Popular Cruising Yachts from
45 to 50 Feet Long Overall

Welcome to this ever-growing gallery of some of the most popular cruising yachts between 45 and 50 feet (13.7m to 15.2m) long overall.

Offshore cruising boats of this length are probably the maximum size that most cruising couples can comfortably handle without taking on additional crew.

Even so, it's likely that powered sail handling devices - sheet and halyard winches, electric or hydraulic furling gears etc - will be necessary, all of which adds to the cost and complexity of the boat.

And as we've got a few such boats advertised on sailboat-cruising.com, we've shown them here...

Sailboats within this size range offered for sale privately by their owners...

Hunter passage 450 $139,750

A Hunter 45 Deck Saloon sailboat for sale

Hunter 45DS $245,000

Beneteau Oceanis 50 $125,000

A Tayana 'Flying Dutchman 50' sailboat for sale

Tayana 'Flying Dutchman' 50 $165,000

Amel Santorin 46

'Cham', an Amel Santorin Sloop anchored in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua.
Amel also produced a ketch version of the Santorin.

Hull Type:~ Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 45'11" / 14.0m
Waterline Length:~ 35'1" / 10.7m
Beam:~ 13'2" / 4.0m
Draft:~ 6'3" / 1.9m
Rig Type:~ Masthead sloop
Displacement:~ 24,251lb / 11,000kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 18*
Displacement/Length Ratio:~250*
Designer:~ Henri Amel
Builder:~ Amel (France)
Year First Built:~ 1989
Year Last Built:~ 1997
Number Built:~ 150
Owners Association:~ ?

Gozzard 41

Many thanks to Ian & Joy Winterborn for this pic of 'Reberth', their Gozzard 41

Hull Type:~ long keel
Hull Material:~ GRP
Length Overall:~ 47'0" / 14.5m
Waterline Length:~ 35'4" / 10.8m
Beam:~ 13'0" / 4.0m
Draft:~ 5'3" / 1.6m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 23,500lb / 10,660kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 18.9
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 238
Designer:~ Ted Gozzard
Builder:~ North Castle Marine (Canada)
Year First Built:~ 1986
Year Last Built:~ ?
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ ?

More about Gozzard Yachts...

Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47

'More Mischief', a Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47

Hull Type:~ Fin keel & spade rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 47'5" / 14.5m
Waterline Length:~ 37'3" / 11.4m
Beam:~ 14'4" / 4.4m
Draft:~ 8'10" / 2.7m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 25,353lb / 11,500kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 15
Displacement/Length Ratio:~219
Designer:~ Philippe Briand
Builder:~ Jeanneau (France)
Year First Built:~ 1983
Year Last Built:~ 1989
Number Built:~ 315
Owners Association:~ Jeanneau Owners Network

Caliber 47

'Bakeapple', a Caliber 47 LRC (Long Range Cruiser)

Hull Type:~ Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 46'10" / 14.3m
Waterline Length:~ 36'2" / 11.0m
Beam:~ 13'2" / 4.0m
Draft:~ 5'3" / 1.6m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 30,000lb / 13,608kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 17
Displacement/Length Ratio:~283
Designer:~ Michael McCreary
Builder:~ Caliber Yachts (USA)
Year First Built:~ 1999
Year Last Built:~ ?
Number Built:~ Not known
Owners Association:~ ?

More about the Caliber 47...

Bavaria 44

'Limin' Time', a Bavaria 44 at anchor in Hermitage Bay, Antigua

Hull Type:~ Bulb fin keel & spade rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 45'9" / 14.0m
Waterline Length:~ 37'6" / 11.4m
Beam:~ 13'10" / 4.2m
Draft:~ 6'5" / 2.0m
Rig Type:~ Fractional sloop
Displacement:~ 21,164lb / 9,600kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 20
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 179
Designer:~ J&J Design
Builder:~ Bavaria (Germany)
Year First Built:~ 2002
Year Last Built:~ 2004
Number Built:~ Not known
Owners Association:~ Bavaria Owners Association

Outbound 46

'Kinetic', an Outbound 46, sports a hard dodger and a Solent Rig.

Hull Type:~ Fin Keel with Spade Rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (fiberglass)
Length Overall:~ 46'4" / 14.0m
Waterline Length:~ 40'3" / 12.3m
Beam:~ 13'6" / 4.1m
Draft:~ 6'6" / 2.0m, or shoal draft version 5'6" / 1.7m
Rig Type:~ Masthead sloop
Displacement:~ 28,500lb / 12,220kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 19
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 189
Designer:~ Carl Schumacher
Builder:~ Outbound Yachts
Year First Built:~ 2001
Year Last Built:~ In production
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ ?

Read more about the Outbound 46...

