50ft sailing yacht

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

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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.

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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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August 2024

In the August 2024 issue of Yachting World magazine: News Few finish a tempestuous Round The Island Race European rules are eased for cruising to France and Greece Olympic sailing…

Yachting World

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Solaris 50 review: fast, fun cruising

• Rupert Holmes
• January 13, 2023

A sleek 50-footer with comfort, rewarding sailing qualities and performance, plus easy handling the Solaris 50 offers fun and rewarding sailing

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

The drive to include all the features we now expect of new yachts, such as easy handling, big cockpits for al fresco dining and huge accommodation volumes, all too often risks compromising the fundamentals of creating a yacht that’s fun and rewarding to sail. When developing its latest range of 40-60 footers, however, Solaris tackled these aspects as a top priority as is on display in the middle model, the Solaris 50.

An optimised helming experience is intended as a key feature. Designer Javier Soto Acebel deliberately pushed the helm stations as far out to the sides of the hull as possible to maximise the view and make it possible to see the full length of the headsail luff – something that’s difficult on many of today’s yachts. Despite the boat’s 16 tonne displacement, the steering is direct and responsive, with twin rudders offering excellent control.

This direct focus on the owner’s experience when sailing the boat also hints at the yard’s understanding that to be successful in today’s market requires more than producing great physical products – the overall ownership experience counts as well. More on that later.

There’s one drawback that, on paper at least, might be significant for a cruising yacht: there’s no proper helm seat. When sailing upwind I often like to sit on the side deck, with my feet braced against the pedestal – it’s a position that can be comfortable for hours at a stretch.

But the wheels of this boat are so close to the edge of the hull there are no side decks here. Our test boat had small plinths extending inboard of the gunwale to provide a perch of sorts, but it’s not suited to long periods of use, especially when heeled. The yard offers an optional folding seat, but that’s still not an ideal solution.

No helm seat, but a small plinth for the helmsman to perch at for short periods. Photo: Guillaume Plisson/Solaris Yachts

Solaris has clearly wagered that owners will put up with the lack of a seat, given a better experience for as long as they’re happy to stand at the helm. And the reality is that, once offshore when cruising a boat like this, the autopilot is likely to be steering.

In other words this boat offers owners the choice: enjoyable helming when it suits them, but with no imperative for a human driver to be glued to the wheel.

For my first sail we had 17 to 22 knots of true wind with a short cross sea. Close-hauled with full sail, the boat had a very responsive and positive feel to the helm. It was easy to get into a groove.

Solaris 50 a stable platform

With attentive steering the Solaris 50 was responsive enough to accurately steer over waves when close-hauled to prevent slamming in the awkward sea state and, despite the hull’s reasonably broad forward sections, we only had the occasional gentle bounce. Those wide hull sections create a huge amount of form stability that combines with the efficiency of a 2.8m draught bulb keel. The boat was able to comfortably carry full main and 97% self-tacking jib when close-hauled in these conditions.

Bearing away and unfurling the North Helix furling gennaker the solaris 50 was eager to start surfing, even with the apparent wind as far forward as 110°. In 17 knots of true breeze we averaged around nine knots of boat speed, with easy gentle surfs to 11 knots.

Sailing the Solaris for European Yacht of the Year trials. The cockpit sole aft from the winches extends to the side of the hull, giving a protected area with deep bulwarks. Photo: Ludovic Fruchaud

The Helix gennaker is an impressively flexible sail. You can wind the halyard tight to use it as a Code 0 or ease it off to sail at deeper angles. At 135° apparent in 16 knots of true wind (158° TWA), we were still making 8.7 knots of boat speed. With its bigger sail area, a conventional A2 spinnaker would have clearly been quite a bit faster at deep angles, but would require a second sail to be carried for reaching.

When pressed really hard while reaching in more than 20 knots of true wind, at times loads started to build in the helm. However, the rudders retained grip until we gybed with full main in 22 knots and were slow to ease the mainsheet. Even then, it was a gentle spin out and easy to regain control.

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As with many performance cruisers of this size, the German mainsheet is taken down to a single point on the cockpit floor, rather than a traveller, and controlled via winches each side. This has potential to leave crewmembers handling the winches each side vulnerable to the sheet if it’s not controlled precisely in a gybe, or when reefing the mainsail.

On the test Solaris 50, an electric winch on each side means sheeting the sail is quick and requires little effort. When reefing, the risk can be mitigated with a short tack so reefing pennants are on the windward side and clear of the arc of the mainsheet.

Although not a planing design, the Solaris 50 offers easy speeds. Photo: Guillaume Plisson/Solaris Yachts

The boat is offered in both performance and cruising versions. Our test boat was the latter, with all controls led to a pair of winches ahead of each helm station. They’re somewhat inboard so you’re not out at the edge of the boat, which helps to give a feeling of security when you’re on the lee side, with the deep bulwark and waist high guardrails also contributing to the safety factor.

You can’t easily reach the mainsheet from the helm, but I don’t see that as being a problem on a boat of this size. If you’re alone on watch on deck, then you probably have the pilot steering in any case.

Solaris 50’s clean aesthetic

A recessed track for the self tacking jib and below deck electric headsail furler, plus flush hatches, concealed lines and an integrated teak capped sprayhood stowage combine to give a very clean deck layout. Other manufacturers of course strive for a similar outcome, but few manage the execution as well as with the Solaris 50.

There’s also an option for a larger, slightly overlapping jib with conventional coachroof-mounted genoa tracks. My experience in light airs on subsequent days suggests the larger sail isn’t necessary, providing you have a Code 0 or similar to increase sail area when off the wind.

Unhindered views forward. Photo: Photos: Guillaume Plisson/Solaris Yachts

Close-hauled in only 5-6 knots of true wind speed, for example, we made a fairly consistent 4 knots of boat speed, increasing to a shade over 5 when we bore away slightly. Bearing away still further and deploying the Helix gennaker we maintained a consistent 5 knots or more of boat speed at apparent wind angles of around 60° and the true wind aft of the beam.

A neat aspect is that the wheels are connected via a chain and twin gearboxes, so if a problem is encountered with the system on one side of the boat that wheel can be isolated and the other used to control both rudders. Outboard of the winch stations two very easy steps lead up to the side decks. It’s also easy to step across the cockpit seats and onto the side deck.

