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Moorings 51
Designer: German Frers  ·  Builder: Beneteau  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Moorings 51

Designed with serious offshore cruising in mind, the Moorings 51 represents the kind of bluewater-capable sailboat that earns its reputation through real-world use rather than showroom appeal. Built for The Moorings charter fleet — one of the world's most respected sailing holiday operators — this vessel was engineered to handle demanding conditions while remaining comfortable and manageable for a range of crew experience levels. Because charter boats live hard lives, boats developed for The Moorings tend to be robustly constructed, with an emphasis on durability, ease of handling, and practical onboard systems. The 51 fits squarely into this philosophy, offering a spacious deck layout and well-considered interior that appeals equally to liveaboards and long-passage sailors. Its size places it firmly in the category of serious bluewater cruisers capable of extended offshore passages, yet it remains approachable enough for coastal sailing and island hopping. For buyers researching a cruising sailboat with proven charter pedigree, the Moorings 51 is worth serious consideration. Its lineage suggests a boat built to last, perform reliably across ocean miles, and deliver genuine comfort when it matters most.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 50.83 ft / 15.49 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 38.75 ft / 11.81 m
Beam 14.67 ft / 4.47 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 33,500.00 lb / 15,195 kg
Ballast 13,000.00 lb / 5,897 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,024.00 ft² / 95.13 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer German Frers
Builder Beneteau
First Built 1985
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
89
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
15.83
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
34.17
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
1.82
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. 8.34
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
2.0
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. 2.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 58.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 20.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 52.1
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.5
SA Fore 594.5
SA Main 429.83
How It Compares

vs. Beneteau 50, Moorings 505, Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Moorings 51 ★
50.8 ft
Beneteau 50
50.8 ft
Moorings 505
50.6 ft
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
50.8 ft
LWL
Moorings 51 ★
38.8 ft
Beneteau 50
45.4 ft
Moorings 505
43.2 ft
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
42.3 ft
Beam
Moorings 51 ★
14.7 ft
Beneteau 50
14.7 ft
Moorings 505
15.8 ft
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
16.0 ft
Displacement
Moorings 51 ★
33 lbs
Beneteau 50
28 lbs
Moorings 505
27 lbs
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
30 lbs
Ballast
Moorings 51 ★
13 lbs
Beneteau 50
9 lbs
Moorings 505
9 lbs
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
9 lbs
Sail Area
Moorings 51 ★
1 sq ft
Beneteau 50
1 sq ft
Moorings 505
1 sq ft
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
1 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Moorings 51 ★
89 s/nm
Beneteau 50
77 s/nm
Moorings 505
86 s/nm
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Moorings 51 ★
15.8
Beneteau 50
17.6
Moorings 505
20.7
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
21.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Moorings 51 ★
Beneteau 50
Moorings 505
34.0 %
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
32.2 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Moorings 51 ★
34.2
Beneteau 50
26.4
Moorings 505
24.1
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
26.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Moorings 51 ★
1.82
Beneteau 50
1.92
Moorings 505
2.09
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
2.04
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Moorings 51 ★
Beneteau 50
Moorings 505
154
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
181
Hull Speed
Moorings 51 ★
8.3 kts
Beneteau 50
9.0 kts
Moorings 505
8.8 kts
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
8.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Moorings 51 ★
2.0
Beneteau 50
3.7
Moorings 505
Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau
3.0
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