2003 Simonis 40 — Piccola

Here is your opportunity to own a truly capable blue water cruising catamaran.

Piccola is one of only four Parlay 40 catamarans ever built. Designed by renowned naval architect Alex Simonis and built in Durban, South Africa, she was launched in 2003.

Engineered to handle the rough and unforgiving seas surrounding the Cape of Good Hope, the gateway to the Southern Ocean, Piccola features a low-profile design, solid hull construction, and intentionally oversized rigging. She was built for offshore passagemaking, not simply as a floating waterfront apartment. This is a genuine bluewater cruising catamaran with the strength, performance, and pedigree to take you anywhere.

Her capabilities were proven during an extraordinary delivery voyage from Tanzania to Limnos, Greece, between October and December 2017. Under the command of skipper Stefan Raev, Piccola completed an exceptional offshore passage through some of the world’s most demanding waters. The voyage earned the prestigious Golden Globe Award for Best Sailing Marine Achievement 2018, recognizing her outstanding bluewater performance and seaworthiness.

Whether your dream is to circumnavigate the globe, cruise the Mediterranean or Caribbean, explore remote island chains, or venture into higher latitudes, Piccola is ready for the adventure.

If you’re looking for a serious offshore cruising catamaran with a proven pedigree, exceptional build quality, and the capability to safely take you wherever the horizon leads, Piccola deserves your attention.

Please inquire on this vessel for more information and photos or to make an offer.

Full details

Accommodation

Large U-shaped dining area in the saloon with center table. The U-shaped galley offers generous counter space for meal preparation, while four cabins each feature ensuite heads and double berths, with the captain’s cabin thoughtfully converted into a home office. On deck, dual trampolines provide a comfortable lounging area forward, and the cockpit features a seating area with table for outdoor dining and entertaining.

Interior Comforts and Amenities

• (2) Refrigerators
• (1) Freezer
• Double-basin stainless steel sink
• KOYZINA two-burner gas stove with oven (Brand New – June 2026)
• E61 HX espresso machine
• 25L water heater
• Pressurized fresh water system
• All bedding fully renewed
• Mobile air conditioner
• Propane locker
• Propane tank
• Propane shut-off valve
• Propane fume detector

Electronics and Navigation

• Raymarine ST5000+ Autopilot
• Raymarine C80 Chart Plotter
• Raymarine Radar
• AIRMAR Depth Sounder (2023)
• Raymarine ST60+ Speed & Distance Instrument
• Raymarine ST60+ Wind Direction Instrument
• Windex Wind Speed Indicator (new cable 2023)
• Plastimo Compass
• Eclipse GX1400 VHF Radio (Brand New 2026 – MMSI required)
• AIS Receiver (new, not yet installed)
• Starlink Internet
• Navigation Lights

Electrical Systems

• 12V DC
• 220V AC
• Original Parlay 40 switchboard
• (3) 200Ah House Batteries (2024)
• (2) 95Ah Starter Batteries (May 2026)
• Kung-Long CWP200-12N Batteries (3) 200Ah
• New Victron Energy System (1200W)
• Victron EasySolar 12/1600/70 (May 2023)
• MPPT 100/50 Solar Controller (Brand New – July 2026)
• 2600W Solar Panels (1200 watts total)
• Victron Inverter (2023)
• Battery Charger
• Victron Battery Monitor
• Shore Power Cord, Inlet & Adapters
• (2) Bosch HC-Cargo 14V / 80A Alternators

Deck and Hull Equipment

• Solid GRP hardtop with approximately 6.5′ headroom
• Full cockpit enclosure with side curtains
• Cockpit cushions
• Cockpit table
• Swim platforms
• Deck lights
• Full set of dock lines
• Full set of fenders
• Stanchions with lifelines
• Lofrans Windlass
• Swim ladder
• Swim steps at bow
• Folding bicycle

Sails and Rigging

• Sparcraft mast
• Standing rigging replaced (2018)
• Oversized standing rigging (manufacturer specification)
• Original chainplates in excellent condition
• Boom vang
• ProFurl roller furling system
• (2) Mast winches
• (4) Cockpit winches
• Dacron mainsail (2018 – good condition)
• Dacron jib (2018 – serviced 2024, good condition)
• Genoa
• (2) Spinnakers

Mechanical Equipment

• Hydraulic steering (hydraulic pump and all hoses replaced 2024)
• Manual bilge pump
• (2) Sahara 750 electric bilge pumps
• (5) Fire extinguishers
• Emergency tiller
• USCG safety package
• 3-blade aluminum propellers
• XINTEX S-2A propane fume detector
• Fuel shut-off valves
• Engine emergency stop
• Raw-water strainers

