1999 Celestial 50
Yacht price: $169,900
- Overview
- Specifications
- Gallery
- Descriptions
Overview
If you dream of sailing the world on a comfortable yacht that can take you anywhere you desire, then Merdeka is the one for you. The unique pilothouse center cockpit design combined with a strong sail plan is the ideal combination under almost all conditions. Her current owners spent a year doing extensive upgrades before setting sail on a 10,000 NM voyage with their family. With their trip complete, they offer her up for new owners to create their own adventures on this truly capable sailing vessel.
Specifications
Basic Information
- Manufacturer:
- Celestial
- Model:
- 50
- Year:
- 1999
- Category:
- Sail
- Condition:
- Used
- Location:
- Tracys Landing, MD, US
- Vessel Name:
- Merdeka
- Boat Type:
- Cutter, Pilothouse
- Hull Material:
- Fiberglass
- Designer:
Dimensions & Weight
- Length:
- 50 ft - 15.24 meter
- LOA:
- 50 ft 8 in - 15.44 meter
- Beam:
- 50 ft 8 in - 15.44 meter
- Draft - max:
- 6 ft 6 in - 1.98 meter
- Bridge Clearance:
- 64 ft
Engine
- Make:
- Yanmar
- Model:
- 4JH2-UTE
- Engine(s):
- 1
- Engine Type:
- Inboard
- Drive Type:
- Direct
- Fuel Type:
- Diesel
- Horsepower:
- 100 (Individual), 100 (combined)
Tank Capacities
- Fuel Tank:
- 245 Gallon(s) - 1 tank(s)
- Fresh Water Tank:
- 395 Gallon(s) - 1 tank(s)
- Holding Tank:
- 60 Gallon(s)
Accommodations
- Total Cabins:
- 2
- Total Berths:
- -
- Total Heads:
- 2
Gallery
Descriptions
Brokers Notes
Prior to her current owner, Merdeka had been sitting on land for several years and had suffered from some neglect. Once the owner had possession of the boat, he spent 2019 rehabbing the boat to prepare it for a sabbatical with his family. These projects included many important structural and safety items that you can not see but are important (and costly! See section: Major Updates Since 2019 in this listing for details). His surveyor came to check on the progress and made sure that the work was being done to his exacting standards. Corners were not cut - what needed to be fixed was attended to.
In mid 2021 (COVID delay) they set off and cruised over 10,000 NM over 14 months, including traveling across the Atlantic to the Azores and Europe. The sabbatical is over and the family is back home which is why Merdeka is once again for sale.
The first thing that I noticed, which most buyers will as well, is the water damage on the aft cabin bulkhead. This was remedied by dropping the ceiling (it all comes apart), removing the damaged core and replacing it with foam and then re-glassing. The owner chose to go in from underneath so that he wouldn't disturb the non-skid pattern on the deck. The water was coming in from the aft lazarette on deck, and that area was fixed as well. What you see is purely cosmetic - the owner didn't want to try to cover it up and lead buyers to think he was trying to hide something. I've been onboard during and after a heavy rain and have seen no evidence of water getting in, so I'm assuming the issue is resolved. Again, he sailed the boat in some pretty rough weather for over a year and it held up. If it were my boat, I'd have a piece of veneer cut and stained to cover the cosmetic remnants of the leak. The boat was under contract and an in water sea trial was performed in November 2022. The seller and I checked and tested every system and found no major issues. As a bonus we had 25 knot winds and the boat sailed like a dream. It was built for those kinds of conditions and you could tell the difference between Merdeka and a run of the mill production boat. Unfortunately, the buyer was unable to complete the sale due to personal issues and she is back on the market. Cosmetically, she could use a little sprucing and a good clean. There are some gelcoat cracks on deck and some evidence of the pilothouse windows leaking at some point. The wood interior could use a polish and the soft goods refreshed. However, the layout is fantastic and you can tell that it's a quality built boat. The owners objective was to rehab the boat so that it was undoubtably safe for the trip that his family was about to embark on. The cosmetic things that were on the "nice to have" list became second priority to the structural and safety items on the "need to have" list. Anyone with any boating experience will see the potential and look past these things to realize what a gem this boat is. For a 23 year old boat that's done several Atlantic crossings, she's in great shape and far from being done her travels.
Major updates since 2019Merdeka is a true bluewater cruising boat, having completed multiple trans-Atlantic cruises in her lifetime. With 280 gallons of diesel tankage and almost 400 gallons of water, she has an extremely long range. After completing their sailing adventures, her previous owners put her on the hard in Annapolis and returned to their life elsewhere. After several years of sitting on land, the boat had suffered from some benign neglect. Her current owners bought her in late 2018 and spent the next year doing a major overhaul to restore her to her former glory. An in depth survey from 2018 with updates from 2019 is available upon request, however a potential buyer should have their own survey performed as part of their inspection process.
