ALMOST ENTIRELY REFITTED: (2017/2018) IN THE UK IN PREPARATION FOR WORLD CRUISE, THEN AGAIN (2021/2023) IN NZ BY HER CURRENT OWNER. (READ BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS).
REGRETTABLY OFFERED FOR SALE AS THIS FAMILY FROM THE UK MUST RETURN HOME Customized floater design
AVAILABLE NOW IN VANUATU, OR CAN BE DELIVERED BY HER SELLERS TO AUSTRALIA OR NZ AS PART OF A SALE AGREEMENT. OR OPTION TO KEEP THE BOAT IN DRY STORAGE IN FIJI FOR THE NOVEMBER TO MAY PERIOD AS THE OWNERS HAVE RESERVED A SPOT.
EQUIPPED FOR UNLIMITED OFFSHORE TRAVEL AND INDEPENDENT LIVE-ABOARD.
FULL SET OF SAILS INCLUDING GENOA, JIB AND MAINSAIL (ALL ON FURLERS), CODE ZERO, STAYSAIL, STORM JIB AND CUSTOM TRYSAIL
ALL NEW WIRING (12V AND 240V)
SOLAR POWER AND WIND GENERATOR
COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF CRUISING ELECTRONICS RECENTLY UPGRADED
SPECTRA VENTURA VT-150-D-12V WATERMAKER
EBERSPAECHER 12kW HYDRONIC MII DIESEL HEATER
ALL SAILS FURLING FOR EASY SAIL HANDLING SHORT HANDED OR SOLO
THE BOAT IS OFFERED FOR SALE READY TO CONTINUE CRUISING FOR MANY MORE YEARS TO COME WITHOUT ANYTHING MORE TO SPEND.
'Lyra Of Bristol' is a Moody 471 Custom. She was built by the U.K.’s leading boat builder A.H. Moody and Sons. The designer, Bill Dixon, made her to be a premium blue water cruiser ideally suited to taking a family or a couple round the world and living at anchor. The Moody 471 Custom has the added benefit of the bathing platform, which the Moody 471 Classic doesn't. Lyra is one of the rare Moody 471 Custom which doesn't have a teak deck, which is a great advantage (cleaner, less heat in the cabin, less maintenance, no heavy replacement cost).
'Lyra of Bristol' is a rock-solid blue water cruiser presented in excellent condition, with two recent, extensive refits ensuring years of cruising with no additional costs. Her only signs of age is a teak and holly cabin floor which could do with a sand and re-varnish, likewise some historical watermarking around saloon window-lights could be addressed.
Lyra comes fully loaded and with everything on board to just move on today and sail away, including a comprehensive set of spares, all bedding, crockery and galley equipment, maintenance kits, ect. Her owners have to fly back home to the UK and can only take what will fit in their luggage.
Built as a demonstration boat for Moody Yachts in 1986 and launched in 1987, she is a particularly great example of the quality of workmanship expected from the Moody yard or that era. Since her launch, 'Lyra of Bristol' has been well looked after with continuous maintenance and upgrades. She is UK-flagged, which is easily canceled to allow for a new owner's preferred choice of registration.
Following her most recent survey in November 2019, the surveyor commented that Lyra of Bristol is ‘a Moody 471 yacht of very good pedigree, which is both practical and functional in its design. She will be an ideal cruising yacht, perfectly suited for extended offshore cruising.’
She is 14.17m long. 4.48m wide and has a draft of 1.61m. She has an 82hp Perkins diesel and can easily achieve over 7 knots. Her tanks will accommodate 550L of water (supplemented by a water maker), and 620L of fuel. She also has a black water tank for both heads for use at protected anchorages or in docks.
UPGRADES AND MODERNISATION HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2017-2023 EXTENSIVE REFIT:
Since 2017, Lyra has had several major upgrades and refits.
"Lyra became our family cruising home in 2021. She is well kitted out for both warm and cold climates, enabling us to explore the striking coastline of New Zealand’s North and South Islands, and onwards to the Pacific Islands in spacious security. We are currently exploring the unbelievably beautiful islands of Vanuatu. However, it is now time for us to prepare for the next chapter of our lives and for Lyra to find new owner(s) with whom to have further amazing adventures from an enviable starting point.
Lyra is available from October 2023 and is truly cruising ready, well stocked with equipment and with all systems meticulously maintained and working well. From Vanuatu, her new October owner(s) could sail her immediately northeast to the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and onward to Indonesia…or across to Australia’s Gold Coast and down to Brisbane…or return her to New Zealand’s beautiful Bay of Islands and Hauraki Gulf - we are available to assist with delivery and/or thorough handover during this time with her new owner(s) at the start of their adventure.
From November, Lyra has a cyclone pit reserved in Fiji, where she can be kept safe until April when the South Pacific opens up for extended cruising in all directions.
Lyra is a joy to sail. Her combined Solent/cutter rig and furling main provide a range of sail plans that are easy to set and manage, even single-handed, with furling lines, sheets and guys led back to her centre cockpit. As we have found ourselves, this setup enables crew with less experience to get actively involved in sailing her, gain confidence and ‘learn the ropes’ very quickly.
