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Formosa 51
Designer: William Garden  ·  Builder: Formosa Yachts  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Formosa 51

Built during Taiwan's golden era of fiberglass yacht construction, this substantial cruising sailboat represents the practical offshore philosophy that made Formosa yachts highly regarded among serious cruising sailors. With her robust construction and traditional full-keel design, she embodies the "go anywhere" mentality that defined the brand throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The design prioritizes seaworthiness and comfort over racing performance, making her well-suited for extended offshore passages and live-aboard cruising. Her heavy displacement hull provides the stability and load-carrying capacity that long-distance cruisers demand, while the generous beam creates spacious accommodations below deck. The traditional keel configuration offers excellent tracking and directional stability in challenging conditions. While not a speed demon by modern standards, this yacht's strength lies in her ability to handle heavy weather with confidence. The solid fiberglass construction typical of Formosa builds has proven durable over decades, with many examples still actively cruising worldwide. Her reputation centers on reliability and comfort rather than performance, making her an appealing choice for sailors prioritizing safety and livability over speed.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$58,000 – $58,000
typical asking price
Median $58,000  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$58,000 – $58,000 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 50.83 ft / 15.49 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 39.58 ft / 12.06 m
Beam 14.08 ft / 4.29 m
Max Draft 6.17 ft / 1.88 m
Displacement 52,000.00 lb / 23,587 kg
Ballast 12,000.00 lb / 5,443 kg
Ballast Type Cast iron
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Staysail Ketch
Construction FRP
Designer William Garden
Builder Formosa Yachts
First Built 1972
Last Built 1984
Owner Reviews

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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
198
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
23.08
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
374.39
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. 11.94 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 14.47
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.30 ft / 5.58 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 1,254.00 ft² / 116.50 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Lehman Ford
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 120
Fuel Capacity 150 gals / 568 L
Water Capacity 150 gals / 568 L
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