Dear sailing enthusiast,

As you know, we installed a brand-new engine this past winter. Over the past few months, we’ve thoroughly tested it in practice, and it works excellently! The sound is pleasant, and the lack of vibrations makes a huge difference. Moreover, the engine doesn’t smoke, so there’s no unpleasant smell, and – last but not least – the new engine is significantly more fuel-efficient. Fuel consumption has dropped from 7.5 liters per hour to just 2.5 liters per hour. Good for the environment and for our finances!

About our finances, unfortunately, we’ve also faced some financial setbacks. First, the costs were higher than expected, partly because we also improved fire safety during the engine replacement.* In addition, we made the boat even safer by making the aft bulkhead watertight, ensuring we meet the stricter regulations coming in the future. Second, last season in Norway didn’t always go as planned, as we had fewer bookings than expected. Finally, it became clear during the season that we need a new propeller.* And since we’re replacing it, we’re opting for quality and installing a folding propeller. The big advantage of this is 20% less drag, which translates into an extra knot of speed and even more sailing pleasure!

We may not be able to change the (economic) wind, but hopefully, we can adjust the sails. That’s why we hope you will join as a donor of Cherokee.

*See the Explanation below.

Crowdfunding

Many of you hold Cherokee dear and have been sailing with us for many years with great pleasure. Looking towards the future, we made great strides last year by installing a new engine and exploring new areas in the beautiful Norway. Cherokee now sails faster, more sustainably, and quieter than ever. By installing a folding propeller, we aim to continue these improvements, so we can offer you even more sailing pleasure next season.

For this, we could really use your help. The purchase of the folding propeller, lifting the boat, and installation will cost approximately €6,500 (with a small margin of error). To finance this, we hope for your support through our crowdfunding.

Reward

By financially supporting us, you will, of course, earn our eternal gratitude as a donor and help make our sailing trips even faster and better. But nothing comes for free, so as a ‘reward’ we offer the following:

Welcome Cherokee back to Rotterdam during the exclusive donors’ reception on October 5th in the historic Oude Haven. Admire and listen to the new engine and hear the new sailing stories from Norway and Scotland firsthand. If you donate €500 or more, you can join our exclusive day trip* from Rotterdam to the characteristic Maassluis, or vice versa. Experience Rotterdam from the water, marvel at the large ships, and sail with a cup of coffee in hand under the iconic Erasmus Bridge. Donate €1,000 or more, and join us for a weekend* sailing on the North Sea from Rotterdam to Scheveningen. Enjoy the sea breeze as we head out to sea and keep your eyes open for seals (and tankers)!

*Day trip and weekend for a small fee to ensure the donations can be fully used.

A word from Mechteld.

Ever since I stepped aboard my parents’ small cabin yacht at the age of six and was pushed off in an Optimist, I have been hooked on sailing.

After many years of sailing small open boats in Friesland, in 2022, I finally set sail on the open seas aboard Cherokee. What an amazing journey and experience! We crossed the Bay of Biscay, and I immediately felt at home with Jouke and the crew. That’s when I promised myself: every year, I will embark on an offshore sailing adventure, back to the water, the wind, and the elements. Sails up and gazing over the water – what a gift!

This year, I’m sailing from Stavanger to Edinburgh, and once again, it’s fantastic! Beautiful, picturesque harbors in Norway, and tomorrow morning, we set off for a 320-mile crossing. I’m once again impressed by Jouke’s knowledge, experience, and calmness. I’m learning so much about preparing for the passage and fully enjoying the wonderful life aboard Cherokee.

I’ve secretly already checked out next year’s program, and it’s going to be hard to choose!

I hope many sailing and Cherokee enthusiasts will join the crowdfunding. I’m definitely in, so maybe I’ll see you at the reception or on a future voyage!

Future outlook.

Of course, there are many beautiful sailing trips ahead in the coming years. We trust that we can once again build a healthy financial buffer (like before the COVID crisis). To make that happen, we have the following plans:

Our 2025 sailing schedule is already online and runs through mid-October;
In the winter of 2026, we’ll sail an extra season in the Canary Islands. In 2022, the revenue from this was enough to pay off all our COVID deficits!
In the summer of 2026, we’ll sail around the Azores again: a popular destination that fills up quickly. Make sure to book early!
In 2027, we’ll visit the Faroe Islands, among other places. This unique trip to this remote archipelago usually results in a fully booked season;
The website is faster, making us more easily found. The number of visitors has noticeably increased;
Our trips are being offered more broadly through several new websites in Germany and the U.K., as well as through two new travel providers.

Explanatory notes
*Note 1: The re-motorization was more expensive because we had to get a different, more costly gearbox and vibration damper. Additionally, with future regulations in mind, we installed fireproof materials throughout. We installed fireproof material in the engine room, stainless steel bulkhead fittings, a stainless steel seawater intake and seawater filter, and a duplex metal fuel filter instead of one with a sight glass. Finally, we made the aft bulkhead watertight to enhance safety.

*Note 2: Although it initially seemed that a new propeller wasn’t needed, during our spring test sail to England, the propeller rattled or made a humming noise while sailing. We thought we had resolved this problem by having a diver in Rotterdam tighten the propeller (under warranty). Upon inspection, the propeller was indeed loose. The rattling stopped, but unfortunately, the humming did not. To fix this, we would like to purchase a folding propeller, as the humming, especially on long crossings, can be quite irritating, particularly when trying to sleep in the aft cabin.