Deck stowage includes a longitudinal tender garage with space for a 2.5m RIB. The large sail locker forward can be fitted out as a crew cabin and there’s a large dedicated chain locker right forward that also gives access to the below deck furler.

Liferaft stowage is at the forward end of the cockpit under the sole. In addition, there’s a small under-seat cockpit locker to starboard and two lockers each side of the tender garage, with space for fenders and lines, plus access to the rudder stocks.

Wide aft beam helps create a transom tender garage for a 2.5m RIB. Photo: Photos: Guillaume Plisson/Solaris Yachts

At the front of the cockpit there’s a big seating area in which our test boat has substantial folding tables each side. These break up the space giving a feeling of security and plenty of opportunity to brace your legs when the boat is well heeled. The cockpit also allows plenty of space for people circulation, even with the two tables in place.

Cruiser-racing

This is definitely a Mediterranean-oriented design, but with space and stowage to venture further afield. The boat has potential to easily eat up miles on a longer passage, although tankage is on the small side for longer periods of autonomy. On the other hand, even with the cruising deck layout, there’s scope for occasional racing.

For example, weeks after taking delivery the owner of our test boat, Paulo Oligeri (who previously had the earlier Solaris 50 and then a 58), competed in the Solaris Cup, taking 7th place in the event, which featured 70 entries from 40-80ft.

Of course, Solaris isn’t alone in organising events for owners, but it’s an important extra layer to the experience of owning a particular boat and is often a highlight in an owner’s calendar. Oligeri says his new vessel is as comfortable to live on as his previous Solaris 58 and is a lot easier to handle. In addition to the sailing qualities it confers, he also praises the wide hull shape, which means the boat resists rolling when at anchor.

This was particularly appreciated while cruising Sardinia’s rugged west coast in the summer of 2022. He says it’s “never busy, even in July and August, when there are some spots with no other boats, but it’s a windy area and the anchorages have less protection.” Despite only taking delivery a few months before I sailed the boat, he had already sailed more than 2,000 miles, yet everything still appeared new.

Spacious saloon has good natural light and ventilation. Photo: Guillaume Plisson/Solaris Yachts

Solaris 50 customisation

The interior style of the test boat elicited a variety of responses at the European Yacht of the Year trials. Some jury members loved the light limed oak effect, while others were less keen. However, more than anything, this is an example of the level of customisation offered by Solaris. The company builds only 30-50 sailing yachts per year, which gives scope to incorporate owners’ individual requests.

The test boat has a three cabin/two heads arrangement, though there’s also a three cabin/three head option which has a linear galley along the starboard side of the saloon.

The main saloon is bright and airy with a pair of hull windows each side, two opening overhead hatches and a useful opening port above the cooker. There’s a supremely comfortable deeply upholstered settee to starboard, which is parallel to the boat’s centreline so will also make a good sea berth. To port is a larger U-shaped seating area around the dining table, which can seat up to eight.

Forward cabin offers enough space and stowage to be able to spend extended periods on board. Photo: Guillaume Plisson/Solaris Yachts

The L-shape galley of the layout with two heads is to port at the base of the companionway. This has excellent worktop space with deep fiddles, a central sink area close to the centreline, plus two fridges or a fridge and separate freezer. There’s decent stowage for items that need to be accessed quickly, and room elsewhere to stow longer term provisions if necessary. There’s also a proper forward-facing workstation to starboard.

For many owners the best part of the accommodation is found in the forward cabin. This is impressively large, with plenty of floor space, four full height lockers and more easily accessed stowage under the peninsula bed, the foot of which lifts on gas struts. Natural light comes from two big hull windows, plus two overhead hatches that are hinged aft to give good airflow over the bed when at anchor. There’s also a large heads compartment with a separate shower stall.

Deeply upholstered settee, plus nav station, on the starboard side of the saloon. Photo: Guillaume Plisson/Solaris Yachts

The port aft cabin can be set up as a double or as a twin. There’s a lot of easily accessed stowage here, plus further useful volumes under the outboard bunk. The starboard aft cabin is arranged as a conventional double. It’s broadly a similar size, although there’s less stowage.

To maximise accommodation space, systems are distributed around the boat rather than being concentrated in one place. The optional diesel generator, for instance, is in the 50cm wide tunnel between the aft cabins. Access is okay for routine maintenance, but would be more difficult for major operations such as overhauling the cylinder head. The optional watermaker is at the other end of the boat, under the head of the berth in the owner’s cabin, which is also where the optional aircon compressor is located.

The standard engine is a 50hp Volvo Penta unit, with a 75hp model offered as an option. Fuel tanks total 370lt, which will put a limit on autonomy, especially if generator use is extensive. Construction is of Airex sandwich and vinylester, with vacuum bagging used for gluing the core. Otherwise lamination is done by hand, which results in a heavier boat than if a full vacuum process is used.

If you enjoyed this….

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The longer I spent on board the Solaris 50 the more it appealed to me. The accommodation works well, especially the big owner’s cabin, with its huge amount of easily accessed stowage. This has to be a big plus for anyone who hopes to spend extended periods on board. Solaris has also done a good job with the clean deck styling and the general ease of handling this boat offers. Despite its size and displacement, this is still a boat that’s fun and rewarding to sail. The idea of the outboard position for the helm locations sounds great and I appreciated being able to see most of the jib luff when steering, but for me comfort, space, ease of handling and performance are stronger reasons to buy this boat, especially for those who plan to mostly sail in warm parts of the world. That Solaris has sold 35 boats in less than a year since it was announced is testament to the appeal of this model.

Hallberg-Rassy

• 360 DEGREES VIEW
• FILES & DOCUMENTS

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES

The all-new Hallberg-Rassy 50 follows the big success with the 57, 44, 40C and 340. The new 50 is designed for effortless sailing and great comfort with lots of storage. The Hallberg-Rassy 50 pushes the boundaries for what is possible up to 50 ft and at the same time remains true to the classic Hallberg-Rassy fundamentals.

360 DEGREES VIRTUAL REALITY VIEWS

WINNER IN EUROPEAN YACHT OF THE YEAR 2022

The Hallberg-Rassy 50 has been elected winner to the honourable title  European Yacht of the Year 2022  in the prestigious  Luxury Cruiser  category.

That means that the Hallberg-Rassy 50 has been ranked as the most interesting and promising newcomer of its class by a professional jury consisting of journalists from Europe’s twelve leading yachting magazines.

