INTRODUCTION

The Ron Holland-designed Discovery 55 sets a high benchmark for the luxury, push button cruising yacht category.  

The interior layout is brilliant with a raised dinette, pilot station, large passageway galley, full beam aft owner’s stateroom, bunk room, and VIP guest stateroom. Interior design details are by the renowned mega yacht stylist Ken Freivokh. The light maple interior and large saloon windows make the interior bright and airy. A walk-in engine room allows superb machinery access.  

BIGOUDEN is hull no.19 of this Discovery 55 series. She was launched in 2007 and spent most of her life in the eastern Mediterranean with light seasonal use and on-land storage until November of 2017 when she participated in the ARC rally ending up in the Caribbean. From there she continued up the east coast to Newport, Rhode Island, where she had cruised summers while being professionally maintained indoors at Bristol Marine in Somerset, Massachusetts. Her condition is therefore excellent when compared to sisterships that have circumnavigated as is their wont and capability. She has never been chartered and has always received the best of care. Electronics were updated with a full suite of the latest Raymarine Hybrid Touch displays. BIGOUDEN is now in Newport, RI, and available for viewing. She has just been bottom-painted and is ready for summer cruising in New England or beyond.  

Broker notes 

BIGOUDEN is undoubtably the best Discovery 55 on the market. Virtually all major systems, amenities and furnishings have been updated, serviced or replaced in the last four years as well as receiving new Awlgrip paint. BIGOUDEN needs nothing to be your next cruising yacht, whether your plans are for summers in New England or a circumnavigation.   

ACCOMMODATIONS

BIGOUDEN has three cabins - the owner’s stateroom being aft and the two guest cabins being forward. The forward cabin is a spacious centerline double with headboard forward. Pullman cabin aft and to port has spacious twin bunks.  

Additional berths are available in the saloon - one dedicated pilot berth to starboard, and one that can be prepared on the saloon seating (all with lee cloths). There are two heads, both with separate enclosed shower compartments, one forward and one owner’s en-suite. A walk-in engine room is entered through the aft shower stall and located beneath the cockpit, providing easy access to maintainable items.  

Interior joinery is maple, chosen over the usual cherry, with bird’s eye accents making for a very bright, elegant and stunning living space. Maple staving lines hull sides in cabins and the galley. All upholstery and curtains were updated in 2020 with “Flag Blue” main salon cushions and beige leather seats at the nav station and owner’s stateroom. Cabin soles are teak and holly laminate throughout, with removable (no studs) carpets (New 2022) in all floor areas.  

• Light switches and sockets in polished chrome  
• Custom fitted drawers for storing tableware and glasses  
• Oceanair blinds on all hatches (except heads) with dual mosquito screens  
• All portlights (Gebo & Lewmar) are opening (except pilot berth) with removable mosquito screens  
• (2) Cabin Marine reading lights in forward cabin and (3) in owner’s cabin  
• Extra 220V electrical sockets  

The main saloon is what makes the Discovery 55 unique. The dinette is raised, providing a panoramic view of the ocean and anchorage outside. The navigation station is also raised. A pilot berth is forward of the nav station with storage drawers and cabinets below the berth. The chartplotter, radar and autopilot are easily viewed from the forward-facing navigators seat allowing one to stand with excellent visibility staying warm and dry. Entrance to the accommodation is via three deep and wide companionway steps. Large grab handles are fitted avoiding the need to step down backwards.  

• Double glazed windows in main saloon minimizing condensation and providing insulation  
• All main saloon windows are toughened safety glass  
• Saloon table fitted protective cover(s)  
• Dimmable saloon perimeter lighting  
• Fixed portlight fitted above pilot berth  
• Custom navigation desk 'pod' to house plotter/VHF/autopilot  
• Dimmable perimeter lighting and additional light switch in headlining adjacent to companionway  
• (3) Additional electrical sockets located inside saloon lockers, (1) under saloon table and (3) at navigation desk  
• Ethernet socket under saloon table and at navigation desk  
• Red night light at chart table  
• (9) Custom built drawers under pilot berth (in place of lockers)  
• Custom drawer inserts to fit glasses and tableware  
• Custom made maple pencil/divider holder on navigation desk  
• Custom pale cream lampshades  
• Custom coat hooks  

The linear galley is down two steps from raised saloon and located in the aft cabin passageway. BIGOUDEN’s cook/chef will delight in the copious countertop workspace and abundant drawer and cabinet storage for provisions and cookware. The front-opening fridge and freezer are forward. Along the hull side, below the deck edge the stove/oven are next aft and ventilated by an overhead extraction fan. A large bank of drawers and cabinets is located below the countertop aft of the stove. Inboard, is the “clean up” area with top opening trash bin, double sinks, a dish drying basin, storage cabinets, and built-in microwave. Opening hull side, cabins side, and overhead hatches will avoid the “down in a cave” sensation plaguing many cruising yacht galleys.  

