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Beneteau 50
Designer: Farr Yacht Design/Armel Briand  ·  Builder: Beneteau  ·  First built: 1995
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About the Beneteau 50

French boatbuilder Beneteau has established itself as a dominant force in the production sailboat market, and their 50-foot offerings represent a compelling blend of performance and practicality for serious cruising sailors. This size range sits in the sweet spot for offshore passage-making while remaining manageable for experienced couples or small crews. Beneteau's design philosophy typically emphasizes comfortable accommodation layouts paired with respectable sailing performance, making their boats equally at home coastal cruising or crossing oceans. The company's collaboration with renowned naval architects has consistently produced hulls that balance stability with speed, while their production expertise ensures reliable construction quality. At 50 feet, this boat offers the interior volume necessary for extended cruising comfort without becoming unwieldy in challenging conditions. The size provides excellent seaworthiness for offshore work while maintaining the agility needed for coastal exploration and marina navigation. Beneteau's reputation for thoughtful deck layouts and accessible sail handling systems makes their larger boats appealing to cruising sailors who prioritize ease of operation alongside comfort. The brand's strong resale value and widespread dealer network add practical advantages for owners planning extended voyages or eventual boat sales.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 50.75 ft / 15.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 45.42 ft / 13.84 m
Beam 14.67 ft / 4.47 m
Max Draft 7.55 ft / 2.30 m
Displacement 28,660.00 lb / 13,000 kg
Ballast 9,315.00 lb / 4,225 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,027.00 ft² / 95.41 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Farr Yacht Design/Armel Briand
Builder Beneteau
First Built 1995
Last Built 2004
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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
77
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
17.62
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
26.35
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
1.92
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. 9.03
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
3.67
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. 2.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 58.04
J (Foretriangle Base) 19.85
P (Mainsail Luff) 50.89
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.72
SA Fore 576.05
SA Main 450.89
How It Compares

vs. Bavaria Cruiser 49, First 51 Beneteau, Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Beneteau 50 ★
50.8 ft
Bavaria Cruiser 49
50.5 ft
First 51 Beneteau
51.3 ft
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
50.2 ft
LWL
Beneteau 50 ★
45.4 ft
Bavaria Cruiser 49
43.0 ft
First 51 Beneteau
43.1 ft
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
43.6 ft
Beam
Beneteau 50 ★
14.7 ft
Bavaria Cruiser 49
14.7 ft
First 51 Beneteau
14.9 ft
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
15.1 ft
Displacement
Beneteau 50 ★
28 lbs
Bavaria Cruiser 49
24 lbs
First 51 Beneteau
28 lbs
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
30 lbs
Ballast
Beneteau 50 ★
9 lbs
Bavaria Cruiser 49
8 lbs
First 51 Beneteau
14 lbs
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
10 lbs
Sail Area
Beneteau 50 ★
1 sq ft
Bavaria Cruiser 49
1 sq ft
First 51 Beneteau
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
1,238 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Beneteau 50 ★
17.6
Bavaria Cruiser 49
25.5
First 51 Beneteau
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
20.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Beneteau 50 ★
Bavaria Cruiser 49
35.5 %
First 51 Beneteau
49.6 %
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
35.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Beneteau 50 ★
26.4
Bavaria Cruiser 49
23.1
First 51 Beneteau
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Beneteau 50 ★
1.92
Bavaria Cruiser 49
2.03
First 51 Beneteau
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Beneteau 50 ★
Bavaria Cruiser 49
135
First 51 Beneteau
159
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
165
Hull Speed
Beneteau 50 ★
9.0 kts
Bavaria Cruiser 49
8.8 kts
First 51 Beneteau
Sun Odyssey 49I Perf Jeanneau
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