Mango Mama sold

Just a quick note to let anyone interested that we sold Mango Mama In February 2014 after a stint in the NE Taylor Boatyard. The bottom gelcoat was stripped, some minor repairs completed and barrier coat and bottom paint applied. Also, the rudder was pulled so the rudder shaft mount could be rebedded. With some other minor work, the total came to around $8,000. We're sad to see her go but it's past time to move on. I'm glad she will get the use and treatment she deserves. Bon voyage.

My Last Trip on Mango Mama

So many of my voyages have started with cold weather. It was mid-March in central Florida and the early morning 40° weather was not appreciated. The pilothouse offered some shelter but I had to keep the windows open because the condensation obscured my vision. A small heater would have helped a lot.

A mist rising from the warm spring fed Crystal River grew thick enough at one point that I stopped and drifted while I got the laptop navigation program going. With clear direction from Coastal Explorer, Mango Mama ventured slowly until we rounded the bend and the morning cleared abruptly. She retraced our course in reverse from a year ago but this time I would hand MM over to Whiteaker Yacht Sales in Palmetto.

This was my first time solo with Mango Mama. The only difficulty was preparing food and bathroom breaks. Out on the open Gulf I let her run ahead on autopilot while I took a few minutes as needed.

I planned to anchor behind Anclote Key. Early on, for some unknown reason, the navigation program estimated arrival around 9-10 that night. I pushed the engine up 3500 rpm to get the speed up to around 9 knots. I finally figured out a better estimate and dropped MM back to her sweet spot, 2600 rpm cruising around 7 knots with minimal smoke. Above 3000 rpm, these Volvos run inefficiently, wasting fuel and creating soot.

The rest of the day warmed up and was uneventful. A couple of dolphins came by but they seemed intent on food and had no time to play. When I neglected to dodge one crab pot float, the propeller crumbled it, but the Shaft Shark line cutter has not been challenged as far I know. Mama rolled a little on the part of the course parallel to the swell but she maintained her dignity and never got uncomfortable. My typical tall travel mug was fine today but tipped over a couple of times when we were waked on the next day.

Having made good time, we proceeded past Anclote Key and anchored in six feet of water just east of Honeymoon Island. Using the windlass clutch to lower the 88 pound Delta can be a little tense and noisy with the chain rattling over the gypsy but it’s easy to control (installing the two-way controller is one task I didn’t get to do). We settled down for a quiet night and watched the sunset over the island but it didn’t seem much like Honeymoon Island without my wife.

I woke at four for a quick trip to the head. It was cold so I cranked up the generator and turned on the heat pump before getting back under the covers. It was very comfortable when I had breakfast and fixed coffee later. I went over the charts for the ICW for the day’s run through Clearwater and St. Petersburg then across Tampa Bay and up the Manatee River.

The Lighthouse windlass made short work of retrieving the anchor. I let it drag at the water surface for a minute to wash most of the hard-pack mud away, and then seated it in the bow roller. We were underway. I lowered the mast and antennae before the first draw bridge to reduce our needed clearance to 16 feet. After the many delays experienced in my sailing days, it seemed strange to simply steam through the bridges without waiting for an opening.

Maneuvering the channels and avoiding other traffic took constant attention. The autopilot still did most of the work with occasional tweaks and switching to manual control when needed. There were the usual few inconsiderate skippers throwing huge wakes. I tried to angle across them when I could but there were some that rocked Mama pretty good. I spilled my coffee a couple times in the pilothouse but everything was fine down below.

The light chop crossing Tampa Bay was no trouble and only one course change was needed to avoid an outbound tanker. I had to watch the inbound current as it swept us up the Manatee River to stay out of the shallow spots. Ed Whiteaker met me at Regatta Pointe and there was a broker friend there who showed keen interest in Mango Mama. I’m getting pretty good at handling the single screw while backing into her new slip. The strong bow thruster really helps.

We had adjusted the lines and I was showing Ed around Mango Mama. This was the first time he’d seen her in person. He was impressed.

Then the light of my life arrived. I wasn’t aware of how much I had missed her. We’re off on another of our adventures. And Mango Mama is ready to help someone else find their adventure.

Mango Mama is for sale

We purchased Mango Mama for $109,000 in January 2011 with plans to live aboard and cruise Florida and the Bahamas. She was basically sound with low hours on the engine and generator. She needed updating and we knew she would take some work but the old world teak interior was still beautiful. After a lot of hard work and investment, we've enjoyed using her for a few local cruises and as a liveaboard, but no extended cruising. Health and finances dictate a different plan.

