50 ft sailboat

Winner of European Yacht of the Year 2023. She is a new breed of luxury 50 foot yacht, offering effortless shorthanded sailing capability

Introducing the award-winning Oyster 495.

A luxury, bluewater cruiser with half a century of Oyster experience and innovation running through her every inch.

Effortless handling

The new Oyster 495 is a 50 foot yacht designed for ease of use and shorthanded sailing.

LOCAL EXPERTISE

For new yacht sales and our service operation in the Americas, visit our offices in the heart of the US East coast sailing scene, Newport, Rhode Island. We would be delighted to help.

Distinctly Oyster

She embodies all the learning, insights and innovative features from Oyster’s larger models, intelligently integrated into this benchmark 50 foot sailboat.

Equipped for adventure

A true liveaboard bluewater cruiser, equipped to take you anywhere in luxury, comfort and safety.

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More information

Displaying all the hallmarks of Oyster’s exquisite craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, the exceptional build quality of the Oyster 495 means she is built to last a lifetime.

BUILDING THE 495

Join double Olympic gold medallist, sailor and respected journalist, Shirley Robertson, as we build and sail the first Oyster 495.

Every inch an Oyster, the new Oyster 495 features instantly recognisable design cues – deck saloon, seascape windows and flush decks, combined with exceptional sailing performance.

Unmistakably Oyster

The latest collaboration between humphreys yacht design and our in-house design studio, the new 495 50 foot sailing yacht is an evolution of five decades of iconic oyster design cues..

Her clean hull lines and wide beam aft are the foundation for the outstanding space and capabilities of the Oyster 495. She incorporates many of our big yacht features in a compact 50 foot yacht. Instantly recognisable as an Oyster, the Oyster 495 features our pioneering deck saloon, protected cockpit and helm stations, wraparound and forward-opening saloon windows. Flush decks, signature triple vertical seascape windows, foredeck skyscape windows, a powerful plumb bow and extended bowsprit complete the look.

We were the first boat builder to create a truly ergonomically designed cockpit and helm positions, with sprayhood and optional bimini for additional protection. Details like the cockpit table, with optional built-in refrigerated drinks locker, that comfortably seats up to eight people, is just one of the many triumphs of Oyster design thinking.

The Oyster 495 consistently delivers powerful, responsive and rewarding performance in safety and comfort.

Nine knots is her happy place and her well-balanced, stable wide-beamed hull form gives you confidence to keep the sails up in almost any conditions. Twin rudders make her light and agile on the helm, offering fingertip control even in the most boisterous seas. Her low centre of gravity keel offers substantial displacement for enhanced stability and handling, and she moves easily in cruising trim. Carrying significant sail power, you are guaranteed consistently fast cruising speeds and the optional sprayhood and bimini provide excellent protection from the sun, whilst improving all-round comfort.

This 50 foot sailboat for sale offers the range of innovative automated sailing technology. This includes in-mast furling with push-button controls and B&G instruments, all operated from the helm positions, making her the perfect choice for couples or young families.

The Oyster 495 features lots of space to relax and share good times with friends and family.

Her wide beam offers unexpected returns in space, both above and below decks – something you will not find on any other 50 foot sailboat for sale. The beautifully styled centre cockpit is perfect for entertaining up to eight people for alfresco dining. The aft pushpit seats are a great place to see all the action under sail. The wide teak deck at the stern and flush foredeck offer generous entertaining and sunbathing spaces.

The transom houses an innovative, push-button operated, cassette boarding/bathing platform. A choice of subtle mood lighting and integrated audio speakers let you set the tone for entertaining guests under the stars.

New generation interiors feature modern styling, integrated technology and equipment for truly luxurious entertaining and living spaces.

Contemporary luxury and comfort

The oyster 495 benefits from our new generation luxury, contemporary interiors that elevates her above the best 50 foot yachts..

With four interior designed themes, 495’s interiors set a new standard in her class. The well-equipped, seaworthy, u-shaped galley, saloon and cabins are well-proportioned, comfortable and luxurious. Her wide beam aft offers unexpected space compared to any other 50 foot yacht for sale.

She is eminently practical, making her perfect for liveaboard adventures. Intelligent interior space planning, combining insights and the acclaimed craftsmanship from our larger yachts, makes use of every inch of hull volume. The tasteful choice of materials, fabrics and integrated technology throughout, along with modern styling, creates truly luxurious entertaining and living spaces. The impressive owner’s cabin, with its deep luxury mattress, has excellent headroom and signature triple seascape windows, creating an amazing feeling of space and light throughout the new Oyster 495. Our new mood lighting system creates a perfect interior environment.

Like all our yachts, the new Oyster 495 is handcrafted by master craftspeople with a meticulous attention to detail, and a deep sense of pride and passion.

The learnings of half a century of designing and building bluewater cruisers feed into every detail, and the insights of our owners, skippers and crew, sailors and our own team help fine-tune every aspect of the design and build. The result is a unique combination of design, technology, engineering and hand-crafted build quality. Beautiful hardwoods run throughout every inch of this exquisite 50 foot sailboat, in everything from hand-built furniture to intuitively placed grab rails. This focus on detail reveals itself in the beautiful, hand-crafted cabinetry and the easily accessible, carefully labelled cables and pipework that run behind the scenes to make maintenance tasks simple.

