Spirited 480 Catamaran for Sale
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Designed for serious long distance cruising, the 480 is perfect for sailing the world! Just oozing 'wow' factor this beauty is guarranteed to turn heads at any port. The 480 brings a new dimension to luxury living on the water with unsurpassed space to accomodate even a large party in comfort.
The Spirited 480 is the ultimate in the large sports boat package. This design incorporates good payload capability for long-term live-aboard cruising for coastal or offshore circumnavigation. With excellent safety design specifications, the Spirited 480 will carry you safely through the roughest conditions.
This design will achieve excellent passage speeds even while fully loaded in cruising trim. The slim hulls use a 14:1 beam to length ratio which not only allow the hulls to be easily-driven but achieves a very comfortable motion at sea. The fine entry bows cut through the waves with minimal drag or lift. The hulls have long extension forward of the bridgedeck offering good safety in support, especially downwind when extreme pressure can be applied to the bows. The generous hull extensions also help to keep green water off the cabin structure and windows.
The bridgedeck clearance is a respectable 900mm when fully loaded wich will reduce the risk of slamming. The light weight structure and well-proportioned underwater hull sections of the 480 assists in an agile motion at sea which helps to avoid bridgedeck slamming.
In lightship trim the Spirited 480 will be a delight to sail with responsive handling and good manouveability. Following in the footsteps of the smaller Spirited 380, the 480 is set to be a true performer on any point of sail. The longer waterline length will achieve faster average boat speeds with a more comfortable ride.The modern design rig will drive the 480 well but is a good balance between cruising and performance.
Building yourself a high-tech catamaran doesn't get any easier and now is managable for the average person.
The kit comprises of moulded hulls and decks combined with precision CNC-cut lightweight panels, only using high quality epoxy resin systems for the assembly and secondary bonding throughout, the structure of this boat is strong, light and stiff.
The unique Spirited Assembly System (SAS) enables the boat to be assembled very easily with many advantages saving not only time but also energy/effort.
Because the boat is assembled the right way up there is no issues with turning hulls, also the outer hull sides can be left off until much later providing access, light and ventilation to the interior of the boat. The plans / assembly manual contain very detailed documentation on how to build your boat, including tips to help along the way.
The Spirited 480 blends the serious offshore live-a-board catamaran with a fun agile sports boat. The longer hulls utilize a 14:1 beam to length ratio retaining the excellent efficient slim hulls for easily-driven performance. This design feature also aids the racing enthusiast who when in race trim, will have a highly efficient, fast performer. The already slim hulls run forward to a very fine entry at the bow, providing a comfortable ride especially upwind where the fine bows not only cut through the water minimizing pitching but also increases the ‘grip’ in the water when hard on the wind.
The bows are also well forward of the accommodation area with good hull extension forward. This is a good safety feature as it allows for good support when sailing downwind and generally keeps the accommodation pod well out of harms way from wave action. As expected for a design of this size, the ride and motion at sea will be excellent given the relatively slim hulls and compact cabin design combination.
Flat side and forward decks, give clean lines and a more practical surface to walk on surrounding the tramps. Incorporated into the forebeam is a composite prodder, this is fixed or hinged and is designed to carry the inner forestay, main forestay and screecher which can all be kept in place on furlers, creating a ‘gearbox’ type effect when performance sailing, from the bigger sails down to the smaller.
The storm jib, which can be carried on a furler is fitted to the inner forestay. This is anchored to the catwalk with extra support from the composite prodder below, giving a good slot between the inner and main forestay for easily tacking the Genoa around (this slot ratio has been well proven on the Spirited 380 model). The option of having the storm jib on a furler means it can be used at any time as an upwind heavy airs blade jib when reefed down or for extra sail area when cruising downwind, if needed.
At the same height on the mast as the inner forestay are the lower shrouds running down to the edge of the cabin top, keeping the mid panel of the mast well supported and also the walkway on the sidedeck clear.
A carbon mast is recommended and combined with this well-stayed design; this is a ‘bulletproof’ rig. The rig on the 480 is a good compromise between cruising and performance sailing. Reefing early is always a good option to take if the crew is inexperienced or short-handed. A flat area at the base of the mast on deck gives good footing for reefing and sail handling. This area also creates a vertical surface to mount opening hatches or windows leading into the saloon and forward bunks, great for vision and ventilation.
Cockpit
Walkthrough transoms Port and Starboard lead into the cockpit. Behind the cockpit is a swimming platform/duckboard area that runs the entire width of the cockpit. As you come up the aft hull steps you step onto the last step that is on cockpit floor level, and can either lead into the cockpit or onto the swimming platform.
