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Shark 50
Designer: Ribadeau-Dumas  ·  Builder: Cnac / Nautalu / Noralu  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Shark 50

Designed as a capable and versatile offshore cruiser-racer, the Shark 50 occupies an appealing space for sailors seeking a larger performance-oriented vessel suited to serious bluewater passages and competitive sailing alike. With a hull length in the fifty-foot range, this is a boat built for those who want meaningful ocean miles without sacrificing the thrill of competitive sailing. While detailed specifications for the Shark 50 are limited in available records, boats of this size and designation typically reflect thoughtful naval architecture geared toward stability, speed, and seakeeping. The Shark name has been associated with performance-focused designs, and a fifty-foot platform suggests generous sail area, a comfortable offshore displacement, and accommodations suited for extended passages with a full crew. For prospective buyers, the Shark 50 warrants closer investigation through direct contact with builders, brokers, or class associations, as individual examples may vary in construction era, outfitting, and intended purpose. Those drawn to a boat of this scale will find it well-positioned for coastal racing, offshore passages, and adventurous bluewater cruising where both performance and endurance matter equally.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 52.50 ft / 16.00 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 44.67 ft / 13.62 m
Beam 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
Max Draft 7.30 ft / 2.23 m
Displacement 17,000.00 lb / 7,711 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 909.00 ft² / 84.45 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Aluminum
Designer Ribadeau-Dumas
Builder CNAC / Nautalu / Noralu
First Built 1986
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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
30
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
22.08
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
19.34
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
1.95
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. 8.96
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
5.39
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) 55.3
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.2
P (Mainsail Luff) 49.8
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.5
SA Fore 447.93
SA Main 460.65
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 52, Dynamique 52, First 53F5 Beneteau, Santa Cruz 52, Sweden Yachts 52

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Shark 50 ★
52.5 ft
Baltic 52
52.5 ft
Dynamique 52
52.0 ft
First 53F5 Beneteau
52.2 ft
Santa Cruz 52
53.0 ft
Sweden Yachts 52
52.0 ft
LWL
Shark 50 ★
44.7 ft
Baltic 52
43.1 ft
Dynamique 52
39.1 ft
First 53F5 Beneteau
43.3 ft
Santa Cruz 52
46.5 ft
Sweden Yachts 52
41.3 ft
Beam
Shark 50 ★
12.5 ft
Baltic 52
15.4 ft
Dynamique 52
14.5 ft
First 53F5 Beneteau
14.8 ft
Santa Cruz 52
14.0 ft
Sweden Yachts 52
14.3 ft
Displacement
Shark 50 ★
17 lbs
Baltic 52
31 lbs
Dynamique 52
27 lbs
First 53F5 Beneteau
30 lbs
Santa Cruz 52
21 lbs
Sweden Yachts 52
33 lbs
Ballast
Shark 50 ★
5 lbs
Baltic 52
13 lbs
Dynamique 52
First 53F5 Beneteau
9 lbs
Santa Cruz 52
9 lbs
Sweden Yachts 52
13 lbs
Sail Area
Shark 50 ★
909 sq ft
Baltic 52
1 sq ft
Dynamique 52
794 sq ft
First 53F5 Beneteau
1 sq ft
Santa Cruz 52
Sweden Yachts 52
1 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Shark 50 ★
30 s/nm
Baltic 52
15 s/nm
Dynamique 52
First 53F5 Beneteau
Santa Cruz 52
Sweden Yachts 52
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Shark 50 ★
22.1
Baltic 52
20.9
Dynamique 52
13.9
First 53F5 Beneteau
17.3
Santa Cruz 52
Sweden Yachts 52
25.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Shark 50 ★
Baltic 52
41.4 %
Dynamique 52
First 53F5 Beneteau
Santa Cruz 52
43.3 %
Sweden Yachts 52
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Shark 50 ★
19.3
Baltic 52
28.1
Dynamique 52
28.4
First 53F5 Beneteau
28.8
Santa Cruz 52
Sweden Yachts 52
34.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Shark 50 ★
1.95
Baltic 52
1.95
Dynamique 52
1.92
First 53F5 Beneteau
1.88
Santa Cruz 52
Sweden Yachts 52
1.77
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Shark 50 ★
Baltic 52
177
Dynamique 52
208
First 53F5 Beneteau
Santa Cruz 52
93
Sweden Yachts 52
Hull Speed
Shark 50 ★
9.0 kts
Baltic 52
8.8 kts
Dynamique 52
8.4 kts
First 53F5 Beneteau
8.8 kts
Santa Cruz 52
Sweden Yachts 52
8.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Shark 50 ★
5.4
Baltic 52
3.5
Dynamique 52
2.2
First 53F5 Beneteau
3.1
Santa Cruz 52
Sweden Yachts 52
2.8
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