MANTA - N/A FOR SALE

A rare opportunity to secure a 1997 55' Kelsall Custom Catamaran, a sailing multihull of international pedigree, versatility, and revenue potential. Built to order in the San Francisco Bay Area and proven by years of service in the Cabo San Lucas charter fleet, this luxury catamaran has returned for a comprehensive, high-spec structural and exterior refit at Napa Valley Marina, primed for bluewater charter and liveaboard versatility.

Vessel highlights and recent refit

A high-performance custom multihull by renowned naval architect Derek Kelsall, this catamaran blends pedigree design with purposeful upgrades to meet demanding commercial or private missions. Previously COI-certified by the U.S. Coast Guard for up to 49 passengers, she offers a proven platform for high-capacity group charters, corporate events, sunset sails, and private functions.

Her exterior presents with a fresh, gleaming Awlgrip finish that delivers both durability and sleek aesthetics. For commercial-grade watertight security, all deck hatches and the main entryway have been upgraded to premium Freeman cast watertight units, complemented by a custom entry door with high-clarity plexiglass windows that enhance visibility and ease passenger flow. Engineered for strength in Bay sailing conditions, the chainplates and structural backing were custom-designed and fabricated by Jim Antrim of Antrim Naval Architects, with new rigging by Hanson Rigging ensuring robust, reliable performance aloft.

Twin Yanmar 4JH2CE diesel engines with saildrives provide efficient, dependable maneuvering in marinas and open water alike. Below, the interior has been fully prepped and cleared to a ready-to-finish state, inviting you to tailor the layout to your exact commercial or private vision—whether maximizing seating and bar space for 49-passenger day charters and party cruises, crafting a luxury executive lounge with upscale seating, dynamic lighting, and premium audio/video for corporate retreats and exclusive events, or configuring for excursions and eco-tours with optimized storage for gear, catering setups, and multi-day island hopping.

San Francisco Bay remains one of North America’s premier sailing and charter markets, with strong demand for corporate outings, weddings, tourist excursions, and special-event viewing such as Fleet Week and holiday fireworks. With its proven hull design, structural enhancements by top-tier naval architects, history of commercial capacity, and freshly overhauled exterior, this 55-foot Kelsall catamaran is poised to become a premier revenue generator for the right owner, captain, or operator. Arrange a private viewing at Napa Valley Marina to explore technical details and discuss potential layout configurations.

Additional information

All floorboards are foam-cored and paired with Freeman escape hatches and custom Cain rails, underscoring a robust build. Safety and support gear include a 25-person Viking life raft (needs service) and fifty adult Coast Guard Type II PFDs, as well as a Load Runner 16' Box Trailer fully loaded with epoxy, paint, boat parts, rails, and more. Recent upgrades feature a new Harkin Furler, with the mast and boom painted, two new Vacu Flush toilets, a deck-stepped mast, and the yacht is cutter rigged. Sail handling is comprehensively equipped with a Barient 32 ST primary winch to starboard on the deckhouse, a Barient 28 primary winch to port on the deckhouse, a Lewmar 44 3 Speed winch on the deckhouse to port for the main sheet, and both a Lewmar 30 Halyard Winch and a Lewmar 24 Halyard Winch on the mast.