• Front opening Frigoboat fridge (10.4 cu.ft)  
• Frigoboat freezer (or 2nd fridge) (6 cu.ft)  
• Force 10 - 3 burner gas cooker with hood extraction fan  
• 230v Panasonic microwave  
• Blanco twin stainless steel galley sinks  
• Large Corian “dump sink”  
• (2) Blanco swivel spray head taps (salt & fresh water) (Replaced when fresh water system was re-done.  There is now fresh water spray head tap, a Naturepure 2QC filtered cold drinking water tap and a manual fresh water tap.)  
• Countertops in beige Corian  
• Chute design waste bin  

The aft owner’s stateroom is well separated from the guest cabins forward and entered through a privacy door aft of the galley. A king-sized island berth is on centerline with an upholstered headboard aft at the transom where an opening port helps ventilate this cabin even when raining outside. A curved vanity is forward on centerline and fitted with beveled mirrors. Hanging lockers and storage cabinets are outboard on each side. Drawers and storage bins are beneath the bed. A small dressing seat is to starboard forward.  

• King size double berth with Portland Mattress Camden 8” airflow mattress. (New 2022)  
• Bedflex battens underneath mattress  
• (3) Lee cloths  
• Opening overhead hatch, (2) opening hull side ports, (2) cabinside opening ports, (2) dorade vents   

The aft ensuite head is to starboard and entered through a locking privacy door. A vanity with oval sink is outboard and aft. The Tecma electric flush head is just forward. A stall shower with clear bifold door is further forward. The washer dryer is housed all the way forward behind a hinged door in the shower stall. Engine space access is through a watertight door inboard of the stall shower.  

• Electric shower and sink sump pump  
• GRP molded units for easy cleaning  
• Beige Corian surfaces  
• Beige Corian seats in shower  
• Flip style chrome sink plug  
• Separate showers keep heads areas dry  
• Tecma electric toilet (fresh/salt water) with bidet fitments (fresh hot/cold) (New 2021)  

Passage to the forward/guest area is to starboard and down two steps from the raised saloon. All the way forward is a large guest cabin with a centerline double berth. A headboard and reading lights are forward on the bulkhead. Drawer storage is below the berth. Open bookshelves run along the hull sides aboard. A hanging locker is aft to port and a tall locker with shelves is aft to starboard.  

• Double bed Portland Mattress Camden 8” airflow mattress (New 2022)  
• Bed mesh underneath mattress 
• Central lee cloth  
• Opening hatch, dorade vent, (2) opening hull side ports  

The bunk cabin is to port and aft of the guest cabin. An upper and lower berth are outboard along the hull side. Drawer storage is beneath the lower bunk. Aft and inboard is a wardrobe locker with shelves above two drawers. Forward is a hanging locker.  

• Bed mesh underneath mattresses  
• (2) Lee cloths  
• Overhead hatch and opening cabin side port  

The forward head is shared by the two guest staterooms and located to starboard in the forward passage. The Tecma electric flush head is all the way forward. A vanity, sink, and storage cabinets are outboard along the hull side. A stall shower is aft of a clear bifold door.  

• Electric shower and sink sump pump  
• GRP molded units for easy cleaning  
• Beige Corian surfaces  
• Beige Corian seat in shower  
• Flip style chrome sink plug  
• Separate showers keep heads areas dry  
• Tecma electric toilet (fresh/salt water) with bidet fitments (fresh hot/cold) (New 2022) 

DECK and HULL

BIGOUDEN has Navy Blue Awlgripped hull (Bristol Marine, Somerset, MA, 2019) with thin gold cove strip and red over white boot stripes. Three opening hull side ports on each side and an opening port in the transom assist interior views and ventilation. The functional and gracious Ron Holland-design has a flared/overhanging bow to keep the decks dry in a seaway and facilitate clear anchor deployment from the stemhead bow rollers. The reverse transom is scooped in way of the swim step and mid-level steps to the main deck. This well-designed stern serves many functions. A telescoping stainless steel swim ladder is housed just above the waterline where it can easily be extended by a swimmer in the water, an important safety feature. A stainless-steel crab bar is just above the swim ladder. Two hinged-top storage lockers are located in the full-beam mid-height step, excellent for storing dive/snorkel gear, fishing gear, and outboard engine gas. An additional small step makes for easy ascension to the main deck.  

