Back to Search
Alden 54
Designer: Alden  ·  Builder: Alden Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
+ Add to Compare
Videos
About the Alden 54

Built between 1985 and 2002 by Alden Yachts, this 54-footer represents the yard's commitment to traditional design principles married with modern construction techniques. At 54.08 feet overall with a 40-foot waterline, this fiberglass cutter embodies the classic Alden aesthetic with its moderate proportions and seakindly hull form. The design strikes an appealing balance for serious cruising sailors, with its deep 10.50-foot draft and substantial 15,000-pound ballast providing excellent stability and windward performance. The cutter rig configuration offers versatility in sail handling, particularly valuable for shorthanded crews or challenging conditions. With a comfort ratio of 36.81, this boat prioritizes seaworthiness and motion comfort over pure speed, making it well-suited for extended offshore passages and coastal cruising. The hull's keel/centerboard configuration combines the tracking ability of a fixed keel with shallow-water accessibility when the board is raised. A robust SA/Displacement ratio of 17.83 ensures respectable performance under sail, while the conservative capsize screening value of 1.73 reflects the design's inherent stability. The 75-horsepower auxiliary engine provides reliable power for maneuvering and motorsailing. This Alden represents thoughtful design for sailors who value traditional seamanship and long-distance capability over racing performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 54.08 ft / 16.48 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
Beam 14.33 ft / 4.37 m
Max Draft 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Min Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 36,500.00 lb / 16,556 kg
Ballast 15,000.00 lb / 6,804 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,221.00 ft² / 113.43 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Alden
Builder Alden Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1985
Last Built 2002
Related Sailboats ["Little Harbor 54" · "Little Harbor 53" · "Irwin 54" · "Tayana 55" · "Moody 54"]
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Alden 54? Submit a known issue

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
 60
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
 17.83
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
 41.1
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
 254.6
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
 36.81
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
 1.73
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. 8.47 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.91
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. 2,048.11 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 14.75
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 60.20 ft / 18.35 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.50 ft / 5.64 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 53.30 ft / 16.25 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
SA Fore 556.85 ft² / 51.73 m²
SA Main 453.05 ft² / 42.09 m²
SA Total (100%) 1,009.90 ft² / 93.82 m²
Est. Forestay Length 62.98 ft / 19.20 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Model 4.236
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 75
Fuel Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
Water Capacity 175 gals / 662 L
How It Compares

vs. Irwin 54, Little Harbor 53, Tayana 55

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Alden 54 ★
54.1 ft
Irwin 54
54.0 ft
Little Harbor 53
52.7 ft
Tayana 55
55.0 ft
LWL
Alden 54 ★
40.0 ft
Irwin 54
44.0 ft
Little Harbor 53
42.2 ft
Tayana 55
45.9 ft
Beam
Alden 54 ★
14.3 ft
Irwin 54
15.3 ft
Little Harbor 53
15.0 ft
Tayana 55
16.1 ft
Displacement
Alden 54 ★
36 lbs
Irwin 54
46 lbs
Little Harbor 53
43 lbs
Tayana 55
48 lbs
Ballast
Alden 54 ★
15 lbs
Irwin 54
16 lbs
Little Harbor 53
18 lbs
Tayana 55
17 lbs
Sail Area
Alden 54 ★
1 sq ft
Irwin 54
1 sq ft
Little Harbor 53
1 sq ft
Tayana 55
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Alden 54 ★
60 s/nm
Irwin 54
78 s/nm
Little Harbor 53
69 s/nm
Tayana 55
90 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Alden 54 ★
17.8
Irwin 54
15.7
Little Harbor 53
16.7
Tayana 55
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Alden 54 ★
41.1 %
Irwin 54
—
Little Harbor 53
41.7 %
Tayana 55
36.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Alden 54 ★
36.8
Irwin 54
39.9
Little Harbor 53
39.9
Tayana 55
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Alden 54 ★
1.73
Irwin 54
1.72
Little Harbor 53
1.72
Tayana 55
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Alden 54 ★
254
Irwin 54
—
Little Harbor 53
257
Tayana 55
223
Hull Speed
Alden 54 ★
8.5 kts
Irwin 54
8.9 kts
Little Harbor 53
8.7 kts
Tayana 55
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Alden 54 ★
1.9
Irwin 54
1.9
Little Harbor 53
2.1
Tayana 55
—
Find a Alden 54 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace