Switch 55

[salticrak]

A bloke I know is looking at getting back into cruising again. He has a liking for South african cats, but today he started jibbering on about the Switch 55's. So as to sound like I know my stuff next time i take the mickey out of him for not currently owning a boat, what is there that is good and bad about this breed?

cheers all Paul.

[Wraith_Mac]

Sud Composites was the builder, VPLP the designers and the Switch 51 it's smaller sibling. VPLP designed them to be fast cruisers.
AFAIK there was only one built but I've never checked on that.
Switch 55 Sailing Cat - Ensign Ship Brokers
http://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-...witch-55/73577
Google the Switch 51, you'll get some info which may translate to the larger yacht.
I also heard Sud Composites was finito, then read somewhere they were starting back up, don't know for sure.
Cheers,
Mac
Edit: Just added second link

[salticrak]

Thanks Mac for the heads up. They do look purty things for sure.A fast cruiser would imply lighter construction methods, larger sail plan and less whitegoods?

[Wraith_Mac]

Originally Posted by salticrak

Thanks Mac for the heads up. They do look purty things for sure.A fast cruiser would imply lighter construction methods, larger sail plan and less whitegoods?

Paul,
Yes as far as the weight [13-14T displ.] and sailplan plus dagger boards, no to the white goods, they seem to have everything fitted to keep house very comfortably. [Switch 51]
From what I read a few years ago the S55 was aimed at an even higher level of luxury fit out with good performance but that's really all I know of it.
Cheers,
Mac

[Wraith_Mac]

Paul,
Here's an old add for "Following Tides", take the sales pitch into consideration LOL
But it gives a good look at what they've got etc.
Switch 51 | Sud Composites Switch 51 Grand Cruiser Catamaran For Sale
Mac

[Factor]

More than one built, good things well constructed of light strong materials, great world cruiser

[Wraith_Mac]

Originally Posted by Factor

More than one built, good things well constructed of light strong materials, great world cruiser

Hi Factor,
Interesting observation that, I read an article years ago that a Switch 55 was being built, another article on Sud Composites listed 1xSw55 built and both the adverts claim "Fantazia" as the only one built.
Where would the others have been built and by whom if not SUD?
Cheers,
Mac

[Factor]

I have seen two, one in unzud and anchored next to one at Pancake Creek. Having said that I didn't measure them but both owners said they were 55s

[Wraith_Mac]

Originally Posted by Factor

I have seen two, one in unzud and anchored next to one at Pancake Creek. Having said that I didn't measure them but both owners said they were 55s

LOL, I don't doubt you but the selling owner in Mackay is in for a shock, he thinks he's got the only one.
It's already dropped from $1.3m to the $800s as a 'one of a kind'.
Finding an unknown sister is a bit too "Days of Our Lives" for me. LOL
You didn't get its name did you?
Cheers,
Mac

[Factor]

Nope - cant remember, too busy perving on the cute french girlie at Pankcake Creek

[SVNeko]

There is only one 55.

[Factor]

Fair enough - one of the two of them was telling me porkies. I would think a Switch owner would have the more accurate view. Just going on what I was told.

In any event it should be a good thing no? Your 51 is a good boat I would have thought?

[SVNeko]

Yea, love our 51. It hits the sweet spot in the performance/comfort tradeoff. That 55 was a nice boat. I saw it at a boat show in the US back when Sud Composites was alive, but I think it lives in your neck of the world now. Only 4 feet bigger, but seemed cavernous inside.

[yeloya]

I have been checking the Switch's closely for sometime; they seem to be pretrty fast and comfortable and yet at reasonable prices. It is to be noted though that the newest I could find is from 2007..
If you look at varefully the lay out of 55, there is a huge wasted volume aft and fore.. One can easily sleep in engine room, reminds me the FP Bahia which was 46 ft but inside has much less volume than Orana 44.. The hulls also are bulkier compapred to 51 and the under bridge narrower.
All in al, it seemed to me that 51 would sail better and faster at better price and with (almost)same inside volume.
Does anybody have first hand experience on these cats ?

Cheers

Yeloya

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Wraith_Mac

LOL, I don't doubt you but the selling owner in Mackay is in for a shock, he thinks he's got the only one.
It's already dropped from $1.3m to the $800s as a 'one of a kind'.
Finding an unknown sister is a bit too "Days of Our Lives" for me. LOL
You didn't get its name did you?
Cheers,
Mac

The one in Mackay has been for sale well over 12 mths now (probably 2yrs) and is still unlikely to sell at its current price.
Switch 55 Sailing Cat: Sailing Catamaran for Sale | Grp Sandwich Sail Boats | Boats Online | Queensland (Qld) - Mackay, Australia

The reds in the pictures are not quite as red now as they were in the Med when they were taken some years ago.

Nice vessel however.

Cheers