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Alden 45
Designer: Niels Helleberg  ·  Builder: Alden Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1992
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About the Alden 45

Designed by renowned naval architect Niels Helleberg and built by Alden Yachts from 1992 to 1997, this 45-footer represents a thoughtful blend of traditional sailing virtues and modern performance characteristics. The masthead sloop rig configuration, combined with 915 square feet of sail area, provides excellent power and balance across varying wind conditions. With a displacement of 23,000 pounds and substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio, the Alden 45 offers the stability and seakindly motion that serious cruising sailors demand for offshore passages. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling while maintaining the directional stability crucial for long-distance sailing. Her comfort ratio of 32.72 indicates a motion that favors security over speed, making extended passages more pleasant for crew. The fiberglass construction reflects proven boatbuilding techniques, while the 7.42-foot draft provides excellent upwind performance and access to most harbors. Her SA/Displacement ratio of 18.17 suggests moderate sail carrying power—ideal for cruising sailors who prioritize reliability over racing performance. This design philosophy makes the Alden 45 particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and offshore voyaging, where comfort, safety, and dependable sailing characteristics take precedence over pure speed.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$355,000 – $355,000
typical asking price
Median $355,000  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$355,000 – $355,000 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 44.83 ft / 13.66 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.50 ft / 10.52 m
Beam 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
Max Draft 7.42 ft / 2.26 m
Displacement 23,000.00 lb / 10,433 kg
Ballast 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 915.00 ft² / 85.01 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Niels Helleberg
Builder Alden Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1992
Last Built 1997
Related Sailboats ["Caliber 45" · "Tartan 4400" · "Hunter 45 Legend" · "Contest 42Cs" · "Tanton 45"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 83
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 18.17
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 43.48
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 250.05
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 32.72
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.76
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.87 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,540.90 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Westerbeke
Engine Model 63-B
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 60
Fuel Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
How It Compares

vs. Contest 42Cs, Hunter 45 Legend, Tartan 4400

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Alden 45 ★
44.8 ft
Contest 42Cs
45.0 ft
Hunter 45 Legend
45.0 ft
Tartan 4400
45.0 ft
LWL
Alden 45 ★
34.5 ft
Contest 42Cs
38.2 ft
Hunter 45 Legend
38.6 ft
Tartan 4400
37.5 ft
Beam
Alden 45 ★
12.5 ft
Contest 42Cs
13.5 ft
Hunter 45 Legend
14.3 ft
Tartan 4400
14.1 ft
Displacement
Alden 45 ★
23 lbs
Contest 42Cs
29 lbs
Hunter 45 Legend
23 lbs
Tartan 4400
24 lbs
Ballast
Alden 45 ★
10 lbs
Contest 42Cs
11 lbs
Hunter 45 Legend
9 lbs
Tartan 4400
9 lbs
Sail Area
Alden 45 ★
915 sq ft
Contest 42Cs
1 sq ft
Hunter 45 Legend
900 sq ft
Tartan 4400
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Alden 45 ★
83 s/nm
Contest 42Cs
—
Hunter 45 Legend
83 s/nm
Tartan 4400
96 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Alden 45 ★
18.2
Contest 42Cs
18.2
Hunter 45 Legend
17.8
Tartan 4400
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Alden 45 ★
43.5 %
Contest 42Cs
37.8 %
Hunter 45 Legend
40.0 %
Tartan 4400
37.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Alden 45 ★
32.7
Contest 42Cs
35.9
Hunter 45 Legend
25.3
Tartan 4400
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Alden 45 ★
1.76
Contest 42Cs
1.74
Hunter 45 Legend
2.01
Tartan 4400
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Alden 45 ★
250
Contest 42Cs
238
Hunter 45 Legend
178
Tartan 4400
—
Hull Speed
Alden 45 ★
7.9 kts
Contest 42Cs
8.3 kts
Hunter 45 Legend
8.3 kts
Tartan 4400
—
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