- Cruising Speed: 8 kn
- Maximum Speed: 10 kn
- Beam: 18' 1''
- Hull Material: Aluminum
- Max Draft: 9' 6''
- Displacement: 156,528.21 lb
- Fuel Tank: 4 x 2300|gallon
- Fresh Water: 2 x 1750|gallon
- Heads: 3
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FIREBIRD, named after the Firebird Opera by Stravinsky, was built as a classic world cruising yacht with exceptional Palmer Johnson pedigree. At the time of her launch in 1968, FIREBIRD was the largest aluminum sailing yacht in the world. She boasts an impressive record of three circumnavigations, including voyages to the Antarctic and Arctic regions. FIREBIRD offers easy handling with roller furling sails and a deep keel for stability. In 2007, her mast was removed and inspected, and a full service of components and furlers was performed.
This Palmer Johnson 84 Ketch started her refit program in 2006 that continued for several years. This over $1 million refit included new sections of the hull, extensive fairing, an incredible full interior refresh that revolutionized the yacht. The craftsmanship demonstrated on her teak interior is a work of art that isn’t seen on yachts in this day and age. FIREBIRD is a beautiful example of tradition combined with a modern elegance that will amaze guests as they take the time to admire the intricate detailing.
Stepping down from the center cockpit is the pilothouse and navigation table in a protected setting. Opening portholes and a semi-circular sofa make this a dry, safe haven should you find yourself in inclement conditions. Stepping down further, you will enter the stunning main salon and galley. The open-concept design allows guests to move about easily and enjoy conversation from any area of the salon. The teak detailing done by Teak Timber Phuket is conspicuous, adorning every corner of the interior. There are two seating areas, with the portside area convertible to a daybed/sea berth. Forward of the salon is a guest cabin, and further forward is crew accommodations.
FIREBIRD’s versatile guest accommodation layout allows for up to nine total guests when the salon daybed is used. The master suite features a queen-size bed and is accessed via a private staircase. The master suite opens to the aft leisure cockpit, which acts as a private space for guests to enjoy. The port guest stateroom contains two single bunks and plenty of storage space. Forward is the crew accommodations, which feature three berths, a double and two singles. En-suite bathrooms accompany each cabin, ensuring guests maintain privacy during their time onboard.
The Palmer Johnson’s exterior design is purposeful, classic and elegant. She showcases a gently rising sheerline, high bow and canoe stern typical of a real ocean-going yacht. FIREBIRD will turn heads at any marina, welcoming onlookers to admire her expertly constructed exterior. The yacht’s pure and straightforward decks ensure an uncluttered atmosphere. Her center cockpit is deep and well-protected and is a safe space to be in while underway. The leisure cockpit aft is a lovely area with wrap-around seating that follows the shape of the canoe stern. Guests can enjoy the alfresco lifestyle and watch the passing scenery of the cruising grounds. The extended hardtop from the pilothouse and the awning over the aft leisure cockpit offer shade when underway. At anchor, two more awnings create a huge shaded fore- and aft- deck with space for lounge chairs and a hammock.
Denison Yachting is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Lee Marine International Brokerage (Thailand).
Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice. She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a specific yacht for sale.
• GM 8V-71 Main Engine 320HP (Major overhaul 2002 and under over haul currently )
• Main engine water lift exhaust system
• Automatic Kidde CO2 fire control system
• Watermaker
• Hundested feathering Propeller 38”
• Cruisair reverse cycle air-conditionner (36000 Btu – Engine Room) requières service
• Cruisair reverse cycle air-conditionner (12000 Btu – Master Stateroom) requiers service
• Fuel transfer pump
• Macerator sump pump (grey and black water)
• Shore cord isolation transformer
• Zinc Saver II galvanic isolator
• Algae X and Racor 900 diesel fuel cleaner system
• 4 Racor fuel filter/water separators with vacuum gauges
• S/S Seaward hot water heater
• Port and starboard intake and exhaust blowers
• 2 Rule 3700 submersible bilge pumps (3700GPH)
• Emergency Jabsco bilge pump – main engine driven with clutch
• Rule shower sump for master stateroom
• Freezer & fridge
• 2 x Gas cook tops ( total 4 burners) with Extractor fans over cook tops
• Double stainless steel sink with mixer
• Gas solenoid
• GPO
• Electrolux microwave
• Wine rack
• All fuel and water tanks are integral with the hull from forward to aft. The tanks are coated with
Devoe marine epoxy tank coating.
• Foremost under galley and saloon sole - port and starboard WATER tanks – 800 gallons each, totaling
1600 gallons.
• Next aft under saloon sole - port and starboard FUEL tanks– 550 gallons each, totaling 1100 gallons.
• Next aft - port grey-water tank, starboard – black-water tank – 300 gallons each.
• Next aft in engine room - port and starboard wing FUEL tanks – 600 gallons each, totaling 1200
gallons.
• Next aft under master stateroom sole - single central water tank– 150 gallons.
