Discovery 55, MERLYN III

Broker’s Comments

The Discovery 55 was designed by Ron Holland and built in the UK by Discovery Yachts. These yachts have gained a strong reputation for being able to do extensive bluewater cruising with family and friends and can be sailed with just a crew of two – while comfortably accommodating a crew of seven. Quality is present in every inch of a Discovery with the inherent strength of the keel structure hand laminated directly to the hull and the high specification of the materials used, each one is built with no expensive spared and this is confirmed as soon as you step on-board.

Discovery 55, MERLYN III – launched in 2012 and from build carefully specified to make ocean passage making a breeze. On deck, she offers the well-known ‘Discovery’ Solent rig with self-tacking jib, forward genoa and electric in mast furling with all sails can be easily handled from the cockpit with no need for crew to go on deck. Down below, you have the customary detailed woodwork throughout with the raised saloon with seating for seven, large uncompromised aft cabin, two further cabins forward giving comfortable berths for seven guests. Her linear galley has been cleverly designed to allow easy access and the raised chart table gives excellent visibility while at sea.

From her launch in Southampton, UK the owner has done extensive sailing. Discovery 55, MERLYN III is looking for new owners to take her forward to the next adventure.

Sales Video

Owner’s Comments

I purchased the MERLYN III as a new build and took delivery in July 2012. She is very fully specified.

• In 2012, our maiden voyage was to the Western Isles of Scotland, including a trip to St. Kilda.
• In 2013, we sailed to the Canary Isles and spent time exploring most of the islands. In December, we sailed in the ARC to St. Lucia.
• In 2014 and the first part of 2015, we cruised extensively in the Caribbean.
• The 2014, hurricane season was spent in Antigua.
• In 2015, we sailed to Curacao and then Columbia and Panama including, the San Blas Islands.
• In 2016, we sailed to Providencia, the Honduran Islands, Belize, Mexico and the East coast of the United States leaving the boat in Stonington, Connecticut over the winter.
• In 2017, we sailed via Boston to Nova Scotia and Maine. In the summer, we sailed to the Azores.
• The following year we cruised the Azores and brought her back to Portland, where she has been based ever since.
• 2019 saw us do a circumnavigation of Ireland.
• 2020 and 2021 was spent in Scotland including the Shetland Isles and the Western Isles.
• 2022 saw us in Galicia.

The distance from Portland to Coruna is around 540 miles and both the voyage there and the return were completed under sail in less than three days (100% on the return and over 80% outbound).

The most important quality of a sailing vessel is seaworthiness. We had very difficult conditions on our voyage from Maine to the Azores, but I can vouch for the reassuring way in which MERLYN III coped with the sea-state; she is very well found. She is also a very comfortable boat for sociable cruising (the BBQ is very popular). Her storage capacity is impressive. We spent a month in the San Blas islands with virtually no access to provisions; such was the capacity of the storage (including a huge fridge and freezer).

The sailing rig is very flexible and can be managed effectively for all likely conditions. She would be ideally suited to a lengthy voyage.