MAJOR LEAP FOR EFFORTLES CRUISING - CARBON FURLING MAST

Hallberg-Rassy and Seldén are tweaking the concept of cruising by blending it with a great deal of performance. Carbon in-mast furling now takes PushButtonSailing to a completely new level. This set-up reduces the heeling and the weather helm to a minimum and improves up-wind performance. The lighter mast also makes for less pitching and pumping in choppy and big seas and the whole set-up will give a richer over-all sailing experience. Read more about it under  News

LOTS OF VOLUME, COMFORT AND STORAGE

Traditionally we are used to comparing boats with hull length in feet. But much more relevant is the waterline length. The new 50 has a waterline that is as much as 50 cm / 1’ 8’’ longer than on the Hallberg-Rassy 55. Longer waterline gives better sailing performance with longer average day runs and at the same time more interior volume, comfort and storage under deck. The width is 33 cm larger at the widest point and an incredible 1.08 m wider than the 55 on the transom. That further enhances interior volume and storage.

SOFT MOTION IN A SEAWAY

The modern and most efficient hull shape gives superior sailing performance. At the same time, the forward under water part of the hull is rounded, almost like an egg, and this means soft motion in a seaway at any angle of heel. The displacement of the hull is designed to carry all modern comfort equipment and lots of personal belongings, as well as generous tank capacity.

BIG AND WELL PROTECTED COCKPIT

Typical Hallberg-Rassy, the cockpit is very well sheltered with high all-round coamings and a soft top or hard top windscreen with tempered glass, opening mid section and handholds at the sides. This is the ideal cockpit solution for both hot and cold areas. There is good all-round visibility. With twin wheels, there is both lots of space for displays and buttons and an easy passage from the helm position and forward. Furthermore, the wheel positions give better visibility forward, both when maneuvering in a harbour and to see the tell tails of the headsail. There is an optional big fixed high gloss varnished wooden table with drop leaves.

MODERN AND EASY TO HANDLE SAIL PLAN

The rig is modern and easy to handle. It is even possible to fly an inner removable heavy weather sail with no runners. The foresail is only slightly overlapping, making tacking easy. There is also an option for a self tacking jib arrangement. Seldén electric furling for both in-mast and headsail, as well as electric sheet winches are fitted as standard. The main is designed to carry an Elvström FatFurl modern in-mast furling sail with Epex membrane, with roach, vertical battens and headboard. The top shrouds and lowers are to separate chain plates, a Hallberg-Rassy invention, which makes passage on deck easy, and arranges for easy sheeting of the headsail. The spreader base gets wide and stable in that way too. The deck plan is clean and uncluttered.

LOTS OF DECK STORAGE

The deck storage is generous. There is not only an enormous deck locker between the forward cabin and the chain locker, there are also two top opening deck lockers aft, one locker in the cockpit and good storage for fenders and ropes also above the chain locker.

TWIN RUDDERS

The steering system has twin rudders, superior both in terms of control when sailing, as well as pleasant vibration free motoring and also from a safety perspective.

ONE LEVEL SOLE

The interior sole is at one level throughout the boat. This gives easy movement both at sea and at anchor or in a marina.

BRIGHT AND AIRY INTERIOR WITH LOTS OF STORAGE

The interior has lots of natural light and indirect led lights as well. There is good ventilation. The layout is generous and roomy, with lots of elbow room. The storage facilities are generous too. The sturdy woodwork has the well renowned Hallberg-Rassy finish.

GENEROUS STANDARD EQUIPMENT

The sail away standard equipment list is very extensive, including for example electric in-mast furling and electric headsail furler, sails, PU teak deck, retractable bow thruster from Sleipner Side-Power, a 12 kW generator, a 110 HP main engine, electric cooking, fridge and freezer, launching and rigging at the yard, antifouling, fenders, mooring lines and a lot more.

WALK-IN ENGINE ROOM

There is a large walk-in engine room. Easy access, easy maintenance and careful sound insulation covered by aluminium linings. There is access from a big door on the port side, as well as a lifting stair in front and a removable panel in the aft end of the engine room. Furthermore, the floor in the cockpit is bolted and removable. In the engine room the technical equipment is found: a powerful common rail main engine, the generator with sound shield, pumps, filters, double heaters, AquaDrive flexible coupling to take up the loads from the engine shaft and further lower vibrations and noise. The engine room lighting is 24 v, and there is also a powerful optional 230 v led light. The Mastervolt Combi Pro charger/inverter automatically and quickly changes between shore power and inverter, depending on what is available.