The Oyster 495 is a truly connected 50 foot yacht with all the latest technology you need to stay in touch, however remote your location.

Not only does it make her an ideal liveaboard yacht, but it also makes her a work-aboard yacht. Every system is chosen for its ruggedness and fitness for purpose. The chart table is a technology hub, featuring an optional, innovative, foldout, integrated PC; lift-top desk; plotter; VHF and SSB radios; power management; generator control; switchboard; and plenty of power sockets. Oyster’s proprietary digital switching system – Oyster Command™ – lets you monitor and control various systems over a digital network and touchscreen. Optional WIFI can be accessed through the latest satellite technology, or 4G/5G cellular antenna when close to onshore radio masts. Entertainment systems are seamlessly integrated, with a concealed saloon TV and audio running throughout the boat.

The joy of Oyster ownership

There is more than just pride on offer when it comes to owning an Oyster 495. Every new Oyster comes with a comprehensive warranty, personalised care, access to our global service network, unrivalled support, life-changing experiences and so much more.

On an Oyster the world is yours.

OYSTER OWNERSHIP

Ownership benefits rarely experienced in marine

Discover the 495 in detail.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Specifications & features

Electric in-mast furling system

The in-mast furling system takes automation and effortless shorthanded sailing to another level.

Electric winches

Push-button control with electric Lewmar winches in sleek, black anodised finish.

Bathing platform

The innovative, automated cassette bathing platform is ideal to access ocean swimming, boarding a dinghy or stern access when berthed. It features a sturdy boarding ladder and integrated freshwater shower on the transom steps.

B&G Navigation package

The standard B&G navigation system displays boat speed, wind and depth information.

Master cabin with Seascape windows

An impressive full width owner’s cabin is completed by Oyster’s signature triple Seascape windows. These create a feeling of light and space, with exceptional ocean views.

Wood options

Choose from a selection of wood themed interiors, including shades of sustainable sourced oak and walnut.

Extensive on deck stowage

A full width lazarette and separate sail locker provide ample storage for all your bluewater adventure kit, sails, rigging and mooring gear.

Flush Flexiteak decks

With a beautiful fine grain teak finish, the sustainable synthetic Flexiteak deck is 30% lighter than traditional teak, extremely hard wearing and retains it look with minimal maintenance.

Opening saloon windows

Oyster’s unique, deck saloon forward opening windows provide excellent ventilation, allowing fresh air to circulate freely through the yacht while at anchor or under sail.

DNV GL hull certification

The build plan of the Oyster 495 hull is certified by DNV GL to ensure the materials and construction reach the highest standards of extreme strength and durability.

Take advantage of shallow-draft cruising grounds and remote anchorages, with a draft of 1.83m / 6’0”.

Retractable bow and stern thrusters

Sleipner Side-Power retractable bow and stern  thrusters make it simple and safe to manoeuvre in and out of tight marina berths.

Entertainment package

Choose from an optional range of integrated electronic and AV systems to suit your personal preferences.

Saloon day bed

The multifunction saloon table can be raised and lowered to create a comfortable day bed, perfect to relax on and enjoy the integrated widescreen TV.

Hull colours

Personalise your Oyster 495 with alternative coloured hull, mast and sails. See our colour picker for inspiration.

Air conditioning

Keep the interior at the perfect temperature with air conditioning (and generator) that cools and heats. Controls in each cabin allow guests to adjust the temperature based on their personal requirements.

B&G upgrade package

Upgrade the standard B&G navigation package with the additional instrumentation, communication equipment and autopilot package.

Flush teak decks

Extensive sustainably sourced, quarter-sawn, full-depth teak ensures maximum longevity and lifespan of our hand-laid teak decks. Smooth and natural underfoot, they look stunning.

Pushpit seats

For the best seats aboard, the optional pushpit seats provide great views and the perfect spot for sundowners after a memorable day’s cruising.

Enjoy 100 litres of fresh, homemade water per hour with a reliable Dessalator Duo watermaker with automatic controls and manual override.

Add davits to the stern deck for a practical dingy stowage solution when cruising and fast, efficient access when exploring at your destination.

Winter 2026

Plans and interior layouts.

Colour inspiration

EXPERT OPINION

Independent reviews of the Oyster 495. Find out what the experts have to say.

AWARD WINNING

Oyster 495 wins European Yacht of the Year 2023

The Oyster 495

Step aboard

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The Oyster Fleet

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An award-winning, luxury liveaboard sub 60 foot sailing yacht.

A liveaboard 60 foot bluewater cruiser, offering effortless shorthanded capability.

A versatile sub 70 foot ocean sailboat, designed for global adventures.

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Enjoy complete disconnection with a luxury, private charter in the Caribbean

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The pursuit of perfection continues.

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Experience unparalled freedom and unforgettable moments with a luxury, private charter in the caribbean.

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Discover the beautifully proportioned oyster 675 seabird with oyster brokerage.

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Follow the Oyster World Rally 2024-25 fleet live

Winner of European Yacht of the Year 2023. She is a new breed of luxury 50 foot yacht, offering effortless shorthanded sailing capability.