With her classic hull and Scheel keel, Lyra sits comfortably in all conditions and at all points of sail. Her robustness creates a smooth experience in the cockpit and down below even in more challenging weather conditions, significantly contributing to a lack of sea sickness on board!
Under power, Lyra is easy to manoeuvre, turning in her own length and reversing in a straight line. Her powerful bow thruster makes mooring simpler in even in the most challenging conditions. Her 82hp Perkins, combined with self-feathering Bruntons AutoProp provides good cruising speed with excellent fuel economy.
Below, Lyra is spacious and airy, ideal for extended offshore cruising for a couple or family in all climates. As a Moody Yachts demonstration boat, the craftsmanship is incredible, with nearly every corner accessible and utilised for storage. No expense was spared when it came to the build quality and the attention to detail in the custom interior is exceptional - subsequent owners have maintained these high standards when updating and upgrading Lyra over the years, and, even after 36 years of general wear and tear, she still looks great all-round!
We wish the new owners of Lyra of Bristol the fairest of winds and following seas for many adventures to come!"
We have known 'Lyra of Bristol' (ex Banyu Aman) for many years, as we represented her previous owners when they sold the boat to her current owners after completing their cruise from the UK.
Lyra has been extensively refitted, refined and improved continuously before and during her half circumnavigation, by two successive cruising families, with her last big do-over in NZ just earlier this year, as she prepared for a South Pacific cruise. She is now regrettable sold due to a change of circumstances, and is competitively priced. Other than a few cosmetic blemishes (minor timber varnishing in traffic areas inside the cabin), she represents a wonderful opportunity to purchase a sturdy, comfortable, go-anywhere vessel of pedigree, at an affordable price, and which would be perfect for a couple or live-aboard cruising family, no matter their level of experience.
The Moody 471 is an immensely strong, sea-kindly and stable yacht, built at a time where price-point was never an issue. Solid timber fit-out as opposed to laminate (which doesn't last and is impossible to re-varnish), stainless steel (simply too expensive and impossible to find in today's production lines), solid GRP hull, yet the modern comfort of a transom scoop for easy access and all the latest mod-cons for communication and today's power needs, all combine to make this yacht a solid investment, which is affordable to maintain, and will continue to provide you with decades of sailing freedom.
For more info please contact our friendly team at Nautilus Yacht Management. We are cruisers and cruising yacht specialists and will be delighted to help answer all your questions about 'Lyra Of Bristol', anything to do with cruising, cruising with kids, registering the boat in your home country, import process when necessary, planning your trip, insurance etc.
This Moody 471 Custom was designed by Angus S Primrose and Bill Dixon in the mid-1980s, based closely on the earlier design of the Moody 47 by Bill Dixon. Lyra was moulded and built by A.H.Moody & Son Ltd at the Moody boatyard in Swanwick, Southampton in 1986, and launched early 1987 (the 5098th hull to leave the Moody yard) as Serendipity of Swanwick.
In 2017, her then owners re-named her Banyu Aman, before setting sail south from the UK to the Azores, across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and across the South Pacific, arriving in New Zealand in 2019 where she was sold to her current owners and renamed Lyra of Bristol.
Lyra is a medium displacement vessel with a classic hull design. At just over 14m total length, her waterline length is 13m with a beam of 4.5m. She weighs approximately fifteen tonnes unladen.
Her hull is solid GRP from the toe-rail down, giving her incredible strength and resistance to collision damage. To reduce weight whilst maintaining strength, her deck, gunwales, and coach roof are a mix of solid GRP and sandwiched foam/plywood.
Lyra’s aluminium alloy mast is keel-stepped with in-mast furling. Mast steps were added in 2017 making for safer work aloft at sea. Her standing rigging was replaced in Apr 2020 (inner forestay replaced Jun 2023).
Lyra has a Scheel Keel, designed by Mr Henry Scheel (who coincidentally, designed all the watercraft at Disney World!). Scheel patented this design in 1974 – at the time, it was seen as revolutionary, allowing for a shallower draft with a lowest possible ballast for maximum stability, and the fastest possible boat speed. The keel is bolted to the hull with thirteen stainless keel bolts - all keel bolts and backing plates were replaced in 2020.
Her partial-skeg hung rudder was completely rebuilt in 2020 from the stock outwards. The refurbishment included new stock bearings and a refurbished knee. Her steering quadrant and steel lines (new 2017) were also serviced at that time.
Lyra’s Coppercoat antifoul is in fair condition. All underwater through-hulls and seacocks were replaced in 2020. She was hauled out in Dec 2022 for complete bottom maintenance – anodes changed, Coppercoat re-activated, propeller serviced and PropSpeed applied. Most recent haul out and bottom clean Apr 2023.
Lifelines run from the pulpit to pushpit on stainless stanchions. Both the foredeck and coach roof are clear and spacious with granny bars around the mast for safe working. The stem houses two bow rollers, attachment points for both furling headsails, tack point for Code 0 and navigation lights.
