Blue Turtle Cruising

BLUE TURTLE – 1974 DEFEVER PASSAGEMAKER 40

Blue Turtle was our first vessel and the perfect live aboard cruising trawler. A 1974 40′ DeFever Passagemaker trawler built in California by Jenson Marine, she had a single engine with bow and stern thrusters which made docking a breeze. With a full displacement hull and full keel, she handled seas very well. She was our full-time home for over 9 years and we actively cruised her to local anchorages, the Florida Keys and the Dry Tortugas.

trawler with Matanzas Bridge in the distance
Blue Turtle with Matanzas Bridge in the distance
With the wind dying down, we ventured into shore
Heading into shore on New Years Eve
image of 4 boats
Our flotilla of four: Knot Bad, Island Time, Blue Turtle (previously Down Time), and Slow-N-Down
Blue Turtle all lit up for Christmas
Always my favorite view
Blue Turtle with all the toys attached
Dinghy’ing to shore with a kayak in tow
New Pass
Blue Turtle at Looe Key
Blue Turtle anchored at Garden Key
Land Ho!
Blue Turtle

Specs

  • LOA: 40′
  • Beam: 13’8″
  • Draft: 4’0
  • Hull: Full displacement
  • Bridge Clearance: 19.5′
  • Cruising Speed: ~7 knots

Mechanical

  • Single diesel 185hp Perkins T6354 MGT
  • Onan diesel generator 7.5 MDJE
  • Electric operated bow thruster
  • Mechanical stern thruster

Tankage

  • 500 gallon fuel tanks (2 x 250)
  • 200-gallon water tanks
  • 10-gallon hot water heater
  • 40 gallon holding tank

Electrical

  • Xantrex Freedom 428 Inverter/Charger (New 2020)
  • Two (2) batteries for engine and bilge pumps.
  • Four (4) batteries for inverter
  • Other (1) battery for generator
  • Two (2) Mermaid AC units, 9000 BTU/12,000 BTU

Electronics

  • Garmin 2010C GPS map
  • Furano radar
  • Radios on upper and lower helm
  • Groove 52 HPn wifi booster antenna

Hull & Deck

  • Canvas bimini on bridge and aft deck
  • Console cover for bridge electronics
  • Lewmar ProFish 1000 Electric anchor windlass
  • 45lb Delta anchor, 110′ chain
  • St. Croix removable dinghy davits
  • Aft lazarette

Accomodations

  • Cabins: 2 (sleeps 4)
  • Heads: 2
  • Forward v-berth stateroom with guest head
  • Aft cabin stateroom with head and separate shower
  • Lower helm station

Galley

  • Stainless steel sink with hot/cold pressure water
  • 2 Two burner electric cooktop
  • Microwave oven
  • 8.1 cubic foot electric refrigerator/freezer