The gaff rigged Seabird designed by Morgan Giles in 1920 has recently evolved from a wooden clinker hull to a modern open transom carvel hull, the Seabird XS63.
In keeping with changes in modern sailing boats, XS Marines has given the Seabird hull a totally new dimension – an innovative deck cum cockpit resulting in a low-profile cabin under the deck and an open transom. The cumbersome asymmetrical spinnaker has given way to a jenniker with the pole, which now slides in and out of the hull. A modern rig – locally extruded aluminum mast and boom with a modern square top main sail and furling jib has transformed the existing Seabird into its new avatar, the Seabird XS63
No changes have been made to the existing Seabird hull i.e. in dimensions or shape but a completely modern day-sailor/club racer has evolved with the new XS63 Rig. The first of these newly developed boats was launched in March 2014 and sailed its first maiden race in the JJ Memorial Trophy.
XS Marines was the first company to make a cuddy cabin Seabird in 2012 specially customized for the owners, with an aluminum mast extruded locally in India. Over the last two years a lot of time and effort has been spent in developing a sloop rig, which has resulted in the XS63 Rig & Sail. All the existing Seabirds can now be retrofitted with this new XS63 Rig & Sail plan. FULMAR II one of the first of the Seabird Mark 3 built in 1987/88 has been retrofitted with the new XS63 Rig & Sail.
XS Marines suggest you sail one of our Seabird XS63s or the retrofitted version to experience a unique sailing experience. In addition you are invited to visit our yard and see how we build our boats.
In addition XS Marines offers a unique after sales plan for the Mumbai sailor. (read more by clicking on the ‘Storage and Maintenance’ tab)
Crew – 6 persons max
Type – Monohull
Design – One design
Construction – GRP
Rig – Sloop rig
Keel – Centerboard
LOA – 21 feet
Beam – 7 feet
Draft with centerboard – 6 feet
Mast height – 30 feet 4 inches
Sail area – 233 sq. feet (main sail and jib)
Main sail area – 162 sq. feet
Jib sail area – 71 sq. feet
Jeinneker – 219 sq. feet
Hull weight (with standard fittings) – 750 kgs max.
Centerboard weight – 130 kgs minimum – 175 kgs maximum
Seabird hull designer – Morgan Giles
Copyrights
XS63 Rig & Sail – Developed by XS Marines (for retrofitting on existing Seabirds)
Seabird XS63 Rig & Sail – New deck design – Developed by XS Marines
In addition XS Marines offers the Mumbai sailor a comprehensive purchase and after sales services package.
1. Removal and closing the boat for the monsoon months.
2. Storage during monsoon i.e. for 4 months – first monsoon free.Subsequent years on chargeable basis.
3. Pre launching – cleaning, repairs to damages to the boat, polishing,supply and painting of antifouling.
4. Launching of boat.
