Back to Search
Hudson Force 50
Designer: William Garden  ·  Builder: Hudson Custom Boats/Cheoy Lee  ·  First built: 1974
+ Add to Compare
About the Hudson Force 50

Designed by the renowned William Garden and built by Hudson Custom Boats in partnership with Cheoy Lee starting in 1974, this substantial 51-footer represents classic American cruising yacht philosophy from the mid-1970s. Garden's design expertise shines through in the boat's traditional long keel configuration and masthead ketch rig, creating a seaworthy platform built for serious offshore cruising and extended passages. The Hudson Force 50's impressive displacement of 52,000 pounds and generous beam of over 14 feet provide exceptional stability and interior volume, while the deep draft and substantial ballast contribute to confident handling in challenging conditions. The long keel design offers excellent tracking and sea-kindly motion, though at some cost to maneuverability in tight quarters. With a comfort ratio exceeding 55 and a favorable capsize screening value of 1.52, this yacht clearly prioritizes seaworthiness over speed. The ketch rig provides excellent sail handling options and weather flexibility, particularly valuable during long-distance cruising when crew size may be limited. Built with fiberglass construction, these boats have proven durable over the decades, making them attractive options for sailors seeking a traditional, well-built cruising yacht capable of handling extended offshore adventures with comfort and confidence.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 51.00 ft / 15.54 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 39.00 ft / 11.89 m
Beam 14.17 ft / 4.32 m
Max Draft 6.17 ft / 1.88 m
Displacement 52,000.00 lb / 23,587 kg
Ballast 11,000.00 lb / 4,990 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer William Garden
Builder Hudson Custom Boats/Cheoy Lee
First Built 1974
Associations Force 50 & Formosa 51 Owners Group
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
 138
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
 21.15
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
 391.35
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
 55.25
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
 1.52
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. 8.37 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. 1,974.61 pounds/inch
Find a Hudson Force 50 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace