Description

High Specification

Low Engine (650) and Generator hours (300)


2016 Dudley Dix DH 550 55ft Blue water cruising catamaran.


This one off Dudley Dix catamaran is an excellent example of his well thought out and revered designs. Accomodating up to 8 guests, 6 in 3 double cabins and an additional 2 single berths in the saloon she is very comfortable for her size.


Designed with both speed and comfort in mind, this head turning 55ft catamaran offers good performance and a crunch the miles when required.


This is an extremely well equipped blue water cruising catamaran, highlights include:


- Westerbeke 9Kva Generator (300 hours - April 2021)


- Seacovery 110L/hr Water maker


- Cruisair 75,000BTU air conditioning (with reverse cycle heating function)


- 4 x 300W Solar panels


- Full Garmin Navigation Suite


- North Sails Main, Genoa, Spinnaker and Storm jib


- Gemini 3.8m tender with 15Hp Mercury outboard


- Washing/Drying machine


- 8 person liferaft

Specifications

Accommodation

A boat this size can be configured to "sleep" many passengers but we decided to have one larger "owner's side" to port and two cabins in the starboard hull. This leaves room up front on the single cabin port side for a utility room where we installed the generator and water maker in very practical situations so that working with and maintaining is done easily, something we considered of paramount importance, so often this type of equipment is installed in the most difficult and inaccessible places causing poor maintenance and stressful expense, not to mention lack of service. The other space available allows for an en-suite bathroom for this side which includes an enclosed shower, wash hand basin and electric toilet plumbed into the fresh water supply. On the port side the cabin is a little more spacious as there is no need for lockers as these are provided for amidships. The cabin has a small desk below a mirror which can be used as a workstation or other preparations. This cabin can be shut off from the rest by means of a sliding door which also serves to conceal the washing machine and dryer also situated in the amidships area. This part of the boat also houses four large drawers which are designed for longer term galley stocks when passage making. Forward of the utility room there is meaningful storage space for the many items needing to be put away safely when passage making. We have extra saloon chairs, fishing rods, fuel cans, extra life jackets and so on. On the starboard side there are two cabins as mentioned, one aft is very similar to the port side except there is a cupboard with shelves and some hanging space and a vanity with a wash hand basin. Before the bed is a foot locker also as on the port side. Forward is the third cabin which is more than adequate, the only visible difference being that the bed is somewhat narrower than the aft ones. The cabin in most adequately fitted with cupboard space, footlocker and wash hand basin. Forward of the bed is a door leading to the bow section with huge storage for items not required on a daily or even weekly basis, for example those large empty suitcases people bring all that unnecessary stuff along in! Amidships we have an electric toilet also freshwater flushing with its own hand basin so the guests do not need to use the cabins to freshen up. On the forward side of the stairs we built in a large airy shower which is a real pleasure to use compared to many boats.


The saloon and galley area are really the piece de resistance on Friends Forever, being so large, airy and friendly. One can move around without having to disturb other shipmates with ease, the space being more like an apartment than a boat! The galley is fitted with a five burner gas stove and oven by Smeg and there is enough room to work and make magic. There is a twin bowled sink which could be larger but is actually adequate. Under the eight seater counter, offset to the port side are the galley refrigerator, freezer and the drinks fridge. The galley fridge and the freezer can be powered with 220 Volt shore power which eases up on the batteries, when possible. Starboard side we have an L shaped settee, loose coffee table and forward of that the chart table/desk. Large airy windows add to the overall impression of space and light. The aft cockpit is adequate and easily accommodates six for meals or cocktails but is smaller than found on many other catamaran models but then that is why the saloon is so spacious, which we prefer.

Engine(s)

We decided to install two D2-55 Volvo Sail Drives Installed under the bunks of the aft cabins and they are fuelled by tanks installed in the aft section of the boat situated higher than the engines so the fuel is gravity fed to the motors. These 68 litre tanks are monitored with fuel gauges and gravity filled from the larger, 400 litre fuel tanks situated just forward of the mast. The two Volvos are more than enough power and can propel the boat at ten knots plus if really needed. At 1800 revs we cruise at around eight knots in calm waters. Fuel consumption is around two and a half litres per hour, per motor.

Sails & Spars

Sparcraft in Cape Town built the rig from two 11 metre lengths of appropriate Aluminium sections and while the design called for a 21 metre high mast, discarding a metre from one of the sections did not appeal to us so we contacted Dudley to see if we could just join the two sections and have a 22 metre high mast which we thought would look better. Dudley had no issue with the idea as long we stuck religiously to the rest of the plan and changed nothing else. We in fact did change one thing, when we did our first sea trials it became apparent that we would need extra support for the extra length at the top of the mast so we introduced a pair of jumper stays which are a great improvement all round and the mast holds up really well, having done two Atlantic crossings in absolute comfort. Standing rigging is stainless steel Dyeform wire.The boom is also built in Aluminium with haystacks and lazy jacks with a separate cover. The self tacking jib is on a rope fed Profurl furler.

Disclaimer

Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

This vessel is EU VAT not paid.
As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.
This boat is lying in Portimao, Portugal.
2021 Nicolle Associates