The list of features and upgrades is extensive. We've made Mango Mama an absolute joy to live aboard. Her full width cabin provides accommodations rivaled only by much larger and more costly boats. Her 9'3" x 10'6" salon with more than 6'4" headroom provides plenty of room for a built-in L-shaped sofa, two recliners, and an entertainment cabinet with room in the center for a large fold-out dining table. We use a smaller lift-top coffee table (original table in storage). Double doors open onto the spacious aft deck cockpit.

Forward a passageway and pass-thru window open onto the large, completely refurbished galley. New Silestone quartz countertops surround a large stainless sink with gooseneck brushed nickel pull-out faucet and a new Force 10 propane stove and oven. The quiet new Dometic Marine air conditioner with UV air purifier is tucked under the back corner of the counter for easy access. A sculptured bronze light fixture and a large capacity efficient Vitrifrigo AC/DC refrigerator/freexer finish off this wonderful galley.

The head just off the passageway also has been refurbished. New brushed nickel shower head and non-scalding valve were installed in the roomy shower. (The non-scalding valve became a top priority the first time Victoria turned on the cold water while I was in the shower.) The countertop is the same durable quartz and brushed nickel faucet but with a very nice china bowl. The heart of the head ;-) is the top-rated Raritan Elegance electric toilet. With a macerator in the head itself, all waste lines are 1" in size, minimizing the volume of flush water required. The flush is directed by a three-way valve to the holding tank or through the Raritan Purasan treatment system for direct discharge in most areas. The original stainless steel holding tank had developed pin-hole leaks so it was replaced with the heaviest top-rated plastic tank available. All waste lines were replaced and the new holding tank has never been used.

The center queen stateroom with lots of ventilation and beautiful teak woodwork is a delight. Numerous drawers, two large closets, and a vanity cabinet provide lots of storage with no musty odors. The four bronze portlights are fitted with frosted liners to ensure privacy at the dock. Manita (the manatee decoration) watches over us providing calm assurance at dock or at anchor.

Mechanically, Mango Mama is in great shape with less than 2200 hours on both the Volvo TMD31A 100 hp engine and the Westerbeke 8kw generator. Both were thoroughly checked out at the survey and the belts and hoses replaced to be on the safe side. Dual Racor filter elements and a separate fuel filtration system keeps the fuel clean in the 260 gallon tank. New AGM batteries provide plentiful no-maintenance DC power away from the dock including for the powerful bow thruster and windlass. The Lighthouse windlass easily handles the oversize Delta 88 main anchor.

Mango Mama's spacious aft cockpit is a great spot to enjoy sunsets in faraway places. And she is ready to go cruising at a moment's notice. The Krogen Manatee is well suited to coastal cruising and island hopping. She may be the ultimate boat for the rivers and canals of the Great Loop. We hope to receive reports from the new owners so we can enjoy cruising Mango Mama vicariously. She's currently in Crystal River, Florida, and we love to show her. One couple has been looking for a while and said she's the nicest Manatee they've seen. See the link for more photos and following posts for more details.
Mango Mama photos
Mango Mama is listed with Whiteaker Yacht Sales (whiteakeryachtsales.com).

Specifications

1987 Krogen 36 Manatee pilothouse trawler Mango Mama

• Hull ID CBK36071I787 (hull #71, built in September, 1987 by Krogen at Chien Hwa Boatworks)
• CG Documentation number 1051038
• LOA-36’4”, Beam-13’8”, LWL-34’, Draft-3’2”
• Bridge clearance - Mast up - 22', Pilothouse roof - 14', Considering davit and radar unit - 16'
• Disp. 23,000 lb
• Cruising speed - 7 knots (2600 rpm)
• Max speed - 9 knots (3500 rpm)
• Single stateroom center queen model
• 6’4” plus headroom
• Volvo 100hp TMD31A turbocharged diesel - approx. 2150 hours
• Westerbeke 8 kw generator - approx. 1950 hours
• Tanks: Water-300 gal, Fuel-260 gal, Holding-35 gal
• Current location - Palmetto, Florida (Regatta Pointe Marina)

Accommodations -
General -

• classic teak interior woodwork throughout
• four large sliding windows, heavy duty aluminum frame with tinted safety glass
• large salon and galley
• center queen stateroom
• new custom Roman-shade curtains
• Two-part Emron finish on deck, cabin and pilothouse
• Lots of storage and access to all spaces
• Headroom - 6'3" minimum (~7' in galley and head, 6'8" in shower)

Salon - 

• L-shaped settee with storage
• high-low adjustable table
• matching Lane recliners with microfiber
• side table
• entertainment cabinet
• large sliding windows port & starboard
• double doors open to aft deck
• floor hatches access to engine compartment

