Built at Grand Harbour Yacht, Taiwan in 1991. She is a Sparkman & Stephens design with the drawing number 2390-C3. Basically it is the same hull as a Stevens 50 aft cockpit version with some alterations (extended transom with swimming platform for example). The yard has a good reputation for building quality boats to a limited numbers of customers and all the Stevens yachts are build at Grand Harbour Yachts. There were supposed to be seven to ten Soltaire 52.11 built.
Between 1993 and 1995 Sarita made a circumnavigation with paying crew. The round the world sailing was made against the prevailing winds when going south around the capes. During 1996 -1998 Sarita had Polynesia as a base.
Surveyors comment's:
Overall Condition: The Sparkmans 52 is noted as a "good solid boat." This suggests a general positive assessment of the vessel's structural integrity and build quality.
Deck Inspection: The decks are plywood-cored, which necessitates a thorough inspection. Plywood cores can be prone to water ingress and rot, so it’s important to check for any signs of soft spots, delamination, or other structural weaknesses.
Hull Condition: For a yacht built in 1991, checking the bottom for signs of blistering is crucial. Blistering can indicate osmosis, a process where water penetrates the gelcoat and reacts with the underlying fiberglass, causing blisters and potential structural issues.
Mast Step Inspection: The mast step, likely made of oak wood, should be carefully examined. Oak is durable but can be susceptible to rot and deterioration if not properly maintained.
Hatches and Bulkheads: Inspecting the hatches for leaks is vital since any leakage can lead to deterioration of the bulkheads. Bulkhead deterioration, especially if it involves rot, can significantly compromise the structural integrity of the yacht.