AVAILABLE NOW FOR VIEWING AT THE YARD

The yard is always worth a visit. Here you can see boats in many different production stages and come further in all detail questions.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Jochen Rieker, Yacht, Germany: Oh, what a joy! Slipping along in a dying breeze this first-class hotel by the sea type of yacht simply generated her own breeze. With her 25 meter tall carbon furling mast and a set of fine Epex sails including a fantastic furling Code Zero the Hallberg-Rassy 50 kept moving on the glassy Biscay off La Rochelle when others already stalled. While her heavy-weather talents were to be expected her agility in the light was one of several wow effects the Germán Frers design evoked in the not so easily impressed jury. Magnificent hull lines, great ergonomics, spacious cabins and the rock solid Swedish build quality all combine to something universally great. Whatever your program – the Hallberg-Rassy 50 will be a near perfect fit.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Pasi Nuutinen, Vene, Finland: This new 50-footer is amongst the best ones even among Hallberg-Rassy's undeniably high legacy of cruiser yachts. Performance, reliability and dignity of both sailing and living are found in balance which is served with the excellent ergonomics of electrically powered deck hardware.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Toby Hodges, Yachting World, Great Britain: A beautifully refined Hallberg-Rassy. The Swedish yard’s best model yet in its modern hullshape generation, it’s one that uses every inch of Germán Frers’ cunning design while still delivering highly impressive performance across the wind ranges.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Roland Duller, YachtRevue Austria: No other shipyard has mastered the balancing act between contemporary, modern yacht building and the retention of traditional values better than Hallberg-Rassy. The HR 50 perfectly embodies this skill.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, Bådmagasinet, Denmark: Hallberg-Rassy delivers with the 50 a boat that is full of the right choices. With the size of 50 foot there is enough space in the cockpit, on deck and down below to truly showcase the qualities of the Swedish yard. The owners cabin, the galley, the salon, the cockpit, the parts and components – everything just seems to be the right choice. The boat sails really well and the push button functionality, rig and sail design is close to flawless.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Germán de Soler, Nautica y Yates, Spain: Whoever wants to get literally everything on a 50 foot cruiser this is the boat for everyone willing to pay the price. In the Hallberg-Rassy 50 luxury is not at odds with the main variable required in a sailboat: her capacity to sail well and fast. For everything else, you would have to do an extraordinary criticism exercise to find a single reproach.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Loic Madeline Voiles & Voiliers, France: So much space in this hull designed by Germán Frers. Moreover Magnus Rassy wanted the interiors to be on one same level from the rear cabin to the front cabin, so you don’t even have to mind any step when moving along. Compared to what was done on previous models, mast was a bit shifted to the rear, so that the saloon can be even wider. Of course we liked the nice woodworks everywhere, but we also appreciate the very large chart station. On deck, you find two helm stations (just like on the Hallberg-Rassy 57). And the new 50 doesn’t need much wind to reach 7 or 8 knots.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Axel Nissen-Lie, Seilmagasinet, Norway: Magnus Rassy got the most things right with his newcomer from Ellös, floating luxury that works in all weathers. It's just a shame that this kind of quality costs so much. I was lucky to sail the boat in sun, heat and light wind in France, but also during hard weather in the winter cold in Sweden. A good blue water cruiser should work in all conditions, and so does Hallberg-Rassy's new 50-footer. They have managed to create a modern boat without letting go of well-functioning solutions.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Joakim Hermansson, Praktiskt Båtägande, Sweden: Year after year Hallberg-Rassy yachts are the absolutely most desired among German magazine YACHT’s readers, and when boarding the brand new Hallberg-Rassy 50 we really understand why. From the perfectly finished interior woodworks of select Nordic light oak together with all the comfort and storage needed for long-range cruises, to the very well utilized space in the roomy cockpit and the performance-enhancing outer lines of designer Germán Frers this brand new 50-footer is by far leaving not only her older 55-foot sister behind but also most of the competition.

Quotes from the European Yacht of the Year jury, who elected the Hallberg-Rassy 50 winner in the prestigious Luxury Cruiser category Lori Schüpbach, Marina.CH, Switzerland: The new Hallberg-Rassy 50 convinces with the usual Hallberg-Rassy advantages and at the same time surprises with various radical adjustments. The carbon furling mast with the black laminate sails is eye-catching. This upgrade is not entirely inexpensive, but it shows that Hallberg-Rassy goes one step further than the competition in terms of equipment and comfort. The volume below deck is also impressive - without compromising on looks the boat's width is exploited right to the stern.

Quote from Yachting World: The most pleasure and performance on the helm for a center cockpit yacht. Refined thoroughbred with single-level interior.

HALLBERG-RASSY 50 DATA SHEET

FILES AND DOCUMENTS

Used Yachts For Sale From 41 To 50 Feet

Listed below are used yachts for sale worldwide from 41 to 50 feet. Use the search tools to narrow your exploration. SYS Yacht Sales offers a wide range of used yachts for sale, including motor yachts, trawlers, express cruisers, sportfish yachts, flybridge yachts, center consoles, sailboats and everything in between. Search top brands like Sea Ray, Ocean, Tiara, Grand Banks, Riviera and much more. Need assistance? Contact our experienced yacht brokers. We look forward to helping you find the yacht that's right for you.

Sea Ray 500 Sundancer

Golden eagle.

Princess 50 flybridge

Waterline 50

Tin soldier.

Magnum 50 Bestia

Delta Marine Sedan Motoryacht

Nor-Tech 500 Sport

Princess V50

Quick decision.

Katherine E

Vanquish Hardtop

Just a hint.

Fairline 50

Viking 50 Convertible

Sea Ray Sundancer 500

Ferretti Yachts 500

Sunny Briggs Convertible with tuna tower

Low bidder x.

Seaton Trawler

X-Yachts X-50

CAROLINA LADY

Greatest Thing Since

Sunseeker 50 Camargue

Pardo Yachts 50

Lone Star Lagoon

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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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• FIGARO BENETEAU 3
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• Flyer 7 SUNdeck
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• A REMARKABLE ANNIVERSARY
• Our History
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• Our philosophy
• Our Innovations
• Your way to ownership
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• Description
• Key Features

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

All Oceanis news

Seizing the Moment: Uncover Exceptional Value in BENETEAU Ownership

Current market conditions offer unprecedented opportunities to purchase a BENETEAU at discounted prices, with faster delivery times, and potential long-term financial benefits.

Nautic boat show 2022 : Spotlight on remarkable sustainable innovations at BENETEAU

BENETEAU has decided to follow the path of innovation to reduce the environmental impact of sailing. Practical yet ground-breaking innovations that were visible on the First 44e and the Oceanis 30.1e sailing yachts world premiered at the Nautic Boat Show in Paris.

Five Coastal Navigation Spots Across the World

Customer care.

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’’

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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Price includes full world cruising specification.

The Kraken Standard

When it comes to equipment specification we’re raising the standard here too. All Kraken’s come loaded with the equipment we know you’ll want and need.

All other boat builder’s ‘standard’ will require the owner to add another 20-40% to the cost of the boat to bring it up to a reasonable specification for the task of world cruising.

At Kraken, our standard means you’ve already got everything and you don’t need to spend another Dollar, Euro or Pound to sail off the delivery dock to anywhere in the world.

Here's just some of the equipment you get, you’d never expect as standard

Hover over an item for more information on the features included with our Full World Cruising Specification, standard on every Kraken. To see everything included, check out the full specification at the link below.

Select an item for more information on the features included with our Full World Cruising Specification, standard on every Kraken. To see everything included, check out the full specification at the link below.

Kohler generator including sound shield for quiet operation

Webasto diesel heating system throughout all cabins.

This tank to tank fuel polishing and transfer system eliminates contaminate from all fuel tanks.

Dual headsail Solent rig for easy handling and performance at all points of sail. The ultimate long-distance cruising rig.

Kraken dingy davits with electric operation, made from Stainless steel.

Fully gimballed, GN Espace OceanChef 3 electric induction hob and oven.

Provides a far superior level of monitoring and capacity to set alarms and bespoke equipment and lighting requirements.

Full electronic package for both external and internal navigation stations: Garmin Autopilot station x 2, Garmin 9” screen GPS plotter/multifunction displays x 2, Garmin VHF radios x 2, Garmin wind, speed depth sounder x 2

5000 lts per hour bilge pump and sensor in the main bilge to prevent build-up of water in emergency water ingress situations.