Galley - 

• Silestone quartz countertops
• propane range/oven
• large stainless steel sink
• brushed nickel gooseneck pull-out faucet
• AC/DC Vitrifrigo refrigerator
• bronze halogen light fixture
• sliding window
• teak drawers and cabinets
• storage bin
• pull-out trash bin
• floor hatches access to generator and mechanical space

Head - 

• Silestone quartz countertop with china sink
• brushed nickel fixtures
• Large separate shower stall with 6'-8" headroom
• scald-proof shower valve
• sliding window
• Raritan Marine Elegance electric toilet, fresh water flush 
• Raritan Purasan waste treatment system
• dutch door for ventilation

Stateroom - 

• center Queen size berth with Froli sleep support system
• two large hanging closets
• built-in bookcase and cabinet
• mirrored vanity cabinet
• four opening portlights with frosted privacy film
• large opening deck hatch
• four large drawers, numerous small drawers
• adjustable reading lights
• two bed lamps
• throw pillows
• Additional storage and access to bow thruster under berth
• Floor hatch to storage below

Pilothouse - 

• 360 degree visibility
• Fixed safety glass windshield with opening center window
• Sides and rear enclosed with sliding acrylic panels
• full height entry doors port and starboard
• wrap-around settee
• Adjustable pivoting captain's chair
• Ritchie HD-745 marine compass (new)
• Autohelm 6000/7000 autopilot
• adjustable ratio hydraulic steering
• depthfinder
• VHF radio
• standard Volvo engine gauges

Deck - 
Lower deck - 

• double doors from salon to aft lower cockpit
• teak decking and cap rail
• wooden deck furniture with upholstered cushions
• ladder to upper deck
• two bronze aft hawsepipes
• two stainless steel midship cleats
• teak flag staff
• aft coaming drop down boarding platform
• deck hatch access to steering gear and storage

Upper deck - 

• large walkaround upper deck with antiskid pattern
• surrounding stainless steel handrail and bowrail
• Canvas windscreen around rear portion of deck
• 12 vDC electric dinghy crane davit

heavy duty SS dinghy chocks

large bow anchor platform

two stainless steel anchor rollers

Stainless steel Lighthouse heavy duty 12 vDC windlass

Electric Dingy Davit System (easy to use)

Anchors - 88 lb Delta, large Danforth type, 35 lb CQR, 16 lb Danforth type stern anchor

8 mooring cleats (four forward, two midships, two aft)

mast with anchor and steaming lights (can be lowered)

Engine and propulsion -

• Volvo Penta TMD 31A-100 HP (2150 hours)
• Wesmar Bow Thruster (Rebuilt 2010)
• new dripless propeller shaft seal
• Shaft Shark propeller shaft line cutter
• Dual Racor Fuel Filter System (easy swap)
• Fuel Polishing System w/D-Bug unit & Racor 1000 Filter (3rd Back-up)
• Airaid brand high performance air filter
• Oil Change Pump
• Fresh Water backflushing set up for engine & generator
• Lots of spare parts

Plumbing - 

• two automatic electric bilge pumps
• Stainless Steel Water & Fuel Tanks
• Fresh-Water Pressure System
• new plumbing tubing througout
• new Shur-Flo 4 gpm fresh water pump
• Whole-house 8-stage water filter purifier
• Watermaker - SK Engineering DB-500
• Stainless steel hot water heater
• Raritan Marine Elegance electric freshwater toilet
• Purasan waste treatment system (approved for direct overboard discharge)
• new 35 gal Holding Tank (new, never used)
• Aluminum Propane Tanks (3)
• new MarineAir air conditioning system
• Dometic inline UV air purifier
• new ductwork throughout

Electrical - 

• 8 kW Westerbeke Generator (1950 hours)
• Heart Interface 2500 Inverter/Charger
• two 30 amp Shore Power Receptacles
• two new 30 amp 75 ft. shore power cables
• 40 amp Battery Charger
• AGM Batteries (new Mar 2012) - Main engine 8D, Two house 8D, Generator Group 31
• 110 Volt Double Receptacles (9)
• Galley and salon outlets protected with GFCI
• AC & DC (metal lined) Electrical Panel w/Circuit Breakers

Recent Upgrades 2011-2012

Fresh water plumbing -  

• All new freshwater tubing
• new Shur-Flo water pump
• 8-stage whole-house water filter
• brushed nickel fixtures
• gooseneck pull-out galley faucet
• scald-proof shower control
• large stainless galley sink
• white china lavatory sink
• ball check overboard shower drain

Waste system - 

• All new waste plumbing
• 35 gal heavy duty polyethylene holding tank (new, never used)
• Purasan waste treatment system (approved for direct discharge in most areas)
• Raritan Marine Elegance electric toilet with macerator
• three-way valve

