Sunbird 32 Chinese Junk Schooner, 1979 sailboat for sale
Proven world cruiser with 3 Atlantic crossings under her belt , as well as a few books written about her exploits. I’ve owned and enjoyed Sabra for the past 6 years and have consistently maintained and upgraded her for extensive cruising. My plans have changed so I am reluctantly putting her up for sale.
Designed by Robin Blaine and built by Sunbird Marine in 1979 , she is extremely strong and well built and built to Lloyds of London specification. Not a “conversion”, Sabra is a factory designed and built Chinese Junk Rig.
One of perhaps 25 built, she is most certainly the only Sunbird 32 in The United States. She is berthed in Saint Petersburg , Florida .
Her interior is extremely comfortable for living aboard at sea or in harbor. Her midships double berth is absolutely luxurious. Sabra can sleep 6 if needed , with 2 quarter berths in the main saloon , the double midships , and forward V-berth.
She has a beautiful , inviting Teak interior and much more teak trim than any other Sunbird I’ve seen , which leads me to believe she was specially made to be a boat show boat.
Sabra is on her 3rd suit of sails, beautiful , tanbark Dacron sails by Chris Scanes in The U.K.. They are flat cut for simplicity and in very good condition. She goes to windward just as well as any Marconi rigged boat out there , and is an absolute joy to sail.
Her canvas and brightwork have seen their share of the Florida sun , but all is in fine working condition , and Sabra is in sail away condition. Add an IPAD , an Iridium Go , and stock up on food and water … and she is ready to go . Now.
A few of the upgrades and maintenance jobs done under my stewardship:
Hauled , new bottom paint , replaced galley seacock , replaced strut , cutlass bearing and prop shaft
Full engine service: oil / filer change , trans oil change , impeller , belts and replaced all raw water hoses
Replaced ALL fresh water system hoses and installed new galley foot pump
Removed old Propane stove (no longer safe) and installed 2 burner , gimbaled Alcohol stove
New running rigging where needed: halyards , sheets etc.
Installed 110V shore power system (she never had one before) panel , 2 cabin outlets and brand new Guest battery smart charger
New Nav lights , forward and stern
Specs:
1979 Sunbird Marine
32 Junk Schooner
Hull 008
U.S. Coast Guard Documented Vessel
LOA 32’6
Beam 10’4
Displacement 10,100
LWL 26’1
Draft 4’
Mainsail: 319.4 square ft. 8 oz , tan Dacron
Foresail: 241.3 square ft. 8 oz , tan Dacron
Tapered Aluminum masts by Needlespar UK
Engine:
Volvo MD11C 23 H.P. Diesel VGC
Fuel tank: Stainless Steel , 26 gallon
Groco Water Strainer , ARG 500
PSS dripless shaft seal
Electronics and Navigation
Depth: West marine
Stereo: CDX-10 Marine am/fm CD player
Log; Datamarine Sandpiper
VHF: ICOM w/ mast head antenna
Plastimo Contest bulkhead mounted compass
Navigation Lights:
Bicolor and Masthead Tricolor , steaming , anchor etc.
Self Steering:
Raymarine ST1000 Tiller Pilot.
2, group 24 batteries for starting and house
Aerogen3 12V , 6 blade wind generator
100 watt , Flexible solar panel
Galley:
2 burner Hillerange , gimbaled Alcohol stove
There is a dedicated propane locker w/ overboard drains in the cockpit if you should choose to go back to propane.
Deep , Stainless Steel sink w/ Whale foot pump for fresh water
C-Head Composting Toilet. This has been a complete success , is clean and odor free. The seacocks are still under the head sink if the new owner chooses to reinstall a typical marine toilet.
Ground Tackle:
