surfari 48 sailboat

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The Surfari 48 Sets Sail

By Kim Kavin
Updated: June 7, 2018

Fontaine Design Group, working with Friendship Yacht Co. , has launched the Surfari 48.

The Surfari 48 is a high-performance cruising yacht that’s designed to function like a racing yacht under sail, and like a motoryacht under power, with twin 80-horsepower Yanmar JH 80 diesel engines pushing her to a speed of 10 knots.

She has a single-level main deck, which the designer says is unique in the sailing yacht market.

Centerline helm station with 360-degree views

Composite construction is intended to keep weight down and enhance performance. A carbon-fiber mast and boom are also part of the design spec, with what Fontaine calls push-button sailing systems for ease of handling.

Hydraulic and electric sail-control systems handle sheeting and furling the mainsail and genoa, in a nod to the singlehanded capabilities of Fontaine’s Friendship 40 and 53 designs.

Options that owners can select: fixed or lifting keel; one-, two- or three-stateroom layout; various cockpit arrangements. www.fontainedesigngroup.com

Quick Specs:

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Designer Ted Fontaine has produced an innovative 48’ modern performance sailing yacht with as strong an emphasis on speed under sail as speed under power with the SURFARI 50 .

Fontaine has applied his design expertise and market insight with the introduction of the new SURFARI 50 . He believes that the primary appeals of the SURFARI 50 will be its racing yacht performance under sail, its motor yacht performance under power. The most innovative design feature is the clever implementation and practicality of the single level floor plan designed specifically for an active outdoors watersports lifestyle. The refreshing styling of the SURFARI 50 with its single level outdoor living / recreational space is unique to the sailboat market. Fontaine believes that these distinguishing features will attract the “baby boomer” racing sailors, a group that is known to live an active, athletic, water sports, family-oriented lifestyle. The SURFARI 50 has been created to provide a fast, fun and comfortable platform from which to enjoy family-oriented water sports activities.

The design concept for the new SURFARI 50 evolved while Fontaine was actively engaged in marketing the Friendship 40 and 53 . It was during the direct marketing of these yachts that Fontaine met hundreds of yachting families. While most of these yachtsmen appreciated the extraordinary quality and classic styling of the Friendship 40 many admitted that the Friendship 40 was not the boat for them.

These yachtsmen explained that aesthetics, sailing performance and the quality of construction were of utmost importance to them. They wanted sun protection and ease of access to the water. They want exciting speeds under sail and power, they wanted a single level, indoor / outdoor floor plan with excellent protection from the sun. They wanted a boat that could get them to their favorite anchorages quickly, a boat from which they could carry and enjoy water sports activities like swimming, diving, surfing, paddle boarding and kayaking. They described a boat with wide open outdoor living spaces for dining and entertaining. They wanted a boat that the entire family would enjoy for either a day, a week or a month of extended cruising. The SURFARI 50 was created to address these specific needs.

The SURFARI 50 is differentiated from the semi-custom and / or production yachts in the same size range due to the following key features:

The SURFARI 50 is be built utilizing the latest in lightweight “grand prix race boat” construction techniques utilizing infused epoxy / carbon fiber composite materials aimed towards decreasing construction weight and improving performance under power and sail.
The “state of the art” lightweight carbon fiber mast, boom with “push button” sailing systems contribute to the yachts ease of handling and superior “race boat” sailing performance.
The unique, single level floor plan, from swim platform through the entire length of the cockpit and on through the deck salon creates an outdoor living space designed specifically for the active water sports-oriented lifestyle enthusiast.
360-degree visibility is achieved through the large side windows and full-width windshield, enhancing the “open air” environment.
The SURFARI 50 is outfit with twin 80 HP auxiliary engines enabling speeds under power normally found on semi displacement motor yachts.
Purpose built storage space for assorted water craft such as kayaks, surf boards and paddleboards help to create a functional platform for the outdoor living and water sports activities.
At rest, with the 30 square foot transom platform lowered the outdoor living spaces are one continuous level, from swim platform to the inside steering position.
The combination of exceptional sailing and motoring speed, when matched with the single level living, creates the “get there fast, have fun and get home fast” lifestyle that most families’ shrinking leisure time allows.
Hydraulic and electric sail control systems for sheeting and furling the mainsail, self-tacking-genoa and bow sprit mounted code sails. The sail control systems developed for single-handed operation, perfected on the Friendship 40 and 53 will be utilized on the SURFARI 50 .
The SURFARI 50 .was designed to provide complete customization of the boat, fixed keel, lifting keel, one, two or three stateroom layouts and multiple cockpit arrangements will be available to each new owner, thereby creating a full custom designed yacht per each owner’s individual requirements.

