mujeres Mexico to meet family, I received an email today from Elmari that made my heart sink. Â Skebenga is going up for sale.
We knew their cruising adventures were coming to a close, that this summer’s crossing of the Atlantic would be their last big hop as they prepared to re-start their lives on land in South Africa. Â Their original intent had been to bring Skebenga to the Mediterranean and keep her in a marina in Greece, working during Africa’s summer months and then sailing during the Med’s. Â This made us very excited as we’re headed off to the Med and really wanted to cruise the ground with them, not only because of their intense knowledge of the area, but because they’re great people and we love spending time with them. Â But after some discussion on their part, they decided the best thing for them right now is to leave the cruising life behind. Â This makes us very, very sad. Â It is, however, very good news for you.
No offense to all the other boating friends we’ve met along our travels, but s/v Skebenga is the best cruising boat we’ve come across so far. Â And now, she’s up for grabs.
Skebenga is a 45′ steel hulled cutter rig designed by Dudley Dix and built by Luki himself, with the hull registered in 1998 and launched in 2006.  The engine is a Yanmar 75 hp diesel that has been kept in immaculate condition.  She also comes equipped with solar panels, 600 aH gel battery bank, SSB, and a HRO Watermaker.  Other extras include a windvane and an asymmetrical  spinnaker.  Listed at $180,000, trust me, this fully equipped cruising boat is a STEAL.
If you or anyone you know might be interested in a new cruising boat, definitely make sure to check into this more, I don’t think you’d be disappointed. Â Skebenga is currently en route to Florida with an arrival date in Mid February, but make sure to check out full specs and photos on their link on Yacht World.
*While I would not feel comfortable giving out Luki and Elmari’s contact information on behalf of them, I would be MORE than happy to pass your information on to them for anyone who is interested.
She’s a beauty. Hopefully they find a good owner for her.
SUCH a beautiful, well-designed, well-kept boat. It’s a steal!
Doesn’t it make you so sad though, Laurie? No more Luki and Elmari on the water. 🙁
Hello, Congratulations for you two for this nice and colorful blog. I would like to establish contact with Luki and Elmari of Skebenga as I am interested. My wife is Southafrican, we know Dudley Dix projects and as we live in Fort Lauderdale it won’t be a distant travel to drive to where they are now moored to visit and take a close look at Skebenga. Would you be so kind to send me their email address or mobile number? Thanks! Happy sailing!
Vincenzo
Vincenzo, thank you for your interest in Skebenga! I’m sure Luki and Elmari will be very happy to hear of anyone that is interested. What I’ll do is forward you email address onto them along with the information you have shared with me, and I’ll have them get right back to you.
Hi Jessica, I have been reading your blog for some time and came across this posting. Do you know if this boat is still available? If so, please connect me with the seller. thank you…and great blog! John
Hi John. Unfortunately for you, but good for our friends, Skebenga has been sold for about 9 months now. Sorry! 🙁
I live in Florida, and drive by several marinas on a regular basis. I’ve seen Skebenga sitting on the hard for years. I finally gave in and Googled the name, and it led me to this post. Makes me sad seeing her up on blocks, but I’m glad she got to see so much of the world first. The current owner does appear to be working on her, at least there’s a constant shifting of the arrangement of tarps over the deck.