Solas offshore flare pack

Veco Frigomar Full tropical air-conditioning system.

Hydromaster Watermaker.

Side Power 24V tunnel bow thruster.

Viking liferaft sized to suit your yacht size and layout.

Highfield Aluminium/Hyperlon Rib Yamaha outboard motor.

Soft top, tubular stainless steel bimini with Ferrari Stamoid top. Includes removable forward panels, fitted bimini lights and additional flexible screens to fully enclose the cockpit.

All six Harken cockpit winches are two speed electric and manual operation.

Stripper dual blade rope and weed cutter on prop shaft.

Textilene and open cell ‘stay dry’ cockpit cushions throughout cockpit

Stainless steel fish bone swim and diving ladder to swim platform at stern.

6 x size 8 inflated fender plus 4 x 15m and 2 x 10m 22m polyester mooring lines

Equipment you get, you’d never expect as standard

Design specification.

Click the button below for a full, detailed specification of the Kraken 50.

• Length Overall 50 ft
• Waterline Length 44.86 ft
• Beam Overall 14.76 ft
• Beam Waterline 12.47 ft
• Draft 7.54 ft
• Air Draft 81.35 ft
• Displacement 41,888 lbs
• Ballast Weight 14,330 lbs
• Ballast Ratio 34.2%
• Sail Area 1444.52 sq.ft
• Sail Area Displacement Ratio 19.2
• Engine Power 80 HP
• Fuel Tanks (3 tanks) 223 us gal
• Water Tanks (2 tanks) 148 us gal
• CE Certification RCD Category 'A' Ocean
• Length Overall 15.24 m
• Waterline Length 13.68 m
• Beam Overall 4.50 m
• Beam Waterline 3.80 m
• Draft 2.30 m
• Air Draft 24.80 m
• Displacement 19,000 kg
• Ballast Weight 6,500 kg
• Sail Area 134.2 sq.m
• Engine Power 59 kW
• Fuel Tank 845 L
• Fresh Water Tanks 560 L

Build Specification

10 features included with every kraken, one piece hull and integral zero keel.

All Kraken’s comprise of a one piece hull and integral Zero Keel which houses a sealed lead ballast bulb.

The hull lay up is built using 17-22 layers of composite engineered fabrics bonded together by vinyl-ester resins. The general hull thickness is a minimum of 15mm. Aramid fibre composites (Kevlar) is also used in all impact areas, the bow stem, the front of the keel and the keel base.

The hull topsides incorporate 25mm closed cell foam, the FRP foam sandwich which extends from 40cm (16″) above the waterline to deck level. This structure improves insulation and overall hull form rigidity. A Kraken’s hull and structures exhibited no flexing.

ALPHA™ Rudder System

The rudder and steering system is the most vulnerable element of any yacht, in recognition of this, the Kraken engineering and design team have developed the world’s safest rudder and steering system.

The rudder is fully protected and supported by a full length skeg with an integral stainless steel beam, which has at its foot the first rudder bearing. The 3 ¾” (82mm) rudder stock has a second (main) bearing at its centre as it passes into the hull at the transom. This bearing is accessible and removable from the inside of transom. Even at sea!

The rudder stock has a removable third bearing at the top inside the stern lazarette. The rudder itself, comprises an integral stainless steel armature, which is welded to the stainless steel rudder stock. It is then finished and faired using FRP/vinyl-ester. 

Solid crash zone at bow waterline

A heavily reinforced ‘solid crash zone’ below the anchor chain locker, incorporating high density closed cell foam with substantial reinforcements in aramid fibres extends from above the waterline to 40cm below it. This solid area runs through to the first sealed bulkhead providing maximum collision protection.

Structural frames and stringers

All longitudinal and latitudinal structures are individually bonded in during the hull layup stages with no prefabricated structural components . The video below explains how the structural frames and stringers work on a Kraken Yacht.

All bulkheads are vacuum infused FRP with 25mm structural foam core. No plywood is used. There are two watertight sealed bulkheads forward, one between the anchor locker and the forward lazarette and a second one between the forward lazarette and the interior. A further watertight, sealed bulkhead at the stern divides the interior from the aft lazarette.

The structural bulkheads are fully bonded into the hull stringers & frames.

Deck Structure

The deck is vacuum infused FRP using composite fibres and vinyl-ester resin with a structural foam core. This provides high levels of rigidity and insulation. 

The deck structure is single-skin FRP around the base of all deck fittings.

The outside finish of the deck is panelled non-slip gelcoat with Flexiteek side decks and cockpit sole as standard. 

Integral Kraken moulded safety bulwark

All Kraken have an Integral moulded safety bulwark with concave internal surface for superior deck safety at sea.

Saloon/coach roof windows

Ultra-high impact-resistant laminated glass is used in the wrap-around saloon windows and port lights so that accidental damage will not result in water ingress to the interior.

Hull Finishes

Standard hull gelcoat colour is Signal White. Many colour options available at owners choice. 

Double line boot top in Alwgrip to owners colour choice.

3 x coats of primer and sealer applied below the waterline before standard antifoul in dark grey, other colour choices available.

Build standard and certification

All Kraken’s are designed and built to exceed ISO CE RCD Category ‘A’

Part 2 - Galley Interior Walkthrough

Part 3 - Cabins Interior Walkthrough

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Key Features

All of our yachts include some of the best-designed features available on a new sailing yacht today and the Kraken 50 is no different.

The Zero Keel™

Zero bolts, zero risk. Each Kraken yacht includes our fully integral ZERO™ Keel to protect against floating debris and grounding.

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Each yacht includes the ALPHA™ Rudder System, incorporating a full-length skeg-hung rudder and in-water removable rudder bearings.

Build Structure

All Kraken yachts are built with a substantial interior structure to ensure keel delamination and failure cannot occur.

The Exterior

Test Sail  Skymark

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• Length Overall 66 ft
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Welcome to this ever-growing gallery of some of the most popular cruising yachts between 45 and 50 feet (13.7m to 15.2m) long overall.

Cruising Yachts featured on this page...

Offshore cruising boats of this length are probably the maximum size that most cruising couples can comfortably handle without taking on additional crew. 

Even so, it's likely that powered sail handling devices - sheet and halyard winches, electric or hydraulic furling gears etc - will be necessary, all of which adds to the cost and complexity of the boat.

