Sailing Yacht Mystic 55 1999

S/Y Surprise is a timeless classic that will take you anywhere!
She was originally built as a luxury cruising yacht for a family with two separate areas.
An owner aft cabin and two guest cabins in front, enabling the two cabins to be converted in a few minutes to a single stateroom. Accommodates 6/7 persons in 3 cabins & saloon.
She has always been exceptionally maintained.
 Additional pictures available upon request!
Owners Comments:
This boat is a joy to sail, particularly upwind where she performs like a Swan of her vintage. With her lightweight epoxy construction, generous but easily reefable rig, carbon mast, deep keel, and excellent sails, she is remarkably quick in all wind conditions and a fine sea boat. The sail plan and deck layout are designed for two to handle her with ease or single-handed, including reefing, while retaining excellent performance. A key design feature is the self- tacking roller Solent jib for windward sailing, or fast reaching when led to the rail; it also will furl to storm jib size. The outer furler has a 150% genoa that will drive the boat surprisingly well in light to moderate air upwind or off the wind. With this arrangement the boat can be easily handled in all sensible wind conditions - including the fun of short tacking into a harbor single-handed. All key sail-handling lines lead to electric winches in the cockpit: main halyard, first two reefs, jib sheet and both furling lines. The hull design has also been carefully thought through. She has low wetted surface in light air, increasing waterline length as she heels, and best of all for a cruiser, has balanced hull lines so she does not round up in the puffs, easing the work for helm and autopilot. SURPRIZE was beautifully built by West and Bowman, essentially as a custom build, and it shows in all her details. I have owned her since 2001 and she has carried us around the English south coast, to Spain and Menorca, and for the last 18 years has been in Croatia ranging out to the Aegean and the Tyrrhenian Sea. We have kept up our maintenance including in recent years new teak deck, new rod rigging and mast paint, Force 10 stove, windlass, anchor chain, all cabin hatches and screens, etc. Engine, generator and water maker have had major services since 2019. We love this boat and are reluctant sellers but at our age we feel a smaller boat and some other adventures should be pursued.
Yacht specifications:
Construction:
RCD Status: The yacht conforms with the essential safety requirements of Directive 94/25EC (Recreational Craft Directive) and is approved for Design Category A - "Ocean".
Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:
o The hull design is based on composite construction using Ampreg 20 epoxy resin, Kevlar and quadri and bi- axial E glass, vacuum consolidated over a 35mm thick Divinyçell closed cell foam core. This changes to a single skin solid laminate in way of the keel. Use of high quality E glass enables the fibres to be orientated in the direction of stress. Vacuum bagging is used to attain optimum resin ratios. The same technique is used for the composite bulkheads instead of conventional marine ply, saving weight and increasing strength, producing an exceptionally strong and light hull with excellent sound and thermal insulation. A Kevlar laminate is used in the forward sections of the hull for additional impact resistance. Carbon fibre is used for the pilot house window mullions. This advanced build ensures the yacht is built to design weight (indeed, Surprize was delivered slightly below design weight). This weight advantage is about 30% less than a hull built with solid layup GRP. Moreover, epoxy resins are impervious to water penetration so osmosis cannot occur. They are also exceptionally tough in resisting impact damage and lose strength much more slowly than conventional fibreglass construction.
o The hull was built in one piece on a male mould fabricated by laser computer controlled systems accurate to less than 1mm over the entire length of the yacht. As a result, Surprize's hull is still remarkably fair. There are longitudinal girders running virtually the full length of the yacht which also form the engine bearers, plus two stringers port and starboard and massive box section frames and keel floors. Primary bulkheads are formed from 4 layers of quadri-axial glass vacuum formed over a 25mm foam core for lightness, laminated to hull and deck and clad with wood veneers. The main bulkhead at the mast is of composite construction. There are two watertight bulkheads forward and one aft. The result is an exceptionally rigid and strong, yet relatively light hull.
o Epoxy composite moulded hull of multi-axial E-glass, Kevlar and Carbon Fibre with epoxy resin consolidated over a 35mm Divinycell core with a lead encapsulated and bolted keel.
o The deck is laid teak over a sub deck of gel coat and vinylester resin over quadri-axial E glass laminate vacuum bonded over a 25mm Divinycell foam core. The hull and deck are bonded together with bi-axial glass and resin.
o Hull, deck and superstructure by West Custom Marine.
o Hull painted in AwlGrip Aristo Blue in 2004.
o Hull and bulkheads of similar construction for a light, stiff structure that is impervious to osmosis. Kevlar reinforced forward and aft.
o Two watertight bulkheads forward and one aft.
o Fitting out and installations by Rival Bowman.
o Deck saloon design for all round vision from the chart table.
o Teak decks and teak exterior trim including solid teak toerail. Teak deck replaced 2023.
o Liferaft stowage in dedicated locker aft, plus two large lazarettes port and starboard.
o Carbon fibre davits aft. Removed, painted and serviced 2018.
o Hatches refurbished 2019.
