Sailing Dream Maker


A Dream in Progress: Restoring Dream Maker

From a weathered hull to a Taíno-inspired voyager, follow the journey of Dream Maker.

Join the Journey

The Spark: Finding Dream Maker

In February, 2023, I found Dream Maker nearly forgotten in the back of a large boatyard, left for near dead for over twelve years 'on the hard', Dream Maker was a relic of potential. Her weathered hull whispered stories of adventures yet to be had. Now, she is in the process of a full restoration and modernization. Every system on her removed and replaced. Her diesel motor removed and replaced by an electric drive motor. Her rigging modernized and reconfigured to enhance her management by a small crew or even a single sailor.

The Journey So Far

Restoration Progress

The Hull (below the water line): 40% complete. 'Her bottom' is sanded down to bare glass. All of her thru-hulls have been replaced, with obsolete ones filled. Her bowthruster has been removed and the holes rebuilt with over 24 layers of new fiberglass. The next step will be painting four coats of barrier coat and three coats of bottom, ablative paint. Next: Deck rebuild.

Primed bow deck of the Sailing Dream Maker vessel

The Deck: 40% complete. The core on all of her topside decks was rotted. To restore her, the top layer of fiberglass was removed, a new foam layer was installed, and the top layer of glass was rebuilt. So far, the bow and both forward parts of the side decks are rebuilt, faired, and primed. Current work is on the aft side decks and the aft deck. These areas are currently being faired and will soon be primed, prepping for final paint.

The Cockpit: 10% complete. The cockpit and the space behind it, under the Mizzen boom, is being completely rebuilt. The forward shelves were re-cored, just like the decks, and are being prepared to support all lines and four new winches necessary to support single handing the vessel. The helm is being rebuilt to take up less space, providing more room for the crew's comfort. It will be fully outfitted with a brand new Garmin Chartplotter and sailing instruments. The cockpit seating is being reshaped and rebuilt to make better use of available space as well as increasing cockpit storage. Finally, behind the Mizzen mast, a table and benches are being installed, providing a deck-level dining area that was never present before the refit.

The Rigging: 10% complete. All the rigging has been taken down and put into storage. All standing and running rigging is being replaced. All electronics on the mast will be brand new, including an overhead camera system to provide security as well as support during docking adventures.

The Bilge: 60% complete. The bilge has been completely gutted and repainted. The three original black iron fuel tanks (all rusted through and unusable) have been replaced by two aluminum fuel tanks. Both water tanks have been removed and replaced with brand new plastic tanks. All new plumbing and electric has been or will be installed. Waiting to be installed are both a brand new 18KW Piccolo Generator, a 60KW Electric Motor and the Jet Thruster system, replacing the bow thrusters.

The Salon: 10% complete. Necessary for the replacement of the fuel and water tanks, the Salon's sole was torn out and will be replaced with new Teak and Holly flooring.

The Galley: 20% complete. To open the galley up and make better use of available space, the counter that separated the Galley and the Salon has been partially removed. The sink, stove, refrigerator and freezer have all been removed and will be replaced with modern equipment.

The Vision Ahead

Dream Maker will be a fully refitted 1981 Ta Chiao CT-54 ketch blending timeless teak elegance with cutting-edge technology, delivering power, precision, and luxury for any journey. She will be a 54-foot masterpiece featuring a striking white hull with dark blue trim and red boot stripe and tan canvas. Fully refitted from bow to stern, this cruiser will have a 57,000-pound displacement, full keel, will dazzle in St. Augustine, Florida, ready for coastal cruising, offshore passages, or refined liveaboard living.


Key Features


Hull & Deck:

  • Original wood-cored decks replaced with closed-cell foam – rot-free.
  • Light tan colored SeaDek with white trim on all horizontal surfaces – non-slip comfort and style.
  • New solid teak rails – timeless grip and beauty.
  • All new Lewmar Deck Hatches – premium, watertight hatches with modern styling, ensuring superior ventilation and easy access while maintaining a sleek deck profile.


    • Sail & Rigging:

  • New fir plank bowsprit with stainless steel fittings – a traditional, robust upgrade that extends the sail plan for enhanced performance while honoring the CT-54’s classic design.
  • Brand-new standing and running rigging – 2025-ready for years of service.
  • New Offshore Challenge Fastnet Dacron Sail Suite – Main, Mizzen, Genoa (135%), and Cutter (100%) sails, crafted for durability and UV resistance, ideal for offshore cruising.
  • New Storm Sail – a heavy-duty sail for extreme weather, ensuring safety and control in gale-force conditions.
  • New Asymmetrical Spinnaker – a lightweight, high-performance sail for downwind cruising, maximizing speed in light winds.
  • 100% new block and tackle – upgraded pulley systems for effortless sail handling.
  • New Schaefer 3100 Genoa Furler – large-diameter drum, Torlon® bearings
  • New Schaefer 2100 Inner Stay Furler – robust bearings


    • Hybrid Propulsion:

  • Electric Yacht QT-60 (60 kW, 48V) – silent 5–6 knots for 2–2.5 hours (~15–18 nm).
  • 48V propulsion bank (12 lithium 48V 96Ah, 55.3 kWh) – 50–52.5 kWh usable, bilge-mounted.
  • WhisperPower Piccolo 18 generator (15 kW) – 180-gallon tanks, 1,200 nm range at 5 knots.
  • 1,000W solar panels – 3.5–5 kWh/day, prioritized to propulsion.
  • Victron Quattro 48/10kVA charger/inverter – seamless power management.
  • New Stainless Steel Shaft – corrosion-resistant, precision-machined for optimal alignment and durability, paired with a new Cutless Bearing for smooth, vibration-free operation.
  • New Cutless Bearing – water-lubricated, brass-shelled bearing ensures reliable shaft support and reduced friction, enhancing propulsion efficiency.
  • New Pillow Bearing – provides intermediate support for the propeller shaft, reducing vibration and wear, especially critical for the CT-54’s longer shaft length.
  • New Lasdrop Dripless Shaft Seal – ensures a watertight seal with minimal maintenance, eliminating bilge water and extending shaft life with its durable, self-aligning design.


    • Maneuverability:

  • Jet Thruster 48V JT-90 Double (bow/stern, 180 kgf total) – precision docking, powered by propulsion bank.
  • Custom-built helm station with hydraulic steering powered by SeaStar HH5262-4 Rear Mount 2.4 Hydraulic Helm – smooth, efficient, no-feedback steering for ultimate control.


    • Anchoring System:

  • New Maxwell RC12 Windlass with 300’ of stainless steel 3/8" chain – fully automatic, robust, and reliable for secure anchoring in any conditions.
  • Rocna 55 Anchor (121 lbs) – renowned for its superior holding power, quick setting, and reliability in diverse seabeds, perfectly matched to the RC12 windlass and chain.


    • House Power:

  • 12V house bank (4 lithium 12V 330Ah in parallel, 15.8 kWh) – 1–3 days off-grid (200–500W loads).
  • Three Victron Orion-Tr Smart 48V-12V DC-DC Chargers – efficiently step down voltage from the 48V propulsion bank to charge the 12V house bank, with built-in Bluetooth for monitoring and configuration via the VictronConnect app, ensuring seamless power integration.
  • EmpirBus Digital Switching System – full DC voltage management (12V/48V), NMEA 2000-integrated.


    • Electronics:

  • Garmin GPSMAP 8616xsv – 16" chartplotter with sonar, Navionics+ charts.
  • Garmin Reactor™ 40 Hydraulic Corepack with SmartPump v2 & GHC™ 50 – advanced autopilot.
  • Garmin GMR Fantom™ 18x Dome Radar – 48 nm range, MotionScope.
  • Garmin GNX™ Wired Sail Pack 52 – wind, depth, speed instruments.
  • Garmin Panoptix™ PS51-TH – forward-looking sonar.
  • Garmin VHF 215 AIS™ Marine Radio – 25W, AIS receiver, DSC.


    • Connectivity:

  • Starlink Satellite Internet System – high-speed, low-latency internet (up to 220 Mbps download, 20–40 ms latency), enabling streaming, remote work, and navigation updates anywhere on Earth.


    • Lighting:

  • Lumitec PLI Lighting Systems throughout – advanced LED lighting with Power Line Instruction (PLI) technology, offering customizable control of brightness, color, and modes (e.g., dimming, strobing, color-changing) via the EmpirBus system, enhancing ambiance and functionality.


