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Wasa Atlantic 51
Designer: Leif Ängermark  ·  Builder: Wasa Marin A.b. (Swe)  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Wasa Atlantic 51

Designed by Swedish naval architect Leif Ängermark and built by Wasa Marin A.B., this impressive 50-foot cruiser emerged from Sweden's rich boatbuilding tradition in 1983. The Atlantic 51 represents a thoughtful balance between performance and comfort, making it well-suited for serious offshore cruising and extended passages. The yacht's fractional sloop rig and fin keel with spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling while maintaining the stability needed for long-distance voyaging. With a displacement of 22,500 pounds and 8,350 pounds of ballast, she offers the substantial feel that experienced cruisers appreciate in challenging conditions. The sail area to displacement ratio of 17.88 indicates moderate performance characteristics that prioritize reliability over racing speed. Her fiberglass construction ensures durability, while the comfort ratio of 32.48 suggests a motion that's gentle enough for extended passages without being sluggish. The capsize screening formula of 1.54 falls within acceptable parameters for offshore work, though careful attention to weather routing remains prudent. The 36-horsepower auxiliary engine provides adequate power for maneuvering in harbors and motoring through calms. Overall, the Atlantic 51 appeals to sailors seeking a capable, well-built platform for serious coastal and offshore cruising adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 50.66 ft / 15.44 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 42.42 ft / 12.93 m
Beam 10.82 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 7.05 ft / 2.15 m
Displacement 22,500.00 lb / 10,206 kg
Ballast 8,350.00 lb / 3,787 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 887.00 ft² / 82.40 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Leif Ängermark
Builder Wasa Marin A.B. (SWE)
First Built 1983
Related Sailboats ["Baltic 51" · "X 512" · "Centurion 49" · "Skye 51" · "Sun Odyssey 51 Jeanneau"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 17.88
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
 37.11
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
 131.59
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
 32.48
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
 1.54
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. 8.73 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
 3.79
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. 1,640.00 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. 17.88
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 47.54 ft / 14.49 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.25 ft / 4.65 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 53.77 ft / 16.39 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 19.51 ft / 5.95 m
SA Fore 362.49 ft² / 33.68 m²
SA Main 524.53 ft² / 48.73 m²
SA Total (100%) 887.02 ft² / 82.41 m²
Est. Forestay Length 49.93 ft / 15.22 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 36
How It Compares

vs. Centurion 49, Skye 51, X 512

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
50.7 ft
Centurion 49
50.6 ft
Skye 51
50.8 ft
X 512
51.1 ft
LWL
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
42.4 ft
Centurion 49
40.3 ft
Skye 51
42.9 ft
X 512
41.5 ft
Beam
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
10.8 ft
Centurion 49
14.7 ft
Skye 51
14.3 ft
X 512
14.8 ft
Displacement
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
22 lbs
Centurion 49
30 lbs
Skye 51
38 lbs
X 512
30 lbs
Ballast
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
8 lbs
Centurion 49
12 lbs
Skye 51
15 lbs
X 512
13 lbs
Sail Area
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
887 sq ft
Centurion 49
1 sq ft
Skye 51
1 sq ft
X 512
1 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
—
Centurion 49
69 s/nm
Skye 51
59 s/nm
X 512
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
17.9
Centurion 49
18.3
Skye 51
17.7
X 512
22.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
37.1 %
Centurion 49
41.4 %
Skye 51
—
X 512
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
32.5
Centurion 49
30.8
Skye 51
38.4
X 512
28.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
1.54
Centurion 49
1.87
Skye 51
1.69
X 512
1.91
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
131
Centurion 49
211
Skye 51
—
X 512
—
Hull Speed
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
8.7 kts
Centurion 49
8.5 kts
Skye 51
8.8 kts
X 512
8.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Wasa Atlantic 51 ★
3.8
Centurion 49
2.7
Skye 51
2.6
X 512
—
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