Discovery 55, HUAHINE

Broker’s Comments

The Discovery 55 is the benchmark against which all other bluewater cruising yachts of this size are judged. HUAHINE is a great example of her class and is being sold with smart new flag blue topsides paint from 2024, as well as new standing rigging. Her rig has been on the ground and fully reviewed. She is in her original ownership and has been carefully and lovingly maintained throughout her life, with many updates and improvements to make her easy for a couple to sail far aboard, either two-handed or with up to four guests. Her Solent rig is easily managed, and, of course, she has a proper deck saloon and interior watchkeeping facility. She is ready for the new season.

Sales Video

Owner’s Comments

My wife and I purchased HUAHINE from Discovery Yachts back in 2007 when the Discovery 55 represented a breakthrough in large yacht design, enabling a husband and wife to comfortably crew such a large vessel. She was designed by Discovery’s then-owners, John and Caroline Charnley, who were unable to find a yacht in which they could comfortably sail around the world. The hull was designed by Ron Holland, and the interior layout was masterminded by Caroline, who had extensive experience in the below-deck needs of a round-the-world yacht stewardess. This created a safe environment within the pilot house layout, providing delightful all-weather views.

Over the past 17 years, we have enjoyed wonderful cruising aboard her with friends and family. By Discovery standards, our cruising has been quite modest, mainly in the waters between Stockholm and Vigo.

During this time, I have lent her to young but experienced Yachtmaster Offshore skippers who have taken her across the Biscay and back. To facilitate this, I wrote a 25-page user’s manual complete with photos, detailing how everything works aboard HUAHINE. This manual will be passed on to the new owner.

Over the years, we have steadily improved HUAHINE’s resilience. Examples include the installation of an extra 24-volt battery forward to improve voltage delivery for the bow thruster (2009), the upgrade of the forestay and genoa furler size (2006), the installation of a spade anchor (2009), and the installation of a second battery charger (2009). We have also provided for crew comfort with the installation of an automated Kenwood bread maker. The smell of fresh bread in the morning entices the crew out of their comfortable bunks.

She has been based at Port Solent and then at Mountbatten Marina Plymouth, where she currently lies. She has been hauled out each winter and serviced by professional staff there. She has just undergone a refit in preparation for sale.

New Sails: Genoa – Kemp (2018), Mainsail VEKTRON – Kemp (2013), Staysail Ullman Sails (2019). These sails have been cleaned and serviced annually. Cruising Chute – Kemp (2009).

We have now reached an age where we can’t use her as much, so we are looking for a new owner who I’m sure will enjoy her as much as we have.