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Soverel 48
Designer: Bill Soverel  ·  Builder: Soverel Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Soverel 48

Designed by Mark Soverel, the Soverel 48 is a performance-oriented sailboat that reflects the design philosophy of a builder with deep roots in offshore racing. Soverel Marine earned a strong reputation throughout the latter half of the twentieth century for producing fast, capable boats that could hold their own in competitive racing while remaining practical enough for serious offshore passages. The Soverel 48 sits at the larger end of the Soverel lineup, offering the kind of waterline length and sail-carrying capacity that translates to confident passage-making in open ocean conditions. Sailors drawn to this design typically appreciate its racing DNA, which manifests in a hull shape tuned for speed without entirely sacrificing the comfort and stability needed for extended bluewater voyaging. While detailed specifications are limited, the boat's size and heritage suggest it is well suited to experienced sailors looking for a performance cruiser capable of competing on the racecourse or tackling offshore routes with authority. Prospective buyers would be well advised to seek out individual vessel histories and conduct thorough surveys, as examples vary in age and refit condition.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
Beam 13.33 ft / 4.06 m
Max Draft 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Displacement 27,762.00 lb / 12,593 kg
Ballast 14,000.00 lb / 6,350 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Staysail Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Bill Soverel
Builder Soverel Marine (USA)
First Built 1973
Last Built 1987
Number Built 16
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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
111
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
50.43
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
193.65
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. 11.43 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 5.43 ft / 1.66 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 19.67 ft / 6.00 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 900.00 ft² / 83.61 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Lehman/Ford
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 85
Fuel Capacity 289 gals / 1,094 L
Water Capacity 325 gals / 1,230 L
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