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Cal 48
Designer: C. William Lapworth  ·  Builder: Jensen Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1966
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About the Cal 48

Built during California's golden age of fiberglass yacht construction, this substantial cruising sailboat represents the Cal Yachts philosophy of combining performance with livability. The Cal 48 emerged from a design tradition that prioritized both coastal cruising comfort and the capability to handle longer passages with confidence. Like other vessels in the Cal lineup, the 48 showcases thoughtful proportions that balance sailing performance with interior volume. The design reflects the West Coast cruising aesthetic of the era, emphasizing clean lines and practical deck layouts that make single-handed or short-handed sailing manageable. Her size places her firmly in serious cruising territory, offering the displacement and stability needed for extended coastal voyaging or offshore passages. The Cal 48 attracts sailors seeking a proven platform for ambitious cruising plans without sacrificing sailing characteristics. Her design lineage connects to Cal's reputation for building boats that sail well while providing the creature comforts necessary for extended time aboard. This makes her particularly appealing to couples or small crews planning significant coastal exploration or contemplating offshore adventures where reliability and seaworthiness matter most.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 47.75 ft / 14.55 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.00 ft / 10.67 m
Beam 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Displacement 25,000.00 lb / 11,340 kg
Ballast 9,500.00 lb / 4,309 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer C. William Lapworth
Builder Jensen Marine (USA)
First Built 1966
Last Built 1970
Number Built 24
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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
96
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
38.0
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
260.31
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. 9.0 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 19.56
J (Foretriangle Base) 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 1,041.00 ft² / 96.71 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Perkins
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 60 gals / 227 L
Water Capacity 110 gals / 416 L
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