Flying Whale, an Alajuela 48 Sailboat for Sale

The Alajuela 48 is a highly regarded, bluewater staysail ketch, designed by Raymond Richards and built to tackle serious offshore conditions with confidence. Known for its exceptional structural integrity (a result of its hand-laid GRP hull), deep keel, and moderate displacement, it provides a stable and comfortable motion in a seaway. It is a vessel favoured by those planning extended ocean voyages due to its generous tankage, ample storage, and safe, well-protected centre cockpit configuration.

Flying Whale, an Alajuela 48 is a Robust Blue Water Cruiser & Ocean Voyager

Flying Whale was built by Alajuela Yacht Corp., USA to Lloyds standards. She is an ocean cruiser built with hand-laid fiberglass, a fin keel and skeg-hung/partial-skeg rudder, heavy lead ballast and traditional teak trim. Last anti-fouled August 2025. Decks are painted and need re-painting.

Accommodations

Two-cabin, two-heads offering up to 8 berths. 6'7ft headroom and good ventilation throughout.

The saloon

FORWARD CABIN: Forward most cabin is a workroom/sail/ground tackle storage with top opening hatch.

FORWARD HEADS: To forward port is the shower room and to starboard is the Lavac heads and wash basin.

PORT & STARBOARD CABINS: Owners cabin to starboard, with double pullman style berth, vanity area and hanging locker. To port, cabin with double pullman style berth which can be converted to two sea berths.

GALLEY: Midships to port, U-shaped galley with large s/s sink, 4 burner hob and oven, fridge (not working, needs compressor), (Dometic CFX 100 fridge or freezer in saloon), counter tops and plenty of drawers and storage.

COMPANION WAY: Midships starboard side, steps leading down from deck.

HEADS: To starboard, heads with marine Lavac toilet and wash basin.

SALOON: Aft large horseshoe dining area that converts into double berth. Outboard surrounded by bookshelves and cabinets with stained glass inserts.

NAV STATION: To starboard, with chair, chart table desk and electrical panels.

Mechanical Systems

Beta Marine 85hp marine diesel engine

2020 Beta Marine 85hp diesel engine with only 700 hours. Complete PRM transmission, shaft drive to 3 bladed prop.

Westerbeke 7.6kW BTD - Not working. Honda EU2200i portable generator.

Electrical Systems

Victron equipment

2 x Victron Smart Lithium 24v/200Ah house batteries - New 2024
1 x Northstar Group 27 engine start - New 2022
2 x NorthStar Group 31 windlass battery - New 2022
1 x NorthStar Group 24 generator battery - New 2022
4 x SunPower Cell Flex 130w solar panels
1 x Electric Energy D400 24v wind generator - not installed
Victron Quattro II 24v/3000/120 battery charger
Victron Phoenix 24v/250w/120
Victron Lynx Smart BMS + Ekrano
TV Samsung 24"
LED 24v interior lighting
LED 24v exterior lighting
24v fans

Sails & Spars

Under sail

Ketch, masthead rigged keel stepped aluminium mast and boom. Rigging New 2024. Running rigging New 2022. Slab reefing mainsail with Mack Pack (refurbed 2025). Roller furling (2025) headsail. Barlow and Maxwell winches.

1 x Mainsail - used - serviced 2025
2 x Genoa - used - serviced 2025
1 x Staysail - used
1 x Spinnaker - used
1 x Mizzen - used - serviced 2025

Deck Equipment

Lofrans Falkon anchor windlass

Mantus 85lb anchor
Fortress FX 55
3/8s 300ft chain
300ft rode
Lofrans Falkon windlass with new gipsy
Bimini - cocoa colour
Sail cover - Navy
Swim ladder
Magma BBQ
Docklines & Fenders

Navigation Equipment

'Flying Whale', Alajuela 48, Nav station

Navigation station

Richie Compass
B&G Zeus 3S 9 chart plotter- 2022
B&G Halo 20+ radar - 2022
Garmin GPS 19x NMEA 2000
B&G NAC -3 auto pilot - 2022
B&G WS 310 wind instrument
Airmar DST810 depth sounder
Airmar DST810 speed log
Garmin/Vesper Cortex VHF & AIS - 2023
Hydrovane steering

Safety Equipment

Orion flares - New 2025
4 x Life jackets (may need servicing)
1 x Life buoy
2 x Lifesling
1 x Manual bilge pump
2 x Electric bilge pump
4 x Fire extinguishers (may need servicing)
Gas alarm
Smoke detecter
Emergency tiller
First aid kit

Additional Equipment

Highfield CL310 dinghy - 2019
Suzuki 4-Stroke 20hp outboard - 2020
Seawater Pro 24v 40gph water maker - 2023
Starlink - 2022
Peplink Max Transit
Garmin Inreach
Sailrite sewing machine
Paddle board
Various tools & spares

Asking Price & Contacting the Seller

Flying Whale at anchor

The asking price for 'Flying Whale' is $89,500.

She's currently located in Grenada, West Indies, where Rosie Burr of Clarke & Carter Caribbean will be happy to arrange a visit for you or provide any further information you may require.

More Flying Whale Pics...

The galley

Fortress FX55 anchor

B&G cockpit console

Cockpit, looking forward

Cockpit, looking aft

Sleeping accommodation

More sleeping accommodation

And more sleeping accommodation

One of the 2 heads

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