    • Audio System:

  • Garmin Fusion Audio System throughout – premium marine audio with Apollo Series stereos, speakers, and amplifiers, featuring Wi-Fi streaming, PartyBus™ networking, and Fusion-Link app control for a seamless, high-quality sound experience across multiple zones.


    • Interior/Exterior:

  • New teak and holly soles throughout – stunning, durable flooring elevates the cabin.
  • New stainless steel portlights – 7 on each side (14 total) and 4 on the transom (18 total) – providing watertight ventilation and abundant natural light.
  • New cabin windows – leak-free clarity.
  • Teak-rich interior paired with modern upgrades – classic warmth meets contemporary flair.
  • Climate Control: Three Dometic air conditioners – 10,000 BTU in forward staterooms, 16,000 BTU in saloon and galley, 10,000 BTU in aft stateroom – for year-round comfort.


    • Galley:

  • All-new appliances: Two Vitrifrigo Refrigerator/Freezers (e.g., Sea Steel series, ~1.8–2.1 cu ft each, stainless steel), one Vitrifrigo Drink Refrigerator (e.g., ~1.3 cu ft, stainless steel), and one Vitrifrigo Ice Machine – premium, energy-efficient solutions for onboard dining.
  • New Wallas 87D Convection Oven with 85DP Stove Top – diesel-powered, low-consumption, thermostat-controlled hot-air oven and stove, offering safe, flame-free cooking with silent exhaust.


    • Plumbing & Tankage:

  • Two independent water pressure systems: one for forward head and shower; one for aft head, shower, galley, and cockpit shower – reliable, redundant freshwater delivery.
  • Two Seaward Hot Water Heaters – a 6-gallon tank for the forward system and an 11-gallon tank for the aft system, providing ample hot water for showers, galley, and cockpit use, with stainless steel tanks and dual heating (electric and engine heat exchanger).
  • Two water tanks, 100 gallons each (total 200 gallons) – ample capacity for extended voyages.
  • New Spectra Newport 400 Reverse Osmosis Water Maker – produces 17 gallons/hour, ensuring unlimited freshwater on demand.
  • All new Marelon Thru-Hull Fittings and Marelon Seacocks – corrosion-resistant, non-metallic fittings and valves replace traditional bronze components, eliminating electrolysis risks and ensuring long-term reliability for all below-waterline systems.
  • Fuel: 180 gallons (diesel) – supports 1,200 nm hybrid range.


    • Specifications


  • LOA: 62 ft (with bowsprit) | LWL: 47 ft | Beam: 15 ft | Draft: 6 ft 6 in [Assumed typical]
  • Displacement: ~57,000 lbs (plus ~925–1,350 lbs net refit weight)
  • Fuel: 180 gallons (diesel) | Water: 200 gallons (two 100-gallon tanks) + Spectra Newport 400 Water Maker
  • Sail Area: ~1,200–1,400 sq ft (working sails) + Asymmetrical Spinnaker (~1,800–2,000 sq ft) | Hull Speed: 8–9 knots


    • Performance


  • Sailing: Cutter-ketch rig with new fir plank bowsprit, rigging, Offshore Challenge Fastnet Dacron sails (Main, Mizzen, Genoa 135%, Cutter 100%), a new Storm Sail for heavy weather, and a new Asymmetrical Spinnaker for light winds, paired with block and tackle, Schaefer 3100 Genoa Furler, and Schaefer 2100 Inner Stay Furler, delivers versatile performance—up to 8–9 knots in strong winds, with the spinnaker boosting speed to 10–11 knots downwind in light air.
  • Motoring: Silent electric power at 5–6 knots (~25–28 nm battery-only), hybrid range over 1,200 nm with generator. Solar extends electric range by 15–30 minutes daily.
  • Maneuvering: JT-90 thrusters (180 kgf) pivot this 57,000-pound ketch with ease in tight quarters, while the custom helm station with SeaStar HH5262-4 hydraulic steering ensures precise, effortless control.


    • Finally, when Dream Maker sails, she’ll carry Taíno-inspired carvings and start her world-wide journey through their ancestral waters

    Join the Dream Maker Journey