Keel & Rudder:
o Optional deep bulb keel (2.5m/8'2") design based on Dubois racing experience. Ballast ratio 41% (tanks empty).
o Deep balanced spade rudder of moulded epoxy.
Machinery:
Engine & Gearboxes:
o Yanmar 4JH2-DTE Turbocharged 88hp 4 cylinder Diesel Engine.
o KM4A reverse gearbox.
o HMI marine water separator and waterlock giving a dry exhaust system and minimum noise. Generator does not disturb owner's party or other boats when at anchor.
Generator:
o HFL Mariner 8kw 230v/50Hz diesel generator with fully enclosed sound shield.
o Generator hours 1506 at 28 August 2022.
o Serviced annually and major service 2019.
Maintenance & Performance:
o Engine hours-3905 hours as of 28 August 2022.
o Engine serviced annually, most recently May 2023. In 2019 engine removed, re-painted and major service, including a new head gasket and fuel hoses, inspection and service of starter, alternator, sea water cooling pump, heat exchanger and a new wiring harness.
o Turbocharger serviced and new injection valve assembly 2018.
o Cruising speed - approx 7.5 knots @ 2600 rpm; 8 knots @ 2700/2800 rpm.
o Maximum speed - approx 8.3 knots @ 3550rpm.
o Range @cruising speed - approx 1,000 Nm.
Propulsion & Steering:
o 22" 3 bladed MAX PROP feathering propeller, with rope cutter, through water lubricated propeller shaft seal. Prop serviced annually.
o Whitlock cable steering. Custom 42" folding wheel with elk hide cover. Emergency tiller and deck plate to rudder head.
o MaxPower VIP150 HYP 24v retractable hydraulic bow thruster with 7.5" prop producing 115kg (254lbs) thrust. Serviced annually. Custom control box temporarily splits house battery bank 6/2 to drive thruster and house loads, eliminating the need for a separate battery bank.
Electrical Systems:
Voltage Systems:
o 24VDC domestic system.
o 12VDC system for instruments (VHF, GPS, wind/speed/depth, SSB).
o 220v AC outlets in all cabins from inverter. Larger loads serviced from generator or shore power.
Battery Banks:
o 12v 50 amp Red Top engine and generator start battery.
o 12v 50 amp battery serving 12v instruments.
o 8 x 12v 105 amp hour Lifeline AGM house batteries joined to provide 24v services with a total of 420-amp hours. 
o All batteries are sealed AGM 2023.
Battery Chargers:
o Mastervolt Combi 24/2500-60 inverter/battery charger. Charger output 24v 60 amps; inverter output 24v 100 amps.
o Mastervolt battery management system.
o Mastervolt integrating ammeter.
Alternators:
o 55amp 12v alternator on main engine for engine start battery. 
o Engine mounted 75 amp 24v alternator for house battery bank.
Shore Power:
o 240v 35 amp shore power inlet and cable, plus extension cable. 
o Galvanic isolator.
Other Electrical:
o All chain plates, skin fittings and mast are grounded to the ballast keel for lightning protection. All stern gear, seacocks, chainplates, keel and through hulls are electrically bonded and linked to the common earth system.
o Custom electrical control panel for all 220v, 24v and 12v loads. Thermal circuit breakers for each circuit and safety cut out earth trip circuit breakers for shore power, generator and inverter inputs.
o AC outlets in each cabin, saloon, chart table, engine space and galley.
Plumbing Systems:
Fresh Water & Water Heating System:
o Hot and cold pressure water supplied by automatic hi flow AC pressure pump with accumulator, powered from the inverter.
o Backup fresh water foot pump in galley. Back up 24v DC water pump.
o Water heating from engine cooling water and AC power.
o Calorifier tank holding approx. 70 litres.
Watermaker:
o Spectra Newport 400 Mk II 24v watermaker; output 54-60 litres/hour. (2013)
o Overhauled with new diaphragm and high speed pump 2021.