Stylish composite dinghy davits are mounted to the main aft bulkhead and mainsheet traveller base, these are hinged and swing out of the way when the swimming platform is in use. In the cockpit there is plenty of seating, with a wide radial seat aft with a central table. There is corner seating either side forward directly behind the saloon bulkhead, which double as steering stations. A bench area against the saloon bulkhead can be used as a servery to compliment the galley with storage underneath. The extended saloon cabin top provides an excellent shade top for the cockpit with good headroom clearance below, and creates attractive clean lines. There is also an option for a U-shaped breakfast nook situated behind the saloon bulkhead between the main door and drop down window.
A large single door off-center portside provides access into the saloon. Big windows in the bulkhead create good flow-through between the saloon and cockpit areas. An ‘L’ shaped galley against the aft bulkhead on the starboard side makes sure the cook is included in the conversation both in the saloon or in the cockpit via a drop-down window in the aft bulkhead adjacent to the galley. Hot meals can be simply passed out through the window onto to the bench in the cockpit. On the starboard side is the large saloon seating area.
The L-shaped seating has a softened wrap-around corner with access to the generous sized saloon table. On the port side of the saloon is a separate chart table dedicated to navigation or an office set-up. On the starboard end of the saloon/dining seating is a bench area housing the fridge/freezer. This is directly opposite the galley, making this area very easy to get to. This also keeps this weight central for the trim and motion of the boat.
Starboard Hull
Access into the starboard hull is forward of the galley return, creating a large private aft double cabin with a generous open floor area. Forward of the hull steps in the midship section of the hull is a good sized bench which could be utilized as a study area with overflow storage for galley or crew . Further forward in the hull is the forward double cabin, the double bunk is on the bridgedeck with steps leading up to it.
Deck hatches fitted in the front section of the cabin above the bunks is recommended. This creates a very airy open atmosphere, usually this can be a very claustrophobic area in other cats. This space has been designed large enough to sleep either fore and aft or athwartships. The athwartship option creates a small open section each side of the bunk with an island style foot end.
An opening hatch in the dashboard above the bunk gives extra airflow on those balmy tropical nights or to keep an eye on the young ones from the saloon. Forward of the front double cabin is the option of a walk-in-robe or an ensuite in this area of the hull. Usually this hull would have the ensuite and would be considered the ‘owners cabin’ (starboard side as standard).
Port Hull
Access into the port hull is alongside the saloon bulkhead, entering into the midship section of the hull. In the aft area of this hull is the main head, aft of the head is a separate shower cubical. Moving forward into the midship area, there is bench space inboard and lockers on the outboard side. This area would normally be utilized as the electrical centre, housing the switch panels and monitoring systems. The forward cabin is a mirror image of the starboard hull with a selection of either a walk-in-robe or ensuite as in the starboard hull (ensuite as standard port-side).
On - Deck Storage
Storage areas on deck are in the nose-cone section forward of the cabin, these are easy to access, with one each side of centerline. Also on the foredeck is a large sail locker in each hull. The sail lockers are ideal for storing spare fuel, spare anchor, fenders and other bulky items. In the cockpit there is plenty of storage space under the seats.
Tramps
The style of trampoline shown on the left is the continuous rope system as used on the Spirited One. This is our recommended system; it not only looks great, is comfortable to use, cost effective and has an open weave allowing green water to pass though it easily.
Motor Options
The recommended motors are 38hp Nanni sail drive Diesels installed just aft of the main aft BH below the aft hull steps. This particular motor works well for a few reasons: Firstly it has one of the best power to weight ratios available, for 38 hp it weighs in at only 190kg’s per unit including saildrive gearbox, it is also very compact and fits well into the area specified under the aft steps. Nanni’s also have a good name and being based on a Kubota engine parts are easily acquired. Any comparable motor between 30 and 45hp can suit depending on the overall weight. If Shaft driven Diesels are preferred the only change is to the head and shower area, unfortunately the separate shower cubical must go.
Daggerboards
The daggerboards can be built using E-glass or Carbon-fibre for weight saving with a chord length of 750mm. This board will be very efficient upwind and means that they don’t have to be as deep in the water, reducing the over-all draft of the boat. Being built using 80kg/m structural foam, they are light and forgiving if a collision were to take place, damaging the board rather than the hull is always the preferred outcome. All Spirited boards have a sacrificial bottom end to avoid not only damage to the hull but also to the board.
Payload
The payload includes anything non-essential to the operation of the boat. A boat without it’s payload would be in lightship trim and retain only enough fuel & water for basic operation. If the payload weight is kept to a minimum the difference will allow for a lighter boat.
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