Gulfstar Hirsch 45

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The bowsprit and dinghy davits of the attractive Oceanic 46 are likely to be included in the chargeable length overall in marinas and boatyards.

Beneteau Oceanis 50

Hull Type:  Fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material:  GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall:  49'6" (15.1m)

Waterline Length:  43'8" (13.3m)

Beam:  14'9" (4.5m)

Draft:  6'7" (1.7m)

Rig Type:  Fractional Sloop

Displacement:  27,454lb (12,453kg)

Designer:  Berret Racoupeau

Builder:  Beneteau (France)

Year First Built:  2010

The plumb bow and stern on this sleek Dufour 520 maximise her waterline length and hence her theoretical hull speed, but do nothing to help her Comfort Ratio .

Bowman 46 Corsair

Nicholson 476

Stephens Custom 47

Hallberg-Rassy 46

Amel Santorin 46

Jeanneau Sun Kiss 47

Outbound 46

The Outbound 46 differs from the Outbound 44 in that it has an extended boarding platform.

Wauquiez 48

The twin headsail rig on this Wauquiez 48 is known as a 'Solent Rig'. Clearly it differs form a cutter rig, but which is the better choice for cruising ?

The J/46 is a light displacement performance cruising yacht, but would the speed/comfort compromise be acceptable to you?

Aerodyne 47

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

Westerly Ocean 49

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 47

Our Gallery of Popular Cruising Sailboats...

Nicholson 48

Cabo Rico 45

Beneteau Oceanis 473

Gulfstar Sailmaster 47

Hinckley 48.

Bill Trip designed great looking cruising yachts - and this Hinckley 48 is no exception...

Next:  Cruising yachts from 50-55ft LOA

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Did Bayesian superyacht’s 237ft mast cause it to sink?

B ayesian’s 237ft metal mast may have played a part in the sinking of the superyacht off the coast of Sicily , experts have suggested.

The yacht, named after the mathematical theory Mike Lynch used to make his millions in the tech industry, foundered in the small hours of Monday morning.

Key among potential reasons for the loss of the vessel will be its most striking feature – the aluminium mast.

Four British personnel from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch are on their way to Palermo to carry out a preliminary assessment.

There are also theories that hot overnight temperatures of 27C (80C) could have prompted passengers to leave portholes and windows open – hastening the sinking when the high winds hit.

Launched in 2008 by Perini Navi, Bayesian is one of the 50 largest sailing yachts in the world and her mammoth mast supported a total sail area of almost 32,000 sq ft.

Bayesian had the tallest aluminium mast in the world when it first took to the seas under her former name Salute. The record was overtaken last year when Jeff Bezos, the Amazon billionaire launched his yacht, Koru.

Koru’s masts stretch to 278ft tall according to Boat International magazine.

Tom Sharpe, a former Royal Navy commander and warship captain, said initial reports from survivors and witnesses suggested “that the weather was sufficiently violent to cause her to capsize at anchor”.

Weather reports from Palermo airport, 12 miles west of the yacht, suggest that at about 4am, winds switched from a gentle south-westerly breeze to gusts of 40mph, with temperatures dropping.

Local newspapers have described the weather as a tornado and a waterspout, which is a tornado above water.

The pressure of high winds on the mast could have helped tip the boat over in rough seas, experts have suggested.

Mr Sharpe said capsizing seemed “unlikely” to him given the Bayesian’s size “and that boats like that are designed to survive poor weather – unless something failed at the same time like a valve that let water in and made the whole boat unstable”.

He said it was more likely that the Bayesian had “dragged anchor”. Anchors are designed to lodge on rocks on the seabed, but if the seabed is too soft, or weather is so bad that the anchor is dislodged, then a boat can drag its anchor and drift.

If a boat drifts into an obstruction such as a rock or another boat, this can damage the boat by tearing a hole in its side leading to sinking, Mr Sharpe suggested.

The sea bed off Porticello, the Silician harbour nearest to where Bayesian was moored for the night, consists of a mixture of rocky and muddy areas, according to nautical charts reviewed by The Telegraph.

This means the yacht could have dragged anchor if it had been lowered into a soft, muddy patch of seabed.

A captain of another boat anchored nearby said his vessel was hit by abnormally strong winds on Monday morning.

Karsten Borner said the Sir Robert BP was battered by strong gusts in the early hours of the morning but he managed to stabilise the vessel while anchored by using the engine.

He said as they were doing this, they noticed the Bayesian nearby and manoeuvred to avoid hitting it.

“We managed to keep the ship in position, and after the storm was over, we noticed that the ship behind us was gone,” said Capt Borner.

Mr Sharpe said: “From a seamanship point of view, the other boat (Sir Robert BP) coming up on her main engines and using those to keep position around [her own] anchor is what you should do. Yacht anchors are often not that robust and that is the best way to avoid putting too much strain on it and/or dragging.”

An alternative theory is that the weight of the mast led the Bayesian to capsize.

A yacht industry source told The Times that the vessel sank after the weight of her mast took the hull beyond its “down-flooding angle” – the point at which a boat cannot right itself after swinging at a steep angle – meaning water rushed over the sides into the interior.

“The wind toppled the mast, which fell over the side, causing the boat to heel over and take on water, capsize and sink very quickly,” the source said.

This can occur whether the mast snapped off or not.

Sam Jefferson, editor of Sailing Today, told The Telegraph: “She has a very tall, aluminium mast – I believe it is the second tallest aluminium mast in the world – and that would not have helped.

“Many yachts with big masts have carbon masts instead of aluminium as these save on weight and improve stability and performance.

“Stability was obviously the problem in the extremely strong winds she was experiencing and I’d assume the boat was pinned on its side and could not right before it filled up with water.”

Another superyacht expert who asked not to be named told The Telegraph that the mast could have pulled the Bayesian over into capsizing, although he expressed some scepticism, saying sailing yachts are designed to prevent that from happening.

He said the anchor-dragging theory was also a plausible explanation for why the Bayesian sank.

Typically, crews try to anchor in safe spots that are sheltered away from the wind, they said.

The Bayesian was moored just off Porticello, a few miles east of Palermo. Prevailing winds from the north-east may have robbed the vessel of the shelter offered by the Sicilian coast, which lay to the west.

Dr Lynch was reportedly aboard the vessel. His wife, Angela Bacares, is among those rescued but six others, including four Britons, are still missing.