Check out a video walk thru of the boat on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/H7tRtYrKy9g
- Areas of elevated moisture readings discovered on portions of the aft deck and bulkhead. Affected areas have been cut away and damaged portions replaced to satisfactory standards as verified by an accredited marine surveyor. Deck re-core was conducted from the underside reusing the original top skin to preserve the original non-skid provided by the factory. Water staining from previous damage is still visible in several areas of the boat, but are cosmetic in nature
- Portholes removed and rebedded
- Engine service by Karl Allen Mechanical including a new alternator, engine cooling system flushed and replenished, new turbo gasket, oil cooler repaired, new exhaust elbow and hose (2019;2022)
- Generator service by Karl Allen Mechanical including work to the fuel shut off valve, fuel/water separator, new fuel filters, new seawater intake hose, new exhaust elbow and exhaust manifold (2019; 2022)
- Rudder dropped, inspected, bearings replaced, stern tube removed and resealed
- Cutlass bearing replaced, stuffing box repacked
- AutoProp bearings replaced
- Mast pulled, chainplates inspected, standing rigging replaced by M Yachts in 2019
- Most running rigging replaced
- Added running backstays
- Genoa replaced in 2020 (previous Genoa still in good condition, kept onboard as a spare)
- Spade 98lb Anchor
- Lofrans Tigress 1500W Windlass (Windlass new in 2022)
- Viking ResQ 6 person liferaft new in 2020
- Electrical system rewired by YES Marine Electrical service, including all mast wiring replaced. They also did an audit of AC and DC systems, replaced/rewired as needed to replace bad wiring and reduce some loads on shore power
- Hydraulic steering system rebuilt
- Replacement of complete electronics system. Now equipped with B&G electronics at helm (Zeus3 Chartplotter w/ radar, Autopilot, Multi-function displays, new wind and water transducers, etc). Vesper Class B AIS Transciever, Standard Horizon DSC/AIS VHF in Pilot House with wireless remote in cockpit. Marine mounting kit for Iridium Go, with external satellite antenna
- Original 110V and engine driven refrigeration system in galley removed, replaced with 12V "keel cooled" freezer (Isotherm SP) and 12V air-cooled (Isotherm) refrigerator systems
- 900AH AGM Battery bank installed in 2019
- 400W rail-mounted solar system added, with Victron Solar regulator and battery monitor
- Engine alternator replaced with 120A high capacity and Balmar "Smart" regulator
- Most lighting (Navigation and house lighting) replaced with LED fixtures
- 12V and USB power outlets, 12V cooling fans added to all sleeping berths and galley
- Most through-hulls either replaced or serviced. Most raw water comes in via a sea-chest that has two intakes. Both intake through-hulls and sea-cocks, and all sea-chest discharge valves replaced. Above waterline thru hulls resealed
- New LED SmartTV
- AC units were serviced with some new ducting installed
Entrance to the below deck accommodations is granted via a companionway door from the cockpit or the starboard pilothouse door. When both of these are open, it allows fantastic ventilation throughout. The raised salon with large windows provides a near panoramic view of your surroundings and a comfortable spot to gather and enjoy time on the water. The interior helm to starboard offers great visibility and protection from weather when needed. To port is a large U-shaped settee with drop leaf table.
A few steps down and forward of the salon is the galley to port and dinette to starboard. The dinette table can be lowered and privacy curtains added to covert into an additional berth if needed. Forward of the dinette is a large storage cabinet that houses a washer/dryer combo and, you guessed it, lots more storage.
Forward of the galley area is the day/guest head and forward guest V-berth. Aft is the owners cabin, with centerline queen bed and ensuite head with a small soaking tub.
Beautiful woodwork is found throughout, reflecting the quality interior of the Xiamen Celestial Yacht shipbuilding factory in China, which later went on to produce Passport and Outbound Yachts. Unlike some pilothouse designs, the space is well laid out and functional with room to spread out and plenty of storage for provisions.
- Galley amenities: Microwave, Force 10 3-burner stove and oven, Fresh and Sea water manual foot pumps
- Original 110V and engine driven refrigeration system removed, replaced with 12V "keel cooled" freezer (Isotherm SP) and 12V air-cooled (Isotherm) refrigerator systems in galley (2019)
- Splendide washer/dryer combo (hot water valve needs to be serviced; currently not in use)
- Reverse cycle Heat/AC - 16K BTU unit that services salon / galley / forward cabin. 10K BTU unit that services aft cabin
- 12V fans in galley and sleeping berths
- Flat screen TV
- 12V and USB power outlets
- LED interior lights
- Macerator pumps on heads for overboard discharge where allowed
The hull is constructed with fiberglass and resins approved by Lloyd's of London Register of Shipping. Hull sides are balsa cored above the waterline with solid fiberglass below the waterline. The deck is also balsa cored; high stress areas are solid fiberglass with stainless backing plates. The deck and hull are chemically bonded together and thru bolted. A large fin keel and skeg rudder keep the boat balanced and protected in heavy seas. The keel consists of four lead castings encapsulated in fiberglass and resin. This boat was overbuilt for offshore performance.
