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Caliber 45
Designer: Michael Mccreary  ·  Builder: Caliber Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1990
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About the Caliber 45

Built by Caliber Yachts beginning in 1990, this 45-footer represents the company's commitment to traditional cruising design with modern construction techniques. Designer Michael McCreary created a substantial offshore cruiser that emphasizes comfort and seaworthiness over racing performance. The fiberglass construction features a fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration, providing good directional stability while maintaining reasonable maneuverability. With 29,000 pounds of displacement and 12,000 pounds of ballast, this boat offers the stability and motion comfort that serious cruisers demand for extended passages. The generous beam of 13.33 feet creates spacious accommodations below while contributing to initial stability. The cutter rig configuration provides versatility in sail handling, particularly valuable for shorthanded offshore sailing. With 940 square feet of sail area driving the substantial displacement, performance is respectable for a cruising yacht, though acceleration in light air requires patience. A comfort ratio of 36.91 indicates excellent motion characteristics in seaways, while the capsize screening formula of 1.74 falls well within accepted parameters for offshore sailing. The 66-horsepower engine provides adequate auxiliary power for the yacht's size and windage. This design appeals to sailors prioritizing comfort, safety, and traditional aesthetics over pure performance, making it well-suited for serious coastal and offshore cruising adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 45.00 ft / 13.72 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.83 ft / 10.92 m
Beam 13.33 ft / 4.06 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 29,000.00 lb / 13,154 kg
Ballast 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 940.00 ft² / 87.33 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Michael McCreary
Builder Caliber Yachts (USA)
First Built 1990
Related Sailboats ["Morgan 452" · "Hunter 45 Legend" · "Tartan 4400" · "Formosa 46" · "Pacific 4245"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
 16
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
 281.46
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
 36.91
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
 1.74
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. 8.02 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. 1,706.57 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 66
Fuel Capacity 80 gals / 303 L
Water Capacity 180 gals / 681 L
How It Compares

vs. Formosa 46, Hunter 45 Legend, Tartan 4400

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Caliber 45 ★
45.0 ft
Formosa 46
45.0 ft
Hunter 45 Legend
45.0 ft
Tartan 4400
45.0 ft
LWL
Caliber 45 ★
35.8 ft
Formosa 46
39.6 ft
Hunter 45 Legend
38.6 ft
Tartan 4400
37.5 ft
Beam
Caliber 45 ★
13.3 ft
Formosa 46
12.9 ft
Hunter 45 Legend
14.3 ft
Tartan 4400
14.1 ft
Displacement
Caliber 45 ★
29 lbs
Formosa 46
33 lbs
Hunter 45 Legend
23 lbs
Tartan 4400
24 lbs
Ballast
Caliber 45 ★
12 lbs
Formosa 46
10 lbs
Hunter 45 Legend
9 lbs
Tartan 4400
9 lbs
Sail Area
Caliber 45 ★
940 sq ft
Formosa 46
911 sq ft
Hunter 45 Legend
900 sq ft
Tartan 4400
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Caliber 45 ★
—
Formosa 46
128 s/nm
Hunter 45 Legend
83 s/nm
Tartan 4400
96 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Caliber 45 ★
16.0
Formosa 46
14.2
Hunter 45 Legend
17.8
Tartan 4400
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Caliber 45 ★
41.4 %
Formosa 46
—
Hunter 45 Legend
40.0 %
Tartan 4400
37.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Caliber 45 ★
36.9
Formosa 46
41.0
Hunter 45 Legend
25.3
Tartan 4400
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Caliber 45 ★
1.74
Formosa 46
1.61
Hunter 45 Legend
2.01
Tartan 4400
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Caliber 45 ★
281
Formosa 46
—
Hunter 45 Legend
178
Tartan 4400
—
Hull Speed
Caliber 45 ★
8.0 kts
Formosa 46
8.4 kts
Hunter 45 Legend
8.3 kts
Tartan 4400
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Caliber 45 ★
—
Formosa 46
2.0
Hunter 45 Legend
—
Tartan 4400
2.8
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