Ventilation - 

• New Dometic MarineAir reverse cycle AC/heat unit
• all new ductwork
• Dometic in-duct UV air purifier

Windows - 

• new heavy duty aluminum frame, safety glass sliding windows with screens in salon, galley and head
• new gaskets for bronze portlights in stateroom
• rebedded stateroom hatch and fitted new gasket

Mechanical - 

• New dripless shaft seal
• new line cutter
• propeller trued and balanced
• new oversize high efficiency engine air filter
• drain pump for AC condensate

Anchoring - 

• New 88 lb Delta anchor
• new heavy duty anchor roller for Delta 88
• rebuilt anchor platform
• two new rodes (90 ft 5/16” HT chain, 200 ft ⅝” nylon rope)
• serviced windlass 
• existing 35 lb CQR and large Danforth type anchors
• Danforth stern anchor

Galley - 

• New Silestone quartz countertops (galley and head)
• new Force 10 Princess Euro propane range/oven
• new SS sink and brushed nickel faucet
• new Vitrifrigo refrigerator
• new sculptured bronze halogen light fixture
• roll-out trash bin

Electronics - 

• new Island Time wifi antenna
• solid state computer and entertainment system

Electrical - 

• Galley and salon outlets rewired and protected with GFI
• new AGM batteries (two house 8D, one engine 8D, one Group 31 for generator and windlass)
• Previous deficient wiring sorted out and corrected

Accommodations - 

• All new salon upholstery with new batted foam and fabric
• two matching Lane recliners with Microfiber fabric
• custom curtains in salon, galley, head
• frosted privacy film in stateroom portlights
• new lamps in salon and stateroom
• new overhead light in head
• beautiful wood dolphin carving in salon
• manatee wall decoration in salon and stateroom

Exterior trim - 

• All teak professionally stripped, sanded and varnished
• teak trim on upper deck and pilothouse painted with two-part finish closely matching teak finish for reduced maintenance (can be easily stripped to varnish if desired)
• new aft cockpit deck furniture and cushions
• sanded and sealed aft deck
• hull buffed
• deck, cabin, and pilothouse professionally painted with two-part Emron finish

Deficiencies

Mango Mama has two deficiencies that may be of concern to some. I am convinced that these problems need little if any repair. However, for those who want to make her perfect, they could take some investment.

UPDATE 2/19/14 - The hull blisters described below have been repaired. Several prospects were scared off because surveyors pronounced dire warnings. It turned out as I expected that the problem was superficial although one area did require more in-depth repair. Another surveyor who inspected the repair said he would do the same thing if he owned the boat and bottom job will probably out-live the next owner.

Mango Mama has superficial hull blisters which are cosmetic and not a structural concern. The bottom was previously peeled and barrier coated. For some inexplicable reason, it appears that a thin fiberglass layer was applied over the barrier coat. It's this thin fiberglass layer that is blistering. Below is a quote from the marine survey in December 2010. During this inspection, a number of blisters were lanced and the barrier coat below them was found intact.

During the time of wetted surface inspection vessel was sighted with surface blisters with approximately 30 blister sights per square foot noted in way of the wetted surface of the hull. Blisters were embryonic to ½” in diameter with some random larger blisters noted. No pattern or grouping of osmotic blisters were noted during inspection of the wetted surface. Blisters were evenly spread over the wetted surface. 
It appeared that the bottom wetted surface of the hull was previously peeled from the light water line down to the keel to address a previous blister problem. The blisters as sighted during this drydocking were surface type and seemed to be localized to the surface barrier coating applied during the previous blister repair. These surface blisters were not of the osmotic variety and were not into the laminates of the bottom wetted surface or the hull sides.

Complete repair would involve scraping or high pressure water spray to remove the thin fiberglass overlay. After a close inspection to ensure no further concerns, another barrier coat would be applied to ensure the bottom is properly sealed with bottom paint applied directly over the barrier coat. However, I don't believe this work is necessary. Normal hull maintenance is all that's required.

Mango Mama also has a problem with the pilothouse roof. From inside the pilothouse or from the deck outside, there is no visible indication. However, by climbing up a couple of the mast steps, you can see that the top of the roof has collapsed and rain will puddle in the center. This is a common problem with the construction of Krogen Manatees. One owner completely removed the upper skin and filler and rebuilt the roof which was a tremendous amount of work. Most owners take my approach; make sure the penetrations are well sealed and don't worry about it.

These are the kind of problems that may be encountered on an older yacht. However, with the gorgeous and roomy accommodations, excellent mechanical condition, and the upgraded systems, they will not be a deal-breaker for the right owners.