A magnificent, award-winning sub 60 foot sailing yacht, offering luxurious living space and outstanding shorthanded sailing capability.

A beautifully proportioned 60 foot, luxury liveaboard bluewater cruiser, offering effortless shorthanded sailing capability.

A superb sub 70 foot ocean sailboat offering versatile luxury living space and impeccable sailing performance.

An inspired 75 foot yacht, offering infinite configuration options, generous luxury living space and flexible crew quarters.

Oyster 885SII

The remarkable, iconic 90 foot sailboat, perfect for relaxed luxury voyages of discovery.

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Oceanis 30.1

Oceanis 34.1, oceanis 37.1, oceanis 40.1, oceanis 46.1, oceanis 51.1.

• Oceanis Yacht 54
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Specifications

With sleek lines, a new stepped hull and a stylish deck plan, the Oceanis 51.1 is the first of a new generation. Easy to shorthand, comfortable and smart, she offers more than seven hundred customization combinations, ensuring there is an Oceanis 51.1 for every sailor’s needs.

NAVAL ARCHITECT : Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design

INTERIOR and DECK DESIGNS : Nauta Design

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Exterior design

One-third of the Oceanis 51.1’s hull is now stepped. In addition to the aesthetics of this flared shape, the new hull creates additional interior space, which in turn allows for exciting new layouts below. Her sleek, modern lines will turn heads in every harbor, while her deck and cockpit setup, replete with relaxation and lounging areas, offers a delightful blend of comfort and safety, both at sea and at anchor.

Interior Design

Large portholes suffuse the elegant Nauta Design interior with light, creating a wonderfully warm atmosphere below, and offering incomparable views whether you are sitting or standing. An elegant palette of woods and upholsteries guarantees your tastes are reflected, and ensure your boat will always feel like home no matter where it is in the world.

RENEWAL OF THE CRUISING YACHT

The Oceanis 51.1 is spacious, elegant, cleverly designed, and fast.

The furling mast, self-tailing jib, and all the halyards and sheets on the standard model are brought back to a single winch at each of the helm stations, making her simple and easy to sail. As for harbor maneuvering, Dock & Go technology simplifies everything.  

THE HEIGHT OF COMFORT

The architectural choices that stand out on the Oceanis 51.1 are reflected in her habitability and an incredible amount of space. Inside, the owner cabin has an en-suite shower room and toilet, and a 1.6 m wide island bed.  The fully-fitted U-shaped galley has many convenient features. Truly a space to enjoy together, it is as pleasant to use under sail as it is at anchor.

Fitted with an extra-long carbon or aluminium mast, the Oceanis 51.1 First Line has up to 35% additional sail area in high-tech materials. The boat has a 2.8 m lead bulb keel in this high-performance configuration. This reduces weight and hydrodynamic drag. To complete this version, a composite steering wheel, top-of-the-range deck fittings, and boomsprit marry speed and cruising and promise an all new experience.

Equipped With SEANAPPS

The easiest way to keep your boat safe and ready to cruise anytime.

The new Seanapps  app is the ultimate solution to help you indulge your passion for boating. With the touch of your finger, you can easily connect, monitor and order services for your boat – from routine maintenance, to requesting a wash or fuel or having us complete a repair.

Virtual tour

The information below is intended for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice and does not constitute a contractual agreement. Any descriptions, representations, or statements made in this document are not to be considered binding unless explicitly stated otherwise in a formal contractual agreement.

Length Overall

Beam overall

Light displacement

Fuel Capacity

Water Capacity

Max. engine power

Cabin Number

CE Certification

A13 / B14 / C16

Shallow draft

Performance draft

• CE Certification A10/ B11/C12 (12 passengers on board).
• Large benches seating eight guests, with a fold away table.
• Two steering wheel stations each with a comfortable seat.
• Two reclining sun loungers with drink holders.
• First Line version: extra-long mast and bigger draft.
• Standard version: in-mast furling system and self-tacking jib.

3 cabins - 2 heads

• U-shaped salon seat.
• U-shaped fitted galley: fridge, sink, 2 burners, oven, storage and counter top.
• Master cabin with double bed (160 x 205 cm) on the boat’s center line and easily accessed on either side and en-suite shower room and separate toilet.
• Two aft cabins with double berths.
• Shower room with shower compartment and marine toilet.
• Several hull portholes and coach roof port lights make the space naturally bright.

3 cabins - 3 heads

• Master cabin with double bed (160 x 205 cm) on the boat’s center line and easily accessed on either side and en-suite shower room and separate toilet.
• Two shower rooms with shower compartment and marine toilet.

4 cabins - 2 heads

• Several hull portholes and coach roof portlights make the space naturally bright.

HARKEN HARDWARE

Press Reviews

Sail magazine.

Boat Review -  With the introduction of the Oceanis 51.1, BENETEAU once again brings three different flavors to market for the racer, cruiser and daysailer.    Read more

Cruising World

Boat Review - Inspiration is not always intuitive. The first model in the seventh generation of BENETEAU’s Oceanis cruising yachts, the new 51.1, owes its distinctive hull form. Read More

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Buying a BENETEAU doesn’t have to be a daunting task. We have teams of experts to guide you through the entire process – everything from sea trials, financing, and customization to after-sale commissioning, service, and maintenance. We are proud to have one of the largest, most highly-regarded dealer networks in the world. We’re ready to provide you with the assistance and expertise needed to launch you and your BENETEAU on a lifetime of happy, rewarding, and memorable voyages.

