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Seafarer 48
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Hughes Boatworks Ltd.(Can)  ·  First built: 1969
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About the Seafarer 48

Designed by the legendary naval architecture firm Sparkman & Stephens and built by Hughes Boatworks in Canada beginning in 1969, this substantial cruising yacht represents classic blue-water design principles from sailing's golden era. The masthead yawl rig configuration, once favored for long-distance cruising, provides excellent balance and versatility in varying wind conditions while offering redundancy through the mizzen sail. With its fin keel and skeg-hung rudder arrangement, the Seafarer 48 strikes an ideal balance between performance and seaworthiness. The generous beam provides ample interior volume and stability, while the moderate displacement ensures respectable sailing performance without sacrificing the substantial feel that offshore sailors appreciate. The impressive ballast-to-displacement ratio contributes to excellent stability characteristics. The fiberglass construction has proven durable over the decades, and many examples remain actively sailing today. This yacht excels at coastal cruising and is well-suited for offshore passages, offering the kind of solid, confidence-inspiring platform that serious cruising sailors seek. The Sparkman & Stephens pedigree ensures refined hull lines and proven seaworthiness, making the Seafarer 48 a respected choice among experienced sailors who value traditional design excellence and ocean-going capability.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
Beam 11.83 ft / 3.61 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Displacement 30,000.00 lb / 13,608 kg
Ballast 15,700.00 lb / 7,121 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,048.00 ft² / 97.36 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Yawl
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Hughes Boatworks Ltd.(CAN)
First Built 1969
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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
17.44
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
52.33
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
372.68
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
46.04
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
1.53
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. 7.70 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
1.19
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. 1,394.91 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. 15.53
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 54.50 ft / 16.61 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.33 ft / 5.59 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.10 ft / 14.66 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.04 ft / 5.50 m
SA Fore 499.49 ft² / 46.40 m²
SA Main 433.86 ft² / 40.31 m²
SA Total (100%) 933.35 ft² / 86.71 m²
Est. Forestay Length 57.50 ft / 17.53 m
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