Main saloon:

The main saloon is bright, with multiple deckhead and side windows. A large fold-out table has seating sufficient for 8 people all around. Plenty of food storage space and cupboards are provided. A CD player with connection points for phones (no Bluetooth) is provided.

Galley:

There is a large fridge. Whilst this is not a freezer, we have found that food stored in it has stayed frozen for a week. There is a double stainless steel sink, with both fresh and sea water taps. The Force 10 gimbled oven has a grill and 2-burner hob. A wide selection of utensils is provided.

Forecabin:

A large double berth with plenty of storage around.  (Unusually, Fidelio was built as the 3 cabin version, giving much more space in the forecabin.)

Aft cabins:

The two aft cabins each have a double berth: the port cabin has an additional single berth.

Washrooms:

There are two washrooms, each with wash-hand-basins and pull-out shower-heads served by pressured mixer taps. Hot water is supplied by the engine, or from shore power. (Note, there is only one toilet, and the washrooms are less spacious than on some boats.)

Heating:

A diesel-powered system keeps the aft cabins and saloon very warm.

Cockpit and steering position:

The binnacle is centrally positioned, with the chartplotter directly in front, and engine, bow-thruster and autopilot controls close to hand.

The wooden cockpit floor lifts to form a table with space for the whole crew to sit either side. A large bimini quickly unfolds, to extend over this area, with an extension (stored below) that extends the covered area across the whole cockpit.

Aft of this is a large transom with the dinghy hoisted above, and a fold-down bathing ladder (that can also act as a safe point for ‘man overboard’ recovery, should this be needed).

Sails:

Fidelio is equipped with a furling genoa: this will be new for the 2024 season.

The fully battened mainsail has lazyjacks for ease of stowage when lowering.

All lines for these sails lead aft, allowing them to be controlled from the cockpit (except the third reef of the mainsail). There are two two-speed winches each side, plus one each side on the coach-roof: these control mainsheet and its track on the starboard side, whilst on the port side, an electric-assist winch controls reefing lines, kicker and main halyard,

A staysail, allowing twin headsails to be set, and a storm jib are normally stored below. These sails are hanked onto the inner forestay, which itself is quickly set in place.

The large asymmetric spinnaker, launched from a snuffer tube, can be provided at extra cost of £100 per week (if not damaged by the previous crew!) for those crews confident in its use.

Unusually, there are mast steps extending to the height of the mast. A Walder Boom brake reduces the risk from uncontrolled gybes.

Dinghy and outboard:

The 4 person dinghy is a Caribe, a Venezualan make, from the time that Fidelio was sailed there: these hard-bottomed inflatable dinghies are known for their quality. The dinghy is stowed fully inflated, hanging from davits, and can be launched and recovered in seconds (though fitting the outboard takes a bit longer). The outboard is a 2hp Mariner.

Anchoring:

An electric windlass controls the main anchor, a 25kg CQR. A further 20kg CQR anchor is on board for use as a kedge anchor.

The inboard engine is a Volvo D2-50, new in 2023, with shaft drive to a MaxProp folding propellor. This comfortably gives 6 knots in calm water at about 1600 rpm.

The electrical system is supplied with charge from four sources: shore power, engine, wind turbine (Rutland 1200), and a bank of solar panels above the dinghy davits.

We find that (unlike on many boats) it’s not normally necessary to run the engine just to charge the batteries, not do we need to connect to shore power (although we do when it’s available): the wind and solar generators are generally sufficient, with use of the engine when manoeuvring giving additional charging.

There are 8 batteries on board, with total capacity of about 800 Ahr, with dedicated batteries for engine starting and the bow-thruster. The full bank of 5 service batteries can be switched to support engine starting should it be needed.

Whilst there are both 12V outlets and a 230V circuit, the latter only operates from shore power – but a 200W inverter also gives 230V, which is sufficient for charging laptops and tablets.

There are ample internal lights, along with the normal navigation lights: all lights are LED.

Electronics include a 10” (25cm) Garmin chartplotter, Garmin wind, log and depth instruments, Garmin radar, Vesper XB6000 Transponder (2-way AIS), Standard Horizon VHF with DCS, two handheld VHF radios (one with DCS), Raymarine autopilot, and a wholly separate (older) GPS receiver.

There is a Plastimo Olympic Compass at the binnacle.

Most electronics have been renewed or upgraded within the past 5 years.

Fidelio is coded by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to sail in category 2 waters (up to 60 Nautical Miles from ‘safe haven’) and is well equipped with safety gear for 8 persons. The most recent full assessment survey was carried out in 2023. A full list of the safety equipment that is carried on board to meet this standard (MGN Code of Practice 280) can be supplied on request.