Built 1979, Brisbane, Australia | Length 22.86m (75ft) | 12 Guests in 4 cabins
Summer Spirit II is a 22.86 metre motor yacht built by McConnell Brothers in 1979 in Brisbane, Australia. She has been well maintained and was refitted in 1998 and 2007 and then underwent an extensive refit and upgrade of the interior when purchased by the current owners beginning in 2011.
The interior upgrade includes styling by Pacific Green and Furniture Inspirations (Fiji) and features extensive use of local Fijian timbers (mahogany, coconut and raintree parquetry). The exterior was designed by R. James who is an Australian naval architect.
The current owners have lived in the Pacific for many years and have decorated the interior with an impressive collection of colourful Pacific artwork from recognised local artisans, in additional to antiques and shells collected from various Pacific nations.
Onboard sleeping accommodation for up to 12 guests is comprised of: Owner’s Queen Size Stateroom with en suite bathroom (including spa massage bath, shower, toilet and two basins); VIP double bed with bathroom en suite (shower, toilet and basin), and baby bunk; two double bedrooms with additional single bunks in each room; one twin single bed cabin and four single berths in the bow.
There are a total of four toilets, four showers (including one outside on the swim platform) and an electric hot water system and cold water is provided by an on demand pumping system.
Inboard dining capacity in the main salon is for ten people and there is space for 12 people to dine on the top deck.
Whilst currently registered for a total of 16 passengers (12 guests and four crew) there is actually sleeping accommodation for a total of 22 passengers including convertible sleeping space on the top deck.
History: RV Summer Spirit launched in 1980 and the vessel was designed for a real estate firm and used to entertain clients cruising along the Queensland coast.
After the vessel was sold, significant improvements were made including adding an additional 15 ft to its length and fitting bilge keels below the waterline for better stability.
RV Summer Spirit has also voyaged extensively throughout the Pacific Islands. During 2005 and 2006, the vessel was contracted by the South Pacific Geoscience Commission (through the European Development Fund) to transport scientists and engineers conducting bathymetric surveys of Niue, Solomon Island, Nauru, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, and the Marshall Islands.
In 2007 the vessel was imported into Fiji with all taxes and import duties paid, and its name was changed to MV Summer Spirit. As a result of the 2007 Coup in Fiji, the research contract ended, and the vessel was then used commercially operating under Coastal and Open Waters trading licences.
In 2011, the current owners purchased the vessel to use as a pleasure craft and after a major refit, spent more than a decade entertaining friends and family on cruises throughout the magnificent Fiji Islands. The vessel also served as a home office for the owner’s consulting business. The vessel was renamed MV Summer Spirit II in 2018 with registration in Langkawi, Malaysia.
“Owning Summer Spirit has allowed our families and friends to join us in paradise numerous times to celebrate various important occasions and sometimes just to get away with no particular itinerary in mind other than to relax and enjoy the beautiful Fijian Islands. Summer Spirit is the perfect platform for entertaining all age groups – she is big enough for an extended family reunion during which the younger generation can swim, snorkel, dive, surf and find numerous ways to jump into the water (see photos), whilst comfortable enough for those of us with a greater number of years to sit back, have an extra glass of wine after lunch or dinner and snooze or natter away the hours.
At the same time, she is not so big as to be unable to anchor in secluded small bays and navigate through the smaller and more intricate water channels and passes which make passages quicker and the list of accessible islands and anchorages greater.
As you will see from the photo gallery, we have had years of fun with her and are sure that the future owners will do the same. Whilst compiling this website we requested friends and family to provide photos. The tremendous response was such that we have been unable to include all that we received but I think you will get the general idea of the fun and good times we have enjoyed aboard Summer Spirit from those that are included.
Summer Spirit has been our home for twelve years; we hate to leave her behind but such is life and there is no doubt that we will often recall the numerous happy memories that we have of her.
