We have bought a Durbeck schooner D 46 in 2004. She was built in 1980 in Bradenton. We are now sailing in the Adriatic sea, Mediterranean.
Its true she is a heavily built ocean going cruising yacht. Everything is heavily dimensioned, but simple in handling.
Positives:
She is easy to sail for small crew (me and my wife). For a yacht with long keel, she is normally handled in marinas under engine, though we have no bowthruster.
The schooner rigg seems old fashioned, but is easy to handle for reefing at all courses !! The mechanic is simple for the 4
furlers and is outside the masts. With 140 squaremeters she makes her 7 kn at 4 beaufort (genua, fock, staysail, main. Additinal you use fisherman, genakker and gollywobbler.
At strong winds- like bora winds of 40-50 kn-we take away mainsail and genua and go easy sailing with a good standing fock and staysail. The deck stays nearly dry and we allways have a safe feeling.
She is nearly selfsteering, only with balanced sails. This is very impressive and was one of the very reason to buy her. Dont know if a ketch is similar.
The Durbeck is a traditional looking yacht and an eye catcher at sea and in the harbour. There is a lot of space on deck and under deck. Deck and interior is costum built, ánd in good quality of teak, mahagony, bronze and brass, you will not find today for a fair price.
The cockpit is not to large for 4 persons, but you can serve all sails from it.
Negatives
The electric equipment in deed was poor compared to european safety standard, and was nearly completely changed.
Thats my experience with our Durbeck AQUARIES.
http://www.aquaries-train.de
will follow soon
guenter