THILA - STEVE WARD FOR SALE

Delivered in 2009 by Australian yard S.E. Ward & Co, with naval architecture by Dubois Naval Architects and interiors by Rhoades Young Design, the 29.1‑metre sailing superyacht Thila, a polished cruiser‑racer, marries performance with refinement. Built for a seasoned Olympic yachtsman, her all‑aluminium hull and superstructure form a lean, modern silhouette for spirited bluewater passages and relaxed long‑range cruising.

Detailed description

Professionally run and fastidiously maintained since launch, THILA presents in pristine, turn‑key condition. Her continual programme of thoughtful enhancements began with a fully moulded bowsprit extension in 2016, purpose‑designed to fly one of her two powerful gennakers, both delivered in 2025. A major technical refit in 2022 brought new generators and sails, alongside a comprehensive rig service, and a full engine rebuild. Following her acquisition in 2024, an extensive optimisation over the winter of 2024/2025 elevated every system and surface, from dual Starlink maritime receivers to a complete interior and engineering refresh, culminating in a yacht that is ready to delight a new owner with sleek aesthetics and top‑tier performance.

Conceived for effortless family cruising, the exterior revolves around a line‑free cockpit lounge—an inviting, bimini‑shaded domain protected forward by a clear windscreen that can extend to fully enclose the space. Two opposing U‑shaped seating groups gather around dining tables to create a convivial heart of the yacht, while the companionway, thoughtfully offset to port, ensures an intuitive flow. Aft, generous sun‑pads spill onto a broad deck where the transom folds down hydraulically to reveal a bathing platform and ladder for easy, elegant access to the sea. At anchor, additional sun‑lounging between the winches offers a serene vantage for unhurried days. Practicality is woven through the design, with a Williams Jet 445 tender stowed neatly on the foredeck for passages, a telling example of THILA’s blend of function and finesse.

Inside, a raised saloon floods with light through large picture windows, delivering breathtaking, panoramic sea views. A formal dining area to port is balanced by a luxurious seating area to starboard, setting a refined tone that continues below. Descending to a second, spacious saloon, guests discover a cozy TV lounge to port and additional seating to starboard, all framed by large hull ports that knit the interior to the shifting seascape beyond. Accommodation for six is arranged across three thoughtfully designed cabins. A full‑beam owner’s suite aft is a private sanctuary with a generous seating area to port, a marble bathroom with shower, a vanity, and ample storage. Adjacent, a twin cabin to port and a double to starboard both feature en‑suite facilities, each also fitted with a pipe cot for flexible additional berths. Crew are superbly provided for, with accommodations for up to four.

A pedigree platform underpins the elegance. Built in 2009 by Steve Ward & Co in Perth, Australia, with exterior lines by Dubois Naval Architects and an interior by Rhoades Young (United Kingdom), THILA is constructed with an aluminium hull and superstructure and a hull built under Lloyd’s supervision. She flies the Cayman Islands flag and is an auxiliary sailing yacht of substance: length overall 29.1 m (96 ft), length at waterline 25 m (82 ft), beam 7.4 m (24 ft), draft 3.8 m (13 ft), and displacement 108 tonnes. Under power, a single Scania DI9 six‑cylinder diesel rated at 318 hp drives a Hundested VP5 FREL variable‑pitch propeller on a stainless steel shaft via a Twin Disc MG5082A gearbox. She cruises comfortably at 10.5 knots and reaches 12 knots, with a range of 2,300 nm. Engine hours in October 2023 stood at 7,973 hours, following a full rebuild in the winter of 2022.

Electrical systems are engineered for quiet competence: a custom twin‑bus 230 VAC 50 Hz architecture with “quiet ship” 10 kW and 2.5 kW inverters fed from a 1,200 Ah at 24 VDC main bank. Shore power is handled by a 35 KVh, 125 A transformer installed new in 2022. Battery capacity includes a 24 V, 1,500 A Sonnenschein service bank (replaced 2022), plus Full River 12 V units comprising an emergency 150 A battery, a service 50 A battery, and an emergency 150 A battery (2017). Two Northern Lights MWM944W3G generators, 30 kW each, were fitted in 2022; hours as of October 2023 were port 3,199 and starboard 2,764. Comfort is assured by a comprehensive Marine Air chilled‑water system of 96K BTU with reverse cycle and twelve air handlers distributed throughout the yacht. The Lewmar Type 400SVTAH bow thruster delivers 40 hp for precise low‑speed control, while fire‑fighting and bilge duties are met by a 230 VAC Pedrollo centrifugal fire pump and a 230 VAC Johnson impeller bilge pump. Four SeaLand/Dometic fresh‑water–flush WCs underscore the civilised finish.

