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Durbeck 50
Designer: Durbeck  ·  Builder: Durbeck (Usa)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Durbeck 50

Built starting in 1982 by Durbeck in the USA, this substantial 50-footer represents classic American cruising yacht design from the early 1980s. The solid fiberglass construction and traditional long keel configuration emphasize seaworthiness and directional stability over racing performance, making this vessel ideally suited for serious offshore cruising and extended voyaging. The staysail ketch rig offers excellent versatility for shorthanded sailing, allowing crews to balance sail combinations effectively in varying conditions. With 1,600 square feet of sail area driving a displacement of 46,600 pounds, the boat delivers respectable performance while maintaining the steady, predictable handling characteristics valued by ocean cruisers. The 16,000-pound ballast provides excellent stability and peace of mind in challenging conditions. At 8.44 knots hull speed, this yacht prioritizes comfort and capability over pure speed. The generous beam of 13.83 feet translates to spacious accommodations below, while the moderate 5.16-foot draft allows access to a reasonable range of anchorages. The impressive comfort ratio of 50.67 confirms this boat's suitability for extended cruising, where motion comfort becomes paramount. The relatively conservative capsize screening formula of 1.54 further reinforces its offshore credentials, making it an excellent choice for serious cruising sailors seeking a proven blue-water platform.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 50.75 ft / 15.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 39.67 ft / 12.09 m
Beam 13.83 ft / 4.22 m
Max Draft 5.16 ft / 1.57 m
Displacement 46,600.00 lb / 21,137 kg
Ballast 16,000.00 lb / 7,257 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,600.00 ft² / 148.64 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Staysail Ketch
Construction FG solid
Designer Durbeck
Builder Durbeck (USA)
First Built 1982
Related Sailboats ["Little Harbor 50" · "Valiant 50" · "Formosa 51" · "Tatoosh 51" · "Shannon 50"]
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
 19.86
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
 34.33
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
 333.24
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
 50.67
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
 1.54
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. 8.44 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. 1,960.34 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Model 4-236
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 80
Fuel Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
Water Capacity 300 gals / 1,136 L
How It Compares

vs. Formosa 51, Tatoosh 51, Valiant 50

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Durbeck 50 ★
50.8 ft
Formosa 51
50.8 ft
Tatoosh 51
50.6 ft
Valiant 50
50.7 ft
LWL
Durbeck 50 ★
39.7 ft
Formosa 51
39.6 ft
Tatoosh 51
42.1 ft
Valiant 50
40.3 ft
Beam
Durbeck 50 ★
13.8 ft
Formosa 51
14.1 ft
Tatoosh 51
15.4 ft
Valiant 50
13.8 ft
Displacement
Durbeck 50 ★
46 lbs
Formosa 51
52 lbs
Tatoosh 51
44 lbs
Valiant 50
35 lbs
Ballast
Durbeck 50 ★
16 lbs
Formosa 51
12 lbs
Tatoosh 51
14 lbs
Valiant 50
11 lbs
Sail Area
Durbeck 50 ★
1 sq ft
Formosa 51
—
Tatoosh 51
1 sq ft
Valiant 50
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Durbeck 50 ★
—
Formosa 51
198 s/nm
Tatoosh 51
120 s/nm
Valiant 50
102 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Durbeck 50 ★
19.9
Formosa 51
—
Tatoosh 51
15.7
Valiant 50
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Durbeck 50 ★
34.3 %
Formosa 51
23.1 %
Tatoosh 51
—
Valiant 50
31.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Durbeck 50 ★
50.7
Formosa 51
—
Tatoosh 51
39.9
Valiant 50
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Durbeck 50 ★
1.54
Formosa 51
—
Tatoosh 51
1.75
Valiant 50
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Durbeck 50 ★
333
Formosa 51
374
Tatoosh 51
—
Valiant 50
243
Hull Speed
Durbeck 50 ★
8.4 kts
Formosa 51
—
Tatoosh 51
8.7 kts
Valiant 50
—
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