Caliber Yachts: Crafting Your Ocean Home

For serious cruisers seeking rugged construction, comfortable interiors, and dependable performance, Caliber Yachts has long been a respected name in the sailing world.

Caliber-40-LRCSECaliber 40 LRC (Long Range Cruiser)

From its Florida origins to its ongoing commitment to robust design, Caliber has carved a niche for those who prioritize safety and liveability on extended voyages.

Our Story: Caliber Yachts' Journey

Caliber Yachts came to be in 1980, founded by brothers George and Michael McCreary in Clearwater, Florida. Their initial vision? To craft high-quality sailboats specifically for serious cruising, emphasizing durability and offshore capability. They started with smaller, trailerable models, but by the mid-1980s, the company shifted gears, focusing on larger cruising boats. This led to their now-famous Long-Range Cruiser (LRC) series.

The core philosophy driving Caliber's boat building hinges on the idea that "smaller is better," even as their designs grew in size. This isn't about physical dimensions, but a deep dedication to meticulous craftsmanship over mass production. It ensures every single vessel meets rigorous standards for blue water performance and owner satisfaction. 

While Caliber Yachts is no longer actively building new boats, the company, specifically co-founder George McCreary, continues to operate as Caliber Brokers, Inc.

This brokerage specializes in selling previously owned Caliber Yachts. They offer unique expertise, drawing on over 35 years of building Calibers, with extensive knowledge of specific models, construction details, and even access to original building orders for every Caliber ever made. This means you can still get excellent support and information for these highly regarded cruising boats through them.

So, while new Calibers aren't rolling off the line, the legacy continues with a dedicated brokerage that knows these yachts inside and out.

Designed for the Long Haul: Caliber's Signature Models

Interestingly, Michael McCreary, one of the co-founders, is the sole designer behind all models in the Long-Range Cruiser series, as well as their earlier, smaller sailboats. Caliber boats distinguish themselves with a unique blend of traditional seaworthiness and practical innovation.

Their target market has always been the offshore cruising enthusiast, and their designs clearly reflect this focus. Expect to find key design elements like a modified fin keel paired with a skeg-hung rudder. This combination provides both responsiveness and excellent directional stability, particularly vital in heavy seas. Caliber boats also boast an unusually large displacement for their size, along with a high ballast-to-displacement ratio. These factors significantly contribute to their stability and a comfortable motion even in rough water.

Let's look at some of the notable models in the Caliber lineup:

  • Caliber 28 LRC (1987): This was the very first model in the Long-Range Cruiser series.
  • Caliber 33 (1986): Praised for its stability, this model strikes a nice balance between traditional and modern aesthetics.
  • Caliber 40 LRC (1995): This highly regarded model shines with exceptional responsiveness and quickness, all while maintaining outstanding directional stability in challenging conditions. She carries substantial fuel (212 gallons / 803 L) and water (179 gallons / 678 L) capacities, a true testament to her long-range capabilities. Inside, you'll find a spacious forward stateroom featuring an offset double berth and a private head with its own separate shower. For ease of handling, even when sailing shorthanded, all sail control lines are led aft to the cockpit.
  • Caliber 47 LRC (1999): The largest of the LRC series, the Caliber 47 LRC is purpose-built for extended offshore passages. It shares many of the robust construction and comfort features of the 40 LRC, but with increased volume and even larger tankage (277 gallons / 1049 L fuel, 225 gallons / 852 L water). A "horizontal propeller thrust system" enhances efficiency, and a "Premiere Constellation Pedestal" is designed to maximize cockpit space. Plus, it includes a "Caliber Safety Sea Chest" for easy inspection and shut-off of through-hull fittings.
Caliber-47Caliber 47 LRC (Long Range Cruiser)

Built to Last: Caliber's Construction Standards

Caliber Yachts uses a truly robust, hand-crafted lamination method for its hulls, decks, and interiors, relying on solid fiberglass. This time-tested construction provides multiple layers of strength, offering incredible resilience in tough offshore conditions. It's a key differentiator from builders who might prioritize weight-saving with more exotic materials.

