This superb boat was commissioned by Peter Docker to be designed and built by Ron Swanson. It is said Peter visited the shed "almost every day to keep an eye on things" during the build. The first plans for 'Syonara' were like Ron's successful design "Camille", but Peter drew out the bow to give a finer entry and a longer run aft with a counter stern and a beautiful sheer.
In 1982,'Syonara' had a major refit including, a revised deck layout, changes to boom and sails, wheel steering was added, along with autopilot and instruments. A new engine had been installed in 1979, a Yanmar 3QM30. Teak on the rear deck was sanded and recorked this year. Just completed all exterior varnish in October 2024.
Region
New South Wales
Vessel Location
Sydney Region Rushcutters Bay NSW
Reference
Syonara 40
Usage
Cruising
Launch Year
1965
Designer
Ron Swanson
Builder
Ron Swanson
Length
40' - 12.19m
Beam
2.9m
Draft
2m
Keel / Ballast
Semi Long keel.
Hull Material
Timber Hull is Carvel planked Oregon on hardwood frames at 6-inch centres.
Deck Material
Plywood with Teak.
Engine Make
Yanmar
Engine
Heavy duty Yanmar 3QM30 Diesel.
Number Engines
1
Horsepower
30
Fuel Type
Diesel
Propulsion
Hydralign folding propellor.
Fuel
100ltrs
Water
200ltrs
Accommodation
Large, uncluttered cockpit. Unique open design linking cockpit and saloon, (with strong backs for closure for ocean sailing). 4 x sea berths with lee cloths, one converts to double berth at anchor. Drop-leaf saloon table doubles as a cockpit table at anchor. Jabsco head and custom holding tank. Forward cabin used for sail storage. Large lazarette.
Cabins
1
Berths
4
Galley
Broadwater LPG cook-top and oven. Cool box.
200Ltr Stainless water tank
Large drainage Stainless sink
Storage for dry goods and crockery
Refrigeration
Cool Box
Stove
Broadwater LPG cook-top and oven.
Shower
1
Toilet
1
Entertainment
Fusion stereo
Covers
Full Boat Covers
Ground Tackle
Muir VR2200 anchor winch with up/down switch and counter in cockpit. 35lb CQR anchor, 50m of chain, and 50m of rope warp. Second anchor, chain and warp.
Safety Gear
To be audited at time of survey. Cat 7 certificate plus EPIRB and six-man life raft (not recently serviced). Cat 4 life vests serviced.
Simrad NSS12 GPS, screen, sensors and displays. Plastimo Compass. Clock and Barometer.
Sail Inventory
No 1 165%; No 2 135%; No 3 110%; No 4; Storm jib. Main; 0.75oz spinnaker; 2.2oz "storm" spinnaker.
Mast / Rigging
Mast is single spreader, keel stepped, oversized aluminium section with separate track for tri-sail. Mast was unstepped, inspected, and fittings renewed in 2019. Forestay has double track foil and Harken Furler. There is a detachable inner forestay for staysail and storm jib. Boom brake. All wire rigging was replaced in 2019.
Remarks
Full covers.
Australian Registered Ship. Always well maintained. For the past fifteen years or more she has been slipped and maintained by Michael Bartley at Michael Bartley Shipwrights at Woolwich. 'Syonara' has completed Sydney to Hobarts and cruised the East Coast of Australia.