Fantastic new hull paint and lettering. See the before and after photos of this wonderful all electric vessel. Unique interior. Hull is 1.5″ thick fiberglass. Owner said he has gone to Catalina and back to LA harbor and still had range left on the batteries.

Because people have their preferences for top deck paint systems. The owner left the top paint to the choice of the new owner. Which would be a wonderful way of adding your signature to this great sailboat.

1959 fiberglass 41’ Rhodes Bounty sailboat. A special part of this boat is that from that era. Thick fiberglass hulls were the norm. This one boasts up to 1 1/2” thick in the hull. ¾” on the top deck. It would be tough to have a boat like this made. The thickness adds to the confidence of being out on the ocean. Current owner has had the boat for 40 years. Two owners prior to him. Which is a testament to the quality and usability of this wonderful craft.

Rhodes is a respected boat designer. This boat was designed for racing and cruising. With length at 41’ and beam at 10.5’.  It makes for a slender vessel through the water. Owner reported under sail 11 knots in a 30 knot wind. Electric propulsion can produce 6 knots. About 6-7 knots cruising.

Current owner said he got tired of the diesel smell. So, he researched the design options and found a good fit for a complete change out from diesel to electric propulsion. DC motor drives a belt to the shaft. Both are very easy to access. Six solar panels plus. Two panels are new. The others are five years old and still producing. Even the dingy is electric and has a solar panel. Batteries are lithium and new in 2022. Has a two-year-old portable Honda 2.2 kw generator that the owner said he rarely needed due to the production from the panels.

Boat was used easily and confidently around Catalina and surrounding islands for scuba diving, entertainment and can be a liveaboard. It has sailed to Hawaii before.

Out of water survey performed November 2022 with two coats of bottom anti-fouling paint applied at that time. The surveyor found the boat in solid shape. Pictures are available of hull prior to bottom paint application. Swing keel rudder.

Excerpts from the surveyor’s report:

“The “Bounty II” is a very nice sailing, solidly built, and attractive cruising cutter… The design is an adaptation of the wooden “Bounty” from the boards of Philip Rhodes. Rhodes used the talents of Bill Crealock to modify the design for production in fiberglass. The “Bounty II” has the distinction of being the first successfully mass produced large sailboat in fiberglass. 100 hulls were built. “BLACK DOLPHIN” was found in excellent structural condition. She has been equipped with an electric auxiliary propulsion unit and batteries that can be recharged solely by solar panels.”

Top deck and side hulls need a freshen up of paint. The windlass is new. Custom wood carvings for some of the cabinet doors. Just the right amount of roominess designed in.

The owner authored a book about sailing, mooring, diving and more around Catalina Island area. He used to be an officer for the Avalon Harbor Patrol. Thus, his knowledge of boats, their designs and the joy you can have with them is extensive. With the design and structure of this sailboat. It can provide a lot of good memories for the new owner.

More notes from the surveyor”

“The hull and deck were sounded from the exterior while hauled and the entire vessel was visually inspected inside and out… “

“Hull deemed fully sound and in seaworthy condition. Vessel deemed an insurable risk. Through hulls and valves satisfactory and operate freely. Hoses to through hulls satisfactory and double clamped. Running gear in satisfactory condition (propellers, shafts, struts, rudders, steering system). Rig in satisfactory condition (as inspected from deck level)”

“BLACK DOLPHIN” has been well maintained by her current owner, a marine professional) for many years. She lacks in cosmetics though the hull was found fully sound and in seaworthy condition. No structural discrepancies were noted. The unique electric propulsion system was found well installed and may well be the wave of the future. No sea trial was performed though the vessel voyaged to and from the yard and the marina without incident. The rig, including chain plates, was found in satisfactory condition. Sails (main and jib) were found in good condition.”

DISPLACEMENT: 18,800 lbs. BALLAST: 7,500 lbs.

LOA: 40’ 10” LWL: 28’ 0” BEAM: 10’ 3” DRAFT: 5’ 9”

Rig: single spreader masthead Marconi cutter. Sails includes spare main and 2 staysails. New boom cover

35lb stainless car bow anchor and stainless Dan forth stern anchor

Ocean kayak and stainless rack

PROPULLSION: 8 hp 40vDC electric motor / Motor is 36v-96v

DRIVE: toothed belt 15LH12

3 blade bronze propeller.

1¼” stainless steel shaft

STEERING: tiller direct in aft cockpit

ELECTRICAL: 12 volt DC system, 48 volt DC system and 120 volt AC ship/shore power system.

2 Sealed lead acid (200ah at 12v) 12 volt batteries in 1 12 volt bank (house)

4 100 AH lithium ferrous 12 volt batteries in

Motor batteries are 8 lifepo 100a (200ah at 48v) 48 volt bank (propulsion)

PowMr solar charger/regulator with 2000 watt DC to AC inverter

6 100 watt rigid solar panels (48 volt charge)

1 80 watt flexible solar panel

(12 volt charge) digital DC volt and ammeter analog DC volt meter

Potable water: 90 gallons in 2 integral FRP tanks

Stove fuel: 1 90 cf. steel CNG (not connected) Properly stowed and vented? Yes

DC refrigerator/freezer chest

AC fresh water heater

1 double berth fore, 3 single berths