Back to Search
Independence 45
Designer: Harwood Ives  ·  Builder: Cherubinin Boat Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1979
+ Add to Compare
About the Independence 45

Designed by Harwood Ives and built by Cherubinin Boat Company beginning in 1979, this substantial 45-footer represents classic American cruising yacht philosophy of the late 1970s. The Independence 45's long keel configuration and cutter rig reflect a design priority focused squarely on seaworthiness and offshore capability rather than racing performance. With a displacement of 31,000 pounds and a comfort ratio of 39.94, this yacht falls into the heavy cruiser category that appeals to sailors planning extended passages or ocean crossings. The long keel design provides excellent directional stability and the ability to take the ground safely, though at the expense of maneuverability in tight quarters. Her capsize screening formula of 1.66 indicates good stability characteristics for offshore work. The cutter rig offers versatility in varying wind conditions, allowing for multiple headsail combinations that prove invaluable during long passages. While the SA/Displacement ratio of 10.88 suggests moderate sailing performance in light air, the hull's theoretical speed of 8.15 knots provides respectable passage-making potential. This is fundamentally a boat built for serious cruising sailors who prioritize safety, comfort, and reliability over speed, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and offshore voyaging.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 45.00 ft / 13.72 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 37.00 ft / 11.28 m
Beam 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 31,000.00 lb / 14,061 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 668.00 ft² / 62.06 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Harwood Ives
Builder Cherubinin Boat Co. (USA)
First Built 1979
Owner Reviews

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

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
 10.88
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
 273.22
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
 39.94
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
 1.66
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. 8.15 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.34
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. 1,718.67 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 10.87
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 47.00 ft / 14.33 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
SA Fore 352.50 ft² / 32.75 m²
SA Main 315.00 ft² / 29.26 m²
SA Total (100%) 667.50 ft² / 62.01 m²
Est. Forestay Length 49.34 ft / 15.04 m
Find a Independence 45 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