On deck, the wide side decks with hand rails and sturdy stainless steel railings ensure safety while moving about. The sliding door next to the helm in the pilothouse allows the captain to monitor conditions and hop out on deck quickly and easily. Deck and cabin tops have molded non-skid surfaces around all hatches and hardware. Plenty of room to stow all your gear in three large cockpit lockers and two large aft lazarette lockers. Beautiful teak in the cockpit with plenty of seating around a large drop leaf table.
- Primary anchor: Spade #98 Anchor with chain and rode (2019)
- Spare Danforth CQR anchors
- Lofrans Tigress 1500W Windlass w/ foot switches (new in 2022)
- Dual bow rollers
- Anchor washdown
- 400W rail-mounted solar system added, with Victron Solar regulator and battery monitor (2019)
- Bimini top and side screens
- Dinghy davits (2009)
- Outboard engine mount
- Achilles 11' 4 person inflatable dinghy w/ 15HP outboard (both 1999)
- Inflatable paddleboard
- Cockpit cushions
- Portholes removed, banded and rebedded
- Rudder dropped, inspected, bearings replaced, stern tube removed and resealed
- AutoProp bearings replaced
- Viking ResQ 6 person liferaft new in 2020
- Hydraulic steering system rebuilt
- Electronics at helm: B&G Zeus3 Chartplotter w/ Radar, B&G Autopilot, Triton multi-function display, waterproof USB port (all 2017)
- Electronics at Pilothouse: Raytheon radar, B&G multi-function display (2017), B&G Autopilot (2017)
- Vesper Class B AIS Transciever
- Standard Horizon DSC/AIS VHF in Pilot House with wireless remote in cockpit.
- Marine mounting kit for Iridium Go, with external satellite antenna
- LED Nav lights
- Most through-hulls either replaced or serviced. Most raw water comes in via a sea-chest that has two intakes. Both intake through-hulls and sea-cocks, and all sea-chest discharge valves replaced. Above waterline thru hulls resealed
- Bottom painted 2022
- Fully battened Mainsail w/ 3 reef points (2006)
- 130% furling Genoa (2020)
- 130% Genoa (1999 original - still in good condition, kept as a spare)
- Furling Staysail (2000)
- Lee cruising spinnaker w/ sleeve (1999)
- Custom Lazy Jack System
- Mainsail cover
- Profurl roller furling staysail and genoa
- Isomat aluminum mast
- Selden boom
- Lewmar 40CST winches on mast
- Lewmar 40ST for Mainsail control
- Lewmar 46CST secondary winches
- Lewmar 58CST primary winches
- Mast pulled, chainplates inspected, all standing rigging replaced by M Yachts in 2019
- Most running rigging replaced (2019)
- Added running backstays (2019)
Most of the flooring in the salon is removeable, allowing easy access to machinery and electrical / plumbing components below. The engine and genset are located in a large space which provides good access to moving parts and filters. Pumps and valves are labeled and organized to allow easy service and maintenance.
- Yanmar 4JH2-UTE engine w/ 2719 hours
- Aquadrive flexible coupling to prop shaft
- Engine alternator replaced with 120A high capacity and Balmar "Smart" regulator (2019)
- Engine cooling system flushed and replenished
- Turbo gasket replaced
- Oil cooler repaired
- New exhaust hose and elbow
- Cutlass bearing replaced, stuffing box repacked
- Bronze 3 blade feathering propeller; bearings replaced
- 280 gallon diesel tankage
- Kiddie automatic fire suppression system
- Steering cylinder rebuilt, system flushed and refilled
- Northern Lights 6KW generator w/ approx. 1242 hours
- Repaired fuel shut off valve, fuel/water separator, new fuel filters, new seawater intake hose on genset
- YES Marine Electrical service did an audit of AC and DC systems, replaced/rewired as needed to replace bad wiring and reduce some loads on shore power (2019)
- GFCI outlets added. Additional outlets onboard but not installed
- 900AH AGM Battery bank installed in 2019 and repositioned for better weight distribution
- (6) Lifeline AGM's (new in 2019) in the house bank. Engine/Generator start battery (2019)
- 3000W inverter / charger
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Merdeka is currently on the hard at Herrington Harbor North Marina in Tracys Landing MD until she is sold. She is currently a Canadian registered boat, but her previous owners had USCG documented the vessel.
Watch Video:
-
1999 Celestial 50 Pilothouse Merdeka