SunBird 25 and Sunbird 25 motor sailer Specifications

 

WHAT IS A SUNBIRD 25?

The SunBird 25 is a ballasted, trailable, swing centreboard yacht of medium displacement, designed as a comfortable, safe cruising yacht and a competitive racing yacht in trailable events. More than a larger version of the SunMaid 20, it has full headroom and an inboard engine, together with refrigeration and other accommodation improvements.

 

WHAT IS A SUNBIRD 25 MOTOR SAILER?

 

The original SunBird Motor Sailer is a ballasted, medium displacement yacht, designed for cruising under motor or sail. Fitted with a larger inboard engine, reduced sail area, wheel steering and no centreplate, it is a very comfortable, safe vessel for family outings. Now available only as a second-hand yacht, it has been replaced by a Mark ll version.

 

Specifications

Designer J B Brooke MRINA (NZ)

Australian Manufacturers C D and E M Hall (1977 - 1981); Bolwell Fibreglass (1981 - 1987); Eddie Scholtens (1987- )

Length Overall 7620 mm (25' 0")

Length Waterline 6858 mm (22' 6")

Beam 2490 mm (8' 2")

Draught - Plate up 510 mm (1' 8"); - Plate down 1220 mm (4' 0")

Displacement Minimum 1590 kg (3500 lb)

Ballast - In skeg 454 kg (1000 lb); - In hull 90 kg (200 lb)

Ballast Ratio 35%

Average Towed Mass 3000 kg (6610 lb)

Mast - Length 8765 mm (28" 9"); - Section KOD 110 mm X 70 mm

Boom - Length 3130 mm (10' 3"); - Section E 5308 (90 mm X 60 mm)

Rig 7/8

Headroom (in cabin) 1800 mm (6' 0")

Construction – Hull: Solid hand laid GRP; - Deck: Foam and Timber Sandwich GRP

Sail Plan

 

Features

  1. All glass mouldings are constructed in excess of Lloyd's requirements.

  2. Lead ballast poured and sealed internally in skeg.

  3. Ballast in skeg does not exert sailing strains on the centreplate or its casing.

  4. Galvanised 12 mm (1/2") steel plate is easily raised by the geared winch mounted under the galley unit.

  5. Yacht has large self-draining cockpit and self rights to AYF and JOG requirements with sails sheeted in and centreboard raised.

  6. Two large cockpit lockers are provided to accommodate loads of gear.

  7. Six full-sized berths are provided - two in the vee berth, two on the settee berth and two on the convertible six-seat dinette.

  8. Well planned galley area including 140 litre (5 cu ft) insulated refrigerator/icebox, gimballed methylated spirit stove, sink with water pump, adequate benchtop with chopping board, and plenty of cupboard space.

  9. Most Sunbirds are fitted with a 12 V direct expansion refrigeration unit, dispensing with the need for ice.

  10. 70 litre (15 gallon) flexible type water tank with deck filler.

  11. 55 litre (12 gallon) flexible type fuel tank with deck filler.

  12. Huge, self-draining, covered anchor well in foredeck will accommodate two 9 kg plough anchors, complete with chain and rope.

  13. Permanently installed marine type toilet system.

  14. Enclosed forward cabin.

  15. Yachts produced prior to Sail No 16 were fitted with a Petter 6 HP diesel engine with a variable pitch propellor. Later yachts were fitted with a Volvo Penta MD5B 7.5 HP diesel engine with MSB gearbox and shaft drive or with an optional 110S sail drive leg. Both Volvo units were fitted with a folding propellor.

  16. Twin 90 amp-hour battery system with change-over switch.

  17. Swing type aerofoil rudder blade operated by a positive locking device.

  18. Efficient, slab-type reefing of mainsail with provision for first and second reefs.

  19. Standing rigging includes forestay, backstay, cap shrouds, lower shrouds and inner forestay all made from 4 mm - 1 X 19 stainless steel wire.

  20. Adjustable backstay and inner forestay.

  21. Centreplate housing completely concealed beneath interior furniture.

  22. Barlow No 16 sheet winches and Barlow No 15 halliard winches.

  23. All halliards are led aft to the cockpit.

  24. Strong, anodised aluminium toe rail strengthens and protects yacht.

  25. Mainsheet traveller mounted on bridge deck at forward end of cockpit - does not cause obstruction to crew work in cockpit.

  26. Huge stowage areas below all bunks, galley unit and cockpit.

  27. Easy to clean full internal liner.

  28. Pushpit, pulpit and lifelines fitted as standard.

  29. Six -12 V cabin lights are fitted.

  30. Comfortable 125 mm bunk cushions.

Trailer

  1. Sunbirds up to Sail No 30 were supplied with a PASS galvanised tandem trailer. Later yachts were fitted with a Brooker 25 TSAT galvanised tandem trailer. Both trailers were fitted with heavy-duty equalising suspension and vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes on the forward axle.

  2. The trailers supplied were fitted with a 12:1 hand winch but an alternative electric winch (eg Powerwinch 912C) makes retrieval a great deal easier.

  3. The manufacturer's specification of the towing vehicle must be adequate for towing the combined mass of the SunBird, its trailer and all the extra gear carried on board. The connection between the trailer and the towing vehicle, including the vehicle towbar, the towball and any load distributing hitch, must have a specified load-bearing capacity at least equal to that of the towing vehicle. In addition, the RTA has issued new regulations for braking systems on all trailers carrying loads in excess of two tonnes.