One person, reportedly the yacht’s chef, died in the incident and his body was recovered by rescuers.

The Bayesian’s last refit was in 2020.

The vessel was listed for rent for up to €195,000 (£166,000) a week, according to online charter websites.

The interior featured six cabins – one master, three doubles and two twin rooms – for up to a dozen guests, with the crew occupying separate quarters.

Fitted out in a Japanese style, the interior was styled by the Remi Tessler design house.

Under her former name Salute, the yacht won the Best Exterior prize at the World Superyacht Awards in 2009, and the Best Interior at the International Superyacht Society Awards in 2008.

A coastguard statement issued on Monday morning said the missing passengers were of “British, American and Canadian nationality”.

Camper & Nicholsons, managers of the Bayesian, confirmed the vessel sank at about 4.30am following “severe weather”.

The Italian Coast Guard is leading search and rescue operations, and said on Monday it had safely recovered 15 individuals.

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Marianna Giusti in Porticello

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The manufacturer of the superyacht that sank off Sicily, causing the deaths of UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and at least five others, has said the boat was “absolutely safe” and the crew should have had time to evacuate the passengers.

Giovanni Costantino, chief executive of The Italian Sea Group, which owns several boat brands including the yacht’s builder, Perini Navi, told the Financial Times that the Bayesian “was designed to be absolutely stable and carry . . . the world’s second-tallest mast”.

“The boat sank because it took on water,” Costantino said, suggesting that proper procedures were not followed.

He suggested the large opening just above the waterline on the stern, which pivots down to make a bathing platform and launching point for small boats, may have been open and become flooded, and the same might have been true for another waterline opening on the side.

Italian and UK authorities, which are investigating the circumstances of the incident , have not said when the boat started filling with water, whether vulnerable hatches were open, or whether the crew started the engine and tried to manoeuvre out of danger.

Video description

CCTV footage of the Bayesian sinking during a violent storm

The Italian coastguard has said divers had found no breaches in the hull and the mast was intact. The vessel — a 540-tonne, British-registered yacht designed by Ron Holland and built in 2008 — was resting on the seabed on its starboard side.

James Cutfield, the Bayesian’s skipper, did not immediately respond to the FT’s request for comment. His brother told the New Zealand Herald that Cutfield was “a very good sailor” and “very well respected” in the Mediterranean.

Costantino said it took 16 minutes from the time the boat was caught by the wind and started dragging its anchor near Porticello before it finally sank , which should have given the crew time to secure the vessel and save the passengers. 

“The torture lasted 16 minutes. It went down, not in one minute as some scientists have said. It went down in 16 minutes,” Costantino said. “You can see it from the charts, from the [Automatic Identification System] tracking chart.”

The FT has verified that AIS data is consistent with Costantino’s timings, but it is not possible at this stage to confirm his belief about what may have happened during that period.

“The captain should have prepared the boat and put it in a state of alert and of safety, just like the boat [Sir Robert Baden Powell] anchored 350 metres away, which was built in 1957 and handled the [weather] event brilliantly,” said Costantino.

Karsten Borner, the skipper of that boat, described to reporters in Sicily how he turned on his engine and manoeuvred to control his vessel and avoid a collision with the Bayesian. He saw the Bayesian heel over and then lost sight of it, before spotting a red flare from the Bayesian’s life raft. He rescued the 15 survivors. 

Costantino said Cutfield, a 50-year-old New Zealander, “should have locked everything up. He should have gathered all passengers in the safe point. This is protocol. No one should have been in their cabin. [You should] turn on the engine, weigh [raise] anchor, [point the] bow to the wind and lower the keel. This would have added stability, safety and comfort.”  

It has not been confirmed by divers whether the Bayesian’s long retractable keel was in the safer, lowered position or raised to allow entry to shallow water.

According to ISG, when the boat’s keel is raised, the Bayesian can withstand an inclination of up to 73 degrees; when the keel is lowered, she can tilt by up to 88 degrees — a nearly flat position with the mast on the water — without capsizing.

But Costantino does not believe the position of the keel was the issue. He said that once it was clear the boat was taking on water — CCTV footage from the shore showed the lights going out, presumably when water reached the generators or the electrical panels, he said — there should have been time to get everyone off the boat and into the life rafts.

“Jesus Christ! The hull is intact. The water came in from [hatchways] left open. There is no other possible explanation. If manoeuvred properly, the boat would have comfortably handled the weather — comfortably,” he said.

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Lynch Yacht Sinking Off Sicily Proves as Baffling as It Is Tragic

As bodies were recovered, the authorities and experts wondered how a $40 million, stable and secure vessel could have sunk so quickly.

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By Emma Bubola and Michael J. de la Merced

Emma Bubola reported from Porticello, Italy, and Michael J. de la Merced from London.

Two months after being cleared in a bruising legal battle over fraud charges, the British tech mogul Mike Lynch celebrated his freedom with a cruise. He invited his family, friends and part of his legal team on board his luxury sailing yacht, a majestic 180-foot vessel named Bayesian after the mathematical theorem around which he had built his empire.

On Sunday night, after a tour of the Gulf of Naples, including Capri, and volcanic islands in the Eolian archipelago, the boat anchored half a mile off the Sicilian coast in Porticello, Italy. It chose a stretch of water favored by the Phoenicians thousands of years ago for its protection from the mistral wind and, in more recent times, by the yachts of tech billionaires. The boat was lit “like a Christmas tree,” local residents said, standing out against the full moon.

But about 4 a.m., calamity unfolded. A violent and fast storm hit the area with some of the strongest winds locals said they had ever felt. Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman, said he saw a flare pierce the darkness shortly after 4.

Minutes later, the yacht was underwater. Only dozens of cushions from the boat’s deck and a gigantic radar from its mast floated on the surface of the sea, fishermen said.

In all, 22 people were on board, 15 of whom were rescued. Six bodies — five passengers and the ship’s cook — had been recovered by Thursday afternoon, including that of Mr. Lynch, an Italian government official said, adding that the search was continuing for his daughter.

It was a tragic and mystifying turn of events for Mr. Lynch, 59, who had spent years seeking to clear his name and was finally inaugurating a new chapter in his life. Experts wondered how a $40 million yacht, so robust and stable could have been sunk by a storm near a port within minutes.

“It drives me insane,” said Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought the company, Perini, that made the Bayesian. “Following all the proper procedures, that boat is unsinkable.”

