1989 Custom Trimaran
Currency
Length
43' 0" - 13.11m
Vessel Location
Rebak Island Marina & Resort LANGKAWI
Launch Year
1989
Hull Material
Fibreglass/GRP
Seaspray Yacht sales is proud to present: Sunbird III; A Truly Special 1989 Custom Buehler Trimaran.
This isn't just a boat listing; it's a recommendation for a one-of-a-kind, hand-built Buehler trimaran that's been a beloved and capable expedition base. She's done the big trips--a full lap around Australia and extensive exploration in Southeast Asia--and she's set up as a proper, self-sufficient liveaboard.
The best part about a trimaran like this? The sublime stability at anchor and the incredibly shallow 1-meter draft that opens up anchorages most boats have to skip. The deck space feels more like a patio.
Her current owners have poured their love into making her independent and comfortable:
Power & Water Sorted: A robust 1.6KW solar array runs everything through a large lithium battery bank. Need water? The custom watermaker keeps the tanks full.
Comfortable Liveaboard: It's a proper home with two cabins (sleeps four), a full U-shaped galley with a standing fridge/freezer, and even a washing machine. They've also got Starlink setup for connectivity.
Seriously Equipped: She comes with everything for serious cruising: high-quality ground tackle, recent stainless rigging (2019), a dinghy ready to deploy, and a full sail inventory. The Yanmar engine has recently finished a professional rebuild, which is a huge plus for the next owner.
The honest details:
Design/Builder: Custom Buehler design / built by Ian Manson (1989)
Location: Rebak Island Marina, Langkawi, Malaysia
Size: 43ft long, with that iconic, roomy 25.5ft trimaran beam.
Key Updates: Rigging replaced in 2019, large lithium banks installed 2-3 years ago, engine rebuild recently complete. She's a vessel ready for final commissioning and your personal touch.
Sunbird III is a rare find--a legitimate, ocean-tested cruiser without the "project boat" anxiety. She's ideal for a couple or a small family who values strength, space, and smart systems over shiny, unnecessary glamour.
I have the full documentation, a detailed spec list, and plenty of photos. If a unique, capable, and honest cruising home speaks to you, let's chat.
She's lying at Rebak Island Marina & Resort, Langkawi, and is ready for your inspection.
Seaspray Yacht Sales is a division of Seaspray Marine Services. Qualified Shipwright Services established and operated in Langkawi for 14 years.
This isn't just a boat listing; it's a recommendation for a one-of-a-kind, hand-built Buehler trimaran that's been a beloved and capable expedition base. She's done the big trips--a full lap around Australia and extensive exploration in Southeast Asia--and she's set up as a proper, self-sufficient liveaboard.
The best part about a trimaran like this? The sublime stability at anchor and the incredibly shallow 1-meter draft that opens up anchorages most boats have to skip. The deck space feels more like a patio.
Her current owners have poured their love into making her independent and comfortable:
Power & Water Sorted: A robust 1.6KW solar array runs everything through a large lithium battery bank. Need water? The custom watermaker keeps the tanks full.
Comfortable Liveaboard: It's a proper home with two cabins (sleeps four), a full U-shaped galley with a standing fridge/freezer, and even a washing machine. They've also got Starlink setup for connectivity.
Seriously Equipped: She comes with everything for serious cruising: high-quality ground tackle, recent stainless rigging (2019), a dinghy ready to deploy, and a full sail inventory. The Yanmar engine has recently finished a professional rebuild, which is a huge plus for the next owner.
The honest details:
Design/Builder: Custom Buehler design / built by Ian Manson (1989)
Location: Rebak Island Marina, Langkawi, Malaysia
Size: 43ft long, with that iconic, roomy 25.5ft trimaran beam.
Key Updates: Rigging replaced in 2019, large lithium banks installed 2-3 years ago, engine rebuild recently complete. She's a vessel ready for final commissioning and your personal touch.
Sunbird III is a rare find--a legitimate, ocean-tested cruiser without the "project boat" anxiety. She's ideal for a couple or a small family who values strength, space, and smart systems over shiny, unnecessary glamour.
I have the full documentation, a detailed spec list, and plenty of photos. If a unique, capable, and honest cruising home speaks to you, let's chat.
She's lying at Rebak Island Marina & Resort, Langkawi, and is ready for your inspection.
Seaspray Yacht Sales is a division of Seaspray Marine Services. Qualified Shipwright Services established and operated in Langkawi for 14 years.
