Designed by Mike Pocock as a one-off for owner and experienced offshore cruising sailor, John Franklin in 1999, Al Shaheen was built in aluminum alloy and launched in 2001.
Since then, John and his wife Jenny have cruised her extensively around the Caribbean to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, sharing their experiences with other members of the Ocean Cruising Club of which John is Commodore.
The refit at Fox’s Marina & Boatyard has included removing original failed paint and fairing compounds over much of the hull and deckhouse superstructure; shot blasting bare aluminum; recoating, refairing and finishing with Awlgrip products. Deck surfaces will be finished with new ‘Treadmaster’ and a complete new teak caprail is being machined and fitted using some beautiful 6m lengths of quarter-sawn teak.
To read about Al Shaheen’s cruising adventures visit: www.alshaheen.co.uk