The SURFARI 50’s overall styling, ergonomic design, its unique aesthetics and outstanding performance under sail or power set it apart from the competition in the same manner that the Friendship 40 did when it was introduced years ago. This is a yacht which until now did not exist.

The SURFARI 50 is a boldly styled yacht in appearance, with powerful sheer line and low-profile deckhouse. The SURFARI 50 is designed with variable between 5.5’ and 8.5’ with the hydraulically operated lifting bulb keel or a fixed draft of only 6’-7” the yacht has been designed to allow access to secluded anchorages and coastal waterfront homes.

No wind, no problem. The SURFARI 50 is designed to get the owner to their favorite surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding or diving location quickly and comfortable. To do so in speed the SURFARI 50 is outfitted with twin 80 HP Yanmar JH 80 diesel engines, each with a geared folding 4 blade propeller which will propel the hull at 10 kts.

“Getting there” fast, comfortably and in style is the primary design feature only found on this hybrid performance hull form. The Yanmar JH 85 engines are proven to be smooth running, fuel efficient and quiet. The expected speeds under power have been calculated to approach ten knots at cruising speed.

The SURFARI 50 was specifically designed to afford each owner the option to fully customize the interior and exterior accommodations plans. Each arrangement offered maintains the unique single level open cockpit plan that features a fully functional galley equipped with gas grill, two burner cook top, two drawer 12V refrigerator AND an under counter freezer. a deep oversized sink, a pull-out trash bin and ice maker complete the exterior galley-up concept.

The galley / cockpit is expected to be the primary living space onboard. Large UV protected, tinted safety glass windows and large opening overhead hatches are designed to provide exceptional ventilation, unobstructed visibility and a direct lines of sight between the interior piloting station and the exterior sports deck.

The forward helm station will have navigational repeaters for the radar and chart plotter, engine controls for the twin engines, sail control panels and autopilot. The unique center console control station is ideally positioned to promote a social operating atmosphere with full functionality.

The unique advantage of the SURFARI 50 is that the design does not compromise sailing performance for powering performance. The SURFARI 50 does not sacrifice aesthetics for function. The SURFARI 50 is a unique design, it is according to designer Ted Fontaine “a game changer, this is a boat people do not even know they want. Spend an hour on board and it all makes sense. He sails fast, powers fast, keeps you out of the sun, provides easy access to the water, can easily carry paddleboards and kayaks and you only go below to sleep on use the head or to sleep for the night. It is a water born floating home with a permanent dock.

Click here for more photos and specifications.

401-682-9101

www.friendshipyachtcompany.com

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Jimmy Buffett: A Pirate Looks At 71

'Gulf-and-western' musician, singer, songwriter, and author, Jimmy Buffet, has a new sailboat. Here's a look inside the Ted Fontaine-designed Drifter.

A seafoam-colored sailboat underway with the word Drifter on the side

Photo: Onne Van der Wal

For boaters of a certain age, there's a good chance they'll have a few Jimmy Buffett songs on their playlists. And while you may know him for his songs about his laid-back lifestyle, this celebrity "Son of Son of a Sailor" has long been a "real boater."

An experienced sailor, Buffett was seeking out his next boat when he ended up at the door of designer Ted Fontaine. The result of their meeting is the Surfari 50, a stylish yet understated, high-tech vessel, constructed by Pacific Seacraft in North Carolina.

Unlike cruising boats of old where the widest part of the boat was somewhere around the midpoint, the widest part of Drifter , as Buffett has named the vessel, is almost all the way aft. With the beam farther back toward the transom, the cockpit has the space of a much larger boat and is a perfect spot for entertaining. The unique single-level, open-cockpit layout features a fully functional galley equipped with a gas grill, two-burner cook top, two-drawer refrigerator, and an under-counter freezer. An oversized sink, a pullout trash can, and icemaker complete the exterior galley-up concept. A fold-down transom is an ideal place to jump off the boat for a swim or to launch water toys.