Other models in the range

9.53 m / 31’3’’

2.99 m / 9’10’’

Clone of Oceanis 30.1

10.77 m / 35’4’’

3.57 m / 11’9’’

11.93 m / 39’2’’

3.92 m / 12’10’’

12.87 m / 42’3’’

4.18 m / 13’9’’

14.6 m / 47’11’’

4.5 m / 14’9’’

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Better Sailing

Best Sailboats Over 50 Feet

A friend of mine was recently on the market for a bluewater sailboat over 50 feet. He wanted to spend the summers on it, maybe make passages and have the option to use it as a liveaboard if he wishes in the future. That gave me the idea to write this article. I also tried to keep it as budget-conscious as possible and make sure you get the most bang for your buck. However, I did include plenty of high-end models for eye candy.

Truth be told, I always liked sailboats over 50 feet because more often than not provide a high level of comfort, seaworthiness and of course all the space a family needs whether they liveaboard or cruising during their summer vacation. Also, they come with the added benefit off looking very cool and imposing on the dock or out sailing.

Here Are Some Of The Best Sailboats Over 50 Feet

Island Packet 485

Length: 51ft 10in

Price: Used Between $250,000 and $550,000

The Island Packet 485 was designed by Bob Johnson and was first built in Florida in 2002. Also. she took part in the World ARC in 2008/9, so she has already proved her seaworthiness for bluewater cruising. What she may lack in style she makes up for in practicality. She is nearly 52ft long and able to sleep up to 10 people in three double cabins plus the saloon, a long keel, and center cockpit. Also, she has a very good cockpit enclosure, so even when I stood out to sea off New York in heavy weather with 45-55 knots of wind, I never once had to put on heavy weather gear.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats to Live On

Length: 51 Feet

Price: Used Between $320,000 and $350,000

Built in Germany, Hanse Yachts offers a full line of performance cruisers that are noted for their great sailing characteristics; comfortable cockpits, easily self-tacking rigs, and huge interior spaces. You often feel like you are on a boat five feet longer when you climb down the companionway of a Hanse. The Hanse 508 falls into the high-end of the range and is designed for a couple or a cruising family. The cockpit is large, and the twin wheels both have excellent visibility forward. The transom folds down to make a large platform. Down below, the saloon has a dinette forward with a settee across from it and the L-shaped galley aft.

The 508 is a brand new take on what was a very successful 50-foot blue water cruiser. The 508 has a huge interior with a great master cabin forward, two big double cabins aft, and a spacious saloon with the galley along the port side and the dinette to starboard. We had a chance to sail a Hanse 505 across the Atlantic Ocean last summer, and I can tell you that the boat makes a fine, fast, and comfortable passagemaker. The new 508 carries on that blue water tradition that we have come to expect from Hanse.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet

Beneteau Oceanis 50

Length: 50 Feet

Price: Used Between $55,000 and $310,000

Innovative, roomy, bright, and sophisticated only begins to describe the exciting Beneteau 50. She was designed by Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design and built by Beneteau. The Beneteau 50 features sleek long side windows, a smooth coachroof, a fully-integrated mainsail arch, and all the attention to detail design to make the most of each area. The base model is fitted with 4 main cabins and 4 electric heads, a large saloon, and a straight portside galley; the Beneteau Oceanis 50 offers plenty of space inside and a high level of comfort. Located aft is one more cabin, accessed via a hatch, with a v-berth. Plenty of opening ports and hatches afford the Oceanis great ventilation throughout the boat.

On deck, its large cockpit, foredeck, and double steering make this sailing yacht as comfortable on the outside as on the inside. The full electronics package includes an autopilot, a color chartplotter, a digital wind direction instrument, speed indicators, and a VHF radio. Air conditioning, electronic winches, and upgraded electronics result in a sailboat that’s not only fun to relax aboard but a pleasure to sail, or liveaboard as well. All in all, the Beneteau Oceanis 50 is full of modern design, technology, and style.

>>Also Read: Best Small Sailboats To Sail Around The World

Gunfleet 58

Length: 59.87 Feet

Price: Used For Around $1.2 Million

Although the Gunfleet 58 is not a brand new design, the Gunfleet brand is still new to the U.S; a worthy entrant in the luxury passagemaker category of yachts. The company was founded by Richard Matthews, who founded Oyster Yachts. So, you can be confident that the Gunfleet line of boats is of the highest quality and integrity. The Tony Castro designed 58 is a center cockpit cutter with a raised deck saloon that has tinted wrap-around windows.