Staying on deck is vital to safety aboard any offshore cruising yachts and the Discovery 55 is well set up for crew safety. A 3” tall, raised bulwark surrounds the deck and is topped with a 3.5” wide teak caprail. The bulwark rises to 6” high at the bow with a graceful spring of the sheer line. Large stainless-steel mooring cleats are mounted atop the caprails, eliminating the need for chocks. Extra-high stanchions are set into the bulwark, keeping side decks open and uncluttered. Double stainless steel-uncoated wire lifelines run from stern pushpit to bow pulpit with interruption at the midship’s boarding gates.  

Ground tackle and handling gear is well-suited for a world class cruising yacht. Double Delrin bow rollers with massive stainless-steel cheeks are welded to the stemhead and recessed into the caprail. The anchor locker is top opening and drains overboard.  

The deck and coachroof are overlayed with 12mm thick teak and rubber. This decking is recessed level into the coachroof forward of the raised saloon and aft of the cockpit. Large, aluminum-framed tinted safety glass windows in the forward face and sides of the raised saloon delineate this yacht as a Discovery. The two outboard forward-facing windows hinge open when airflow is desired in the saloon. A visored and well-cambered roof tops this raised saloon.  

Stainless steel handrails are secured outboard along both sides of this deckhouse. Sailing yachts designed for long range cruising need ample “deck-accessible” storage. A large bow locker just aft of anchor locker is entered through a gasketed and guttered flush deck hatch. The aft bulkhead is watertight and serves well as a collision bulkhead. Two quarter lockers are accessed through flush, gasketed and guttered deck hatches. Two side deck lockers are to port midships. The aft locker is dedicated to cooking gas.  

Another hallmark feature of the Discovery 55 is the comfortable and well-protected center cockpit. Located behind the raised saloon with narrow, curved coamings rising above the aft coachroof, this space serves well for sailing or lounging. The settees have high backs and are inlaid with teak and rubber. The cockpit widens slightly outboard of the helm. The cockpit sole is also covered with teak and rubber and drains forward into a grating covered “line tail” trough. A fixed teak cockpit table with hinged side leaves breaks up this wide cockpit. A tan canvas dodger mounted atop a raised foundation base protects the forward cockpit and companionway. A large tan bimini folds up from behind the cockpit to provide shelter from rain or sun when desired. Cockpit cushions consist of closed-cell foam covered with tan yacht acrylic.  

The steering pedestal is well aft in the cockpit and has many control and monitoring functions mounted within easy reach of this command location. Controls at the helm include: Yanmar engine panel, water in fuel alarm, engine exhaust alarm, engine throttle/shifter, bow thruster, VHF RAM mic, compass, autopilot, radar/chartplotter, anchor windlass up/down, primary winch controls; deck, compass, transom, locker, boom, pedestal, steaming, spreader, strobe, and boom (cockpit illumination) lights.   

A unique feature of this Discovery 55 is the hot tub located in the footwell aft of the helm. Imagine soaking in hot salt or fresh water after a long day’s sail in cold climates…  

• Composite construction with end grain balsa core providing superior strength, thermal insulation and acoustic insulation but keeping the weight down which adds to performance  
• 9,500kgs (20,500lbs) shaped lead keel and a depth of 2.23m (7’3”) provides a ballast ratio of 42% providing maximum stability and comfort  
• Layer of Kevlar massively adding to the hull strength  
• Non-pigmented gel is used below the waterline to help prevent osmosis  
• Vinylester resins are used throughout for added strength and osmosis prevention  
• 3 layers of epoxy as a barrier against moisture ingress  
• Navy blue gel coat with gold cove line  
• Two watertight bulkheads providing sealed buoyancy and safety  
• Transom bathing ladder  
• Marine ply is used in all load bearing areas for added strength  
• Full teak decks, capping rail, seating  
• Lights in deck lockers (except two on port side (gas & storage)  
• Ultramarine 100# anchor with stopper (New 2021)  
• Lofrans Project 1500 rope and chain windlass and capstan (New 2022) with digital chain counter at helm and up/down controls at helm and at windlass  
• 300’ G43 3/8” chain (New 2019)  
• Kedge anchor roller fitted to transom  
• Deep self-draining chain locker  
• Large bow sail locker  
• Deck is joined to the hull with epoxy paste and stainless bolts for security  
• All bulkheads are laminated into the deck for strength and stiffness  
• Hot/cold freshwater shower on transom  
• Hot/cold freshwater and seawater outlets in cockpit to fill hot tub or wash down decks  
• Saltwater pressurized deck & anchor wash located in the chain locker  
• Stainless pulpit with teak seats for dolphin watching  
• Stainless stern rail with teak seats for wake watching  
• Stainless stanchions with higher than standard guard rail for added safety around deck  
• Full-length stainless steel rub strip to capping rails  
• (2) Stainless fairleads fitted at forward end of capping rail  
• (10) Stainless mooring cleats: (2) on transom and (8) on side capping rail  
• Stainless guardrails over dorade boxes  
• Simpson davits (150kg load) (New 2019)  
• Passerelle (260cm x 35cm customized, lightweight carbon fiber with protective storage case  
• (10) Fenders with spliced warps and fender socks  
• Aluminum retractable boat hook  
• Ensign flagstaff with Sunbrella cover and USA ensign  
• Full complement of mooring lines/warps 