Down below you'll find room for four bunks, some stowage, and a generous head. But this is a semicustom boat, so future versions are likely to feature different layouts, and the designer notes that "almost anything" is possible within the overall confines of the hull.

The boat looks stylish and is likely to prove fast both under sail and power. The hull is constructed of infused epoxy resin and carbon fiber, both light and durable. The mast and boom are also suitably high-tech; sail controls lead into the forward end of the cockpit where electric winches allow the helmsman to make adjustments at the touch of a button without leaving the comfort of the centerline helm chair. With such a wide beam — almost 15 feet — twin rudders are a must. The use of twin rudders also means that they don't need to be as deep as a single blade. This feature coupled to the retractable bulb keel make the boat perfect for the skinny waters of the Bahamas, one of Buffett's favorite cruising grounds. Somewhat unusual for a boat of this size is a pair of engines — 80-hp Yanmar saildrive units, equipped with folding props, which give the boat a respectable cruise speed of 10 knots under power. friendshipyachtcompany.com

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“A high performance auxiliary powered sailing yacht, it has as strong an emphasis on speed under sail as it does speed under power, which means…it goes places. And once it’s where it needs to be, it becomes a luxury indoor/outdoor living platform that allows its user to enjoy the destination as much as the journey.”

Design Brief

The Bluewater design is geared for roving the waters of the planet without restriction due to weather or range. The centerpiece is a focus on 360 degree views in comfortable and contemporary living spaces. Featuring a raised saloon arrangement within a striking pilothouse that forms a window on the world.

The yacht: flush lines, a business-like superstructure and a deck layout that delivers pure enjoyment of the elements and safe sail handling.

The cockpit: large and comfortable, separation of sailing and lounging–arranged with port and starboard line management stations to hoist and reef the mainsail or furl and unfurl the headsails.

The sails: trimmed from the helm or from the exterior sitting areas — push-button functionality for all line handling managed from the cockpit.

The rig: square-headed mainsail and Solent-style headsail arrangement with jib and light reacher on dedicated furlers. Option for conventional full-battened mainsail with permanent backstay also available.

The mission: design and build the most capable modern cruising yacht for the most serious cruising sailors. No compromises. No apologies. No boundaries.

ACCOMODATIONS
SPECS & EQUIPMENT

Below decks

Down below, great attention has been given to the flow and open feeling, while making access to hard to reach areas a priority. A gourmet galley featuring a floor to ceiling slide out pantry, stand up fridge with pull out freezer (as well as a optional dedicated beverage fridge), 5 burner stove, along with generous amounts of counter space and storage creates an environment that any chief will appreciate. There is a mechanics room and work bench, located under the starboard salon settee aft of the galley. From there you can access to the engine room through a watertight door, as well as both cockpit seats lift up on hydraulics providing unprecedented “gull wing” access to the engine and vital system components for regular maintenance. Two arrangements offer the option of a luxuriously roomy two-cabin layout, or a third cabin for larger families. The focal point of the Bluewater 56 is the raised salon, offering sweeping views under sail or at anchor, as well as an abundance of natural light inside, and wonderful communication with the cockpit, while maintaining good sight lines throughout.

General Construction

Exceeds industry standards of highest quality composite laminate detail. In compliance with ISO and ABS scantling standards for ocean sailing. Infused glass-reinforced vinylester resin, CoreCell foam sandwich — higher-modulus fibers in areas of high loading including layers of kevlar in hull. Interior partitions and bulkheads of cored panels. Deck arrangement

Powered winches and furlers for push-button line management. Lines lead aft to cockpit to allow hoisting and reefing from helm. Large lockers for cruising gear including a watertight bow locker. Fold down transom forms a large swim platform/ dinghy dock, and provides access to a dinghy garage Twin anchoring system, with a unique recessed anchor well-deck. Below deck & Interior joinery

Great attention given to the flow and ‘open’ feeling for interior space Arrangement options: 2 or 3 cabin layouts. Raised salon offers sweeping views under sail or at anchor, allows a flood of natural light, and gives easy connection with the cockpit. Systems & Machinery

Redundancy and accessibility is a priority. 24 vDC, 110 vAC, generous battery storage and charging capability. HVAC configured for optimal comfort in all environments. Yanmar 110 HP engine with V-drive and twin high output alternators for maximum charging and redundancy. AC Generator Bow thruster Mast & Rigging

Carbon mast and carbon boom with lazy jacks. Options for furling boom, or V-boom if desired. High-efficiency square-head mainsail for more drive and responsiveness. Carbon fiber bowsprit with twin anchor rollers, and light air headsail attachment. Nitronic 50 rod standing rigging.

