Canadian Yachting February 2022 - 18

FEATURE: NORTH PACIFIC 40
ADAPTING A YACHT FOR
ACCESSIBILITY
A
AND LONG-DISTANCE CRUISING
By | Marianne Scott
fter arriving at Sidney's Cedar
Grove Marina, I asked a boater
if he could point me to the yacht
Wolastoq, which seemed hidden in a sea
of boats. " Sure, " he pointed, " she's over
there, the nicest boat in the marina. "
Indeed, Wolastoq is a well-proportioned,
roomy, goodlooking yacht. I was welcomed
aboard by owners Scott and Jane
Young, who'd just returned from a fivemonth
journey exploring BC's coastline.
They'd hoped to travel to Alaska's Glacier
Bay National Park, but Covid restrictions
kept them south of the U.S. border.
The Youngs had taken possession of
their North Pacific 44 wide-body, trawler-type
sedan in the spring of 2021 after it
was delivered to Vancouver. " After flying
to BC, we took a month to commission
her while cruising the Gulf Islands and
fixing any defects, " said Scott.
Their extensive coastal voyage had
been a longish shake-down cruise. The
couple, who live in Fredericton, New
Brunswick, had searched for a new yacht
that could take them on coastal and river
voyages for years to come, and could also
meet specific requirements-the yacht
had to be accessible for Jane, who has
multiple sclerosis. This neurological disease
has many guises but usually impairs
mobility and stability. Jane has lost some
control of her legs and feet.
The pair has long experience cruising
and were determined to find a boat that
would allow them to extend their boating
life to the maximum. To meet the goal of
taking longer voyages, Jane retired from
her position as executive director of the
New Brunswick Automobile Dealers
Association last February. Scott, whose
little finger wears the " iron ring " bestowed
on Canadian engineers when graduating
from university, is a stakeholder in a
company that designs and builds industrial
wastewater facilities, such as food
and paper processors. He works part-time
from the yacht and from home.
18 CANADIAN YACHTING | FEBRUARY 2022
" We spent time seeking out the right
boat builder, " said Scott. " They had to
construct a quality yacht, of course, but
they also had to be willing to undertake
the customization we needed. We chose
North Pacific Yachts because of the layout,
large windows, fine teak finishing
and traditional teak-and-holly soles, but
most of all, builder [and co-owner] Trevor
Brice appeared to be the most flexible and
responsive to requests for modifications. "
They chose the 44-footer (45'10 "
LOA), with its 13'8 " beam and 4'6 " draft.
It was designed by naval architect Andrea
Viacava, who draws all of North Pacific's
yachts. Wolastoq has only one outside
covered walkway, on starboard, which
results in a wider salon. " Does that mean
you always seek out a starboard tie? " I
asked. " Yes, " said Scott, " but we added
a door on port so we can exit the yacht
that way too. Still, with our bow and stern
thrusters, we can usually tie to starboard. "
Scott regretted that Covid restrictions
Canadian Yachting February 2022

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