The aura of misfortune only deepened when it emerged that Stephen Chamberlain, 52, a former vice president of finance for Mr. Lynch’s former company and a co-defendant in the fraud case, was killed two days earlier, when he was hit by a car while jogging near his house in England.

Since June, the two men had been in a jubilant mood. A jury in San Francisco had acquitted both on fraud charges that could have sent them to prison for two decades. There were hugs and tears, and they and their legal teams went for a celebratory dinner party at a restaurant in the city, said Gary S. Lincenberg, a lawyer for Mr. Chamberlain.

The sea excursion was meant as a thank-you by Mr. Lynch to those who had helped him in his legal travails. Among the guests was Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a scion of a prominent New York family of lawyers who had represented Mr. Lynch for 12 years. He and his wife, Neda, 57, were among the missing.

So, too, was Jonathan Bloomer, 70, a veteran British insurance executive who chaired Morgan Stanley International and the insurer Hiscox.

The body of the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered. All the other crew members survived. Among them was Leo Eppel, 19, of South Africa, who was on his first yacht voyage working as a deck steward, said a friend, who asked not to be identified.

Since the sinking, the recovery effort and investigation have turned the tiny port town of Porticello, a quiet enclave where older men sit bare-chested on balconies, into what feels like the set of a movie.

Helicopters have flown overhead. Ambulances have sped by with the sirens blaring. The Coast Guard has patrolled the waters off shore, within sight of a cordoned-off dock that had been turned into an emergency headquarters.

On Wednesday afternoon, a church bell tolled after the first body bag was loaded into an ambulance, a crowd watching in silence.

The survivors were sheltering in a sprawling resort near Porticello, with a view of the shipwreck spot, and had so far declined to comment.

Attilio Di Diodato, director of the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, said that the yacht had most likely been hit by a fierce “down burst” — when air generated within a thunderstorm descends rapidly — or by a waterspout , similar to a tornado over water.

He added that his agency had put out rough-sea warnings the previous evening, alerting sailors about storms and strong winds. Locals said the winds “felt like an earthquake.”

Mr. Costantino, the boat executive, said the yacht had been specifically designed for having a tall mast — the second-tallest aluminum mast in the world. He said the Bayesian was an extremely safe and secure boat that could list even to 75 degrees without capsizing.

But he said that if some of the hatches on the side and in the stern, or some of the deck doors, had been open, the boat could have taken on water and sunk. Standard procedure in such storms, he said, is to switch on the engine, lift the anchor and turn the boat into the wind, lowering the keel for extra stability, closing doors and gathering the guests in the main hall inside the deck.

12 guests occupied the yacht’s six cabins. There were also 10 crew members.

Open hatches, doors and cabin windows could have let in water during a storm, according to the manufacturer.

Open hatches, doors and

cabin windows could

have let in water

during a storm,

according to the

manufacturer.

Source: Superyacht Times, YachtCharterFleet, MarineTraffic

By Veronica Penney

The New York Times attempted to reach the captain, James Cutfield, who had survived, for comment through social media, his brother and the management company of the yacht (which did not hire the crew), but did not make contact.

So far none of the surviving crew members have made a public statement about what happened that night.

Fabio Genco, the director of Palermo’s emergency services, who treated some of the survivors, said that the victims had recounted feeling as if the boat was being lifted, then suddenly dropped, with objects from the cabins falling on them.

The Italian Coast Guard said it had deployed a remotely operated vehicle that can prowl underwater for up to seven hours at a depth of more than 980 feet and record videos and images that they hoped would help them reconstruct the dynamics of the sinking. Such devices were used during the search and rescue operations of the Titan vessel that is believed to have imploded last summer near the wreckage of the Titanic.

After rescuers broke inside the yacht, they struggled to navigate the ropes and many pieces of furniture cluttering the vessel, said Luca Cari, a spokesman for Italy’s national firefighter corps.

Finally, as of Thursday morning, they had managed to retrieve all but one of the missing bodies, and hopes of finding the missing person alive were thin. “Can a human being be underwater for two days?” Mr. Cari asked.

What was certain was that Mr. Lynch’s death was yet another cruel twist of fate for a man who had spent years seeking to clear his name.

He earned a fortune in technology and was nicknamed Britain’s Bill Gates. But for more than a decade, he had been treated as anything but a respected tech leader.

He was accused by Hewlett-Packard, the American technological pioneer that had bought his software company, Autonomy, for $11 billion, of misleading it about his company’s worth. (Hewlett-Packard wrote down the value of the transaction by about $8.8 billion, and critics called it one of the worst deals of all time .) He had been increasingly shunned by the British establishment that he sought to break into after growing up working-class outside London.

He was extradited to San Francisco to face criminal charges, and confined to house arrest and 24-hour surveillance on his dime. In a townhouse in the Pacific Heights neighborhood — with security people he jokingly told associates were his “roommates” — he spent his mornings talking with researchers whom he funded personally on new applications for artificial intelligence. Afterward, he devoted hours to discussing legal strategy with his team.

Despite his persistent claims of innocence, even those close to Mr. Lynch had believed his odds of victory were slim. Autonomy’s chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, was convicted in 2018 of similar fraud charges and spent five years in prison.

During Mr. Lynch’s house arrest, his brother and mother died. His wife, Angela Bacares, frequently flew over from England, and she became a constant presence in the San Francisco courtroom during the trial.

After he was finally acquitted, Mr. Lynch had his eye on the future. “I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field,” he said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting from Pallanza, Italy.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome. More about Emma Bubola

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced

British entrepreneur Mike Lynch among missing after luxury yacht sinks off Sicily

• Medium Text
• Violent storm struck in the early hours of Monday
• One man confirmed dead, six people missing
• Tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch among the missing
• Morgan Stanley International chairman is also missing

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Writing by Crispian Balmer and Giulia Segreti; Additional reporting by Danilo Arnone in Porticello, Marta Di Donfrancesco, Gavin Jones and Alvise Armellini in Rome, Paul Sandle and Sachin Ravikumar in London, Wladimiro Pantaleone, David Bario and Lananh Nguyen in New York; Editing by Angus MacSwan, Ros Russell and Michael Perry

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Syrian suspect in German stabbing rampage confessed, authorities say

The arrest threatens to stoke fears ahead of three state elections next month in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg, which the anti-immigrant far-right Alternative for Germany has a chance of winning.