Specifications

LOA (hull): 56′ 0″ (17.1m) Length on Deck: 53′ 3″ (16.2m)

LWL: 50′ 3″ (15.3m) Beam: 16′ 1″ (4.9m)

Draft: 7′ 9″ (2.4m) Displacement: 41,0001b (18.6 tons)

Sail Area: 1,677 sqft (156 sqm) Sail area/displacement ratio: 22.6

Displacement/LWL ratio: 144 Water: 200gal (750 liters)

Fuel: 250g (950 liters) Engine/Hp: Yanmar 110 HP

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Jimmy Buffett Decides on New Sailboat

By Friendship Yacht Company
Updated: September 15, 2015

Jimmy Buffett’s famous lifestyle, delightfully infused with copious amounts of “island escapism,” pairs perfectly with the personality of the Surfari 44 that Friendship Yacht Company is presenting in a scaled-back version of its Surfari 58 announced last November. Buffett will take delivery next November on Hull #1 of the new Surfari 44 designed by naval architect Edward “Ted” Fontaine and built by Pacific Seacraft in North Carolina, and he anticipates that the new design’s more compact length and personally approved adaptations – including those for short-handed handling – will “simplify” his life on the water as he uses the yacht for a home away from home.

“It’s the perfect extension for living the life he enjoys, whether it’s in Sag Harbor for the summer or the Keys and the Caribbean in the winter,” said Fontaine about Buffett’s appreciation of the Surfari 44’s most intriguing features and the semi-custom options for its keel, cockpit and interior. “A high performance auxiliary powered sailing yacht, it has as strong an emphasis on speed under sail as it does speed under power, which means…it goes places. And once it’s where it needs to be, it becomes a luxury indoor/outdoor living platform that allows its user to enjoy the destination as much as the journey.”

Fontaine, best known for the romantic classic lines of his Friendship sailboats (in models ranging from 36 -79 feet), is a waterman himself and explained that his love of paddle boarding, surfing and kayaking inspired the Surfari 44’s 39” high and 11 ½ foot wide “tailgate.” (The yacht’s max beam is 14’ 63”.) The tailgate lowers while the yacht is at rest and integrates with a single-level floor plan that extends from the swim platform through the entire length of the cockpit and on through the deck salon and steering station. “It creates a unique, clutter-free area for storing and launching all sorts of watersports equipment and water craft,” said Fontaine.

Fontaine added that 360 degree visibility from the interior helm station enhances the open-air environment. It is achieved by a large sliding glass companionway bulkhead, sliding side windows and full-width windshield. Electrically powered sail handling gear provides fingertip control of the fully battened mainsail (with Harken Battcar system), roller furling genoa and furling asymmetrical spinnaker, while all halyards and sheets are led internally for control from the helm station. Lightweight, composite “grand prix race boat” construction, a carbon fiber mast and boom, and twin 75 HP auxiliary engines are further features that differentiate the Surfari 44 from semi-custom and production yachts in the same size range.

“Buffett epitomizes the demographic that would get the most out of the Surfari 44,” said Fontaine, adding that target markets include experienced performance racing yacht owners who have exhausted their appetites for competition and the extensive demands of their campaigns. “Having honed their sailing skills to near-professional levels, these potential owners associate high performance with high technology. They want to go fast and get there in style, and now that they are approaching their retirement years their need for speed is being seasoned with a newly appreciated desire for comfort and versatility afloat.”

Learn more about the Surfari 44 at the Friendship Yacht Company exhibit (Old Port Dock S) during the Newport International Boat Show, September 17-20 or, visit the Friendship Yacht website.

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Jimmy Buffett’s Search for Perfect “Surfari” Sailboat is Over

Buffett will take delivery next November on Hull #1 of the new Surfari 48 designed by naval architect Edward “Ted” Fontaine and built by Pacific Seacraft in North Carolina, and he anticipates that the new design’s more compact length and personally approved adaptations – including those for short-handed handling – will “simplify” his life on the water as he uses the yacht for a home away from home.