• Firebird has a versatile guest/crew accommodation layout. It is possible to accommodate 10 pax if the salon day bed is used.
• 4 Guests in the Forward Guest/Crew Stateroom 1 double + 2 singles)
• 2 Starboard Stateroom (double)
• 2 Guests in the Aft master Stateroom (double)
• Dinner table teak
• Settee U shape for 6
• Teak holly sole
• Samsung flat screen TV
• Leather double day bed
• 3 ports holes
• Decorative timber fit out
• Double bar stool to breakfast bar
• Cast Iron pot belly stove / file place
• Under floor storage
• Access to tankage
• 12V LED lighting
• Mast removed and inspected in Australia in 2007 full servicing of components and furlers.
• Sail age is said to be 2002. There are always furled so in reasonable shape.
• There are various storm sails and an asymmetric kite in a sock.
• Some rigging has been replaced in Phuket
• Masts are all alloy and totally overbuilt for their purpose.
FIREBIRD REBUILDS and MAINTENANCE:
2005/2006 Oz rebuild extent - Oz was a full rebuild including sections of the hull and complete fairing. You can see Ribs and structure from the photos. Thailand rebuild was mainly the teak interior.
Phuket refit by me was new systems.
1. 2017 Detroit Diesel - this was a partial rebuild onboard the boat by C&C, the top mechanic for DD in phuket, it included new piston liners, pistons, rods and bearings and fuel injectors. This engine is reliable but very old, loud and is cosmetically ugly; needs sandblasting and repainting.
2.A new Kohler 17kw genset with Decision Maker logic was installed in 2018 also by C&C replacing the Northern Lights
3.A conversion to Raymarine electronics including depth, wind, AIS, radar was done in 2018 by Octopus Electric. Engine sensors fed through an engine room Albacombi box into the Raymarine network..
4.Ethernet installed for smart TVs. (current TVs are old standard low res and should be replaced)
5.Central Aircon was fitted 2017 by Siam Cooling. Regarding insulation, the main Salon could probably use more in the ceiling, there is pink foam 1" insulation in various places. There is padding on engine room bulkheads.
6.Sun covers for forward and aft deck by Canvas Creations
7.A Firepro suppression system was installed in the engine room 2019
8.In 2018 more systems were upgraded during haulout by C&C including:
a. all propshaft and rudder bearings replaced
b. new stuffing box installed with extra seals
c. Hundesteadt prop featherning aft section taken apart and rebuilt
d. bottom paint
9.Windlass motor rewound and new bearings 2018
10.New Victron inverter and supporting systems 2019 by Octopus. 4g wifi installed for remote monitoring
11.LiFePO main batteries 360Ah@12V and 2 solar panels installed 2020 by Octopus
12.Systems replaced in general course of maintenance include:
a. Freshwater pumps 2023
b. Aft head converted to fresh water
c. Start batteries and charger
d. Galley bilge and Anchor well sump installed
e. Eng room aux bilge switch (solid state)
f. New headsail 2020
g. various impellors including main engine, Kohler genset, and tender Yamaha
The "todo" list includes plumbing the fwd head and shower which will require a haulout and a new thru hull. The masts need painting. Rigging is undated, has no known issues but could be updated. There is a small leak in the port exhaust baffle tank. A new step for deck bathtub and new teak handles for the starboard lazarette have been made but not yet installed. The microwave oven is not functioning and the watermaker should be replaced.
Dec 2018 Haulout notes
The rudder hangs from a thrust bearing at the top of the post. A special pin wrench was used to open this bearing cover. There are 2 Duramax cutlass bearings, one in the base cut to size and the other where the post enters the hull. There is also a packing gland below the thrust bearing. The bearings are epoxied in and need to be removed with a chisel.
The Internal part of the stern tube was replaced, a new Duramax bearing installed there and a new TidesMarine stuffing box was installed. This box uses water from the engine for cooling and has a seal carrier with 2 extra seals. The Aluminium flange where the propshaft enters the engine room was removed and replaced. A second Duramax bearing was installed inside this flange.
The propshaft was coated with stainless steel using a heat process at the stuffing box location. It was greased at the nipple. A new Duramax bearing at the propshaft exit was installed.
The propeller was removed, disassembled and reinstalled, packed with grease. It is attached to an internal shaft inside the main propshaft and screws out of the Hundestedt connection. There are several bearings inside. New bolts were used for the clamp that attached the propshaft to the Hundestedt
A new Raymarine electronics system was installed: autopilot, plotter, 2 displays, and radar; rudder angle, wind and depth transducers. An Albacombi unit was configured for the engine sensors. The analog engine sensors were decommissioned as the grounding interferes with the Albacombi.
A FIREPRO fire suppression system was installed in the engine room
A new thru-hull in fwd storage compartment above the waterline as installed for bilge pump/crew shower drain
The mizzen sheet winch was disassembled, greased and reinstalled.
A shackle for storm job clew was installed forward under job furler
New blocks and halyards for ascending masts were installed
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