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Southerly 105
Designer: Dick Carter  ·  Builder: Northshore Shipyard (Uk)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Southerly 105

Dick Carter's Southerly 105 represents a fascinating chapter in British yacht design, combining the renowned designer's racing pedigree with the practical cruising innovations that would define the Southerly brand. Built by Northshore Shipyard from 1978 to 1984, this 35-footer established many design principles that influenced subsequent Southerly models. The defining characteristic of the Southerly 105 is its ingenious swing keel system, which transforms this capable offshore cruiser into a shallow-draft explorer. When raised, the keel dramatically reduces draft while maintaining excellent sailing performance, opening up countless anchorages and waterways typically inaccessible to conventional deep-keel yachts. This versatility makes the boat particularly appealing for coastal cruising and gunkholing. Carter's design expertise shines through in the boat's balanced proportions and seaworthy hull form. The masthead sloop rig provides straightforward sail handling, while the robust GRP construction ensures durability. With a comfort ratio of 24.16, the Southerly 105 offers a spirited sailing experience rather than a heavy, traditional cruising feel. Limited to just 105 hulls, this model has developed a devoted following among sailors who appreciate both Carter's design legacy and the practical advantages of swing keel technology for extended cruising adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.43 ft / 10.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.56 ft / 8.40 m
Beam 12.14 ft / 3.70 m
Max Draft 6.56 ft / 2.00 m
Min Draft 1.97 ft / 0.60 m
Displacement 13,001.00 lb / 5,897 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Swing Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction GRP
Designer Dick Carter
Builder Northshore Shipyard (UK)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1984
Number Built 105
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Performance Ratios
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
277.26
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
24.16
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
2.07
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. 7.03 kn
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. 1,195.49 pounds/inch
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