Spars and sail‑handling are optimised for power with poise. Rig measurements include P (mainsail luff) 33.7 m, E (mainsail foot) 12.2 m, I (foretriangle hoist) 36.9 m, Genoa I 34.6 m, Blade J (foretriangle base) 10.9 m, Genoa J 9.9 m, and an air draft to DWL of 41.0 m including antennas; the spars were last unstepped in 2021. Standing rigging comprises stainless rod shrouds by Ocean Yacht Systems UK with aramid backstays. Furling hardware is by Reckmann on the headsails—Genoa RF90‑4 RT with real‑time adjust and Blade RF9—while the mainsail benefits from a Southern Spars in‑boom furling system and captive main halyard winch. Primary loads are handled below deck by two custom OBS captive winches for mainsheet and main halyard. The sail wardrobe, new in 2022 from North Sails, includes a 251 sqm main, a 298 sqm genoa, a 185 sqm blade, a 565 sqm gennaker, and an asymmetric spinnaker; two additional spinnakers join the inventory as part of the 2024/2025 works, alongside the two new gennakers delivered in 2025. A Jefa direct‑response steering system was fitted in 2016 for fingertip feel and reliability.

Navigation and deck gear are comprehensive and current. At the helms, two Suunto magnetic compasses and a Raymarine S3G autopilot with ST8002 controllers—duplicated at the interior navigation station—work alongside an overhauled (2023) Raymarine 10 kW radar (originally 2011). The fully networked Raymarine suite includes three Axiom chart plotters installed in 2023 and six ST290 graphic displays, supported by a full ST290 instrument package. Ground tackle is formidable with two Lewmar 4000‑series stainless steel windlasses, two 132 kg CQR stainless anchors, and twin 110 m lengths of 16 mm short‑link L‑grade chain, new in 2023. A hydraulic folding aft swim platform with ladder turns the ocean into your private pool, and a fully enclosed, high‑visibility awning system with an insect‑proof screen creates a climate‑controlled open‑air salon in minutes.

The depth of recent works speaks to a meticulous stewardship. The winter 2022 refit encompassed replacement of both generators; removal and full overhaul of the main engine; removal and complete service of mast and rig; paint and antifouling; DC electrical upgrades; varnish and capping works; hydraulic system overhaul; air‑conditioning coil and fan cleaning; watermaker upgrades; SOLAS equipment service and overhaul; battery changes and upgrades; and interior soft‑furnishing renewals including carpets and linens.

The winter 2024/2025 optimisation was even more extensive. Inside, a new cabinet was installed at the base of the mast to add storage; the TV cabinet was modified; the hallway to the master had all panels removed and replaced; and a coffee/glass cupboard was added. Lighting throughout was converted from halogen to 24 VDC LED, interior step fascias were renewed, and the lower‑salon trim near the TV was resprayed. A new cockpit table insert was fabricated. In the galley, a new dishwasher, microwave, and hot plate were installed, and the extractor serviced. Plumbing was renewed with Hep2O freshwater piping throughout and the replacement of two 200‑litre water cylinders. The transom door was re‑engineered by i3 Composites, switching from aluminium to composite for weight and durability.

Stainless‑steel modifications include new aft‑deck seating integrated into the pushpit, ladders reworked for a more practical stowage system, bow rollers serviced and replaced where required, and four stanchion bases repaired with new threaded rivets. Varnish, paint, and signage works included covering the cove stripe with vinyl, polymer polishing of hull and superstructure by ISHine, and two fresh coats on the capping rail and cockpit tables. Below the waterline, two coats of Jotun Superyacht antifoul were applied, and Propspeed was laid on shaft and propeller. All canvas was renewed, a new foredeck canopy was built, and the cockpit bimini was refurbished. The Williams tender was fully serviced by an authorised local dealer. In the engine room, all pumps were serviced and tested, and all bilge‑manifold pipes were replaced. On the generators, PTOs and clutches were serviced, and four starter batteries—two per unit—were replaced; the main engine PTO was removed and serviced.

Climate control was upgraded with a new Titan AC plant; all air handlers were removed and serviced, and ducting for thirteen units was cleaned. The Alfa Laval system received its two‑year service. Fire and bilge pumps were removed and serviced. Refrigeration saw the condensing unit removed and replaced, with the Titan Marine Refrigeration deep‑freezer condenser also renewed. All ship’s valves were replaced and flanges serviced. Captive winches were removed and overhauled by Winch Works. The DC hydraulic motor was removed and serviced. Both anchor windlasses were stripped, serviced, and refurbished. The passerelle was removed for service and fully rebuilt by Tecnocean.

Electronics and controls received a generational leap: a new alarm‑monitoring system by Etouch was installed; all PLC monitors were replaced by Etouch, together with the computer monitor; the PLC itself was replaced; the aft valve block was removed and serviced; and the lazarette door cylinders were serviced. New chargers and inverters were installed by Etouch, and the battery banks were load‑tested. On deck, Raymarine i70 instruments were replaced with new units. All SOLAS equipment was serviced, with one new liferaft added and two new Jon Buoy units supplied. AV/IT upgrades include two new Starlink Maritime units mounted at the spreaders, guest‑cabin TVs upgraded to smart units on pivoting mounts, new Fusion stereos in the guest cabins, and a DVD player added in the master. The watermaker membranes were cleaned by HEM and the high‑pressure pump serviced. Sails were serviced by North Sails, with Plama cleaning by Elvstrøm, and two new spinnakers added. The in‑boom furler received a new mandrel motor.

THILA’s sum is a rare balance of pedigree design, exacting engineering, and gracious hospitality—an aluminium Dubois sloop that has been renewed with care and rigor at every turn, and one that now stands ready to voyage with confidence, comfort, and unmistakable style.