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Popular Cruising Yachts from
45 to 50 Feet Long Overall
Their Physical Properties & Key Performance Indicators
Cruising yachts between 45 and 50 feet in length present an alluring option for sailing enthusiasts seeking a balance of comfort, performance, and manageability, but they also come with their own set of challenges.
A modern go-anywhere cruising yacht; the aluminium Allures 45.9.Note the three headsail options.
These yachts provide ample living space, including multiple cabins, a spacious saloon, and a well-equipped galley. The additional space ensures crew and passengers can enjoy extended periods at sea in comfort and privacy, making it perfect for families or groups of friends on long-term cruises.
A spacious layout on this Najad 460Performance-wise, these cruising yachts are designed to handle a variety of sea conditions, maintaining good speed under sail and offering a smoother ride even in rougher seas. Their excellent storage capacity is crucial for long-distance cruising, with plenty of lockers, drawers, and compartments to keep provisions, spare parts, and personal items organized.
Handling a yacht of this size is increasingly manageable, thanks to modern designs and equipment like bow thrusters, self-tacking jibs, and advanced autopilot systems. These innovations enable a small crew, or even a single sailor, to operate the yacht with relative ease, enhancing the flexibility of sailing plans.
Similarly, the large sail areas that are needed to power these boats are dealt with with open furling gears on all headsails on the headsails and in-mast or in-boom systems on the mainsail.
Some boats in this range are available as either sloops or ketches, with owner often choosing the ketch version to reduce individual sail areas making sail-handling less of an issue for short-handed crews.
A ketch-rigged Hallberg-Rassy 49However, larger cruising yachts like these come with higher initial cost and substantial ongoing expenses. Close quarters maneuvering can be challenging in tight spaces or strong winds, requiring careful planning and skill, particularly in crowded marinas or narrow channels. Finding suitable docking space can also be more difficult and expensive, with marinas charging higher fees for larger berths and availability being limited during peak seasons.
Insurance premiums for yachts in this size range can be higher due to their increased value and potential risks. Insurers may require more comprehensive coverage, with premiums varying based on the yacht's age, condition, and cruising areas.
So here's the lowdown on cruising yachts between 45 and 50 feet—perfect if you’re planning a long-term sailing adventure. These yachts strike a great balance between comfort, performance, and versatility. Their spacious living areas, plenty of storage, and modern handling gear make for a comfortable and easy-to-manage sailing experience.
But let’s not sugarcoat it—there are challenges. Higher costs and maneuvering difficulties can be part of the package. You’ll need to brush up on your docking skills, especially in tight or crowded spaces. And, don’t forget about those insurance premiums; they can be steeper due to the yacht's value and the damage that a wayward one can cause to unfortunate third parties.
Cruising Yachts featured on this page...
Behind each of the cruising yacht images there's a lot more information, including:
- Dimensions & Specifications;
- Design Ratios;
- A summary analysis of the boat's predicted sailing characteristics in terms of performance, stiffness, heaviness, comfort in a seaway and resistance to capsize.
To see it all, just click on the relevant image...
Jeanneau International 50
Kelly Peterson 46
Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48-2
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45.2
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 45
Hallberg-Rassy 48
Dufour 460 Grand Large
Bavaria 50 Cruiser
Bavaria 46 Cruiser
Oceanic 46
The bowsprit and dinghy davits of the attractive Oceanic 46 are likely to be included in the chargeable length overall in marinas and boatyards.
Beneteau Oceanis 50
Hull Type: Fin keel & spade rudder
Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)
Length Overall: 49'6" (15.1m)
Waterline Length: 43'8" (13.3m)
Beam: 14'9" (4.5m)
Draft: 6'7" (1.7m)
Rig Type: Fractional Sloop
Displacement: 27,454lb (12,453kg)
Designer: Berret Racoupeau
Builder: Beneteau (France)
Year First Built: 2010
Dufour 520
The plumb bow and stern on this sleek Dufour 520 maximise her waterline length and hence her theoretical hull speed, but do nothing to help her Comfort Ratio.
Bowman 46 Corsair
Hallberg-Rassy 46
Amel Santorin 46
Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47
Outbound 46
The Outbound 46 differs from the Outbound 44 in that it has an extended boarding platform.
Wauquiez 48
The twin headsail rig on this Wauquiez 48 is known as a 'Solent Rig'. Clearly it differs form a cutter rig, but which is the better choice for cruising?
J46
The J/46 is a light displacement performance cruising yacht, but would the speed/comfort compromise be acceptable to you?
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49
Westerly Ocean 49
Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 47
Our Gallery of Popular Cruising Sailboats...
Beneteau Oceanis 473
Gulfstar Sailmaster 47
Hinckley 48
Bill Trip designed great looking cruising yachts - and this Hinckley 48 is no exception...
Next: Cruising yachts from 50-55ft LOA
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