The cutter rig is all run from the cockpit with electric winches and hydraulic roller furling. This set up works well for alone watch stander or a two-person team who will be able to run the boat easily. The standard layout has the master cabin aft, two guest cabins forward, and a “captain’s cabin” aft of the saloon amidships. The galley is in the passageway leading aft to the master cabin, while the large dinette and settees are in the saloon. The 58 is a true world-class luxury yacht that will take her crew anywhere.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Length: 56′ 1

Price: Used Between $350,000 and $950,000

Moody yachts began life as a British brand but is now under the umbrella of the Hanse Group. The new designs that the company is building are very innovative and modern. The new 54 is an aft-cockpit cruisers with a hard top over the cockpit, which is on the same level as the raised saloon. Altogether this creates an interesting inside-outside living space. The twin helms are aft, where you can handle all sheets without creating a spaghetti mess in the cockpit. The salon is a warm, bright living space with a dinette to port, the galley to starboard, and the inside steering station forward.

The saloon offers panoramic views all around. The master cabin is in the forepeak, and the two guest cabins are tucked in under the raised deck saloon. The Moody 54 is a large, luxurious sea-going-yacht. One of the interesting design features that adds to its seaworthiness is the raised bulwarks that run all around the decks that will keep the decks dry and keep those working on deck safe.

Passport 545

Length: 54.5′

Price: Used Between $800,000 and $950,000

The aft-cabin version of the beautiful Passport 545 is a modern classic that compares very favorably to other modern classics from builders like Hinkley and Alden. The modern cutter rig with a Solent style jib inside a full genoa provides a very flexible sail plan that can be managed easily from the cockpit. The roomy cockpit is well laid out for handling sheets and lines and is large enough for a gaggle of friends to relax at the end of the day. Down below, the elegantly finished interior has the master cabin forward with a centerline double and en suite head and the quarter cabin aft next to the second head.

The U-shaped dinette will seat six and across from it is a settee that will double as an excellent sea berth. The galley is aft to port and one of the finest galleys you will see on a yacht of this size. Passport yachts are as much works of art as they are cruising boats with a very high-quality fit and finish and attention paid to every minute detail. If you are looking for a modern classic that can take you safely around the world, the Passport 545AC fits the bill nicely.

Length: 56 Feet

Price: Used Between $300,000 and $1.1 Million

The Moody 56 is a go-anywhere center-cockpit bluewater cutter designed by renowned naval architect Bill Dixon and built by Marine Projects in the UK. She is capable of good sailing speeds, and the deck layout allows a short-handed crew to sail offshore for extended periods in safety. Winches are Lewmar, electric and manual, and there’s an in-boom furling main and furlers on the staysail and yankee.

Her GRP hull and the deck have been stiffened, and underwater sections have been reinforced with Kevlar laminate to increase impact resistance. There are four cabins, including an en-suite aft master, and bunks and a child bed forward, and a passage berth by the navigation area.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 509

Length: 50 Feet 5 Inches

Price: Used Between $200,000 and $400k

The three-cabin, two-heads version of the bluewater performance cruiser is a great sailboat even for a liveaboard couple or family. The Sun Odyssey has a high-aspect ratio sail plan, with a removable stay, and can be sailed shorthanded, with all control lines leading aft to the cockpit. She has an aluminum mast and double spreaders, and a furling genoa. There’s teak decking, a fold-down aft bathing platform, and, in the cockpit, a large table with an integrated cooler. Below, luxury touches include a washer-dryer, microwave, and a television. The main selling point of this beautiful and spacious sailboat is also the 360° Docking system – at the marina, you’ve got complete control of berthing the boat from the flick of a joystick.

Length: 53 Feet 10 Inches

Price: Used Between $350,000 and $650k

Designed by Rob Humphreys and built by Oyster in New Zealand since 2000. The Oyster has a GRP hull, deck saloon profile, and high-performance bulb keel. The rig features in-mast furling and a furling No 1 genoa – primary and mainsheet winches are electric. She comes with a large cruising chute with a snuffer and a spinnaker. Also, the Oyster 53 is set up for bluewater cruising, with lots of safety and bluewater equipment. And comes with a Yamaha four-stroke 20hp motor.

She sleeps eight in four cabins; two doubles, including a walk-around centreline bed in the forepeak and large owner’s suite aft, and two twins. Interior joinery is in American light oak in Oyster’s Millennium style. The galley is linear and to starboard, with two sinks, a front-opening fridge and top-loading freezer, and also a wet locker for your foul weather gear. This boat is perfect as a liveaboard as well as your weekend and summer adventures.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking for a sailboat for cruising on your vacation or to liveaboard but do not want to make any compromises then any of these sailboats will fit your needs. If you have the budget for them then they will surely not disappoint.

Which one do you think is the best sailboat over 50 feet? Let us know in the comments below.

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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• Digital Edition

Pegasus 50 review: the best 50ft yacht you haven’t heard of?

• Toby Hodges
• July 11, 2024

Mixing new and proven ideas, the Pegasus 50 is a short-handed fast bluewater yacht with a marked difference, as Toby Hodges discovers on a two-day test sail

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

Three towering masts pierce the skyline off Trieste, where the impounded Sailing Yacht A lies forlorn at anchor like a crippled leviathan. The Russian-owned Philippe Starck design makes a fittingly stark reminder of how going so big has its drawbacks – never could the now shackled hulk, an empty floating metropolis, be more evidently impractical and I can’t help but think it makes for a neat contrast when viewed from the Pegasus 50 as we sail out of the pretty Slovenian town of Izola nearby.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not calling a €1m Pegasus 50 simple, but it is designed particularly well to manage easily short-handed, and is notably different to most other monohulls, particularly in layout. It’s also a design typically chosen so far by ‘downscalers’, as Pegasus co-founder Miha Breskvar describes them – those who’ve previously had larger yachts and become put off by their complexity or need for crew.