“ It’s the perfect extension for living the life he enjoys, whether it’s in Sag Harbor for the summer or the Keys and the Caribbean in the winter ,” said Fontaine about Buffett’s appreciation of the Surfari 48’s most intriguing features and the semi-custom options for its keel, cockpit and interior. “ A high-performance auxiliary powered sailing yacht, it has as strong an emphasis on speed under sail as it does speed under power, which means…it goes places. And once it’s where it needs to be, it becomes a luxury indoor/outdoor living platform that allows its user to enjoy the destination as much as the journey. ”

Fontaine, best known for the romantic classic lines of his Friendship sailboats (in models ranging from 36 -79 feet), is a waterman himself and explained that his love of paddleboarding , surfing and kayaking inspired the Surfari 44’s 39” high and 11 ½ foot wide “tailgate.” (The yacht’s max beam is 14’ 63”.) The tailgate lowers while the yacht is at rest and integrates with a single-level floor plan that extends from the swim platform through the entire length of the cockpit and on through the deck salon and steering station. “It creates a unique, clutter-free area for storing and launching all sorts of watersports equipment and watercraft,” said Fontaine.

Fontaine added that 360-degree visibility from the interior helm station enhances the open-air environment. It is achieved by a large sliding glass companionway bulkhead, sliding side windows and a full-width windshield. Electrically powered sail handling gear provides fingertip control of the fully battened mainsail (with Harken Battcar system), roller furling genoa, and furling asymmetrical spinnaker, while all halyards and sheets are led internally for control from the helm station. Lightweight, composite “grand prix race boat” construction, a carbon fiber mast and boom, and twin 75 HP auxiliary engines are further features that differentiate the Surfari 44 from semi-custom and production yachts in the same size range.

“ Buffett epitomizes the demographic that would get the most out of the Surfari 44, ” said Fontaine, adding that target markets include experienced performance racing yacht owners who have exhausted their appetites for competition and the extensive demands of their campaigns. “ Having honed their sailing skills to near-professional levels, these potential owners associate high performance with high technology. They want to go fast and get there in style, and now that they are approaching their retirement years their need for speed is being seasoned with a newly appreciated desire for comfort and versatility afloat. ”

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Download Specifications, Standard Equipment, Standard Drawings List (PDF)

Photo gallery view now.

Designer Ted Fontaine has produced an innovative 48’ modern performance sailing yacht with as strong an emphasis on speed under sail as speed under power with the SURFARI 50 .

The SURFARI 50 is differentiated from the semi-custom and / or production yachts in the same size range due to the following key features:

The SURFARI 50 is be built utilizing the latest in lightweight “grand prix race boat” construction techniques utilizing infused epoxy / carbon fiber composite materials aimed towards decreasing construction weight and improving performance under power and sail.
The “state of the art” lightweight carbon fiber mast, boom with “push button” sailing systems contribute to the yachts ease of handling and superior “race boat” sailing performance.
The unique, single level floor plan, from swim platform through the entire length of the cockpit and on through the deck salon creates an outdoor living space designed specifically for the active water sports-oriented lifestyle enthusiast.
360-degree visibility is achieved through the large side windows and full-width windshield, enhancing the “open air” environment.
The SURFARI 50 is outfit with twin 80 HP auxiliary engines enabling speeds under power normally found on semi displacement motor yachts.
Purpose built storage space for assorted water craft such as kayaks, surf boards and paddleboards help to create a functional platform for the outdoor living and water sports activities.
At rest, with the 30 square foot transom platform lowered the outdoor living spaces are one continuous level, from swim platform to the inside steering position.
The combination of exceptional sailing and motoring speed, when matched with the single level living, creates the “get there fast, have fun and get home fast” lifestyle that most families’ shrinking leisure time allows.
Hydraulic and electric sail control systems for sheeting and furling the mainsail, self-tacking-genoa and bow sprit mounted code sails. The sail control systems developed for single-handed operation, perfected on the Friendship 40 and 53 will be utilized on the SURFARI 50 .
The SURFARI 50 .was designed to provide complete customization of the boat, fixed keel, lifting keel, one, two or three stateroom layouts and multiple cockpit arrangements will be available to each new owner, thereby creating a full custom designed yacht per each owner’s individual requirements.

