Discovery 55

The Discovery 55 requires little introduction - any seeking a mid-55s ocean cruising yacht will be well aware of their prowess. They struck a chord with many bluewater/offshore sailors with the easily managed sail plan, speedy & sea kindly Ron Holland hull, the raised deck saloon and of course the superb navigation area. We know this particular Discovery 55 very well having marketed the yacht previously and sold her to the current owners.

Construction

RCD Status: The yacht conforms with the essential safety requirements of Directive 94/25EC or RCDII (2013/53/EU as appropriate (Recreational Craft Directive) and is categorised A – “Ocean”

Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:

• White GRP construction to Lloyds and CE Category A Ocean.
• Two coats of isothalic gelcoat, non- pigmented below the waterline followed by a powder bound matt.
• Vinylester resin is used throughout the hull.
• 5 year guarantee against osmosis from build.
• Layup incorporates an end-grain balsa core and this is laid up under vacuum.
• Woven mat is used for optimum strength to weight ratio and this is further strengthened with a layer of woven Kevlar through the forward part of the hull.
• Stringers run the full length of the yacht incorporating engine beds and tank supports.
• There are 3 x watertight bulkheads. One behind the anchor locker, another aft of the forward lazarette and the third toward the main saloon.
• The hull is epoxy painted beneath the waterline with moulded boot top gelcoat and cavita line, now dark blue.
• Antfouling in grey.
• Hull and topside polished (2022), and fresh antifoul (2022). New anodes (2022).
• Deck in GRP with balsa core, with load bearing areas in marine ply with aluminium and with stainless steel backing plates where needed.
• Deck incorporates 2 x lockers in the transom, 2 x lazarette steps, self-draining gas locker, liferaft locker amidships, fold out bathing ladder, shower with hot and cold water.
• Weather deck, forward coachroof, cockpit seats, helmsman’s seat and Discovery hot tub with hot and cold fresh water plumbing, forward cockpit sole and transom steps, teak laid in quarter sawn teak with teak capping rail.
• The hull to deck join incorporates a raised flange from the bulwark which is bonded to the matching hull flange with epoxy bonding paste.
• All windows replaced with Houdini frameless windows, constructed of toughened safety glass.
• 7 x Lewmar opening ports in hull replaced 2018.
• Opening hatches in forward cabin, ullman cabin, forwards heads and shower, main saloon, master cabin and en-suite heads.

Keel & Rudder:

• Bolted lead fin keel on a deep GRP stub - creating a deep sump.
• Semi – balanced rudder on a partial skeg for improved maneuverability and responsiveness.
• Solid GRP stern tube.

Machinery

Engine & Gearboxes:

• Yanmar 4LHA-HTP 140hp 4 cylinder, turbo charged diesel engine with gearbox ratio of 2:1:1, serviced in annually.
• Engine room in lined with fire retardant insulation faced to avoid contamination. 
• Ventilation ducting is also sound insulated where required.
• 2 x Separ fuel filters.

Maintenance & Performance:

• Gearbox removed and fully serviced and refitted (2022), including new cone clutch, fwd gear, drive plate and Aquadrive CV unit.
• Turbo removed, serviced and refitted (2022).
• New heat sensor in engine cooling exhaust pipe (2022).

Propulsion & Steering:

• Engine is flexibly mounted with Aquadrive coupling and stainless steel shaft to cast bronze p bracket. Cutlass bearing (2011).
• Maxprop propeller and ropecutter (lubricated and cleaned 2022).
• Stainless steel sea chest reducing dramatically the number of through hull fittings.
• Steering greased and checked (2019).
• Tunnel Bowthruster, the propeller was replaced 2009, blades cleaned and serviced (2022).

Electrical Systems

Voltage Systems:

• 220v sockets throughout.
• All wiring is tinned, multi-strand marine cable.
• Heavy duty battery switches isolate all circuits apart from the independent bilge pump system. 

Battery Banks:

• Engine and generator start are charged by their own alternators. This provides secure back-up with 2 120amp hour separate batteries in gel, both systems at 12v replaced (2010).
• Additional engine battery added 2018.
• 4 x 260Ah 12v gel batteries manufactured by Leoch replaced in 2020. All batteries are secured against knockdown.

Battery Chargers:

• Charged the by a 100amp hour alternator on the engine or via the 2 x Victron battery charger delivering 120 amp hours of charge. This charges at 75 amp hours from the genset or shorepower. Victron Energie static invertor (2010).

Alternators:

• Dual alternators (12V and 24V).
• The main engine has a 55 amp hour alternator. There is an emergency link, which allows charging from either alternator.

Generator:

• 11 kw Onan generator in an acoustic hood, serviced in 2018.

Shore Power:

• 220v shore power conection and lead with RCD protection.
• 220v ring main and sockets throughout.

Other Electrical:

• There is a 24 to 12 v convertor for 12v use. 

Plumbing Systems

• Stern gland serviced and re-packed 2022.
• Salt-water pressure pump for deck wash fitted at anchor well. 15m of hose and hose gun.
• Salt-water deck wash with an outlet at the anchor well and at the hot tub. 
• All seacocks replaced 2022.

