Triqual 65, BIG BIRD OF POOLE

Broker’s Comments

Zijlmans Jachtbouw is a family owned yacht builder in Drimmelen on the Amer River, North Brabant – the heart of Dutch yacht building. Zijlmans Jachtbouw, have been in business for over 30 years and have a reputation for reliability and quality of their hard-chine steel hulls, built under the watchful eye of Marcel Zijlmans and his team. They are still in business today and have built over 100 steel motor yachts, which are renowned for their sea keeping qualities.

BIG BIRD OF POOLE is a 2002 Triqual 65 that has been built to a high standard, from a multichine steel frame construction. She has been exceptionally refitted and maintained since being purchased in 2013 by the current owner, who is an engineer by trade and has previously owned businesses within the yachting industry. She has done low hours (circa. 747) on her twin Vetus Deutz diesel engines (231hp), offering 8.5 knot cruising speed with an impressive range of 1000 nautical miles. Boasting a high specification, BIG BIRD has all the necessary amenities included to spend uninterrupted time on board, even on those winter days with full central heating system including radiators in all cabins and fully insulated.

BIG BIRD was formally named LOUISE and was a naughty girl in her past life. In 2011 LOUISE was seized in Southampton with a haul of cocaine, with a street value of £300,000,000 hidden underneath the bathing platform, which at the time was the largest seizure ever recorded in the UK. She was then sold legally through the proceeds of crime act and is deemed UK VAT paid by HMRC. It pleases me to say that BIG BIRD is now on the straight and narrow.

In 2014, BIG BIRD was coded for charter and proved very successful and popular. With the arrival of the accommodation site Airbnb and BIG BIRD’s amazing location in Poole Harbour, the decision was made to run her as a luxurious and unique AIRBNB. BIG BIRD has been very successful achieving a 5* review rating, with many guests taking advantage of the “home from home” feel “on the water” returning time and time again, over a 5-year period.

Her next owner will also be able to enjoy the benefits of her luxurious space, comfort and sea keeping qualities for personal enjoyment or business opportunities.

History of work carried out including the refit in 2014:

• Saloon: Starboard side marble bar removed. Custom built replacement units with sprayed paint finish and counter tops. “Sea safe” glass cupboards. 24 volts fridge and 240 V wine cooler. New crew forward facing double seat with footrest. 50” Samsung Tv with remote control and power lift. Samsung Soundbar with base box installed. Wall finishes replaced and added. New window fabric blinds & curtains. New deep pile carpets. Helm seat enhanced with additional backrest and arm rest (removable) for long distance passage making. Large sofa recovered. New wet radiators fitted and additional radiators fitted (5 in the saloon area) New Stainless-steel handrail installed to saloon stairs to galley area. LED 24 V Dimmable down lighters (This applies throughout).
• Galley: Addition of wall coverings and large mirror and undercover of helm station. New Neff Fridge, Oven and Microwave fitted. New carousel unit added to kitchen cupboards. New crockery storage area created. New sliding deep draw added under kitchen dining area. Under stairs storage racked and lined. All cabin latch gear overhauled or replaced as required. Extensive storage under bespoke leather galley sofa dining area sorted out and repainted.
• Heads: removed, overhauled and reinstalled. All black water and grey water plumbed to black water tank. Pipework altered to allow grey water to discharge overboard if required and permitted. New high-capacity grey water holding tank, pump and discharge system installed. New antiphon valves installed as required. Showers controls, taps and sink wastes and fittings overhauled.
• Electrical systems: were checked, and extensive work carried out by qualified electrical marine engineer. (Kevin Dixon, Poole) New Hubble shore power deck fittings. New “Batt” cable 32amp mains supply cable fitted to distribution board. New breakers installed and upgraded as required. 240 Volts circuits fully checked. All 240 volts sockets replaced to UK 3 pin. A few Euro sockets maintained for ease of use if continental cruising. USB sockets added. Heat, smoke and fire system fitted throughout the vessel.
• All 24 volt down lighting systems ungraded to LED.
• All 240 Volt sockets replaced with new UK 3pin with selected USB sockets.
• Side deck and spiral stair lights being replaced now 2021.
• Exterior: All stanchions and rails removed and remanufactured to provide a safe height for moving around the decks at sea. Re-polished and refitted with new fixings and sealer. Added mid-level stainless safety wire rail.
• Engine room: all machinery has had a full overhaul over the last 7 years. Including in 2020 the removal of all equipment. The steel plate has been fully cleaned as required, treated and refinished with 2 pack base coat and topcoat.
• Engines & generator: Fully serviced engines and gearboxes. Generator, hydraulic systems and hoses serviced. A number of hydraulic hoses have been replaced as required.
• Stern gear: Following survey in 2013 the shafts were removed and the pitting was confined to the area just ahead of the deep-water seals. No other pitting. Following survey in 2013, the original manufacturer (Bockland) of the deep water seals were found to be faulty. The company ceased trading and the design was purchased by another manufacturer. Axiseal, a new unit was already on the yacht when purchased so the decision was made to replace both 50mm shafts, all stern tubes, rubbers etc and fit 2 new Axiseal units. A galvanic isolation system with visual gauge was installed and when the vessel was back on her berth at Salterns Marina Poole the “Antique Silver Spoon Test” was carried out to confirm we had a fully balanced system. Test passed. The deep-water seals leaking salt water into the shaft wells allowed the corrosion on the shaft at the internal waterline.
• Both rudders removed, and steering shafts checked. All good. Cleaned and repacked with grease. Refitted with new stainless A4 bolts and NY locks with one welded on each rudder. Checked when lifted 2021 and all tight.
• New hydraulic ram fitted 2020. Original unit available, requires a seal kit fitting.
• Propellers: were checked and the starboard propeller was serviceable but required replacement due to zincification. New prop order and fitted at a later date.
• Safety equipment: New Fireboy-Xintex engine room system installed. Extensive selection of 1kg, 3kg,6kg fire extinguishers – Powder, Co2 & foam. Service dates not verified.
• Bilge pumps: All new 24-volt bilge pumps & float switches fitted. Regularly checked and maintained and replaced as required. Manual test switch installed near every pump. Pump spares on board.
• Manual pumps fitted 2014 1 x Forward Bilge. 1 Mid bilge with diverter valve to pump engine room, remotely. As per coded specification.
• Forward cabin & ensuite: Carpets replaced. Mattress overhauled. Additional headlining. Under bed storage sorted out and painted. New curtains. Added pair of wall lights above bed. Blackout blind on skylight.
• Bathroom: New Mirror and tiles repaired. Shower overhauled and screen. Blackout blind on window.
• Mid double cabin: Carpets replaced. Mattress overhauled. New mirrors. Under bed storage sorted out and painted. Added pair of wall lights over bed.
• Double mid bunks: Carpets replaced. Mattresses overhauled. Under bed storage shorted out and painted. Addition of cot restraints on both bunks.
• Aft bathroom: Addition of wet room stainless steel drain. New mirrors. Shower unit and screens overhauled.
• Aft deck: canvas serviced, and zips replaced with plastic. Windows replaced 2019. Some service stitching required on Port side at present. Downlighters upgraded to LED.
• Cockpit lockers, needle gunned and repainted.

Sales Video

£400,000 Yacht Tour : 2002 Triqual 65