Wauquiez 48

'Pipistrelle', a Wuaquiez 48 Pilot House Cruising Yacht at anchor in Deep Bay, Antigua, West Indies.

Hull Type:~ Fin keel & spade rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 48'10" / 14.9m
Waterline Length:~ 41'0" / 12.5m
Beam:~ 14'9" / 4.5m
Draft:~ 7'1" / 2.2m
Rig Type:~ Masthead sloop, solent rigged.
Displacement:~ 37,478lb / 17,000kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 16
Displacement/Length Ratio:~243
Designer:~ Ed Dubois
Builder:~ Wauquiez (France)
Year First Built:~ 1997
Year Last Built:~ 2002
Number Built:~ 22
Owners Association:~ Wauquiez Owners Info

More about the Wauquiez 48...

J46

'Breezing Up', a light displacement J46 performance cruising yacht.

Hull Type:~ Bulb fin keel & spade rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 46'0" / 14.0m
Waterline Length:~ 40'6" / 12.3m
Beam:~ 13'10" / 4.2m
Draft:~ 6'3" / 1.9m
Rig Type:~ Masthead sloop
Displacement:~ 24,000lb / 10,886kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 20
Displacement/Length Ratio:~161
Designer:~ Rod Johnstone
Builder:~ J Boats (USA)
Year First Built:~ 1995
Year Last Built:~ 2003
Number Built:~ 35
Owners Association:~ J Boat Owners

Read more about the J46...

Malo 45

'Malkemi', a Malo 45 bluewater cruising yacht, fitted with a double-headsail solent rig.

Hull Type:~ Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 46'7" / 14.2m
Waterline Length:~ 39'0" / 11.9m
Beam:~ 13'6" / 4.1m
Draft:~ 6'10" / 2.1m
Rig Type:~ Masthead sloop
Displacement:~ 31,085lb / 14,100kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 16
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 234
Designer:~ Leif Ängermark
Builder:~ Malö Yachts (Sweden)
Year First Built:~ 2000
Year Last Built:~ In production
Number Built:~ Not known
Owners Association:~ Not known

Swan 48

'Sleeper X', a S&S Swan 48 on her mooring in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua

Hull Type:~ Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 47'11" / 14.6m
Waterline Length:~ 37'3" / 11.4m
Beam:~ 13'7" / 4.2m
Draft:~ 7'9" / 2.4m
Rig Type:~ Masthead sloop
Displacement:~ 36,000lb / 16,330kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 15
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 310
Designer:~ Sparkman & Stephens
Builder:~ Nautor (Finland)
Year First Built:~ 1971
Year Last Built:~ 1975
Number Built:~ 46
Owners Association:~ S&S Swan Owners Association

Hunter 49

A Hunter 49 powers to windward towards Guadeloupe in the Caribbean

Hull Type:~ Winged keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 49'11" / 15.2m
Waterline Length:~ 43'10" / 13.4m
Beam:~ 14'9" / 4.5m
Draft:~ 5'6" / 1.7m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 32,813lb / 14,884kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 20
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 174
Designer:~ Glenn Henderson
Builder:~ Hunter Marine (USA)
Year First Built:~ 2007
Year Last Built:~ Not known
Number Built:~ Not known
Owners Association:~ Hunter Owners

Bowman 45

'Piano', Bowman 45 at anchor in Five Islands Bay, Antigua, West Indies

Hull Type:~ Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 47'7" / 14.6m
Waterline Length:~ 36'6" / 11.1m
Beam:~ 13'0" / 4.0m
Draft:~ 5'9" / 1.8m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 27,569lb / 12,505kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ Not known
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ Not known
Designer:~ Chuck Paine
Builder:~ Rustler Yachts (UK)
Year First Built:~ Not known
Year Last Built:~ Not known
Number Built:~ Not known
Owners Association:~ None known

Aerodyne 47

'Pandora', a Aerodyne 47 high-performance cruising yacht at anchor off Deshaies, Guadeloupe, French West Indies

Hull Type:~ Shoal draft bulb keel & spade rudder
Hull Material:~ Composite
Length Overall:~ 46'7" / 14.2m
Waterline Length:~ 42'1" / 12.8m
Beam:~ 14'4" / 4.4m
Draft:~ 6'0" / 1.8m
Rig Type:~ Fractional solent-rigged sloop
Displacement:~ 25,370lb / 11,532kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 17
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 152
Designer:~ Roger Martin
Builder:~ Aerodyne Marine (South Africa)
Year First Built:~ 2001
Year Last Built:~ 2007
Number Built:~ 3 ('Pandora' was build #3)
Owners Association:~ None known

Read more about the Aerodyne 47...

