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Exploration 45 Garcia
Designer: Berret-Racoupeau  ·  Builder: Garcia Yachts  ·  First built: 2014
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About the Exploration 45 Garcia

Built by France's Garcia Yachts and designed by the renowned Berret-Racoupeau team, this 48-foot aluminum exploration cruiser represents the pinnacle of go-anywhere sailing capability. Since its introduction in 2014, the Exploration 45 has earned recognition as a serious bluewater passage maker, combining robust construction with thoughtful design for extended offshore adventures. The aluminum hull construction provides exceptional durability for challenging conditions, while the innovative keel/centerboard configuration with dual rudders offers remarkable versatility. This setup allows access to shallow anchorages while maintaining excellent tracking and control in heavy weather. The deep 9.51-foot draft ensures solid windward performance, while the centerboard extends cruising possibilities into previously inaccessible waters. Garcia's commitment to exploration cruising shines through in every detail. The cutter rig provides flexible sail handling options for varying conditions, supported by a generous 979.52 square feet of working sail area. With a hull speed of 8.61 knots and comfortable 32.29 comfort ratio, long passages become manageable endeavors rather than endurance tests. The Exploration 45's reputation among serious cruisers stems from its ability to handle extended ocean crossings while offering the shallow-water access typically associated with much smaller vessels, making it ideal for ambitious cruising couples seeking global adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 48.82 ft / 14.88 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 41.24 ft / 12.57 m
Beam 14.57 ft / 4.44 m
Max Draft 9.51 ft / 2.90 m
Min Draft 3.74 ft / 1.14 m
Displacement 32,214.00 lb / 14,612 kg
Ballast 10,009.00 lb / 4,540 kg
Ballast Type Aluminum centerboard
Sail Area (Reported) 979.52 ft² / 91.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/CB w/dual rudders
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction Aluminum
Designer Berret-Racoupeau
Builder Garcia yachts
First Built 2014
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
15.54
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
31.07
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
205.04
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
32.29
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
1.84
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. 8.61 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. 2,146.96 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
Mast Height (DWL) 64.96 ft / 19.80 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo-Penta
Engine Model D2-75
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 75
Fuel Capacity 185 gals / 700 L
Water Capacity 132 gals / 500 L
LOD 46.62 ft / 14.21 m
How It Compares

vs. Hallberg Rassy 49, X49

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
48.8 ft
Hallberg Rassy 49
49.1 ft
X49
49.5 ft
LWL
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
41.2 ft
Hallberg Rassy 49
41.0 ft
X49
43.5 ft
Beam
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
14.6 ft
Hallberg Rassy 49
14.5 ft
X49
14.7 ft
Displacement
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
32 lbs
Hallberg Rassy 49
39 lbs
X49
28 lbs
Ballast
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
10 lbs
Hallberg Rassy 49
17 lbs
X49
12 lbs
Sail Area
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
979 sq ft
Hallberg Rassy 49
X49
1 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
15.5
Hallberg Rassy 49
X49
22.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
31.1 %
Hallberg Rassy 49
45.1 %
X49
42.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
32.3
Hallberg Rassy 49
X49
27.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
1.84
Hallberg Rassy 49
X49
1.93
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
205
Hallberg Rassy 49
257
X49
154
Hull Speed
Exploration 45 Garcia ★
8.6 kts
Hallberg Rassy 49
X49
8.8 kts
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