Design Brief & Intent
The Sundeer 64 was designed specifically for shorthanded couples who prioritize high daily averages and safety over the voluminous, beamier hulls typical of European mass-production cruisers of the era. While competing builders focused on maximizing interior cabins for the charter trade, Dashew engineered the Sundeer 64 around the physical limits of a two-person crew.
By utilizing a narrow beam of just over 15 feet relative to its nearly 65-foot length, the hull minimizes wave resistance and remains easily driven. This narrow form also creates a sea-kindly motion that dramatically reduces crew fatigue.
The structural design incorporates three watertight bulkheads. These bulkheads divide the vessel into separate watertight compartments, ensuring the boat will remain afloat even with one compartment fully compromised—a level of passive safety rarely found in production yachts.
The interior joinery reflects this utilitarian ethos. Crafted in high-quality satin-finished hardwoods, the layout avoids unnecessary cabins in favor of a massive, secure salon, a highly functional galley designed for use at sea, and a low-profile, protected pilothouse that serves as an all-weather command station.
Variations & Configurations
Across the ten-hull production run, the primary variations centered on the rigging layout.
- Cutter Rig: The vast majority of the hulls were delivered with a high-roach cutter rig. This configuration is widely favored by owners for its simplicity, as it eliminates the maintenance and windage of a second mast while allowing for a full cockpit bimini.
- Ketch Rig: Only two hulls were completed with a ketch rig. Designed to split the sail area into smaller, more manageable handling packages, the ketch configuration is highly efficient downwind but adds rigging complexity and limits shade options in the cockpit.
All hulls shared a consistent shallow-to-moderate draft fin keel of approximately 6.5 feet, matching Dashew's requirement for access to shallower cruising grounds without sacrificing lift when sailing close-hauled. Additionally, the vessels were outfitted with passive water ballast tanks along the sides, which double as fresh water storage or can be utilized to add righting moment and reduce heel when sailing on a reach.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The Sundeer 64's handling characteristics are directly defined by its highly focused design ratios. With a displacement-to-length ratio (Disp/LWL) of 81.74, the yacht is exceptionally light for its length. This low ratio translates to a hull that breaks free of its bow wave with ease, allowing it to start semi-planing at speeds around 9.5 knots.
The sail area-to-displacement ratio (SA/Disp) of 20.83 indicates a powerful sail plan that can drive the boat efficiently even in light air. Under reacher or spinnaker at wind angles of 70 degrees or more, the boat quickly reaches double-digit speeds with minimal physical effort from the crew.
With a capsize screening ratio of 1.66, the hull is inherently stable and exceptionally safe in heavy blue-water conditions. The comfort ratio of 31.06 points to a motion that is quicker and livelier than heavy-displacement traditional cruisers, but is significantly smoother and more predictable than modern, wide-beamed flat-bottomed yachts.
Under power, the 140 hp Yanmar diesel drives the long waterline easily, pushing the hull to a cruising speed of 8 to 9.5 knots with highly efficient fuel consumption.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because only ten hulls were ever constructed, the Sundeer 64 is a rare find on the brokerage market. These vessels command a premium among experienced offshore sailors who specifically seek out Dashew's unique combination of safety and speed.
Because they are intended for non-stop global cruising, they rarely sit in marinas and are often sold privately within owner networks or via specialized yacht brokers.
In relative terms, the Sundeer 64 represents a highly economical entry point into the ultra-deep-water, 60-plus-foot cruising category, trading at a value compared to complex, heavy-displacement semi-custom builds from high-end European yards.
However, prospective buyers must budget for the inevitable modernization of 1990s-era yacht systems, specifically standing rigging replacement, deck re-sealing, and electrical updates.
Known Issues & Triage
While TPI's composite construction is highly regarded, age-related triage is a reality for the Sundeer 64 fleet.
- Pilothouse Window Seals: The large, wrap-around acrylic windows in the salon and pilothouse are a known vulnerability. Over decades of thermal expansion and UV exposure, the original sealant degrades, leading to cabin leaks. Triage requires completely removing the acrylic panels, preparing the mating surfaces, and re-bedding with high-performance marine adhesives like Dow Corning 795 or Sika equivalents.
- Balsa Deck Core Moisture: The deck was constructed with an E-glass and balsa-core sandwich. If deck hardware, stanchion bases, or windlass mounts have not been regularly re-bedded, moisture can compromise the localized balsa core, requiring skin removal, core excavation, and epoxy-rebuilding.
- Hull-to-Deck Joint Impact Vulnerability: High-impact events can compromise the hull-to-deck connection. Though the hull is primarily solid, monolithic fiberglass in high-stress zones, any structural impact in this area requires thorough grinding, fiberglass tabbing, and mechanical reinforcement.
Modernization & Upgrades
Veteran owners have actively modernized the Sundeer 64 to keep these classic globetrotters compatible with contemporary off-grid cruising expectations.
- Lithium Battery Conversions: The original heavy lead-acid battery banks are routinely replaced with modern Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) systems. Owners often install massive 24V banks exceeding 1,600 Ah, enabling them to run air conditioning, refrigeration, and high-output watermakers directly from the inverter.
- Solar and Renewables: Custom stern arches and pilothouse-mounted solar arrays are standard modifications. These setups often generate over 1,000 watts of solar power, which, when combined with high-efficiency MPPT controllers, allows the boat to remain electrically self-sufficient for weeks at anchor without running the diesel generator.
- NMEA 2000 Integration: Original 1990s electronics are regularly stripped in favor of modern NMEA 2000 backbones. This integration is critical for upgrading to highly responsive, modern autopilots that rely on solid-state compasses to steer the narrow, fast hull downwind with precision.
The Verdict
The Sundeer 64 is a highly specialized, masterfully designed blue-water cruising machine built for couples who prioritize ocean-crossing speed, structural safety, and short-handed reliability over interior volume. While its narrow beam and unique, low-profile aesthetics are not for everyone, its engineering and offshore pedigree remain virtually unmatched for serious, self-sufficient global passage-making.
Pros
- Exceptional passage-making speeds with effortless 200-plus-mile daily averages
- True short-handed capability, easily managed by a cruising couple
- Superior passive safety with three true watertight compartments
- Highly protective pilothouse offering excellent shelter and visibility in bad weather
- Extremely robust composite construction by TPI Composites
Cons
- Extremely limited availability on the brokerage market due to only ten hulls built
- Narrow beam reduces overall interior volume compared to modern 64-foot cruisers
- Will pound when driven hard directly into steep, short head seas
- Age-related maintenance required for large pilothouse window seals and balsa-cored decks
