1.440.000 €
Asking Price
Atlantic Yacht Brokers
London, United Kingdom
Listed by Ellie-Mae Jones
Ellie
2006 Gunboat 48 DANCING BEAR
About This Yacht
One of only six Gunboat 48s ever built, DANCING BEAR represents a pivotal moment in performance cruising history—the yacht that proved you could genuinely have both speed and comfort. Under single private ownership since her 2006 launch, this carbon and Kevlar masterpiece has been meticulously maintained and thoughtfully upgraded, including a spectacular €600,000 interior refit by Riskas Snickeri in 2013. Finnish flagged, EU VAT-paid, and ready for her next chapter.
The Gunboat 48 occupies a unique place in catamaran lore—a design so perfectly balanced between performance and liveability that owners rarely part with them. Shaped by the legendary Morrelli & Melvin design team, these six vessels were conceived as owner-operator boats for families seeking sabbatical sailing without compromise. DANCING BEAR embodies this philosophy completely, capable of covering 400+ nautical miles per day in ideal conditions while providing the comfort and systems for extended offshore passages.
What sets this particular 48 apart is the obsessive attention to detail evident throughout. The 2013 interior transformation by Riskas Snickeri—the craftsmen behind Nautor Swan and Baltic Yachts—created a light-filled, sophisticated living space that honours the yacht's performance DNA while elevating comfort to new heights. Major systems have been systematically renewed: a taller wing-mast by Marström in 2010, complete standing rigging replacement with ECSix in 2022, new windows and glass in 2019, and a comprehensive sail wardrobe including 2023 One Sails.
The sailing experience aboard a Gunboat 48 is simply extraordinary. With carbon daggerboards offering draft from 0.60m to 2.20m and retractable carbon rudders, she points remarkably high—tacking through 100 degrees while maintaining 7.5-9 knots close-hauled. Off the wind, she accelerates toward true wind speed, regularly touching the low twenties in spirited conditions. The protected pilothouse helm positions you at the nerve centre, just steps from the mast with all lines within easy reach—genuine short-handed capability without sacrificing the visceral thrill of fast sailing.
This is not merely a fast catamaran; it's a thoughtfully evolved ocean passage-maker configured for low-carbon footprint cruising. The 2,100-watt solar array and lithium-ion battery bank provide genuine energy independence, while the DC watermaker, diesel heating, and comprehensive refrigeration ensure comfort anywhere. DANCING BEAR represents the most compelling entry point into genuine performance cruising—a slice of catamaran history that's been refined, upgraded, and prepared for thousands more miles of exhilarating voyaging.
Machinery & Systems Twin 40hp Lombardini LDW1404M diesel engines with direct drive to three-blade bronze propellers provide reliable auxiliary power, showing just 930 hours since new. The propulsion system reflects the Gunboat philosophy of lightweight efficiency—adequate power for manoeuvring and motorsailing without the weight penalty of larger engines. Electrical systems centre on a sophisticated Empirbus DC switching system paired with a Victron inverter, drawing from lithium-ion service batteries that offer superior energy density and longevity. The impressive 2,100-watt solar panel array provides substantial charging capacity for extended periods away from shore power. A DC-powered watermaker delivers 80 litres per hour, ensuring fresh water independence on passage. Climate control includes diesel-fired heating for cooler latitudes and DC ventilation fans throughout. Comprehensive refrigeration includes both fridges and freezers, while electric carbon heads add modern convenience. The entire mechanical package has been maintained to exacting standards befitting a yacht in single private ownership since launch.
Navigation & Electronics The helm station features a comprehensive B&G navigation suite including multifunction displays with integrated plotter, HD radar for all-weather situational awareness, and AIS for traffic monitoring. A particularly notable feature is the top-mast night-vision camera system, providing unprecedented visibility during night passages and close-quarters manoeuvring. Twin autopilot systems offer redundancy for offshore sailing—critical for short-handed ocean passages where reliable self-steering is essential. Communication and entertainment systems are integrated throughout, ensuring connectivity and comfort on extended voyages. The electronics package reflects thoughtful upgrades over the years, balancing proven reliability with modern capability. All navigation systems are positioned at the protected pilothouse helm, where the helmsman enjoys excellent visibility while remaining sheltered from the elements—a key advantage of the Gunboat 48 layout for serious passagemaking.