If you find the Pegasus 50 design faintly reminiscent, it’s from the hand of Marko Paš, who (with J&J) was responsible for developing the Shipman carbon cruiser designs around 20 years ago. You might notice influences in the Pegasus’s superstructures, cockpit and galley layout.

The Pegasus 50 is a powerful-looking yacht. The large coachroof runs into the arch and hardtop dodger protecting the deep cockpit. The general layout is also quite different, making you question assumed needs. For instance, in my house the kitchen and living room are larger than my bedroom, and rightly so I feel, yet that’s rarely the case on today’s yachts which typically have suites for master cabins.

Here, the Pegasus gives the bigger proportion of space to the cockpit, saloon and galley, and boasts a superb amount of stowage space – prime considerations for bluewater cruising .

The easy connection between this highly protected cockpit and the galley/saloon is a real trump card of the Pegasus 50. Photo: Samo Vidic

The Pegasus 50 has an individual look, and despite the practicality of the hard dodger it won’t appeal to all. Equally, the pinhead mainsail and raked stem seem a little old-fashioned now, but ocean cruisers may prefer the practical gains here over current style fads.

I was taken with the design from when it first came to light in 2020 and have waited some time to sail it in testing conditions. In the end the two days and nights we had aboard in March were benign, with calm seas and light winds. I was about to add ‘unfortunately’ there, but what if such a yacht, with its easily managed sail plan, pilot station and capacious stowage, a design that ticks so many boxes for long-term cruising, could also deliver engaging sailing in such conditions. What if…

Armed for light wind

On both mornings, we left Izola’s marina once the first ripples began to disturb the glassy Adriatic. I found docking and manoeuvring simple, intuitive, and reassuring, while setting and handling sails is easily done from the cockpit. You quickly reach an engaging sailing mode. The enjoyment levels obviously rise with the breeze, but even in the lighter single-figure winds the Pegasus has the sail power and slipperiness to make the experience rewarding.

Power reaching. Mainsheet is out of harm’s way on the roof and lines are led aft – this means lots of line tails to manage, but there are useful deep bins below the benches and helm seats. Photo: Samo Vidic

We averaged 6 knots in 8-8.5 with the genoa, tacking through 80-85°. But we predominantly sailed with the Code 0 in these conditions for the best speeds and enjoyment, as it helped us to almost match the single-figure winds fetching. The Pegasus 50 really comes alive once the breeze is into double figures, where we averaged 8.5-9 knots in 12-13 knots.

Not that you want or have to watch the numbers. Helming is a pleasure, with only a finger needed on the wheel. The twin rudders give plenty of control and the feeling is direct, thanks to minimal steering linkage (a marked difference over most centre cockpit designs). This Jefa system connects quadrants with a rod, so if you lose steering on one side you can use the other. It’s also light work for an autopilot.

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We enjoyed beautiful, early spring sailing, largely to ourselves. Once the breeze nudges into the teens, you get a nice sprinkling of weather helm. I really enjoy helming right from the aft quarters – granted it may be different with a large following sea, and I would rather not sit next to a loaded snatch block and aft winch.

That said, it’s easy enough to lead the sheets to the winches in front of the wheels. There are blind spots from here, but you learn to move around to check sightlines (plus the navstation has a view out over the foredeck). Adding the cushions to the helm seats also helps by providing some elevation. These cockpit cushions are a good fit and comfortable.

The sail plan provides plenty of choice to get the most out of the boat, and to reduce sail most effectively and efficiently. As standard, the Pegasus 50 comes with main, staysail, genoa, and even a gennaker, while most choose a Code sail too. The self-tacking staysail is particularly useful when the wind is up, and can fill the slot between the main and reaching sail.

The Pegasus is well set up for short-handing. Indeed, the owner of the third hull sailed it solo in the Ostar – which he won – before he then sailed around Africa, the wrong way, alone! We tested hull number six, which was 14 months old and had already sailed 10,000 miles.

Tall sailplan! Wide boom brackets help for the lazybags and the gooseneck is kept low despite the coachroof height. Photo: Samo Vidic

Secret weapon?

A reason for feeling like it was sailing on rails comes from what’s beneath the Pegasus 50’s hull. Paš favours a tandem keel with twin centreline fins connected by a bulb, which he calculates gives better directional stability, and less wetted surface for a low centre of gravity. He found it helps reduce leeway and brings better performance for its weight, while allowing the twin rudders to be kept relatively small.

A fixed 600W hydrogenerator is sited slightly offset from this keel. Once sailing at over 7 knots you can hear it vibrating, but there is the comfort that it’s putting a healthy 7A+ at 24V into your battery bank. Pegasus also offers an electric hybrid option, with twin Oceanvolt 15kW drives (a €150,000 upgrade for the drives, genset, batteries, extra solar etc).