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

'Laurie N', a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49 prepares to pick up a mooring in Prince Rupert Bay, Dominica, West Indies

Hull Type:~ Bulb keel & spade rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 49'2" / 15.0m
Waterline Length:~ 42'4" / 12.9m
Beam:~ 14'9" / 4.5m
Draft:~ 7'9" / 2.4m
Rig Type:~ Fractional sloop
Displacement:~ 27,778lb / 12,600kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 18
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 164
Designer:~ Phillipe Briand
Builder:~ Jeanneau (France)
Year First Built:~ 2003
Year Last Built:~ ?
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ Jeanneau Owners Network

Moody 46

'Cloud Nine', a Moody 46 cruising sailboat

Hull Type:~ Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 46'2" / 14.1m
Waterline Length:~ 39'4" / 12.0m
Beam:~ 14'5" / 4.4m
Draft:~ 6'9" / 2.1m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 31,945lb / 14,490kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 15
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 234
Designer:~ Bill Dixon
Builder:~ Moody Yachts Ltd (UK)
Year First Built:~ 1997
Year Last Built:~ 2001
Number Built:~ 55
Owners Association:~ Moody Owners Association

Cambria 44

'Katahdin', a centreboard version of the Cambria 44 was the last one built.

Hull Type:~ Centreboard keel & skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 45'11" / 14.0m
Waterline Length:~ 36'4" / 11.1m
Beam:~ 13'5" / 4.1m
Draft:~ 10'6" / 3.2m (CB down); 5'6" / 1.7m (CB up);
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 28,600lb / 12,973kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 16
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 266
Designer:~ David Walters
Builder:~ Cabo Rico Custom Yachts Inc (USA)
Year First Built:~ 1985
Year Last Built:~ 1990
Number Built:~ 18
Owners Association:~ Not known

Westerly Ocean 49

'Laridae', a Westerly 49 at anchor off Fort de France in Martinique

Hull Type:~ Fin keel
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 48'6" / 14.8m
Waterline Length:~ 42'1" / 12.8m
Beam:~ 15'1" / 4.6m
Draft:~ 7'0" / 2.1m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 28,935lb / 13,125kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ ?
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 173
Designer:~ Ed Dubois
Builder:~ Westerly Marine Ltd. (UK)
Year First Built:~ 1993
Year Last Built:~ ?
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ Westerly Owners Association

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 47

Designed by Phillipe Briand and built by Jeanneau, this 'Sun Odyssey' 47 cruising boat lies at anchor in Grande Anse D'Arlet, Martinique, French West Indies

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 47 at anchor in Grande Anse D'Arlet, Martinique, French West Indies

Hull Type:~ Bulb fin keel with spade rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 47'3" / 14.4m
Waterline Length:~ 38'5" / 11.7m
Beam:~ 14'7" / 4.5m
Draft:~ 6'10" / 2.1m
Rig Type:~ Masthead Sloop
Displacement:~ 27,558lb / 12,500kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 16.2
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 217
Designer:~ Philippe Briand
Builder:~ Jeanneau (France)
Year First Built:~ 1991
Year Last Built:~ ?
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ Jeanneau Owners Network

Dawn 48

The Dawn 48 'Crusader' cruising yacht at anchor in St Anne, Martinique, West Indies

Hull Type:~ Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 48'1" / 14.7m
Waterline Length:~ 37'7" / 11.5m
Beam:~ 14'6" / 4.4m
Draft:~ 6'0" / 1.8m
Rig Type:~ Masthead Ketch
Displacement:~ 27,500lb / 12,474kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 18.7
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 230
Designer:~ German Frers
Builder:~ Kong & Halvorsen Marine & Eng. Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)
Year First Built:~ 1983
Year Last Built:~ 1985
Number Built:~ 18
Owners Association:~ ?

Tayana 47

This is the centre-cockpit version. These cruising yachts are also available with a deck-saloon layout.

Hull Type:~ Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 47'0" / 14.3m
Waterline Length:~ 40'3" / 12.3m
Beam:~ 14'6" / 4.4m
Draft:~ 6'0" / 1.8m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 35,000lb / 15,876kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 20.7
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 239
Designer:~ Robert Perry
Builder:~ Ta Yang Yacht Building Co. Ltd (Taiwan)
Year First Built:~ 1991
Year Last Built:~ ?
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ www.tognews.com

Our Gallery of Popular Cruising Sailboats...