Fresh Water & Water Heating System:

• 50 litre calorifier with 220v immersion.

Watermaker:

• Seafresh watermaker – 90 litres per hour, removed and fully serviced 2022.

Bilge Pumps:

• Bilges are separated into 2 areas.
• The forward cabin has its own electric bilge pump; new float switch (2013).
• The main cabin drains via limber holes to a deep sump fitted with high output electric bilge pump which was replaced and updated in 2010/2012.
• There is also an electric bilge pump for the forward sail locker.
• All 3 pumps are fitted with automatic floats and 2 position switch.
• A manual bilge pump fitted with strum box can be operated from the cockpit.
• Bilge pumps and alarms checked (2015).

Tankage

Fuel:

• 3 x Diesel high-density polyethylene tanks with baffles and inspection hatches.
• Total capacity 1200 litres.
• Each tank has a drain point at the bottom to permit the removal of water or contaminants.
• The main fuel feed is then led to a Racor fuel filter and water separator.
• There are content gauges for all 3 tanks.
• All tanks emptied and cleaned out 2022.

Fresh Water:

• 2 x Fresh water food grade high density polyethylene tanks from Tec Tanks, fitted with inspection hatches and baffles. Tanks 1 and 2 are approximately 400 litres each.
• There are deck feeds for these and a rain water catching system and contents gauge.
• Tank senders replaced (2013).

Grey/Blackwater Holding Tanks:

• 2 x Blackwater tanks each of approximately 60 litres.
• Grey water holding tank of 170 litres above the keel sump with electric pump out.

Navigation Equipment

Navigation – on deck, all linked with NMEA 2000 backbone

• 3no. Raymarine i70s Multi Function displays (2022).
• Raymarine wind vane system (2022).
• Raymarine 9” Axiom Pro MFD Plotter (2018).
• Raymarine Quantum Radar (2018).

Navigation – below, all linked to NMEA 2000 backbone:

• Garmin 128 GPS.
• Furuno Navtex NX-300 receiver.
• Raymarine AIS 350/650 (2018).
• Evolution EV-1 and ACU Autopilot (2022) with Gyro Compass (2022).
• Raymarine AIS 100 splitter (2018).
• Raymarine 12” Axiom Pro MFD Plotter (2018).

Communication:

• Simrad RD68 25kw Multi-Channel VHF.
• Icom SSB with insulated back stay and earthing plate, new microphone (2022).
• Starboard antenna for Nautex/Iridium & GPS.
• New combined VHF/AIS aerial and in-mast cable installed 2020.

Domestic Equipment

• Drinks locker under pilot berth.
• Washer dryer.

Galley:

• Fridge/freezer serviced 2022.
• Garbage shute.
• 240v Microwave.

Heating & Ventilation:

• Electric fans fitted 2022.
• Full tropical air conditioning in reverse cycle.
• Eberspacher D10W hot water central heating system, totally refitted (2010) and serviced 2022.
• A selection of spares are included.
• Air-conditioning serviced 2022.
• OceanAir roller blinds fitted to windows in forecabin, pullman cabin, fwd heads, galley, master cabin and en-suite WC.

Entertainment:

• Fusion AV755 stereo FM radio/CD/ipod/bluetooth player (2018).
• Twin speakers in main saloon (2018) and twin water resistant speakers in the cockpit.

Lighting:

• LED bulbs in all cabin mini spot lights.
• LED 24v down lighters throughout yacht.

Accommodation

Summary of Accommodation:

• The interior is designed by Ken Freivokh.
• Cherry interior with clear lacquer finish and teak and holly soleboards in laminate throughout.
• Saloon upholstery renewed using Sunbrella material (2021).
• New carpets provided in forward cabins, saloon and master cabin 2019.
• Lee cloths throughout.

Description of layout from forwards:

V berth cabin with infill and ample lockers including high level lockers. Good ventilation and large hatch.

Port side upper and lower berth cabin again with good stowage and plenty of light.

Guest heads with Sananautica, electric heads, new plumbing and motor (2010), shower and basin with pump out, replaced in 2012, with Corian surfaces.

Door to main saloon with pilot berth for use at sea.

Main saloon raised seating area (reupholstered in 2021) with a table that allows space for 7 people to dine but which will fold down to coffee table size. It has a compass rose motif. This is a true deck saloon offering panoramic views. All saloon windows replaced 2022.

The raised navigator’s station gives excellent visibility. The chart table is full sized. There are provision of red and white lights in this area and a separate chart drawer under the pilot berth.

The galley has a double sink near the centreline of the yacht and the surfaces are in Corian. There are cherry fiddles and a separate foot operated fresh water pump with a large draining bin beside the sink so that washing up can be left to dry naturally. There are 2 opening ports in the coachroof for ventilation, an opening hatch overhead and a hatch into the cockpit. The deep freeze has a volume of 175 litres and the fridge has a capacity of 300 litres which is front opening with 2 doors, both are by Frigomatic. They were serviced in 2022 with new anodes fitted annually. The cooker is a gimballed Force 10 3 burner cooker with remote gas solenoid shut off valve and extractor fan above. Gas pipes replaced 2022.There is also a microwave. The galley sink has a macerator pump new in 2010.

A wet locker is situated at the aft end of the galley.

The owner’s cabin has a king size centreline double with split mattress (replaced 20121) and leecloths. There are extensive wardrobes and locker space as well as ample bookshelves. There is a central dressing table and a separate heads to starboard with electric Sananautico electric heads new pipework and motor 2010, basin, Corian surfaces and separate shower stall. The main engine room access is here. On the forward bulkhead is access to a full sized washer/dryer.

Deck Equipment

Rig:

• Selden white painted aluminium alloy masthead spar with twin swept back spreaders and B&R rig.
• All standing rigging replaced 2017 apart from outer forestay in 2022.
• Electric in-mast furling.
• Selden manual furlex system for both jibs.
• Selden hydraulic kicker with new ram (2012), all hydraulics refurbished (2021), twin pole Twistle rig system white painted, Firdell Blipper radar reflector also.
• Spinnaker halyard and boom light.
• All internal halyards replaced - genoa (2019), jib (2019) and mainsail (2019).
• Jib and genoa furling lines replaced with Harken blocks on bow (2019).
• Outhaul replaced 2022.
• Traveller line replaced 2021.
• Self-tacking staysail.
• Masthead VHF antennae and cable, new LED masthead tricolour installed 2018.
• Anchor lights, steaming and deck lights.
• Windex wind indicator.
• Standing rigging of 1 x 19 stainless steel wire.
• Forestay replaced (2022).
• 12mm Spectra running rigging, jackstay lines (replaced 2021), Sheets in braid.
• Vang re-gassed and serviced (2020).
• Rigging report and inspection (2022).

Winches:

• 1 x Andersen Mainsheet 48st electric.
• 2 x Andersen 64 ECST primaries electric.
• 1 x Andersen 48 ECST main halyard, and self-tacking sheet electric.
• 1 x Andersen 44 CST headsail halyards.
• All winches serviced in 2022.

Sails:

• Kemp Vectran Mainsail (20 Nov 2019).
• Kemp Vectran genoa (2018).
• Kemp Vectran self-tacking jib (2018).
• Hood Terylene Cruising Shute with squeezer (2003), almost unused.
• Anchoring delta staysail fixes to rear of boom (2021)

Note: headsails removed, washed and serviced by Owen Sails (2020.

General:

• Side bathing ladder and mounts.
• Varnished fixed cockpit table with storage internally.
• Teak grating in aft of cockpit in way of helm.
• The standard Discovery hot tub is plumbed for use.
• Starboard antennae mast for FB250, 2 x GPS antennas and Navtex antennae.
• All stainless steel fabrications in 316 marine grade stainless steel mirror polished (polished 2014).
• Stern rail extends well forward with opening gate to transom.
• Gin and tonic seats on pushpit, and Dolphin seats on pulpit.
• Opening gates port and starboard with high stainless steel stanchions 715 mm set in gunwales.
• Double stainless steel guardwires.
• Stainless steel guard rails over all dorade boxes and grab handles along deck saloon roof.
• 2 x 6Kg gas bottles in deck gas locker and 1 x 6Kg spare bottle in pot lazarette.
• Detachable light weight folding carbon fibre passerelle.

Anchoring & Mooring Equipment:

• Lewmar Ocean 3 vertical capstan windlass with remote control with 2 way control switch.
• New gypsy (2020).
• The main roller is set forward with an oversize delrin roller for a perfect fit for the chain.
• There is a second roller to port. 
• Spade anchor (2018) self-stowing, with 100m calibrated galvanised chain (2020).
• Facility for stern anchoring, and Fortress FX55 kedge anchor with 4 metres chain and 50m octoplait nylon warp.
• 6 x Mooring cleats.
• New large volume fenders 2019.
• New black mooring lines 2020.

Covers, Canvas & Cushions:

• New sprayhood, mast foot cover, table cover and helm cover (2019), outboard cover (2022), all in Sunbrella Taupe colour.
• New bimini (2022).
• Original sprayhood retained on boat for winter use.
• New winter cover for cockpit area (2018), also in Sunbrella Taupe colour.
• New boom top sun cover to protect saloon area from sunshine (2022).
• New cockpit cushions in Sunbrella material (2021).

Tender & Outboard:

• 150kg manual Whittal stainless steel davits – part new internals installed, including top hats, and serviced (2016).
• Pad for outboard on pushpit.
• Nova lift crane.
• Outboard holder.

Safety Equipment:

• 3 x Stainless steel U-bolts in cockpit for safety harness attachment.
• New white hard case Ocean Safety 6-man liferaft (2018) serviced by Ocean Safety 2022.
• New Jonbouy 2022.

Fire-Fighting Equipment:

• Fire blanket adjacent to companionway.
• Smoke detectors fitted as per Discovery Yachts advisory note (2014).
• New fire extinguishers fitted 2022, including gas in engine room.

Disclaimer

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.