Asking
$ 290,000

FIREBIRD Yacht for Sale

Length
84' (25.6m)
Builder
Palmer Johnson
Build
1968/2006
Guests
9
Cabins
3
Crew
3
Asking Price
$ 290,000

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 1966, FIREBIRD became 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 2015 that continues for five years. This over $1 million refit included an incredible full teak interior refresh that revolutionized the yacht. The craftsmanship demonstrated on her 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 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, three more awnings create a huge shaded main deck with space for lounge chairs, a hammock and an 8’ dining table.

Highlights

  • A spectacular timber interior making for a very comfortable vessel
  • Many systems have been rebuilt or replaced
  • High quality Aluminum hull from renowned builder Palmer Johnson
  • Separate master cabin aft with access to centre cockpit and aft leisure cockpit
  • Highfield 3.1m tender with Yamaha 15HP outboard
  • Undoubtable seaworthiness; they don’t make them like this anymore!
  • Practical layout and ease of sail handling

Specifications

Builder Palmer Johnson
Model Custom
Length (LOA) 84' (25.6m)
Year 1968
Year Refit 2006
Gross Tonn. 71
Draft 9' (2.87m)
Beam 18' 5" (5.43m)
Location Phuket, Thailand

Accommodations

Staterooms 3
Single Cabins 5
Crew Sleeps 3

Dimensions & Capacity

LOA 84' (25.6m)
LWL 68' 11" (21.88m)
Max Draft 9' (2.87m)
Fuel Tank 1,057 g (4,000 L)
Fresh Water 1,057 g (4,000 L)
Gross Tonn. 71
Displacement 84

Construction

Hull Material Aluminum
Ext. Designer Palmer Johnson
Int. Designer Palmer Johnson
Max Speed 12 Knots
Cruising Speed 10 Knots
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Full Details

Saloon

• 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

Interior

Moving forward and stepping down from the centre-cockpit is the pilothouse and navigation table in a safe and protected setting. Opening portholes and a semi-circular sofa make this a dry and safe haven should you find yourself in inclement conditions.
Stepping down and forward again is the magnificent saloon and galley which is clever in design and resplendant in teak. The saloon features two seating áreas, with the portside seating convertible to a day bed / sea berth. Forward of the saloon is a guest cabin with  crew berthing forward again of this.  

To fully appreciate the interior of this vessel, an inspection is a must.

 

Exterior

The exterior design and styling of Firebird can only be described as purposeful, classic and elegant. Her gently rising sheerline, high bow and canoe stern are wonderfully typically of a real ocean going yacht. This is yacht that seems out of place in a marina, but would be the most highly regarded and commented on in any anchorage. Portholes, venting dorades and a teak capped bulwark complete the picture.

 

Galley

• 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

Deck

The decks are those of an ocean cruising yacht, pure and simple. Aluminium decks with non-skid paint, raised bulwarks with real scuppers and a shaped deck that is all about how water will flow around and off it when in heavy conditions. This is a working deck, no doubt. Clear and spacious with everything to inspire confidence at sea. Some smart teak storage and seating has been built on and around the deck but not at the detriment of the yachts operation.

The centre cockpit is deep and well protected. Whilst certainly not as large as may be found on modern yachts, it serves its purpose and keeps you safe.

The leisure cockpit aft is a lovely area that has wrap around seating that follows the shape of the canoe stern. This would be an amazing place to relax and watch the miles go by from. With a sea hatch offering direct access to the master cabin, this is a unique feature which any owner would appreciate.

Accommodation

Firebird has a versatile guest/crew accommodation layout. It is possible to accommodate 9 pax if the salon day bed is used.

Master Ensuite : Queen-size bed, en-suite head and shower, all accessed via a private staircase and also opens to the aft leisure cockpit. This makes for a private space which is comfortable at sea.

Guests: Port Stateroom - This suite contains two single bunks, an en-suite head, plenty of cupboard space, and is located on the port side of the salon.

Crew: FWD accommodation (3 berths): The upper bunk is a double berth and the lower bunk is a single. En suite head. Located on the starboard side, fwd of salon.

Number of Guests: 6 including salon berth.   

Cabins: Master cabin aft and Guest cabin portside. 
Crew: 3 berths Fwd
 

Mast / Rigging / Sails

Mast /Rigging / Sails:  Mast removed and inspected in Australia in 2007 full service 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.

2006 Rebuild

FIREBIRD undertook a comprehensive refit in Australia under a previous owner. This began in 2006 and continued for several years. This refit, reportedly costing in excess of one million Australian Dollars, included fitting new sections to the hull, extensive fairing and, after being sailed to Thailand, a complete new Burmese Teak interior by local craftsmen, Teak Timber Phuket. 

Vessel History & Timeline

1968 - Built and launched for the Timken family for a round-the-world voyage.
1970's to 2000's - Yacht spends best part of 30 years sailing the Caribbean. There are many people who recognise her from Tortola. 
Early 2000's - Yacht makes her way from Caribbean to Australia.
2005 - Purchased in Australia by previous owner who undertook the 2006 refit.
2006 - Sailed from Australia to Thailand for new teak interior fitout.
2016 - Current owner purchased the yacht. 
2017 - Partial rebuild of the engine in situ undertaken. New pistons liners, pistons, rods, bearings and fuel injectors. New air-conditioning fitted.
2018 - New Kohler 17Kw generator installed.  Prop shaft and rudder bearing replaced, Hundesteadt prop rebuilt, new stuffing box and seals.
2019 - New Victron inverter fitted and upgrading of electrical wiring and electronics.
2020 - New LiFePo main batteries and 2 x solar panels fitted. New headsail supplied. 

Unique Feature

Firebird is an excellent and comfortable sea boat and there is no safer vessel of her kind. She has a collision bulkhead and five watertight compartments, with heavily constructed aluminum hatches that can be dogged down. She is quite capable of doing 200nm-plus per day under sail. With her roller furling rig, she can be easily handled by a crew of two.

Her dependable and efficient GM 8V71 engine will provide 8-10 knots with a range of 2500 miles.
Firebird now has an elegant timber interior and many systems have either been rebuilt or replaced.
 

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