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

• Mastervolt 480 amp battery bank with Victron monitoring screen (New 2022)  
• 200 amp/hour start battery for engine  
• 120 amp/hour start battery for generator  
• House battery charging via shore power or onboard generator and charger  
• 55 amp/hour 12v alternator for charging the start battery  
• 100 amp/hour alternator for charging the main house batteries  
• Generator: Onan MDKBN - 11 kVA (230V) (1500 hours)  
• Marine grade tinned cabling is used throughout. This reduces corrosion and provides longevity  
• 24v System for efficiency  
• Halogen lighting throughout  
• Victron Energy Multiplus 24v/3000w Inverter/Charger providing 230v/50 Hz (new Sept 2017)  
• Night lights throughout the boat  
• (3) Solara Power M 140 solar panels installed, attached on a SS frame above Simpson Davits (New 2021)  
• 230v/50Hz Shore power (2) Sockets: (1) on bow, (1) on transom  
• Shore power cable with extension and selection of adapters for 16 and 32 amp  
• Scanstrut deck flood light  
• (2) 12V socket (pedestal & beside mast)  
• 24V socket in bow  
• 220V socket in bow  
• (3) Stainless-steel low level navigation lights (fwd port & starboard, & stern)  
• LED Lopo navigation lights (steaming, anchor & tricolour) (New 2024) 

ELECTRONICS and NAVIGATION

• Raymarine Axiom 2Pro 16” Hybrid Touch Multifunction display at Nav Table (New 2021)  
• Raymaine Axiom 2Pro 9” Hybrid Touch Multifunction display at Nav Table (New 2024)  
• Raymarine 4kW 24” HD Radome radar scanner  
• (3) i70S Multifunction color display instruments  
• Raymarine Autopilot control head  
• Raymarine masthead wind sensor and DST transducer  
• Airmar Ultrasonic Smart Sensor (New 2024)  
• Raymarine AIS 650 Class B Transceiver  
• Rockford Fosgate PMX-5CAN AM/FM/WB stereo tuner and digital media receiver with CAN bus functionality (for integration with Raymarine MFDs)  
• Vesper Cortex Model V1 AIS/VHF (New 2021)  
• iCom IC-M506 VHF/DSC marine transceiver with NMEA 2000 connectivity and AIS receiver  
• iCom CommandMic HM195B at pedestal  
• Custom fabricated 316 polished stainless-steel communications mast (new Aug 2017)  
• Iridium Go! (New 2021)   
• WiFi bat antenna  
• Compass (Plastimo Olympic 135)  
• Sea Me active radar reflector  
• Horn on mast linked to VHF loudhailer/automatic fog signal function  
• Yacht prepared for installation of SSB (earthling strip bonded to inside of hull, two ground plates and insulated backstay)  
• UHB ports at nav station (2) owner’s stateroom (1) pullman cabin (1) and forward cabin (1) installed 2020 

SAILS and RIGGING

BIGOUDEN has a powerful yet manageable sail plan with “pushbutton” powered sail handling systems operable from the cockpit. Jib furlers have lines led aft to the cockpit where a powered winch makes for effortless furling. Three additional self-tailing electric winches in the cockpit handle genoa and main sheets. From stowed to full sail takes about two minutes. One will sail more often and with just the right amount of sail area for the conditions with such a setup. A mast two whisker poles, and asymmetrical spinnaker will make downwind sailing faster and more fun when desired.  