Several specific construction techniques underscore Caliber's dedication to durability:

  • Watertight Collision Pocket and Rudder Post Dam: These are specifically designed to minimize flooding in the unfortunate event of damage to the bow or rudder.
  • Triple-Support Rudder System: The rudder's steel core is welded to a solid 1.5-inch diameter stainless steel shaft, with its load smartly distributed among three bearings for enhanced strength and protection. For maintenance convenience, the upper rudder bearing is housed inside the boat.
  • Quad-Seal Deck to Hull System: This impressive system employs four distinct sealing surfaces – polyurethane adhesive, co-polymer sealant, an aluminum toe-rail bonded with polyurethane, and through-bolting – to create an exceptionally strong and watertight joint.
  • Double-Seal Integral Keel: The keel is molded right into the one-piece hull for added strength. It's also double laminated with two independent layers of heavy woven roving, effectively providing two barriers against water penetration if the keel ever sustains damage.
  • Integral Strength-Grid System: Tanks, sub-sole, baffles, and stringers are heavily laminated directly within the hull. This forms a cohesive unit that distributes primary sea loads over a large area, effectively creating a double-bottom effect which can contain seawater in case of damage to these areas.
  • Multi-Bulkhead Bonding System: Interior bulkheads and shelves are solidly hand-laminated to the hull, avoiding the use of large interior fiberglass liners. This ensures a strong, incredibly durable structure.

This meticulous approach to construction results in boats renowned for their solidity, impressive durability, and remarkable longevity.

On the Water & Inside: Performance & Comfort

Caliber sailboats generally earn high marks for their stable and comfortable motion at sea. Their hull design, combined with moderate displacement, draft, and beam, contributes to a comfortable ride in offshore conditions and boasts high ultimate stability for safety. That modified fin keel and skeg-hung rudder provide excellent directional stability, acting much like feathers on an arrow to keep a consistent course. These boats are known for their high pointing ability, superb directional stability, and easy tacking, even in light winds, which makes them quite maneuverable during docking. The Caliber 47 LRC, for example, is often described as fast, stable, and comfortable, capably handling a wide variety of wind and sea conditions with a balanced helm and smooth motion.

Inside, the aesthetic of Caliber yachts leans towards "Simple Elegance," creating a timeless warmth through extensive use of teak. Unlike many production boats, Caliber sidesteps large, labor-saving fiberglass liners. Instead, you'll find handcrafted soft cloth ceilings and solid teak joinery that's directly bonded to the hull. The result is a truly livable and inviting interior.

Key interior features commonly found on Caliber models include:

  • Spacious staterooms with ample storage, often featuring offset berths and cedar-lined hanging lockers.
  • Well-appointed heads with separate showers, typically enclosed by Plexiglas doors.
  • Efficient L-shaped galleys, boasting generous counter space, double sinks, and well-insulated iceboxes with improved drainage systems and handy gas-assist lifting lids.
  • Thoughtful details such as positive-locking, flush-mounted cabinet pulls, and ventilated cabinet lockers with teak batten louvers.
  • Redesigned passageway doors, featuring solid teak frames and panels.
  • Slide-away Skyscreens™ on hatches, providing both insect protection and sun shade.
  • Corian countertops (standard on 47LRC Series, optional on others) and teak batten hull liners for that cozy, yacht-like feel.

This strong focus on practical layouts and robust construction makes Caliber boats incredibly comfortable and practical for living aboard or embarking on extended cruises.

Buying a Caliber: What to Look For

If you're considering a Caliber sailboat, keep an eye out for their hallmark robust construction. This means hand-laid solid fiberglass hulls and that distinctive Quad-Seal Deck to Hull System. The modified fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder is another vital design element, offering both performance and protection.

The interiors are famous for their solid teak joinery and the deliberate absence of large fiberglass liners, which creates such a warm and traditional ambiance. Potential buyers should certainly appreciate the emphasis on ample storage, generous tank capacities, and well-engineered systems designed for true self-sufficiency and extended cruising.

While generally well-regarded, it's worth noting that some older models, like the Caliber 33, did use small plywood sections in the deck core. Though strong, these could delaminate if exposed to water. However, reported issues are rare, largely due to Caliber's diligent efforts to keep their boats dry. As with any older vessel, a thorough inspection of deck hardware and potential leak points is always a smart move.

Caliber's Legacy

Caliber Yachts has built quite a reputation within the sailing community for producing exceptionally well-built and seaworthy cruising yachts. Owners frequently praise their durability, comfortable motion, and the company's unwavering commitment to quality.

Caliber boats tend to hold their value quite well on the used market, which really reflects their reputation for solid construction and their suitability for long-range cruising. There's also a vibrant owner's association and online community, a clear testament to the brand's enduring appeal and the strong camaraderie among Caliber owners.

Ultimately, Caliber Yachts' lasting impact comes from its steadfast commitment to building true blue water cruising vessels. In an industry that's seen shifts towards lighter, faster, and more volume-driven designs, Caliber has consistently maintained its focus on traditional craftsmanship, robust construction, and features that prioritize safety and comfort for extended voyages. Their Long-Range Cruiser series stands as a powerful testament to their philosophy, offering sailors a dependable and comfortable platform for exploring the world's oceans.

Deep Dive: Other Leading Cruising Yacht Brands

Sources & References


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