Back to Search
Skye 51
Designer: Kaufmann & Ladd  ·  Builder: Mao Ta Shipyard, (Taiwan)  ·  First built: 1980
+ Add to Compare
About the Skye 51

Designed for serious offshore and bluewater cruising, the Skye 51 is a capable passage-maker that appeals to sailors seeking a substantial, seaworthy vessel for extended voyaging. Built with long-distance cruising in mind, this boat carries the kind of purposeful design philosophy that prioritizes comfort at sea, structural integrity, and the ability to handle challenging ocean conditions with confidence. While detailed specifications for the Skye 51 remain limited in available records, the model fits within a class of performance cruisers that balance interior liveability with genuine sailing ability. Boats of this type typically feature a robust hull form, generous tankage, and well-considered deck layouts suited to short-handed sailing — qualities that resonate strongly with couples and small crews planning extended offshore passages or circumnavigations. For prospective buyers, the Skye 51 represents a compelling option worth investigating further through builder documentation, owner communities, and hands-on inspection. Its size suggests meaningful offshore range and comfortable accommodations, making it a strong candidate for anyone prioritizing bluewater capability and long-term cruising lifestyle over racing performance or coastal day sailing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 50.78 ft / 15.48 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 42.92 ft / 13.08 m
Beam 14.25 ft / 4.34 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Displacement 38,708.00 lb / 17,558 kg
Ballast 15,500.00 lb / 7,031 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,260.00 ft² / 117.06 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Kaufmann & Ladd
Builder Mao Ta Shipyard, (Taiwan)
First Built 1980
Related Sailboats ["Formosa 51" · "Tatoosh 51" · "Little Harbor 50" · "Valiant 50" · "Shannon 50"]
Owner Reviews

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

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
 59
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
 17.69
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
 38.41
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
 1.69
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. 8.78
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
 2.57
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) 66.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 22.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 60.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.8
SA Fore 726.0
SA Main 534.0
How It Compares

vs. Little Harbor 50, Tatoosh 51, Valiant 50

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Skye 51 ★
50.8 ft
Little Harbor 50
50.8 ft
Tatoosh 51
50.6 ft
Valiant 50
50.7 ft
LWL
Skye 51 ★
42.9 ft
Little Harbor 50
42.2 ft
Tatoosh 51
42.1 ft
Valiant 50
40.3 ft
Beam
Skye 51 ★
14.3 ft
Little Harbor 50
15.1 ft
Tatoosh 51
15.4 ft
Valiant 50
13.8 ft
Displacement
Skye 51 ★
38 lbs
Little Harbor 50
43 lbs
Tatoosh 51
44 lbs
Valiant 50
35 lbs
Ballast
Skye 51 ★
15 lbs
Little Harbor 50
18 lbs
Tatoosh 51
14 lbs
Valiant 50
11 lbs
Sail Area
Skye 51 ★
1 sq ft
Little Harbor 50
1 sq ft
Tatoosh 51
1 sq ft
Valiant 50
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Skye 51 ★
59 s/nm
Little Harbor 50
69 s/nm
Tatoosh 51
120 s/nm
Valiant 50
102 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Skye 51 ★
17.7
Little Harbor 50
16.3
Tatoosh 51
15.7
Valiant 50
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Skye 51 ★
38.4
Little Harbor 50
40.2
Tatoosh 51
39.9
Valiant 50
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Skye 51 ★
1.69
Little Harbor 50
1.72
Tatoosh 51
1.75
Valiant 50
—
Hull Speed
Skye 51 ★
8.8 kts
Little Harbor 50
8.7 kts
Tatoosh 51
8.7 kts
Valiant 50
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Skye 51 ★
2.6
Little Harbor 50
2.0
Tatoosh 51
—
Valiant 50
—
Find a Skye 51 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