This brings us to pricing, a subject that deserves spotlighting. Unusually the standard price is for a phenomenally well-equipped boat, which includes the carbon mast, Hydranet sails, electric winches, solar, watermaker, induction cooking, washing machine, B&G instruments, a gimballed settee, and an electric telescopic table! That’s everything on the test boat except the Code 0. Rarely have I come across a yacht that offers so much included in the price – around €200,000 of typical ‘options’.

“If you are using the boat as much as our clients do, you want to have all this stuff included,” Breskvar reasons, adding how it makes more sense to install it all from the outset, including the associated electric and plumbing runs. Keep scanning the specs list and you’ll note the dinghy and its Torqeedo outboard, bed linen, cutlery and crockery, tools, a vacuum cleaner etc are all included. It also helps you appreciate how all the stowage spaces have been optimised so this kit doesn’t fly around at sea.

The chart table provides a deck-level position you only normally see on pilot saloon boats, with almost surround vision. Photo: Samo Vidic

Comfort on passage

The Pegasus 50 is designed for passagemaking in comfort and safety. The ease with which you can get around the boat is notable. The protected cockpit is superb, with a big fixed table and seats with proper high backrests. It links via a sliding door to the interior, which includes a pilot station and that gimballing settee to reduce fatigue.

The arch is in full composite, made in one piece. The fabric central bimini section rolls away, cabriolet style, and the windscreen includes sliding glass sections for ventilation. Pegasus also has a solid bimini version, which incorporates extra solar panels (716W as standard on the coachroof) and a Starlink marine antenna – a consideration most large/super yachts still don’t have designed in. The cockpit can also be fully enclosed to keep cushions dry.

Remembering there is no accommodation space aft or below the cockpit helps you appreciate the abundant stowage that the deep technical cockpit lockers bring These are intelligibly laid out with electrics to starboard, including AC and DC distribution, genverter etc, and plumbing such as watermaker, pumps and compressors to port.

The philosophy here is that easy access promotes proper maintenance. It also keeps the engine and all noisy items well insulated away from the interior.

Light and airy interior. Photo: Samo Vidic

These lockers have long rails for hanging warps and fenders and they also include large panels into the engine bay which, combined with the cockpit hatch (the table hinges out of the way aft), provides almost unhindered access to the engine and genset.

Pegasus has conceived neat solutions aft, using the composite gangplank as an aft bench to enclose the top of the transom. The aft winches double up well as mooring winches for getting tension on stern lines. And, when lowered via a simple purchase system, the large swim platform also helps you appreciate the long, low single-level cockpit. The garage can fit a 2.5m inflatable dinghy and is separated from the technical lockers by a watertight bulkhead.

Windows are all in tempered glass, including the offset companionway door which features a safety lock for when heeling and helps keep the cockpit connected with the interior. Here, the layout is refreshingly different, with the accommodation all forward of the saloon’s main bulkhead in two or three cabins.

I like the U-shape galley configuration and its stainless steel finish which makes so much sense on a yacht. It’s only one step down, at eye level to those seated in the cockpit. There’s plenty of natural light, plus ventilation through the large sliding door. Should you run out of worksurface, you can hinge the pilot seat forward to reveal more, above an extra fridge or freezer.

Practical stainless steel finish to the galley. Photo: Samo Vidic

I also appreciate the practicality of the stowage, including the bespoke cutlery drawers and the crockery and glassware cabinets. Opposite, the saloon is light and bright.

While a gimballing settee may seem gimmicky, the concept grew on me. As it’s all in carbon it only weighs 40kg and uses an electric actuator on a ram so there is little extra complexity. At the push of a button it cants 10° either way, which could make a difference to those who get seasick or are spending days on one tack. The table lowers to fill in, the outboard backrest then folds over to fill this section and create a massive bed. The result is a great den – indeed our photographer, Samo, confirmed that his kids happily played cards there while they sailed in 30 knots.

The gloss panel at the forward end of the saloon is like a car’s dashboard, with a smart Simarine switchboard hidden beneath. The surrounding leather stitching is a bold style feature –the upholstery and veneers are all customisable to a certain extent.

Accommodation is comparatively compact but practical in the owner’s cabin. Photo: Samo Vidic

A different view

The pilot station works brilliantly. A 27in screen in the navstation shows B&G data, doubles as a computer display, and has a swivel mount for use as a TV that you can view from the saloon. The seat gives a prime protected place to sit a night watch with views over the foredeck, but can also be used for chart or office work. And with an angled cushion as a backrest, you can sit side-on to rest or converse with those in the saloon or galley. There is a hatch above for ventilation and viewing sails, and a deep pilotbook shelf outboard.

Although just two shallow steps down, it feels comparatively low and slightly cramped going forward. The accommodation starts with an ideal pilotberth to port. The headboard for this and the master cabin to starboard are in line with the mast base, in the heart of the yacht and area of least pitching. Stowage here is excellent, but headroom is only around 6ft 1in.

Pullman bunks can be chosen here instead, or the space given over to a two-cabin version, with a full beam central master cabin including a large shower compartment. In the three cabin/berth test boat, this master cabin can be configured as a twin or double, as the beds are on tracks so can be joined. However, it is of modest size and stowage is limited – long-term cruisers would need to use other areas for clothes too. The en-suite with its wet heads shower area also feels relatively compact in this format.

