Review: Sea Spirit 60' Passagemaker

Another attention grabber is the vastness and number of windows providing good lighting and outstanding visibility. The helm is interesting in its simplicity. The wood provides ease on the eyes and yet contrasts sufficiently with the electronics to make one wonder why the common use of fabrics and décor for a backdrop. The 27” signature helm wheel is a nice touch and continues the flow of the retro theme. On the portside of the helm is the 24 volt electrical panel, while the 110 panel is on starboardside; the generator and inverter panel is across from the AC panel. Separation of systems makes for greater efficiency and lessens the learning curve for a new hand aboard. As throughout the yacht, generous stowage and nice tuck-away spots.

The leather settee and dining table on a raised platform is comfortable and practical and provides for excellent viewing. Swing-away chairs beneath the table is a slick way to increase seating capacity. Aft of the settee is the optional pilot’s berth. This berth can be single or double, or there’s even an option for minimizing the settee and having an actual captain’s cabin adjoining the pilothouse.

The curved stairwell leading to the lower deck is gently sloped. The banister parallels the look of the teak and stainless trim grabrails seen throughout. The pigeon holes for flags add a nice color accent as well as taking advantage of one of the otherwise dead spaces.

The amidships full width master stateroom continues providing the warm ambiance through the extensive use of quality woodwork, strake planking, first class soft goods, and varied lighting. The 6’8” headroom adds to the expansive impression. The four opening stainless steel portholes with deadlights provide symmetry and cross ventilation. The centerline king bed is well proportioned for allowing night stands, settee with end tables, drawers, and hanging lockers. The ensuite head has all of the required amenities including separate full-size shower with porthole, large vanity mirror, good stowage, and well defined use of space.

The guest head is a mini-version of the master ensuite head and features all of the same accoutrements. Stainless steel towel holders and accents continue the flow of decorative touch with functionality. The full-size stand-up shower features a port light and plenty of elbow room. Granite countertops and Kohler fixtures are of course standard.

The VIP suite is forward. Overhead hatch and 4 opening portholes provide good fresh air ventilation. With the centerline double bed and sufficient comforts, guest may feel inclined to overstay their welcome. The ensuite full size head also has an entry door from the companionway allowing access for the 3rd stateroom which features twin over/under beds.

The engine room is at the core of providing superlatives as a passagemaker. Most outstanding is the propulsion system. The Sea Spirit 60 provides fuel efficiency by using a single 340 hp Lugger as standard. The back-up system, or the “what if” engine, is a PTO not from one, but from either of the 20/16kW generators. Whether a Northern Lights or a Kohler, the generator hydraulically powers the main shaft in the event of engine failure. Double redundancy. The Keypower 4500 PTO system is able to propel the Sea Spirit at 4.7 knots and can be remote started from the pilothouse. Aside from the alternate power source, the single engine with PTO is a space saving feature allowing for walk-around room without valuable real estate being occupied by a 2nd engine. Equipped with the 340hp Lugger, a 10.7 knot max is achieved – pretty exceptional on a 55 ton full displacement hull. With fuel capacity of 2100 gallons, at a speed of 9 knots, a consumption rate of 5.1 gph gives a 3,500 nautical mile range. Slow her down to 8 knots and fuel burn drops to 2.9gph, resulting in a 5,000 mile range. So how low can you go? At 6.5 knots without generators and with 10% fuel reserve, she will burn 1 gallon per hour and journey more than 13,000 miles! OK compromise – run one gennie and shorten the trip to 8,000 nautical miles. Transoceanic indeed.

The engine room is well lit with easy service access. Subsequent builds have an equipment reconfiguration that allows more white space and a 5’9” headroom. The stainless railing around the engine places the emphasis on safety, as do the appropriately placed grabrails overhead. Four fuel tanks come with baffles, sump pumps, sight gauges, and inspection plates. Centralized fueling methods allow both fuel tanks on each side to be filled simultaneously. Fuel transfer and ESI polishing systems and the ability to change Racors while underway all make for a good fuel management arrangement. The oil exchange system not only includes new and used oil tanks, but the pump out valve at the aft deck makes it extremely convenient. Also appropriately located in the same compartment is the pump-out connection for the 60 gallon bilge water tank which is housed in the lazarette.

The Cruisair chilled water reverse cycle air conditioning distributes 81,000 BTUs from 2 compressors and 8 air handlers, also offering another redundancy in event of a parts failure. With white epoxy paint in the engine room (and bilges and lazarette) adding to the clean look, with the precise and generous labeling on almost all items, and the easy access and maneuverability, the engine room is an area of the boat that entices the owner to spend time.