• Double spreader B&R rig for strength and safety and clear decks  
• Lewmar mainsheet traveler track  
• Lewmar traveler for self-tacking Jib  
• New (2021) Selden mast set up for slab furling. Boom refit with Selden reefing system. (Original Mast with in-mast furling is still available in the boat’s storage)  
• Lewmar turning blocks  
• Standing rigging – 1 x 19 stainless steel wire in swaged terminals  
• All standing and running rigging replaced (2021)  
• All stainless steel electric Anderson winches: (2) 68ST, (2) 52ST, and 46ST)  
• Anodized, white powder-coated Selden mast and boom  
• (2) Andersen stainless steel manual mast winches  
• Mast-mounted anodized, white powder-coated Selden whisker pole  
• Second Selden whisker pole with toe-rail storage brackets for double-headsail downwind sailing  
• Spinnaker halyard with associated fittings  
• Selden Rodkicker solid boom vang  
• Spinnaker halyard with associated fittings  
• Mainsail boom gybe preventer rigging  
• Full-batten mainsail and lazybag (North Sails, 2021)  
• 130 Dacron genoa (North Sails, 2019)  
• Helix gennaker (North Sails, 2022)  
• North self-tacking blade jib and 140% genoa with white UV covers  
• All sails removed, inspected and serviced at North Sails in Portsmouth, RI, annually 

MECHANICAL and PLUMBING SYSTEMS

• Engine: Yanmar Diesel 160HP 4LHA-HTP fresh water cooled (2200 hrs)  
• All engine hoses replaced (2018)  
• Dual Racor filter on engine and single Racor on NL generator (2019)  
• Full walk-in engine room  
• Single lever controls at cockpit pedestal  
• 24” Gori folding propeller – for maneuverability and speed when both sailing and under power  
• Bowthruster: Max Power 125 composite 10hp  
• 1220mm Leather covered stainless wheel controlling a Whitlock Mamba, solid rod steering system, providing direct and positive steering  
• 48” stainless steering wheel covered in bespoke leather  
• Semi-balanced large Kevlar-reinforced rudder provides light but powerful steerage  
• Emergency steering tiller  
• Heating: Eberspacher D10W central heating (Replaced 2021)  
• New Espar heater (New 2020)  
• Dometic 3-zone air conditioning installed by Ocean Options (New 2021, never used)  
• Replaced zincs, lines box and compressors (Danfoss BD50F) to Frigoboat refrigerator and freezers (2024)  
• Rope cutter to propeller shaft (AM15, 3 blade)  
• (2) 10 gallon propane fitted gas bottles in outboard gas locker (convertible to Butane)  
• Gas plumbing for BBQ on pushpit Xintex Fireboy gas detector (replaced 2021)  
• Fuel: 1334 litres (352 US gals) fuel in three polyethylene tanks  
• Fresh Water: 2 x polyethylene tanks totaling 1008 litres (266 US gals)  
• Replaced entire freshwater system. Installed isolation valves for six zones (Headsync) (2021)  
• Spectra Newport 400 24 Volt watermaker (New 2019)  
• Installed new water tank and attached to hydronic heater so water can be heated by Espar, 220 Volt immersion or engine (New 2021)  
• Replaced black water system and tanks, installed new tank gauges and two Tecma fresh and saltwater heads (Headsync) (Replaced 2019)  
• Grey water tank (150 Litres)  
• Rule dry bilge pump to pump up to last 1/8” (New 2022)  
• Pressurized hot and cold fresh water  
• 50 litre hot water heater providing plenty of hot water for showers etc.  
• Pressurized sea water for deck wash, electric toilets and hot tub  
• LG combination washer/dryer (New 2019, never used)  
• Pressurized hot and cold water  
• Electric shower and sink sump pump  
• Tecma electric toilets (fresh/salt water) with bidet fitments (fresh hot/cold) 

CANVAS AND SOFT GOODS

• All interior and exterior cushions replaced (2019)  
• New dodger and bimini (Black Duck Canvas, 2019). Zippered bimini side and aft sunscreens add comfort while still allowing full visibility from inside the cockpit   
• Bimini, sprayhood, and opening hatch, cockpit table and pedestal covers (Replaced 2019)  
• Exterior covers for saloon windows  
• New carpeting (Island Carpets, 2022)   
• New custom 8” mattresses (Portland Mattresses, 2023) 

SAFETY

• Strong webbing Jackstays for safety  
• Plastimo TransOcean ISO 9650 6-Man Offshore Life raft with service pack 1 (>24 hours, serviced in 2022  
• (3) Fire extinguishers (Replaced 2024)  
• Crash blanket  
• ACR GlobalFix 406 EPIRB McMurdo G8 Smartfind  
• Switex MOB Module (New 2020)  
• Fire blanket (galley)  
• Automatic fire extinguisher fitted in the engine room (Serviced 2024) 

TENDER

• 11’ Ocean Cruising Tender OCT 330 fiberglass tender with 9.9 Honda and beaching wheels (2022)  
• New outboard motor lift (2019) 

EXCLUSIONS

The owner’s personal effects are excluded from the sale.