'Footloose Falcon' - Our much-loved and well-travelled Sunbird 32 is for sale.
Built by Sunbird Yachts in 1980 , we have owned her since 2009 and have cruised the Netherlands, Frisian Is, Baltic Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Aland, Finland and Estonia in her. Her previous (and only other) owner cruised South Coast, Brittany, Normandy, the Western Med and the Netherlands - so she knows her way about! She is a very well-found, schooner rigged reliable yacht.
'Footloose' is currently in inside storage (we have used European inside storage for the last 15 years - she's essentially been dry-sailed) at a wonderful boatyard in Harlingen in Friesland NL. She's ready to return either to our favourite Baltic regions (for which she has a fantastic stock of paper charts and guides) or return to the UK, the Mediterranean or better still do an Atlantic crossing!
We are in no great hurry to sell - we plan to explore the Netherlands over the next summer or two, but we will be looking for a new life for her as we spend more time ageing gracefully with our grandchildren, cycling and learning to surf!
For a flavour of her travels see one or two articles in the JR Mag over the years - the latest in Issue 96.
She was epoxy treated in 2009 when we bought her and shows no signs of osmosis. She has her original, well cared-for Bukh DV 20 ("probably the most reliable diesel in the world") and 25 gallon fuel tank. She has two Proctor masts which are easily stepped with a boatyard crane (we have often done them ourselves with Swedish free quayside mast cranes!) and standard flat Sunbird sails with aluminium battens. With that rig, we find her a joy to sail - we do prefer to sail rather than motor.
She is equipped with all the usual gear - a Spade 15kg main anchor (it has never dragged once!) SL windlass, Fortress anchor kedge, Delta spare anchor . She has a Walker Bay 8 hard dinghy either in davits or stowed upside down on deck for longer passages. Also a Zodiac Open Sea ISO liferaft and Navik Self steering (currently dismounted in favour of having the dinghy in davits). Electronics include Raymarine Log/depth, Standard Horizon DSC VHF and a Navman Chartplotter , now rather long in the tooth, it's served us well but we plan to replace it next summer probably with a Raymarine set. For colder climes we have a lovely Newport charcoal/wood burner in the main saloon. Heads is a Blakes Lavac Popular with a (required) holding tank. Lighting is predominately LED with an Aquamarine LED masthead light. Large SS water tank and Neptune cooker in gimbals.
'Footloose Falcon' was in winter quarters nr Stockholm on the day of Brexit (with paperwork to prove it) so she is qualified to stay in the EU for as long as she wants - unlike us with 90 days. Previously exported to Gibraltar by her RN previous owner she was and is VAT exempt should any new owner wish her to return to the UK - again we have the required paperwork.
A wonderful boat in great condition awaiting a new lease of life with a new owner(s) with a yearning to travel to the hidden watery corners of the world - please get in tough for more info. But ... we're not really looking for offers ....sorry!
Email: Gezrichards@yahoo.co.uk
Tel. 0044 7746458151
We live in God's Own Country - Wales!