Discovery 55, C-QUEST

Broker’s Comments

Designed by Ron Holland, the Discovery 55 sets a high benchmark for luxury push-button cruising. The interior maintains this luxury feel with a raised saloon, elevated navigator’s station, full-beam aft owner’s cabin, VIP guest stateroom, and a walk-in engine room, allowing for easy access to machinery.

C-QUEST has been extremely well cared for during her ownership. Therefore, her condition is excellent throughout, with many recent updates, including replaced rigging and sails, a 2022 B&G Zeus navigation system, replaced deck hatches, new upholstery, custom-made cockpit cushions, and much more.

Sales Video

Owner’s Comments

We purchased C-QUEST in 2020 from her original owner in Southampton. Despite her age, she was in mint condition, as her previous owner only sailed her on short trips through the Solent. After acquiring her, we immediately sailed her to the Mediterranean, where most of the work was carried out in Palma, Mallorca. Her homeport was in Cavalaire, South of France, and from there, we undertook many short trips to nearby Corsica, Sardinia, and the French Riviera.

I grew up on a 30-meter sailing yacht, sailing around the world for many years with my family. From a young age, I began training in sailing and the technical aspects of boating. As an engineer, I was always well versed in the various technical aspects of boats, which is why I sought a yacht capable of longer ocean crossings. Upon taking ownership of C-QUEST, I began implementing extensive technical upgrades, replacing all navigation, communication, and some entertainment systems with state-of-the-art ones. The engines and mechanical systems were meticulously serviced and upgraded in some areas to optimize everything for long ocean passages. One of the main advantages of the Discovery is the inside navigation seat with 180-degree views through the saloon windows, especially comfortable during rough weather passages and cruising in colder climates. Personally, I upgraded the nav seat with controls for the new autopilot, a new engine control panel, and camera views of the engine room, allowing full steering of the yacht from this position without the need to stand outside at the wheel when it is raining or when the sea is spraying over the sides.

At the end of 2022, we embarked on a trip to the Caribbean, sailing via Gibraltar and the Canary Islands. Despite a very rough passage, we did not need any of the storm sails and gear we bought specifically for the trip, as the boat proved remarkably strong and stable for its size. The twin headsail configuration, with Discovery’s special connecting tool for the two spinnaker booms, was extremely valuable to us, allowing weeks of sailing in downwind conditions without much need for adjustment, a concept new to us and not possible on classic twin headsail designs where the sails are connected directly to the mast via the spinnaker boom.

After cruising the Caribbean for around 5 months, we headed back to France via the Azores and completed the trip in four weeks, despite having no wind at all, thanks to the ample fuel capacity on-board.

Our original intention was to undertake more such trips in the near future, possibly even to northern waters where she would be well equipped. However, due to unforeseen work projects over the next five years that would prevent longer crossings or trips, this is no longer possible. Leaving her in the Med just for day trips would not do justice to such a well-equipped bluewater cruising yacht.