Her centre cockpit with sprayhood, strong retractable bimini, teak decking, winches within easy reach, winch handle pockets and clip-on points, and easy-to-read chart plotter and primary instruments makes passage-making safe and secure for on watch crew in all sea conditions, whilst providing a comfortable relaxation space when in harbour or at anchor. The existing sprayhood, bimini, and cockpit cushions are serviceable, however new owners may consider replacing the canvas and/or building a hardtop to create a more enclosed living space - blueprints for this addition to the Moody 471 are available.
Mounted on the pushpit: five fender pockets with all fenders in good repair, heaving line, Jon Buoy Recovery System, two horseshoe buoys, GPS antenna, outboard, primary life raft and two rod holders.
Stand-alone davits provide easy stowage, lowering, and retrieval of Lyra’s 3.8m dinghy.
Above the aft rail and davits, a stainless solar arch supports 400W of solar, a hoist for lowering the outboard, WIFI Booster, 4G antenna, Iridium antenna, emergency VHF aerial, Starlink satellite dish, stern navigation light, and wind generator on standalone tower.
To stern, Lyra has an easily accessible teak-decked sugar scoop swim platform with ladder and hot/cold deck shower.
With her wide beam and excellent headroom, Lyra feels very spacious throughout her accommodation.
The SALOON is large, open, and airy. In the centre, the double drop-leaf table provides a flexible dining space (seating up to ten adults). The starboard seating converts into a double daybed for when on passage or when more crew/guests are aboard. We regularly hold ‘cinema nights’ with ‘double tiered’ seating with up to ten kids watching the show! Above the table, there is a large, lockable Lewmar overhead hatch with removable security bars. Fixed coach-roof windows either side providing additional light. Large lockers behind the seating, bookshelves, drawers, and under floor lockable lockers provide a ton of secure stowage space for several months’ supply of dry and canned provisions and other equipment. 240V outlets available to port and starboard. There is also a concealed bilge-mounted safe.
The NAVIGATION STATION sits aft of the saloon area to port. With a full-size chart desk, plenty of stowage shelves and cuddies for manuals, documents and charts, a comfortable captain’s swivel chair, chart light, USB charging points, 12V auto and 240V outlets, and ready access to both VHF and SSB radios, you will have everything you need for comfortable passage planning, monitoring and communication close at hand. Beside the navigation desk, the ship’s instruments and a well-designed 12V distribution board provides ready access to navigational information and management of 12V systems.
The GALLEY, leading back from the saloon to the aft cabin on the starboard side is larger than many other boats of similar proportions yet everything is well laid out and within reach – double sinks, three-burner LPG oven, a large chest fridge, microwave, ample stowage for pots, pans and everyday food stuffs, and easily accessed 240V sockets. The galley comes well-equipped for extended offshore cruising…it even has a well-stocked spice rack!
Lyra has two cabins, an owner’s cabin aft and crew quarters forward. (Together with the saloon double and single daybeds, Lyra has nine berths).
The OWNER’S CABIN is well-proportioned with a large, comfortable central bed, accessible from both sides. There are twin fans and reading lights, with USB charging points and 240V outlet to port. The cabin has a large Lewmar lockable overhead hatch with removable security bars, and two fixed windows port and starboard. Heating is provided at the foot of the bed, creating a cosy space on colder nights. There is ample storage, including a large wardrobe with hanging space and deep fitted shelves, two generous stowage bins either side of the bed, and cupboards and drawers along the port side of the cabin, in all making for an uncluttered and peaceful space. The owner’s cabin is ensuite, with access to the AFT HEAD to port.
The FORWARD CABIN is light and spacious with 2 x 2 bunk-berths with fans and reading lights. Between the berths, there is enough floor space to allow for in-door yoga and/or building a Lego metropolis on wetter days! USB charging points to starboard and 240V outlets on each side. Two Lewmar lockable overhead hatches with security bars provide light and ventilation. As with the aft cabin, there is a heater below the lower port berth and ample cupboard and hanging locker storage.
Further forward is the FORWARD HEAD with an excellent and well-ventilated shower and extensive storage cupboards for spares and tools. Further forward still, the large sail and anchor lockers.
The ENGINE ROOM is situated below the cockpit and is accessible on three sides. The space is compact yet well thought out, comfortably housing Lyra’s propulsion, power, electrical and water systems whilst providing easy access to all systems for servicing and maintenance.
Lyra is fully kitted out for offshore cruising in line with the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations and New Zealand Category One Safety Inspection.
Anchoring, Mooring and Towing
Instruments and Navigation Tools
Engine, Propulsion and Steering
Refrigeration, Heating and Ventilation
Dinghy, Outboard and Davits
Lyra has extensive spare and repair equipment on board, meticulously logged in an Excel spreadsheet with stowage locations to enable parts to be reached quickly and efficiently. Consequently, her new owners can feel confident in immediately setting sail for extended blue water cruising.
Disclaimer: 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.
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