The engine room on Dauntless looked almost identical to a subsequent hull that had only 500 hours on her engine. Aside from a bit of fray on the exhaust manifold insulation, and a few paint chips on the engine, the engine room condition was impeccable and belies the 2,000 hours of bluewater she has voyaged. In fact, the entirety of Dauntless looks like a new yacht. When you hear conditions being described as “Bristol, As New,” etc., you’re describing Dauntless after having been at sea for two years and from US corner to corner as proof that beauty is not just skin deep. There were surprisingly few new boat bugs nor modifications needed for subsequent hulls. Quite an accomplishment for a first hull. The primary modifications have been mentioned and other changes were minor and mostly related to a substitution of manufacturers for component parts. The customer support supplied by Sea Spirit includes 10 days with a Sea Spirit experienced captain. Utilizing the same captains for customer training, deliveries, and onsite yard consultations provide outstanding feedback for Dan Fritz’s perpetual search for perfection.

On a recent sea trial in 3-5 feet seas, Sea Spirit glided through will little fuss. We had turned the stabilizers on and off to feel the difference only we forgot to turn them back on. Stabilizer non-dependence was unintentionally confirmed in 5 foot seas. While the fuel consumption was impressive, 5.2gph @ 8.9 knots, the most impressive part of the sea trial was the smooth ride and the ease of handling. The gentle motion was consistent in all directions, with only an insubstantial spray when heading into the wind. The steering was light and responsive. The balance and symmetry was felt with the design and systems working in harmony.

Dauntless has proven that Sea Spirit delivers what it promises
and with 100% owner satisfaction.

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by Judy Waldman​

Specifications:

Length: 63.25 ft
Beam: 17.17 ft
Draft (light): 4.92 ft
Displacement (full): 108,680 lb
Fuel Capacity: 2,105 USgal
Fresh Water: 400 USgal
Black Water: 150/130 USgal

Machinery:

Main Engine: (1) x Lugger 1276-A2 : 340 bhp @ 1800 rpm
Optional Power: John Deere, Caterpillar, Volvo and Cummins
Speed, Max: 10.7 knots
Speed, Cruise: 7 to 10.0 knots
Range: 3,000 to 7,500nm
Get-Home System: Keypower
Thruster: Keypower or Sidepower Bow & Stern Thrusters
Stabilizers: Keypower or Wesmar system
Generator: Northern Lights 20KW(60Hz)/ 16KW (50Hz)
US Electrical System: 120/240 V AC 60Hz - 12/24 V DC
European Electrical System: 220 V AC 50Hz-12/24V DC
Air Conditioning: Cruisair – chilled water system,reverse cycle
Water Maker: Sea Recovery -or- Village Marine (optional)

For more information contact:

Sea Spirit Yachts
2722 Lougheed Hgwy.
P.O. Box 10, Station Whonnock
Maple Ridge, BC V2W 1V9 Canada
604-888-6178
www.SeaSpiritYachts.com

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Details:​

A proud but low profile shows the symmetry of design and parallel lines. The hull was designed specifically for this trawler and to have under 5 foot draft without stability sacrifice, although the 9 sq. ft. fins add an element of comfort in rough sea conditions. The sharp entry combined with the soft chined round hull shape and the full length keel morphing aft of the bulbous bow helps to give the Sea Spirit 60 its ability to glide through the water.

The dazzling hull sheen is protected from any loose anchor movement. While the anchor is safely buffered by the chain plate, the uniqueness of the stem plate is an additional safeguard. The third shield from a swaying anchor or raising or lowering in roughwater is offered by the stainless steel bulb protection shield.

The intensely designed bulbous bow shows her ultimate simplicity. It adds an impressive 5% increase in predicted displacement hull speed. As well as softening the up and down motion, the bow becomes the housing for the dual prop 16hp bow thruster. Note the stem plate from the starboard side extends over to port by about 4 inches to offer stem protection. The boot top striping is acrylic urethane.

The smooth lines of the integral swim platform can be seen above the keel protected four blade NiBrAl prop and the Aquamet stainless steel (22 HS) 2 ¾” shaft. The foil shaped FRP rudder is constructed with stainless steel stock and internal frame. An elbow macaroni shaped stern tube located inside the hull skeg houses the 20hp twin props thrusting water slightly down and then sideways for easy docking. Sea Spirit's swim platform adds much more than functional utility, it reduces the 'squat' typically associated with canoe stern designs.

Deck Plans; Top to Bottom -

1. Flybridge Deck
2. Main Deck
3. Lower Deck