Price
AU $180,000
Vessel Name
SUNBIRD III
Launch Year
1989
Length
43' 0" - 13.11m
Beam
7.8M
Draft
1M
Displacement
8 TONNE
Vessel Location
Rebak Island Marina & Resort Langkawi
Region
Asia
Use
Leisure, Cruising, Live Aboard
HIN
AU-TWA060758
Registration
853376
Designer
BUEHLER
Builder
IAN MANSON
Hull Material
Fibreglass/GRP
Decks Material
Foam Sandwich, epoxy fibreglass
Engine
3QM30,3 CYCLINDER DIESEL
Engine Make
Yanmar
Number Engines
1
Horsepower
30
Fuel Type
Diesel
Engine Hours
1000 - 2025 re-build
Fuel Consumption
2.7 LPH @ 1600 RPM
Max Speed
8 KNOTS
Cruise Speed
6 KNOTS
Propulsion
PROPELLER - FOLDABLE
Thrusters
NO
Genset
PORTABLE HONDA 2KVA 200UI
Fuel
300L
Water
250L
Dinghy
TRUKIT INFLATABLE 3M
Outboard
9.8HP TOHATSU 2 STROKE
Covers
CHAPS/ SUNBRELLA
Accommodation
186cm high, 185cm long berths 2 single and 1 double.
Washing machine - front loader 3kg.
Washing machine - front loader 3kg.
Cabins
2
Berths
4
Shower
1 - electric
Toilet
1 - electric with holding tank (head is electric macerated type and was replaced 1.5yrs ago)
Entertainment
TV and Starlink
Galley
U-shape, single sink drain, ample storage, double burner stove.
Refrigeration
Upright fridge, 12V electric compressor 120.
Freezer
Yes - portable 40L
Stove
Hybrid induction/ gas burner 1 each.
Water-Maker
Custom built 120L/hour dual element R. O (240V)
Hot Water
No
Ground Tackle
8M CHAIN WITH DANFORTH ANCHOR
Safety Gear
4 harnesses, 2 lanyards, 1 bosuns chair.
Bilge Pumps
1
Life Raft
Dinghy - on quick release davits
Epirb
1
Life Jackets
4
Flares
Yes but out of date
Fire Protection
2 fire extinguishers, 1 fire blanket
Electrics
240V/12V system : Austrailian sockets 240V (with Malay convertors)
House batteries: 2 systems
1 nav ; 300 AH lithium (2 years old)
1 home ; 400 AH lithium (3 years old)
Engine start battery: lead acid 100 AH (4 years)
Solar panels: 1.6KW 400
Charger: 5KW Victron Quattro inverter/ charger
House batteries: 2 systems
1 nav ; 300 AH lithium (2 years old)
1 home ; 400 AH lithium (3 years old)
Engine start battery: lead acid 100 AH (4 years)
Solar panels: 1.6KW 400
Charger: 5KW Victron Quattro inverter/ charger
Electronics / Navigation
Navigation: use laptop
VHF: Yes
HF: no
AIS: Matsutech receive + transmit RXTX
Radar: no
Depth sounder: Raymarine
Speed & Wind: ST60
Wind vane: Raymarine
Davids: rear of boat for dinghy + solar panels
VHF: Yes
HF: no
AIS: Matsutech receive + transmit RXTX
Radar: no
Depth sounder: Raymarine
Speed & Wind: ST60
Wind vane: Raymarine
Davids: rear of boat for dinghy + solar panels
Sail Inventory
Worn Screecher x 2
Mainsail, furling genoa, Worn Jib and Spinaker
Mainsail, furling genoa, Worn Jib and Spinaker
Mast / Rigging
Ketch rig with stainless rigging (2019)
Deck Gear
Chains & Ropes: 60mtrs chain, 100m nylon rope
Winches: Maxwells chain/rope winch
Swing centre board which is hydraulically driven and the winches in the cockpit are hydraulic as well the main sheet winch is electric
Windlass is only 3yrs old
1x ROCNA anchor - re galvanised and 60 m of 10 mm Marine anchor chain has been re-galvanised as well.
1 x FOTRES Anchor (NEW)
2 x large winches / hydraulic
2 x small winches / hand
2 x medium winches on mast
2 x sea anchor / paraschute + cone
Winches: Maxwells chain/rope winch
Swing centre board which is hydraulically driven and the winches in the cockpit are hydraulic as well the main sheet winch is electric
Windlass is only 3yrs old
1x ROCNA anchor - re galvanised and 60 m of 10 mm Marine anchor chain has been re-galvanised as well.
1 x FOTRES Anchor (NEW)
2 x large winches / hydraulic
2 x small winches / hand
2 x medium winches on mast
2 x sea anchor / paraschute + cone
Remarks
The boat sailed around Austrialia, Indonesia ( twice), Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra.
Boat has had 3 owners, the current owner has owned it since 2022.
Boat has had 3 owners, the current owner has owned it since 2022.
CONTACT DETAILS
Dealer
Seaspray Yacht Sales Langkawi
Telephone
Fax
+60174814869
Address
Rebak Island Hardstand
Rebak Island Marina & Resort LANGKAWI Malaysia
Rebak Island Marina & Resort LANGKAWI Malaysia
Website
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