Excellent access to the well insulated engine bay through the cockpit sole and well laid-out technical lockers. Photo: Samo Vidic

While the passageway forward is seaworthy and boasts large lockers, it’s low and the doorways are narrow. To port is a shower, with washing machine and rail, which makes a useful space for wet hanging, but there’s no hatch so it’s dark and relies on a vent. The heads further forward is much brighter. Headroom then drops again in the forward cabin, where it’s more purposeful than luxe, with a V-berth and some stowage, but few frills.

The 50 has an impressive composite build, including Vinylester hull and PVC core, and with deck, inner structure and structural stiffeners all in carbon fibre.

The outer skin is in glass, which the yard considers less vulnerable and easier to repair. Weight is kept central and low including the tanks.

The hulls are laminated across the border in Italy, before being fitted out in Pegasus’s yard, one hour inland from Izola in the mountains. Building boats here is normal in Slovenia, says Breskvar, citing Elan and Seaway as examples. Thus far owners have come from all over the world with hull number 10 currently on its way to the US. A 66ft Pegasus is in engineering phase, again designed for short-handed use.

“We have no dealers, no brand presence, no history, and we’re Slovenian so we can’t compete if we just bring the same thing as everyone else”, thinks Breskvar, who, with Paš, is one of three partners who established Pegasus five years ago. “After 30 years of sailing this is the boat we built for ourselves – for comfortable, enjoyable cruising.”

A bold metallic, glossy red finish – Pegasus paints each hull to the customer’s own colour choices. Photo: Samo Vidic

Pegasus 50 specifications

LOA: 14.94m 49ft 0in LWL: 14.30m 46ft 11in Beam: 4.82m 15ft 10in Draught: 2.35m 7ft 9in Displacement (lightship): 11,700kg 25,794lb Ballast: 3,900kg 8,598lb Sail area: (100% foretriangle) 124.8m2 1,343ft2 Berths: 6-8 Engine: Volvo Penta 75hp saildrive (or Oceanvolt ServoProp 15 Dual Propulsion system) Water: 740lt 163gal Fuel: 480lt 106gal Sail area/disp ratio: 24.6 Disp/LWL ratio: 111 Price: (ex VAT) €1,085,000 Design: Marko Paš – Marine Designs Builder: pegasus-yachts.com

I increasingly turn a keen eye to multihulls for their social and stowage spaces, yet here we have much of that. Stash the surfboards under the aft bench, sails in the forepeak, bikes and toys in the tech lockers and garage and off you go! The modest freeboard and layout reduces accommodation volume compared to many modern cruising yachts. And the Pegasus is still a lot of money – though a substantial amount is included for that price. Maybe, its bold colourways and detailing won’t be to everyone’s taste. But this is one of very few new boats I’ve stepped aboard that I’d be happy taking off cruising straight away. The P50 makes you feel comfortable and puts you at ease instantly. And, crucially, it’s rewarding, even in light breezes that other bluewater cruisers may struggle to sail in. It’s also easy to change through the gears, which you’ll need to do keenly with its generous sail area, and it has a superb cockpit to protect its crew. There’s a lot to get excited about – rarely have I thought about a yacht so much after a test sail. ‘Pegasus’ was named after the mythological horse with wings as it’s strong, durable and can take flight. Fitting, then, that photographer for the test, Samo Vidic, is a regular for Red Bull extreme sports – as this bright red bull we sailed proved, it can indeed give you wings.

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Best Full-Size Cruiser, 50 to 55 feet: Beneteau Sense 50

• By Bill Springer
• Updated: December 9, 2010

Beneteau Sense 50 BOTY Winner

When they debated about the boats in the category of Best Full-Size Cruiser, 50 to 59 Feet, the judges kept coming back to the boat that attracted so much buzz at the show, but for reasons that were much more substantial than merely crowd appeal. In introducing the Sense 50, Beneteau took a bold step away from its First and Oceanis lines to create a sailboat packed with innovative technology and fresh ideas that together form a cohesive whole. The 50 illustrates that good things can happen when designers and builders think outside the box.

It was apparent to the judges as soon as they stepped aboard that no other monohull in this year’s fleet was even remotely similar to this new concept from Beneteau. They liked the wide cockpit that sits low in the hull, enabling the sensation of speed they enjoyed at the wheel while under sail. And the cockpit’s wide open stern—made even more so by helm seats that hinge up and out of the way—would be a great place to hang out at anchor.

The judges found that the smooth transition through the large companionway into the main saloon worked well. They loved the sense of space in the galley and saloon.        As the judges moved forward through the interior, they saw the boat’s two cabins with en suite heads as perfect for a couple and guests, and they quickly warmed to the idea that the boat has an “office” cabin.

Sealing the decision, the judges agreed that Beneteau’s optional Dock & Go system, which features joystick control of the boat’s rotating saildrive and bow thruster, provides pinpoint close-quarters control that could revolutionize maneuvering when the space gets tight.

Winning Details 

• The Dock & Go system worked well and provided all the control under power that the builder promised.
• The Sense has nearly the interior space of a catamaran and the sailing performance of a monohull.
• The transition between the cockpit and the interior is excellent.

To read more Cruising World reviews of Beneteau sailboats, click here . To visit Beneteau America’s website, click here .

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