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Seafarer 45 Yawl
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Amsterdam Shipyard  ·  First built: 1961
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About the Seafarer 45 Yawl

A classic example of mid-twentieth century American production sailboat design, the Seafarer 45 Yawl carries the distinctive two-masted yawl rig that was popular among serious bluewater cruisers of its era. Built by Seafarer Yachts, a Long Island-based manufacturer that developed a loyal following through the 1960s and 1970s, this vessel reflects the philosophy of capable, seaworthy cruising that defined the period. The yawl configuration offers practical advantages for offshore passage-making, allowing sailors to balance the helm effectively and reduce sail area in a variety of conditions without sacrificing control. This makes the boat well-suited to extended coastal and offshore cruising, where versatility and manageable sail handling matter most. Seafarer vessels were generally regarded as solid, if not flashy, boats — built for durability and dependable blue-water performance rather than racing glory. Prospective buyers researching this model should prioritize a thorough survey, as boats of this vintage often require attention to rigging, deck hardware, and through-hulls. For the sailor seeking a characterful, traditional offshore cruiser with classic lines, the Seafarer 45 Yawl presents an intriguing option worth exploring.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 45.08 ft / 13.74 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.33 ft / 9.24 m
Beam 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft 6.42 ft / 1.96 m
Displacement 25,000.00 lb / 11,340 kg
Ballast 9,250.00 lb / 4,196 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 921.00 ft² / 85.56 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Yawl
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Amsterdam Shipyard
First Built 1961
Related Sailboats ["Apache 45" · "Whitby 45" · "Irwin 45" · "Morgan 45 2" · "Formosa 46"]
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
 17.3
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
 45.6
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
 1.51
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. 7.38
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
 1.05
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 49.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.25
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 19.16
SA Fore 402.19
SA Main 416.73
How It Compares

vs. Irwin 45, Morgan 45 2, Whitby 45

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
45.1 ft
Irwin 45
45.0 ft
Morgan 45 2
45.0 ft
Whitby 45
45.0 ft
LWL
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
30.3 ft
Irwin 45
32.0 ft
Morgan 45 2
39.3 ft
Whitby 45
33.0 ft
Beam
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
11.0 ft
Irwin 45
11.5 ft
Morgan 45 2
13.3 ft
Whitby 45
12.0 ft
Displacement
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
25 lbs
Irwin 45
23 lbs
Morgan 45 2
30 lbs
Whitby 45
23 lbs
Ballast
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
9 lbs
Irwin 45
10 lbs
Morgan 45 2
—
Whitby 45
11 lbs
Sail Area
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
921 sq ft
Irwin 45
882 sq ft
Morgan 45 2
734 sq ft
Whitby 45
913 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
17.3
Irwin 45
17.5
Morgan 45 2
12.2
Whitby 45
17.7
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
45.6
Irwin 45
38.3
Morgan 45 2
36.0
Whitby 45
36.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
1.51
Irwin 45
1.62
Morgan 45 2
1.72
Whitby 45
1.67
Hull Speed
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
7.4 kts
Irwin 45
7.6 kts
Morgan 45 2
8.4 kts
Whitby 45
7.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Seafarer 45 Yawl ★
1.1
Irwin 45
—
Morgan 45 2
1.9
Whitby 45
1.8
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