Layout
& Accomodations:
Sleeps 8 in 4 double cabins with 2 heads/showers.
There is 6’ plus headroom throughout.
Cabins:
Double berth cabins are placed 2 fore and 2 aft. Each double berth has its own
reading light, a large opening hatch overhead, 2 opening portlights and ample
storage and lockers. Port and starboard heads each have hot and cold pressure
water, basin, shower, Par toilet, fluorescent light, numerous cabinets/drawers
and large overhead hatch. Forward of each head is a large locker, starboard is
plumbed for a washing machine, port has an additional hanging locker.
Main Saloon:
The main saloon has a L-Shaped settee with under seat storage, Brazilian cedar
drop-leaf table with interior liquor locker and a floor to ceiling cabinet.
There is an all around view from the saloon with large heavy-duty Plexiglas
windows which custom-made exterior window coverings that block 75% of the sun
but not the view. The saloon is well ventilated with 4 opening portlights
facing bow and 1 large overhead hatch.
Navigation Station:
The navigation station is facing forward on bridgedeck with ample storage for
charts, table and a comfortable fixed swivel chair. In this area is the GPS,
SSB, VHF, battery state indicator, compass, electrical panel, multi outlets
for additional electronics with a remote control for the autopilot allowing
for easy inside steering.
Galley:
The galley is located in midships in the port hull. It has spacious Formica
counters, double S/S sink, pressurized hot/cold water, numerous cupboards and
drawers. Fluorescent lighting, 2-burner propane stove, Frigoboat
fridge/freezer, coldbox and a fire extinguisher. The galley has 2 opening
portlights and an overhead hatch.
Work Station:
This area is located midships in the starboard hull. It is very spacious with
2 Formica counters, numerous cabinets and lockers, fluorescent lighting and a
fire extinguisher. There is access to the electrical panel from this area.
Electronics
& Navigation:
B & G Autopilot,
B & G Compass,
ICOM 725 Ham/SSB,
Plastimo Compass,
APELCO VHF radio,
Magellan Nav 5000 GPS,
B & G Speed and Distance logs,
Mechanical
& Electrical:
12 Volt (DC) – 110 Volt (AC),
Nanni 2.5 KW generator,
3 x Batteries (480 amp-hours total),
2 x Siemens 55 Watt solar panels,
30 amp Alternator,
90 amp Smart Regulator,
Deck
& Hulls:
1 x Bruce anchor w/45’ chain & 150’ of rode,
1 x Fortress anchor w/50’ chain,
Bow pulpit with rails,
Side stanchions with lifelines,
Salt water wash down system,
Dinghy davits,
10’ AVON dinghy with 8 hp Yamaha O/B,
Lewmar 700 electric windlass,
Fenders and lines,
Navigation lights,
6 x Deck lockers,
2 x 20 lb. Propane tanks,
Swim ladder and steps on transom,
An after-swim shower on stbd. Transom,
Sails
& Rig:
Aluminum spar,
Stainless wire standing rigging,
Sailspar roller furling,
8 x Self-tailing Lewmar winches,
3 x Dacron Jeckells sails,
Full battened main of heavy duty 11oz. Cloth with FACNOR bat car system,
4 x Reefing points,
Sunbrella sail cover,
Roller furling genoa,
Cruising chute with douser,
Rotating Mast by Sailspar/UK,
Adjustable backstays,
Comments:
The hull is of GRP/divinycell vacuum bagged foam sandwich. All structural
bulkheads are of GRP foam sandwich. The furniture and saloon cabinets are of
GRP and Brazilian cedar with Brazilian cedar trim throughout. Floors are
beautifully finished Brazilian cedar and holly. The boat was engineered for
ocean cruising and is very strong and lightweight with flared hulls. Song Bird
sails well and is easily handled by two. Her windward ability is very good.
After launching in Southern Brazil (September 1995) she has had many 240 plus
mile days on the journey to Trinidad. Under motor she makes 6 plus knots and
with individual motor controls maneuvers well and turns sharply when required.
OWNER'S COMMENTS:
Songbird is a 40’ catamaran of a Derek Kelsall design.
She was built in southern Brazil (the state of Santa Caterina) and
launched in September of 1995. We
sailed her in Brazilian waters for several months, testing her systems and
learning the ropes of sailing such a fast vessel.
She got a real test right away as we sailed
from southern Brazil to Rio de Janiero against wind and current.
She managed very well indeed and tacked beautifully up the coast.
Once we turned the corner at Recife the wind and current became much
more favorable and we sailed on a lovely reach, calling in at numerous ports.
We departed from our last stop at Fortaleza,
Brazil on February 1, 1996 heading for Trinidad (just off the coast of
Venezuela) a distance of over 2300 miles.
Not wanting to have to adjust sails during this journey and unsure of
the weather, we proceeded with a single reef in the main, but the foresail
fully out. We screamed along –
240+ mile days were the usual. We
shot past the mouth of the Amazon, through the doldrums and in and out of
several squalls arriving at Chaguaramus, Trinidad on February 9th
in good shape and happy to see land.
Songbird sailed up and down the island chain
from the Virgin Islands to Trinidad. On numerous occasions we made 16+ knots.
But one of the real plusses to Songbird is her ability to sail in light
airs. While everyone else is
sitting about, Songbird is making progress.
Songbird rides nicely at anchor and her large
cockpit makes entertaining a pleasure. We
truly enjoyed our time with her, but are now a bit too old for this sort of
adventure and so have moved ashore.
Someone wishing a fast, comfortable ride will
find Songbird just the right boat.
