Shearwater Sailing: a Pandemic Dream Realized

In 2020, during the depths of the Covid pandemic disruption, Kevin Wasbauer wanted to make a change. After an early sailing and racing career in California, Europe and the Caribbean, Kevin had adopted a conventional job but was eager to return to the water. Encouraged by friends and family, he hatched a plan to create a new sailing charter business based on the West Coast, which would provide both local sailing trips on Monterey Bay as well as offshore adventures along the coast and across the Pacific Ocean.

Atalanta rainbow — But finding a suitable boat proved to be a challenge in California. Most boats fit for the type of charter service he envisioned were elsewhere in the world, and the cost and logistics of buying a boat and having it delivered from a faraway place were prohibitive. Then, by sheer luck and coincidence, he found Atalanta (or Atalanta found him) listed for sale in nearby Sausalito, and the rest is history.

Atalanta: the Rebirth of a Modern Classic Sailing Yacht.

In 1988, New Zealand’s storied McGaffin Brothers Boatyard was commissioned to build Design 154 from one of the world’s leading naval architecture firms, Farr Yacht Design. The design brief called for a strongly constructed yacht capable of sailing comfortably in high-latitudes, with an excellent turn of speed and a luxurious interior hand-crafted of Tawa, a prized New Zealand hardwood.

Upon completion, Atalanta was shipped to her new home in Annapolis. She then voyaged through the Caribbean, transited the Panama Canal, and sailed north to San Francisco Bay, where between trips to Mexico she occupied a prime slip in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club for the next 20 years.

Graceful model adorns the St. Francis Yacht Club

In 2020, Kevin acquired Atalanta and undertook a major restoration, upgrading and replacing nearly all of the boat’s systems: rigging, hydraulics, windows, canvas, electrical, lifelines, electronics, rudder bearing, steering systems and deck hardware.

At 38,000 pounds, Atalanta glides through the ocean without pounding, but is still significantly lighter and more nimble than many cruising yachts her size. She is right at home on Monterey Bay and is now the proud flagship of Shearwater Sailing, LLC.

Twin cockpits provide ample seating and dining options on deck.

Atalanta is equipped with all the amenities to make coastal and offshore sailing safe and comfortable, including a custom cockpit enclosure, leather upholstery, large fridge and freezer, suite of high-tech instruments, Fusion sound system, and 10 individual sea berths (including two doubles).