The Beneteau 57 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Beneteau 57

• Underwater Profile: Bulb fin keel & spade rudder
• Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)
• Length Overall: 57'0" (17.4m)
• Waterline Length: 49'3" (15.0m)
• Beam: 16'4" (5.0m)
• Draft: 8'6" (2.6m)*
• Rig Type: Fractional sloop
• Displacement: 47,399lb (21,500kg)
• Designer: Farr Yacht Design
• Builder: Beneteau
• Year First Built: 2002
• Owners Association: Beneteau Owners Association

* A shoal draft verson was also produced with a draft of 6'10" (2.1m)

Published Design Ratios for the Beneteau 57

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.3

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 35.2

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 182

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 35.5

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Beneteau 57

Download this eBook to make sure you buy wisely!

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.3 suggests that, in the right hands, the Beneteau 57 will have enough performance to leave most other sailboats of similar waterline length well astern. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 35.2 would usually mean that the Beneteau 57 would have a tendency to heel uncomfortably in a gust, and need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

However, as she has much of her ballast concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, she's likely to be considerably stiffer than her published Ballast/Displacement Ratio might suggest.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 182, tells us the Beneteau 57 is clearly a light displacement sailboat. If she's loaded with too much heavy cruising gear and equipment her performance will suffer to a degree.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 35.5 suggests that crew comfort of a Beneteau 57 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that a Beneteau 57 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.