Custom Buehler

Seaspray Yacht Sales is proud to present: Sunbird III; A Truly Special 1989 Custom Buehler Trimaran.

This isn't just a boat listing; it's a recommendation for a one-of-a-kind, hand-built Buehler trimaran that's been a beloved and capable expedition base. She's done the big trips—a full lap around Australia and extensive exploration in Southeast Asia—and she's set up as a proper, self-sufficient liveaboard.

The best part about a trimaran like this? The sublime stability at anchor and the incredibly shallow 1-meter draft that opens up anchorages most boats have to skip. The deck space feels more like a patio.

Her current owners have poured their love into making her independent and comfortable:

Power & Water Sorted:
A robust 1.6KW solar array runs everything through a large lithium battery bank. Need water? The custom watermaker keeps the tanks full.

Comfortable Liveaboard:
It's a proper home with two cabins (sleeps four), a full U-shaped galley with a standing fridge/freezer, and even a washing machine. They've also got Starlink setup for connectivity.

Seriously Equipped:
She comes with everything for serious cruising: high-quality ground tackle, recent stainless rigging (2019), a dinghy ready to deploy, and a full sail inventory. The Yanmar engine has recently finished a professional rebuild, which is a huge plus for the next owner.

The honest details:

• Design/Builder: Custom Buehler design / built by Ian Manson (1989)

• Location: Rebak Island Marina, Langkawi, Malaysia

• Size: 43ft long, with that iconic, roomy 25.5ft trimaran beam.

• Key Updates: Rigging replaced in 2019, large lithium banks installed 2-3 years ago, engine rebuild recently complete. She's a vessel ready for final commissioning and your personal touch.

Sunbird III is a rare find—a legitimate, ocean-tested cruiser without the "project boat" anxiety. She's ideal for a couple or a small family who values strength, space, and smart systems over shiny, unnecessary glamour.

I have the full documentation, a detailed spec list, and plenty of photos. If a unique, capable, and honest cruising home speaks to you, let's chat.

She's lying at Rebak Island Marina & Resort, Langkawi, and is ready for your inspection.

Seaspray Yacht Sales is a division of Seaspray Marine Services. Qualified Shipwright Services established and operated in Langkawi for 14 years.

Price
AU $180,000

Vessel Name
SUNBIRD III

Launch Year
1989

Length
43' 0" - 13.11m

Beam
7.8M

Draft
1M

Displacement
8 TONNE

Vessel Location
Rebak Island Marina & Resort Langkawi

Region
Asia

Use
Leisure, Cruising, Live Aboard

HIN
AU-TWA060758

Registration
853376

Designer
BUEHLER

Builder
IAN MANSON

Hull Material
Fibreglass/GRP

Decks Material
Foam Sandwich, epoxy fibreglass

Engine
3QM30, 3 CYLINDER DIESEL

Engine Make
Yanmar

Number Engines
1

Horsepower
30

Fuel Type
Diesel

Engine Hours
1000 - 2025 re-build

Fuel Consumption
2.7 LPH @ 1600 RPM

Max Speed
8 KNOTS

Cruise Speed
6 KNOTS

Propulsion
PROPELLER - FOLDABLE

Thrusters
NO

Genset
PORTABLE HONDA 2KVA 200UI

Fuel
300L

Water
250L

Dinghy
TRUKIT INFLATABLE 3M

Outboard
9.8HP TOHATSU 2 STROKE

Covers
CHAPS/ SUNBRELLA

Accommodation
186cm high, 185cm long berths 2 single and 1 double. Washing machine - front loader 3kg.

Cabins
2

Berths
4

Shower
1 - electric

Toilet
1 - electric with holding tank (head is electric macerated type and was replaced 1.5yrs ago)

Entertainment
TV and Starlink

Galley
U-shape, single sink drain, ample storage, double burner stove.

Refrigeration
Upright fridge, 12V electric compressor 120.

Freezer
Yes - portable 40L

Stove
Hybrid induction/ gas burner 1 each.

Water-Maker
Custom built 120L/hour dual element R.O (240V)

Hot Water
No

Ground Tackle
8M CHAIN WITH DANFORTH ANCHOR

Safety Gear
4 harnesses, 2 lanyards, 1 bosuns chair.

Bilge Pumps
1

Life Raft
Dinghy - on quick release davits

Epirb
1

Life Jackets
4

Flares
Yes but out of date

Fire Protection
2 fire extinguishers, 1 fire blanket

Electrics
240V/12V system: Australian sockets 240V (with Malay convertors). House batteries: 2 systems: 1 nav; 300 AH lithium (2 years old). 1 home; 400 AH lithium (3 years old). Engine start battery: lead acid 100 AH (4 years). Solar panels: 1.6KW 400. Charger: 5KW Victron Quattro inverter/ charger

Davits
rear of boat for dinghy + solar panels

Navigation / Electronics
Navigation: use laptop. VHF: Yes. HF: no. AIS: Matsutech receive + transmit RXTX. Radar: no. Depth sounder: Raymarine. Speed & Wind: ST60. Wind vane: Raymarine.

Sail Inventory
Worn Screecher x 2. Mainsail, furling genoa, Worn Jib and Spinnaker

Mast / Rigging
Ketch rig with stainless rigging (2019)

Deck Gear
Chains & Ropes: 60mtrs chain, 100m nylon rope. Winches: Maxwells chain/rope winch. Swing centre board which is hydraulically driven and the winches in the cockpit are hydraulic as well the main sheet winch is electric. Windlass is only 3yrs old. 1x ROCNA anchor - re galvanised and 60 m of 10 mm Marine anchor chain has been re-galvanised as well. 1 x FOTRES Anchor (NEW). 2 x large winches / hydraulic. 2 x small winches / hand. 2 x medium winches on mast. 2 x sea anchor / paraschute + cone.

Remarks
The boat sailed around Australia, Indonesia (twice), Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra. Boat has had 3 owners, the current owner has owned it since 2022.