If you are interested in discussing the first SURFARI 50’s , Ted Fontaine is available to answer your questions. Please call Ted at (401)-682-9101 or email at [email protected]

www.fontainedesigngroup.com

A unique cruiser that is made for fun in the sun and Jimmy Buffett

T his new boat from designer Ted Fontaine and built by Pacific Seacraft in North Carolina has been getting a lot of attention lately. This could be due to the fact that hull No. 1 was built for singer Jimmy Buffett. Then again it could be that this boat combines a set of features unique for a sailing yacht. It’s kind of a “fun in the sun” boat with an overall layout below and on deck more like that of a powerboat than a sailboat.

The promotional material says the 50 has “racing-yacht performance under sail.” I’m not so sure I’d go that far but clearly an effort has been made to make this boat fun to sail. The D/L is 193 and the L/B is 3.06 so this boat is of medium displacement and very beamy. That beam is carried aft with almost imperceptible taper to the deck line aft. Of course this extreme beam aft was needed to make the cockpit layout work.

Twin carbon fiber rudders will help with control when those big hips are immersed. It’s good to keep in mind that there is more to the shape than just beam at the deck line. There is also the sectional shape of the stern and that is far more important than the beam at the deck. Check out the stern section of the latest TP52 and you’ll see a section with a lot of flare extended above a very arclike center sectional portion. Kind of like a big, soft V. The aft section on this Fontaine design is more like a big, hard, U shape. I don’t see any chine but the turn to the bilge aft is very tight. This will certainly make for flat buttocks and help with speed under power. With twin 80-horsepower Yanmars you should get 10 knots under power. There are fixed-keel and lifting-keel options taking draft from 5 feet 6 inches to 8 feet 4 inches.

For me the magic with this layout is that the cockpit level and saloon level are the same. This provides room below the saloon sole for the twin Yanmars. It also means that the two areas, cockpit and saloon will flow together like one big area. With the long overhang aft of the cabintop it will be hard to notice where the saloon ends and the cockpit begins. I’ll treat it all like one area.

You can have twin wheels aft and another single wheel forward. In fact, you can have whatever you like that fits in this hull and deck combo. Custom interiors are available. You can have three staterooms with a double berth forward and port and starboard stacked berths amidships. You can have two staterooms with double forward, stacked berths to starboard and a very large head to port. You can have just one stateroom with galley on the lower level. You can even have the galley aft in the cockpit area adjacent to the dining table. I like that. It would be a great place to cook so long as it didn’t rain. Truth is, it’s not really a “cockpit” in the true sense, whatever that is. It’s an open air saloon and utility control area for the operation of the boat.

If we are going to look at the sailplan we should address the profile of the boat. It’s not conventional, that’s for sure. But, given the interior layout is not conventional for a sailing yacht I don’t think a more conventional approach to the aesthetics of the profile would have worked. It’s a profile born of necessity.

The SA/D is 18.45 with a self-tacking jib. The spars are carbon from Southern Spars. The furling boom has an internal mainsheet. Note the spreaders are swept 37 degrees. This gets rid of the backstay and allows for the square-top mainsail, but I have never seen spreaders with that much sweep. Electric and hydraulic controls will take care of sail trim with the push of a button. The mainsheet uses the Carboni Magic Trim system that gives push button control for the mainsheet without bringing the line aft. Self-tacking jib trim is also with a Carboni Magic unit. You probably won’t be able to find a winch handle on this boat.

Build quality by Pacific Seacraft looks from the photos to be top notch. This is a spectacular looking boat. Ted Fontaine says, “This is a boat people don’t even know they want.” I won’t argue with that. Can’t imagine Mr. Buffett would either.

LOA 50’; DWL 46’; Beam 14’8”; Draft deep 8’4”, shoal 5’6”; Displ. 44,900 lbs.; Ballast 7,000 lbs.; Sail area 1,324 sq. ft.; D/L 193; L/B 3.06; SA/D 18.45; Auxiliary twin 80-hp; Fuel 250 gal.; Water 250 gal.

Our best estimate of the sailaway price : $2.8 million

Fontaine Design Group

Friendship Yacht Company LLC

Surfari Yachting

2 Bartlett Road

Middletown, RI 02842

401-241-0673