45' to 50' (this page)

50' to 55'

Over 55'

Multihulls

Nicholson 48

'Capercaillie', a Nicholson 48 Ketch Sailboat

Hull Type:~ Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 47'8" / 14.5m
Waterline Length:~ 34'4" / 10.5m
Beam:~ 12'11" / 3.9m
Draft:~ 7'0" / 2.1m
Rig Type:~ Masthead ketch
Displacement:~ 31,300lb / 14,198kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 12.1
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 345
Designer:~ Camper & Nicholson
Builder:~ Valiant Yachts (USA)
Year First Built:~ 1973
Year Last Built:~ ?
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~

Valiant 47

s/y Oasis, a Valiant 47, on one of the visitors moorings in the BVIs

Hull Type:~ Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 47'0" / 14.3m
Waterline Length:~ 40'3" / 12.3m
Beam:~ 13'10" / 4.2m
Draft:~ 6'3" / 1.9m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 30,000lb / 13,608kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 17.7
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 205
Designer:~ Robert Perry
Builder:~ Valiant Yachts (USA)
Year First Built:~ 1981
Year Last Built:~ 1992
Number Built:~ 17
Owners Association:~ Valiant Yacht Owners Association

Cabo Rico 45

At anchor in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola in the BVIs

Hull Type:~ Long Keel
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 45'0" / 13.7m
Waterline Length:~ 35'0" / 10.7m
Beam:~ 13'2" / 4.0m
Draft:~ 5'6" / 1.7m
Rig Type:~ Cutter
Displacement:~ 35,600lb / 16,148kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 19.8
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 371
Designer:~ Bill Crealock
Builder:~ Cabo Rico
Year First Built:~ 1995
Year Last Built:~ Still in production (?)
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ ?

Beneteau Oceanis 473

Hull Type:~ Bulb fin keel with spade rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 46'11" / 14.3m
Waterline Length:~ 43'10" / 13.3m
Beam:~ 14'2" / 4.3m
Draft:~ 5'7" / 1.7m
Rig Type:~ Masthead sloop
Displacement:~ 24,277lb / 11,012kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 17.2
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 129
Designer:~ Jean Marie Finot
Builder:~ Beneteau
Year First Built:~ 2000
Year Last Built:~ 2005
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ Beneteau Yacht Club

Gulfstar Sailmaster 47

Hull Type:~ Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 42'5" / 14.5m
Waterline Length:~ 40'6" / 12.3m
Beam:~ 13'10" / 4.2m
Draft:~ 5'6" / 1.7m
Rig Type:~ Ketch
Displacement:~ 38,000lb / 17,237kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 13.1
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 255
Designer:~ Vince Lazzara
Builder:~ Gulfstar Yachts (US)
Year First Built:~ 1978
Year Last Built:~ 1981
Number Built:~ 79
Owners Association:~ The Gulfstar Owners Club

Hinckley 48

Bill Trip designed great looking cruising yachts - and this Hinckley 48 is no exception...

Hinckley 49 cutters are great cruising yachts

Hull Type:~ Long keel with centreboard
Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall:~ 48'3" / 14.7m
Waterline Length:~ 34'2" / 10'4"
Beam:~ 13.0" / 4.0m
Draft:~ Max 11'9" / 3.6m, Min 5'2" / 1.6m
Rig Type:~ Yawl (also produced as a sloop)
Displacement:~ 36,000lb / 16,330kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 15.0
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 403
Designer:~ William H Trip
Builder:~ Henry Hinckley & Company (US)
Year First Built:~ 1965
Year Last Built:~ 1974
Number Built:~ 8
Owners Association:~

Morgan 46

Hull Type:~ Scheel keel with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material:~ GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall:~ 46'0" / 14.0m

Waterline Length:~ 39'3" / 12.0m

Beam:~ 13'6" / 4.1m

Draft:~ 6'0" / 1.8m

Rig Type:~ Ketch

Displacement:~ 30,000lb / 13.608kg

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 14.58

Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 221

Designer:~ Henry Scheel

Builder:~ Morgan Yachts (US)

Year First Built:~ 1980

Year Last Built:~ ?

Number Built:~ ?

Owners Association:~ Morgan Yacht Owners

Passoa 47 Cruising Yachts

A Passoa 47 cutter rigged aluminium cruising boat under full sail

Hull Type:~ Swing-keel/centreboard with twin rudders
Hull Material:~ Aluminium
Length Overall:~ 47'9" / 14.5m
Waterline Length:~ 40'9" / 11.9m
Beam:~ 14'1" / 4.3m
Draft:~ Min 3'7" / 1.1m, Max 8'2" / 2.5m
Rig Type:~ Cutter rigged sloop
Displacement:~ 30,649lb / 13,900kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:~ 12.8
Displacement/Length Ratio:~ 260
Designer:~ Philippe Harlé & Alain Mortain
Builder:~ Garcia Aluminium (France)
Year First Built:~ ?
Year Last Built:~ ?
Number Built:~ ?
Owners Association:~ ?

Next ~ Cruising yachts from 50-55ft LOA

You are here:~ Sailboat Cruising > Cruising Yachts > 45 to 50 Feet Overall

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.