Safety Equipment

• Viking 4-person life raft
• USCG safety package
• First aid kit
• (5) Fire extinguishers
• Manual bilge pump
• Electric bilge pumps
• Emergency tiller
• Fuel shut-off valves
• Engine emergency stop
• Raw-water strainers
• Propane shut-off valve
• Propane fume detector

Tender

• Dinghy: Aquarib Sport 230
• Dinghy Outboard: Mercury 4HP Four-Stroke

Engine Info

• Mercury 4HP Four-Stroke Outboard

Tankage

• Fuel: (2) 200L aluminum tanks = 106 gal
• Fresh Water: (2) 180L GRP tanks = 79 gal
• Holding Tanks: (2) Approximately 100L GRP tanks = 53 gal

Owner’s Comments and Boat History

Some boats are simply built. Others are built with a purpose. Piccola belongs to the second category.

She was launched in Durban, South Africa, in 2003, specifically designed for the demanding conditions of the Southern Ocean. With her impressive 7.25-meter beam, reinforced mast and rigging, and exceptionally solid construction, she was built as a true bluewater sailing catamaran, not a floating apartment, but a yacht designed to cross oceans safely, efficiently, and with confidence.

Her pedigree soon proved itself. During her remarkable delivery voyage from Tanzania to Limnos, Greece, between October and December 2017, Piccola demonstrated her outstanding offshore capabilities. Under skipper Stefan Raev, she was awarded the prestigious Golden Globe Award for Best Sailing Marine Achievement 2018, recognizing an exceptional bluewater passage through some of the world’s most demanding waters.

When we discovered Piccola in July 2024, we immediately knew she was the boat we had been searching for.

Our dream was never simply to own a yacht. Our plan was to sail her across the Atlantic to our new home in South America after my husband Kai’s retirement. We had already built our future around this adventure. We documented the beginning of this journey on our YouTube channel, Rhumbline Sailing, where every step, from purchasing Piccola to our preparations, can still be followed today.

Only two months after buying her, our lives changed completely. Kai was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of preparing for an ocean crossing, we spent the following months concentrating entirely on his treatment and recovery. Thankfully, that journey has been successful, and today he is doing remarkably well. For a long time, we hoped we would still be able to fulfill our original dream. But reality eventually asked us to make a different decision.

A transatlantic crossing demands physical strength, endurance, and the ability to handle every situation at sea with a two-person crew. Given our circumstances, we realized that undertaking such a voyage would involve unnecessary health risks. Selling Piccola has therefore become one of the hardest decisions we have ever made, not because of the boat, but because of the dream she represents. We never intended to restore Piccola for someone else. Every improvement was made because we believed she would carry us into the next chapter of our lives.

During our ownership, no expense was spared in preparing her exactly as we had imagined for our own circumnavigation. In 2024, Piccola underwent an extensive modernization and refit. A permanently installed Starlink system now provides reliable high-speed internet almost anywhere in the world, making remote work effortless. The former owner’s cabin was transformed into a dedicated onboard office, creating an ideal work-and-travel environment for digital professionals or long-term cruisers. Every engine on board was comprehensively restored and serviced, including new filters, belts, hoses, and cleaned fuel tanks. A brand-new dinghy with a reliable Mercury 4HP outboard was added, and every cabin received completely new bedding, creating a fresh and welcoming atmosphere throughout the boat. Our philosophy has always been simple: Maintain the boat as if we were leaving tomorrow for the longest voyage of our lives. We never viewed maintenance as an expense. It was an investment in safety, reliability, and peace of mind. Every decision was made because we intended to trust Piccola with our own future. What we love most about her is difficult to describe with specifications. She inspires confidence.

Unlike many modern cruising catamarans that prioritize living space above all else, Piccola still carries the soul of a genuine sailing yacht. Her sleek South African hull design, impressive stability, reinforced rig, and solid construction create a boat that feels alive under sail while providing exceptional safety offshore. She is equally at home crossing oceans, exploring remote anchorages, or serving as a comfortable floating home for those who dream of combining adventure with everyday life. Unfortunately, European regulations prevented us from completing a sale within Europe because of CE certification requirements. Since these regulations are not relevant for many international buyers, we are now proudly offering Piccola through our trusted Caribbean brokerage to sailors throughout the Caribbean and the North and South American markets. More than anything, we hope she finds owners who will love and appreciate her as much as we do, and who will finally take her on the ocean voyage for which she was built.

Piccola is currently lying in Greece, east of Thessaloniki.

We would be delighted to welcome you aboard for a personal viewing and to tell you her story in person.

Perhaps the next chapter of Piccola’s journey will begin with you.

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com

Listing data via Yachtr.com MLS, as published by the broker.

Listed by BVI Yacht Sales; specs and price as published by the broker — on the market here since August 2026. Confirm details with the broker directly.