Accommodations The three-cabin, three-head layout provides exceptional comfort for extended cruising or charter use. The owner's suite occupies the aft starboard hull, offering privacy and generous proportions with a queen berth, dedicated head with shower, and excellent natural light. Forward in each hull, VIP cabins feature queen berths and ensuite heads, providing guests with genuine private quarters rather than afterthought accommodation. The 2013 interior by Riskas Snickeri—renowned for their work with Nautor Swan and Baltic Yachts—transformed the living spaces with exquisite joinery, careful material selection, and an emphasis on light and air flow. The main deck pilothouse integrates the galley, salon, and helm in an open plan that keeps the crew connected whether cooking, navigating, or relaxing. The galley features comprehensive appliances including refrigeration, freezer capacity, and all equipment necessary for serious provisioning. Throughout the interior, weight-saving remains paramount without sacrificing comfort—storage is cleverly integrated, surfaces are beautifully finished, and the overall ambiance is one of understated elegance perfectly suited to a performance yacht. Windows and glass renewed in 2019 flood the interior with natural light while maintaining structural integrity.
Deck & Exterior The deck layout exemplifies the Gunboat 48's owner-operator philosophy, with every line and control positioned for efficient short-handed sailing. The protected pilothouse helm sits just aft of the mast, providing excellent visibility and weather protection while keeping the helmsman intimately connected to sail trim and boat handling. Lewmar electric winches reduce physical effort, while premium Karver and Harken deck gear ensures reliable performance under load. The Facnor continuous line jib furler and self-tacking jib system allow tacking without leaving the helm—transforming upwind work from a workout into a pleasure. The fully-battened mainsail rides on Harken low-friction battencars for smooth hoisting and reefing. The generous aft cockpit—affectionately termed the 'back porch'—features a shaded double daybed, creating an inviting outdoor living room protected from spray and sun. Carbon davits with integrated Aquapro tender and Suzuki 6hp outboard provide shore access without compromising deck space or aesthetics. The retractable carbon daggerboards and rudders allow access to shallow anchorages while providing exceptional upwind performance when deployed. The extensive sail wardrobe includes North 3Di mainsail and jibs from 2011, One Sails mainsail and J2 from 2023, a new unused Code Zero from North Sails, plus furling Code Zero and spinnakers for downwind performance—providing the right sail for every condition from light air to heavy weather.
Key Features • One of only six Gunboat 48s built (2004-2009) - rarely available • Single private owner since new with meticulous maintenance history • €600,000 interior refit by Riskas Snickeri (Nautor Swan/Baltic craftsmen) - 2013 • Carbon and Kevlar construction with epoxy foam sandwich - vacuum-bagged, oven-cured • New Marström wing-mast (2010) and ECSix standing rigging (2022) • Comprehensive sail inventory: One Sails mainsail/J2 (2023), North 3Di sails, new Code Zero • 2,100-watt solar array with lithium-ion batteries - genuine energy independence • Capable of 400+ nautical mile days with 20+ knot speeds in ideal conditions • Protected pilothouse helm with B&G navigation, HD radar, AIS, night-vision camera • Three queen cabins, three heads, spacious owner's suite aft • Finnish flagged, EU VAT-paid, 100% ready for immediate departure
4
Cabins
8
Berths
4
Heads
Specifications
Manufacturer
Gunboat
Model
48
Year Built
2006
Length Overall
49.2 ft
Beam
26 ft
Type
Sail Catamaran
Condition
Used
Location
Vaasa
Country
Finland
Listed
8 Mar 2026
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