Cape George Refit
DECEMBER 2025 • ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND • CAPE GEORGE 36
December 7 marked the official start of the Annapolis-based refit and Golden Globe Race preparations for Stephen Wraith’s newly acquired Cape George 36—the same design Kirsten Neuschäfer raced to victory in the 2022 GGR.
This particular Cape George 36 is in truly remarkable condition. In fact, the vast majority of the preparation required under the GGR (often jokingly called the “Jaeger rules”) centers not on repairs or structural issues, but on carefully installing the right electronics—those allowed under the race rules.
Just a reminder: modern navigation electronics such as GPS chartplotters, weather routing, and real-time situational awareness tools are not allowed. The electronics we do install are primarily there so that commercial shipping and other vessels can see us, even though we cannot actively “see” them in the modern sense. Radar alarms may sound, but any real assessment of a developing situation still requires going on deck, scanning the horizon, and making judgment calls the old-fashioned way.
My initial punch list begins with the essentials:
A GGR-approved VHF radio
AIS
An EcoMax radar enhancer
A Furuno Weatherfax
ICOM SSB HF Radio
Of course, each system must be paired with the correct antennas to ensure reliable reception and transmission.
The boat already carries a Monitor windvane, and Stephen is leaning toward installing a second windvane—this time a Hydrovane—for redundancy. Given the realities of solo ocean racing, backup self-steering is never a luxury.
One notable design feature of the Cape George 36 is the butterfly hatch atop the coach roof. We are actively discussing its removal. Based on my experience with Spirit, I consider this type of hatch a potential safety hazard in a rollover. Eliminating weak points above deck level is a recurring theme in Golden Globe preparation.
Below decks, the work becomes more methodical and no less critical. A watertight bow bulkhead must be constructed. The bilge pump systems need to be carefully inspected and brought fully into compliance with GGR standards. Every hatch, door, and even the cabin sole must be positively secured so nothing can come loose or accidentally open in heavy weather or during a knockdown.
All of this is happening on a tight timeline. I’m juggling Stephen’s refit alongside preparation for my own race, with a hard deadline looming in mid-March. By then, I also need to complete my Safety at Sea certificate updates and renew my medical certification.
So yes—wish us luck. The clock is ticking, the to-do list is long, and the race is very much on to get Stephen’s Cape George 36 ready to take her place on the Golden Globe Race starting line.
