SunBird 25

Specification

Sail Plan

Features

1. All glass mouldings constructed in excess of Lloyd's requirements.
2. Lead ballast poured and sealed internally in skeg.
3. Ballast in skeg does not exert sailing strains on the centreplate or its casing.
4. Galvanised 12 mm (1/2") steel plate is easily raised by the geared winch mounted under the galley unit.
5. Yacht has large self-draining cockpit and self rights to AYF and JOG requirements with sails sheeted in and centreboard raised.
6. Two large cockpit lockers are provided to accommodate loads of gear.
7. Six full-sized berths are provided - two in the vee berth, two on the settee berth and two on the convertible six-seat dinette.
8. Well planned galley area including 140 litre (5 cu ft) insulated refrigerator/ice box, gimballed methylated spirit stove, sink with water pump, adequate bench top with chopping board, and plenty of cupboard space.
9. Most Sunbirds are fitted with a 12 V direct expansion refrigeration unit, dispensing with the need for ice.
10. 70 litre (15 gallon) flexible type water tank with deck filler.
11. 55 litre (12 gallon) flexible type fuel tank with deck filler.
12. Huge, self-draining, covered anchor well in foredeck will accommodate two 9 kg plough anchors, complete with chain and rope.
13. Permanently installed marine type toilet system.
14. Enclosed forward cabin.
15. Yachts produced prior to Sail No 16 were fitted with a Petter 6 HP diesel engine with a variable pitch propellor. Later yachts were fitted with a Volvo Penta MD5B 7.5 HP diesel engine with MSB gearbox and shaft drive or with optional 110S sail drive leg. Both Volvo units were fitted with a folding propellor.
16. Twin 90 amp-hour battery system with change-over switch.
17. Swing type aerofoil rudder blade operated by positive locking device.
18. Efficient, slab-type reefing of mainsail with provision for first and second reefs.
19. Standing rigging includes forestay, backstay, cap shrouds, lower shrouds and inner forestay all made from 4 mm - 1 X 19 stainless steel wire.
20. Adjustable backstay and inner forestay.
21. Centreplate housing completely concealed beneath interior furniture.
22. Barlow No 16 sheet winches and Barlow No 15 halliard winches.
23. All halliards are led aft to the cockpit.
24. Strong, anodised aluminium toe rail strengthens and protects yacht.
25. Mainsheet traveller mounted on bridge deck at forward end of cockpit - does not cause obstruction to crew work in cockpit.
26. Huge stowage areas below all bunks, galley unit and cockpit.
27. Easy to clean full internal liner.
28. Pushpit, pulpit and lifelines fitted as standard.
29. Six -12 V cabin lights are fitted.
30. Comfortable 125 mm bunk cushions.

Trailer

1. Sunbirds up to Sail No 30 were supplied with a PASS galvanised tandem trailer. Later yachts were fitted with a Brooker 25 TSAT galvanised tandem trailer. Both trailers were fitted with heavy-duty equalising suspension and vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes on the forward axle. (Note that revised regulations on braking now apply to all towed trailers in excess of two tonnes.)
2. The trailers supplied were fitted with a 12:1 hand winch but an alternative electric winch (eg Powerwinch 912C) makes retrieval a great deal easier.
3. The manufacturer's specification of the towing vehicle must be adequate for owing the combined mass of the SunBird, its trailer and all the extra gear carried on board. The connection between the trailer and the towing vehicle, including the vehicle towbar, the towball and any load distributing hitch, must have a specified load bearing capacity at least equal to that of the towing vehicle. In addition, the RTA have issued new regulations for braking systems on all trailers carrying loads in excess of two tonnes.