Custom RR 55

Shambala II - Performance Catamaran for Long-Distance Sailing and Single-Handed Sailing
With Shambala II, a completely new concept for a fast cruising catamaran for small crews has been implemented. Particularly important were good upwind characteristics, autonomy, and easy repairability without having to take the boat out of the water. The design comes from the owner, with CAD construction, strength calculations, and construction supervision carried out by Doug Schickler (www.styacht.com), an experienced designer in the offshore sector. The catamaran was built at Serenity Shipyard in Thailand.

Shambala II has proven itself on long distances under demanding conditions. The route has taken us since 2018 from Thailand through Indonesia and South Africa to the Caribbean. Since then, we have been traveling there each winter. In the summer months, the ship is safely docked in Aruba – one of the best hurricane shelters in the region.

Particularly challenging are the passages to the north and east, often over several days against wind and current. Thanks to the good upwind characteristics, we sail these distances consistently without motor support. Shambala II shows its strengths here as a seaworthy and high-performance cruising catamaran.

Equipment and Concept

Front steering cockpit with 4 electric winches for operating all lines with direct access to the foredeck, the sails, and the mast – protected in all weather conditions

Hydraulically adjustable centerboard (like a rudder) for good upwind characteristics. (automatically retracts backwards in case of collision)

Interior, easily accessible engine and technical rooms for repairability under all sea conditions. Central engines with shaft system.

Rear-mounted, foldable rudder blades operable from the cockpit – ideal for grounding or when fishing lines are in the rudder. Rudder blades can be changed – even while underway.

Spacious bright salon with panoramic views, clear sightlines over the ship and ahead
Aft cockpit with unobstructed view through the salon ahead and all around.

Solar roof with 3.8 kW walkable panels – energy autonomy without a generator. Originally, the catamaran was equipped with Solbian solar panels as seen in the photo from the mast. After just 5 years, they were defective, and the decision was made to replace them with modified glass modules. In the photos, six solar panels are already installed, while four are still waiting for installation.

Large workshop and storage space, including for a laser dinghy, diving compressor, and spare parts. In case of emergency, the workshop can be separated by a watertight bulkhead.

Self-tacking jib with jib boom - optimally adjustable on all courses, significantly more efficient than conventional foresails.
Main boom and jib boom with boom lowering device and double-sided sheet guidance directly to the boom end – the booms can be locked in any position. In a jibe, only the sail swings around, the boom remains fixed – no risk for rig or crew.

Comfortable, electrically operated dinghy lift – in 20 seconds, the dinghy can be launched or brought on board, even fully loaded with diving equipment or large purchases.
Pantry / kitchen spacious like at home. The kitchen is functionally designed and fully equipped for long-distance voyages with a dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, gas stove, gas oven, microwave with convection oven, huge 190 l cooler, and 15 drawers for optimal storage options.

Equipment

Registration - Germany

Year of construction - September 2018

Length - 16.75 m

Width - 8.46 m

Draft - 1.35 m, minimum with raised rudders 0.95 m, maximum with centerboard 2.85 m

Total height - 24.25 m

Mast height - 20.85 m

Displacement - 13 tons empty 15 tons ready for travel around the world

Fuel capacity - 270 l + 250 l

Water capacity - 890 l -- 600 l + 250 l + 40 l drinking water, 50 l hot water boiler engine/electric

Wastewater tank STB 320 l BB 600 l

Hull material - GRP - bulkheads, beams, and salon roof made of CFRP

Antifouling - Coppercoat