TASMAN SEABIRD ALAN PAYNE DESIGN  

Expressions of interest are being sought for;

Danu is an 11m sailing vessel designed by Australia's most celebrated naval architect, Alan Payne. The boat was commissioned by Jock Sturrock and launched with much fanfare in March of 1962.1962 was the year that Jock raced another famous Alan Payne design, Gretel, against the Americans in the America's Cup in Australia's first bid. Danu was launched as 'Julie, named after Jocks daughter. In he he sailed to fourth place in the 1962 Sydney to Hobart, the first of six Tasman Seabirds across the line.
This is recogniosed as a true classic sailing yacht in great condition and ready for its next 60 years. It has recently been registered as a vessel of historic importance at the Australian National Maritime Museum. It should appeal to people who value a true classic, with the traditional look and feel of a classic wooden boat, while offering the lower maintenance of a fiberglass hull.
Danu is currently on a swing mooring in Callala Bay at the northern end of Jervis Bay. It has 100ltr diesel capacity and 80ltrs of water tanks. It has a freshwater system with an expansion tank and new fresh water pump, as well as a salt water feed to the galley sink via a manual foot pump.
I have owned Danu since 2016 and have undertaken extensive work to improve the boat and set it up for the next 60years of its life. That work was carried out in late 2018 to early 2019 and signed off by an experienced shipwright. During this period the motor was replaced with a new Beta 30hp (still under warranty), and the old bakalite switch panel which had begun to crumble was replaced.
In 2020 I again hauled Danu and carried out very extensive maintenance and upgrades and relaunched in December 2021. The hull was sheathed. The stove was upgraded from kero to gas and a gas detector system installed, along with a new Magna gas barbeque (compliance certificates from gas fitter available). A small water maker was installed (Powersurvivor 35) The head was upgraded from manual to electric and a blackwater tank installed. The upholstery is all new with new foam. The cool box was upgraded to a fridge. A furling headsail was added, along with all new rigging. New 100amp/hr deep cycle batteries (x2) and an upgraded Ctek battery/solar management system. A new suit of NMEA2000 instruments installed including depth/temp/speed transducer, wind transducer, Vesper Marine 8000XP ( N2K and Wifi sending; AIS send and receive, GPS, anchor watch etc.. ) and a B&G Triton display. Recently a new starter battery was added (6 months). New EPIRB, new self inflating Dan Buoy, existing flare kit expires in August 2025, new lifelines and new fire extinguisher. New covers for the mainsail, hatches, windlass and winches. New hard dodger installed and recent addition of solar panels.
The existing inventory includes about 12 sails (in okay condition, except the new headsail in very good condition. Storm sails in good condition), an auto-tiller, 10 fenders and a variety of docking lines. Solar panels. Two main anchors, plough and fisherman's, with 60m of 8mm chain. It also has a small stern anchor with a couple of meters of chain and a rope rode. High quality Muir windlass. VHF radio, life jackets, swim ladder and more (see inventory). The boat also comes with a liferaft for four people (needs service) and a Mustafa auxiliary wind steering system (not installed). For navigation I use OpenCPN which uses GPS and N2K data sent via Wi-Fi from the Vesper marine unit to a laptop or tablet. All systems data and AIS data can be viewed on a smart phone or laptop.