(For Sale) S&S Aluminium Custom - Magic

A proven Sparkman & Stephens one-off aluminium ocean yacht with two circumnavigations, Cape Horn experience and an extensive programme of refits and upgrades.

MAGIC is a 16,56m (55ft) Aluminium cutter designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in Italy in the early 1970s. The aluminium hull was constructed by Ing. Dal Fiume in Ravenna, with the yacht fitted out by the renowned Cantiere Carlini.

Conceived as a fast offshore yacht combining the performance characteristics of the racing yachts of her era with the strength and seaworthiness required for serious ocean sailing, MAGIC has subsequently accumulated an exceptional cruising record including two circumnavigations and a passage around Cape Horn.

During her second circumnavigation alone, between 2013 and 2018, she covered approximately 50,000 nautical miles through the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

MAGIC has been continuously maintained and extensively upgraded during her life. She is currently based in Faial, Azores.

Key Features

• Sparkman & Stephens one-off design

• Aluminium 5083 H111 hull

• 17.40m maximum length

• 4.48m beam

• 3.00m draft

• Approx. 24-ton displacement

• Cutter rig with removable inner forestay

• Approx. 200m² upwind sail area

• Central, protected cockpit

• 9 berths

• 2 heads

• 600L freshwater capacity

• 500L diesel capacity

• 80hp AIFO OM diesel

• 500W solar installation plus wind generator

• Extensive offshore communications and navigation equipment

• Ocean safety equipment

• French flag

• Navigation without limits

Proven Ocean-Going Yacht

MAGIC’s sailing history includes extensive Mediterranean cruising and racing, followed by two round-the-world voyages.

The first circumnavigation, between 2000 and 2005, included Cape Horn. A second circumnavigation between 2013 and 2018 followed a predominantly tropical route while also including substantial sailing outside the tropics across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Since 2018 the yacht has continued cruising between the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands.

Her Sparkman & Stephens hull provides excellent directional stability and offshore behaviour, including good performance to windward in ocean conditions. Typical passage-making averages of approximately 170–190 nautical miles per day are reported by the current owners.

Construction & Dimensions

• Designer: Sparkman & Stephens – one-off

• Construction: Aluminium alloy 5083 H111

• Hull builder: Ing. Dal Fiume, Ravenna

• Fit-out: Cantiere Carlini

• Year: 1973

• LOA: 17.40m maximum / 16.56m design hull length

• Beam: 4.48m

• Draft: 3.00m

• Displacement: approx. 24 tonnes

• Mast: keel-stepped, approx. 23m above waterline

• Boom: approx. 7m

• Upwind sail area: approx. 200m²

The aluminium hull and deck are heavily insulated, including rock-wool insulation within a double cavity. The interior is predominantly solid teak and cherry.

Rig & Sails

MAGIC is cutter rigged with a removable inner forestay and a three-spreader rig. Standing rigging was replaced in 2005, with further replacement and upgrading carried out between 2015 and 2017.

• Harken headsail furler

• Hydraulic Bamar vang and backstay tensioner

• Lewmar self-tailing winches

• 2023 full-batten Dacron mainsail – approx. 75m², three reefs

• 2023 furling Dacron Yankee – approx. 65m²

• 2018 furling Dacron Genoa – approx. 85m²

• Dacron staysail – approx. 40m², removable forestay

Engine & Propulsion

MAGIC is powered by an 80hp AIFO OM diesel. The engine underwent a major rebuild in 2005 and was removed, completely dismantled, serviced, resealed and repainted in 2022.

• 80hp / 4,900cc

• Approx. 6 knots cruising speed at 1,400 rpm

• Reported consumption approx. 4–5 L/h

• MAX PROP three-blade 500mm propeller

• Shaft drive

Accommodation

The central cockpit configuration creates substantial accommodation and technical space below decks, with a total of nine berths.

• Aft twin cabin with independent cockpit access

• Large forward twin cabin

• Twin-bunk passage cabin

• Single watch berth

• Two additional saloon berths

• Two electric heads, updated in 2022

• Large saloon with C-shaped seating

• Three-burner cooker and oven, rebuilt in 2023

• 80L Vitrifrigo refrigerator

• Large dedicated engine room

• Large aft deck locker

• 2023 aluminium sprayhood

Electrical & Energy Systems

The yacht’s systems were comprehensively rebuilt in 2012. She has separate isolated 12V and 24V electrical systems and has been configured for a high degree of energy autonomy while cruising.

• 3 × Victron 120Ah GEL 12V service batteries – 2022

• 2 × Fiamm Neptune 150Ah AGM 24V service batteries – 2021

• 2 × Fiamm 120Ah engine/windlass batteries – 2021

• 500W solar array

• AIR Breeze 200W wind generator – 2023

• Separate 12V and 24V alternators

• Sterling Power / Quick charging systems

• LED lighting throughout

• Quick QDP21024D windlass – 2024

Navigation & Communications

• Furuno 36NM radar

• Raymarine ST60 log/depth