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Baltic 52
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Baltic Yachts (Fin)  ·  First built: 1990
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About the Baltic 52

Designed by the legendary naval architecture firm Sparkman & Stephens and built by Finland's prestigious Baltic Yachts, this 52-footer represents a pinnacle of performance cruising from the early 1990s. With only 17 hulls launched between 1990 and the end of production, the Baltic 52 stands as an exclusive example of high-end yacht construction during sailing's modern renaissance. The hull showcases classic Sparkman & Stephens proportions with a moderate beam and substantial draft, paired with a sophisticated fin keel and bulb configuration that delivers exceptional upwind performance. The masthead sloop rig provides versatile sail handling options, while the fiberglass composite construction reflects Baltic's renowned attention to detail and structural integrity. Performance characteristics reveal a yacht equally suited for spirited coastal sailing and serious offshore passages. The moderate comfort ratio suggests good motion at sea without sacrificing speed, while the capsize screening value indicates excellent stability for ocean work. With generous sail area relative to displacement, owners can expect lively performance in light to moderate conditions. This Baltic represents the sweet spot between racing-bred performance and long-distance capability, making it ideal for discerning sailors seeking both speed and comfort on extended cruises or competitive events.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 52.49 ft / 16.00 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 43.14 ft / 13.15 m
Beam 15.42 ft / 4.70 m
Max Draft 9.19 ft / 2.80 m
Displacement 31,967.00 lb / 14,500 kg
Ballast 13,228.00 lb / 6,000 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,310.00 ft² / 121.70 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG Composite
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Baltic Yachts (FIN)
First Built 1990
Number Built 17
Related Sailboats ["Swan 51" · "J/160" · "First 53F5 Beneteau" · "Sweden Yachts 52" · "Santa Cruz 52"]
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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
 15
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
 20.9
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
 41.38
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
 177.75
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
 28.14
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
 1.95
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. 8.80 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
 3.46
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. 2,376.90 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. 20.9
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 70.14 ft / 21.38 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 20.34 ft / 6.20 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 61.81 ft / 18.84 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 19.32 ft / 5.89 m
SA Fore 713.32 ft² / 66.27 m²
SA Main 597.08 ft² / 55.47 m²
SA Total (100%) 1,310.40 ft² / 121.74 m²
Est. Forestay Length 73.03 ft / 22.26 m
How It Compares

vs. First 53F5 Beneteau, J/160, Sweden Yachts 52

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Baltic 52 ★
52.5 ft
First 53F5 Beneteau
52.2 ft
J/160
53.3 ft
Sweden Yachts 52
52.0 ft
LWL
Baltic 52 ★
43.1 ft
First 53F5 Beneteau
43.3 ft
J/160
45.0 ft
Sweden Yachts 52
41.3 ft
Beam
Baltic 52 ★
15.4 ft
First 53F5 Beneteau
14.8 ft
J/160
15.3 ft
Sweden Yachts 52
14.3 ft
Displacement
Baltic 52 ★
31 lbs
First 53F5 Beneteau
30 lbs
J/160
36 lbs
Sweden Yachts 52
33 lbs
Ballast
Baltic 52 ★
13 lbs
First 53F5 Beneteau
9 lbs
J/160
15 lbs
Sweden Yachts 52
13 lbs
Sail Area
Baltic 52 ★
1 sq ft
First 53F5 Beneteau
1 sq ft
J/160
1,200 sq ft
Sweden Yachts 52
1 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Baltic 52 ★
20.9
First 53F5 Beneteau
17.3
J/160
15.7
Sweden Yachts 52
25.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Baltic 52 ★
41.4 %
First 53F5 Beneteau
—
J/160
41.7 %
Sweden Yachts 52
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Baltic 52 ★
28.1
First 53F5 Beneteau
28.8
J/160
40.4
Sweden Yachts 52
34.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Baltic 52 ★
1.95
First 53F5 Beneteau
1.88
J/160
1.51
Sweden Yachts 52
1.77
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Baltic 52 ★
177
First 53F5 Beneteau
—
J/160
183
Sweden Yachts 52
—
Hull Speed
Baltic 52 ★
8.8 kts
First 53F5 Beneteau
8.8 kts
J/160
12.0 kts
Sweden Yachts 52
8.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Baltic 52 ★
3.5
First 53F5 Beneteau
3.1
J/160
—
Sweden Yachts 52
2.8
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