Bilge Pumps:
o Jabsco electric bilge pump on float switch. Capacity 1950 litres/hour.
o 200lt/min high speed emergency bilge pump driven off main engine. 
o Manual bilge pump in cockpit (not operable).
Grey & Black Water:
o Grey water accumulates in tanks in the bilges forward and aft with a total capacity of 325 liters (72 Imp gallons) and is pumped out electrically using manual switch.
o Forward and aft heads may be selected by a "Y" valve to discharge overboard or to black water tanks located forward and aft. 
o Salt water deck wash pump with outlet on deck forward.
o Fresh water deck wash available from outlet in forward head.
Tankage:
o Tank Tender gauge serves all fuel, fresh water, grey water and black water tanks.
Fuel:
o Total capacity of 800 litres (176 Imp gallons) in 4 x aluminum fuel tanks.
o Common manifold with individual shut off cocks for each tank.
o Racor water trap fuel filter in addition to engine filter.
Fresh Water:
o Total capacity of 780 litres (170 Imp gallons) in 2 x stainless steel tanks.
Grey/Blackwater Holding Tanks:
o 2 x high density polypropylene grey water tanks 327 litres (72 Imp gallons).
o 2 x high density polypropylene black water tanks 327 litres (72 Imp gallons).
Navigation Equipment:
o B&G Hydra 2000 sailing Instruments - Log, depth, speed, wind direction/angle interfaced to B&G instruments package.
o Raytheon Radar on pole aft. 
o B&G GPS.
o Raytheon plotter/radar.
o Icom SSB (IC-M710). Antenna tuner inoperable.
o Icom VHF (IC-M59 euro).
 oPortable VHF (IC-M1EURO V).
o ICS Nav-6 Plus Navtex.
o Autohelm ST6000 autopilot on steering pedestal with remote control at chart table.
Domestic Equipment:
Galley:
o New gimballed Force 10 stove 2021.
o Large electric fridge and deep freeze each approx. 6 cu. feet with 4-inch foam insulation.
o Microwave oven.
o Washer/Dryer running on the generator or shore power.
Heads/Showers:
o Spacious ensuite head/shower rooms forward and aft.
o Electric heads with macerator pumps forward and aft.
o Showers forward and aft.
Heating & Ventilation:
o CLD Marine Reverse Cycle air conditioning/heating with outlets in saloon and aft cabin runs off generator or shore power.
o New Webasto 20,000 BTU condenser unit and controls 2014.
Entertainment:
o Stereo radio with CD player and Bose speakers/subwoofer.
Lighting:
o Overhead lights in saloon and all cabins.
o Reading lights for all berths and settee.
o Red lights at chart table, galley and forward head.
o Full set of LED navigation and deck/cockpit lights operated by a switch panel at the steering pedestal.
Accommodation:
Summary of Accommodation:
o 6/7 berths in 3 cabins & saloon.
o American Cherry interior, revarnished 2014.
o Cloth upholstery and vinyl headlining. Headlining new 2013.
o Midlevel full sized chart table with all-round vision and adjacent navigator's berth.
o Opening ports in hull and ample ventilation throughout, including five large Dorade ventilators.
o Ocean blinds and insect screens on hatches, all recently renewed.
o Replacement thick foam mattresses.
o Lee cloths on all berths.
Internal Layout - See sketch included with boat photos above :
Note -The forward longitudinal partition (which is removable) does not extend into the forward head compartment - instead a fixed partition separates the forward cabins from the shower/head compartment which extends the width of the boat. Forward of this head compartment there is a full width storage/tool room with shelving and a workbench. Forward of that is a watertight bulkhead and the sail stowage locker. Next forward is another watertight bulkhead and the chain locker.
Fwd Guest Cabins:
o There is a removable partition between the double berth port guest cabin and the two-berth starboard guest cabin, enabling the two cabins to be converted in a few minutes to a single stateroom.
o These cabins have individual access to the forward head compartment which they share. It extends the width of the boat and includes a shower. Electric head with macerator pump.
o Ample hanging locker and stowage space.
Saloon & Navigation Area:
o Exceptionally spacious and light Saloon extending the full width of the boat with 2.12 metres (7 feet) headroom under the pilothouse and all round visibility via the wrap around toughened glass windows.
o As you enter from the central cockpit there is a raised navigation center on the port side with large fold down chart table and fold down seat, and tucked in outboard is a really good practical seagoing passage berth with a large chart locker beneath it.
o The stairway down is easy, even in poor weather and there is a substantial handrail.
o The engine and generator are under the companionway and under the raised nav area.
o Saloon seating is comfortable with a large L-settee to starboard. The dining table seating 6 is to port with another L-settee and a two-seat settee on the centerline with life jacket storage beneath.
o Forward and to port there are small table / stowage units.
o There is an ample bookcase above the electrical control panel and additional large storage lockers behind and under the settees, plus one for foul weather gear (heated by the engine) and another for wet life jackets or harnesses. Hooks are provided in the aft shower for drying wet gear.
o Secure handholds.
Galley:
o Large galley in passage.
o Corian work surfaces.
o Sinks on the center line.
o Fully equipped.
o Lockers and drawers include dedicated stowage for wine and wine glasses plus a custom decanter.
o Space for ice maker if required.
Aft Cabin:
o Queen sized double berth to port with B&G instrument panel.
o Large settee or occasional berth to starboard.
o Dressing table with mirror.
o Small desk with seat aft to starboard.
o Ample hanging locker, drawers, book shelves and storage space.
Aft Cabin En-Suite Heads:
o Moulded Corian washbasin and counter with large storage locker at eye level.
o Large, separate shower compartment with teak grating.
o Electric head with macerator pump.
Cockpit:
o Well protected centre cockpit.
o Varnished table with center-line stowage.
o Comfortable seats long enough to sleep on.
Deck Equipment:
Rig:
o Cutter-headed sloop with carbon mast and spinnaker pole by Hood. Full width swept spreaders and genoa leads to the rail leave the deck unobstructed and provide a very strong rig without runners.
o Single line mainsail reefing led to electric cockpit winches. Reefing may easily be done from the cockpit single-handed.
o Self-tacking Solent masthead jib on furler. This Spectra jib has stood in 50-knot squalls and has alternative sheet leads to enable roller reefing to storm jib size. Jib sheet can also be led to the rail when reaching.
o Large 3DL genoa on furler.
o Reckmann furling on jib and genoa leads to electric winches in cockpit.
o Rod rigging replaced and mast refurbished and painted 2019.
o Navtec Hydraulic vang, serviced 2018.
o Harken blocks and traveller.
o Main halyard, self-tacking jib sheet and reefing lines led under deck to cockpit.
o Jackstays.
o SA/Disp - 225 (100% foretriangle plus Mainsail).
o Displacement/length - 214.5.
Winches:
o  5 x Andersen self-tailing 2-speed cockpit winches. (2 x Andersen 68 primary winches and 2 x Andersen 46 secondary winches are electric, 1 x Andersen 46 mainsheet manual winch).
o  1 x Andersen spinnaker halyard manual winch on deck at the mast. All winches regularly serviced.
Sails:
o North 3Di fully battened mainsail with three reefs - Carbon -2016 (little used).
o North self-tacking Solent jib - Spectra - 2009.
o North 3DL 150% genoa - Kevlar matrix laminate -2009.
o Doyle reacher - Dacron - 1999.
o Doyle cruising spinnaker with snuffer - Nylon - 1999.
o Sun Protection - North zip-top lazy bag on boom for mainsail and sun covers for jib and genoa when on furlers.
General:
o Folding swimming ladder aft with wide teak treads.
o Passerelle.
o Gas bottle storage in separate locker aft.
o Saltwater deck wash.
o Life raft stowage plus two large lazarettes under hatches in after deck.
Anchoring & Mooring Equipment:
o Quick electric windlass 2022.
o Spade 55kg (120lbs) galvanized anchor on custom bow roller; 100m s/s 16mm chain (2019) with spectra tail to belay.
o Fortress 35 lb. anchor in lazarette with nylon rode and chain.
o Riding sails.
Covers, Canvas & Cushions:
o Folding bimini 2022.
o Folding sprayhood 2022.
o Canvas covers for hatches 2022 and saloon windows.
o Cockpit cushions.
Tender & Outboard:
o 11' foot V-bottom Apex RIB tender carried on 'Crane' Kevlar/epoxy davits. Davits serviced and re-painted 2018.
o 15hp Mariner outboard stows on pushpit with dedicated lifting davit. Serviced annually.
Safety Equipment:
o Full safety equipment.
o Ocean Safety 6-person life raft 2014 (ISO 9650)
o EPIRB.
Fire-Fighting Equipment:
o Automatic fire extinguishers in engine space.
o Fire extinguishers fitted as necessary throughout yacht.