Cyclades 50.5 (Beneteau) Information, Review, Specs

As part of Beneteau's Cyclades range, the 50.5 embodies the builder's philosophy of balancing performance with practical comfort and affordability, a hallmark of their recreational sailboat offerings during its production era.

History and Design

The Beneteau Cyclades 50.5 was produced from 2008 to 2010, emerging from Beneteau's extensive experience in fiberglass boat construction, a revolution the company embraced in the 1960s to broaden its appeal beyond traditional fishing vessels. The design, credited to Berret-Racoupeau, aimed to create a comfortable cruiser that prioritized interior volume and ease of use, largely catering to the burgeoning charter market. This design goal is evident in the multiple cabin configurations offered on the same hull: while the 50.5 features five cabins, the identical hull was also used for the Cyclades 50.4 (four cabins) and the 50.3 (three cabins), demonstrating a versatile platform for different market needs. Beneteau's manufacturing ethos during this period, as reflected in the Cyclades series, emphasized efficient production methods and robust build quality to deliver value and reliability.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Cyclades 50.5 is designed to be a comfortable and stable sailing platform rather than an outright racer. With a length overall (LOA) exceeding 51 feet and a waterline length (LWL) of over 43 feet, she offers a substantial footprint on the water.

Calculated performance ratios provide insight into her sailing characteristics:

• Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) Ratio: At approximately 18.53, this ratio suggests a moderate performance cruiser. While not a light-air specialist, she should be capable of respectable speeds in a breeze and maintain momentum comfortably in typical cruising conditions.
• Ballast to Displacement (B/D) Ratio: With a ratio of around 0.31 (31%), the Cyclades 50.5 has a reasonable amount of ballast relative to its total displacement. This indicates a good level of initial stability, allowing her to stand up to a decent amount of wind without excessive heeling, contributing to a comfortable motion in a seaway. The boat features an iron bulb keel and a spade rudder.
• Displacement to Length (D/L) Ratio: A D/L ratio of approximately 154.44 positions the Cyclades 50.5 on the lighter side for a cruising yacht of her size. This indicates that despite her substantial volume, she is not an overly heavy displacement vessel, which can contribute to more responsive handling and potentially better light-wind performance than heavier, more traditional cruisers.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the Cyclades 50.5 is a "very pleasant" vessel to navigate, emphasizing comfort and space over blistering speed. She is equipped with a masthead sloop rig and powered by a 110 HP Yanmar engine for reliable auxiliary propulsion.

Accommodations and Layout

The Beneteau Cyclades 50.5 is renowned for its expansive interior, prioritizing living space to accommodate larger crews, a direct reflection of its charter market orientation. The standard configuration for the 50.5 includes five double cabins, along with three heads (WCs), and often a dedicated skipper's cabin. This layout allows for up to 12 people to be comfortably accommodated.

While specific details on finish quality are less prominent in general reviews, the interior is described as having "well-appointed staterooms" and being fully equipped with a functional galley and navigation system, designed to make occupants "feel at home whilst being at sea." The focus is on practicality and comfort for extended stays, typical of a boat intended for cruising holidays. With a generous beam of over 16 feet, the interior offers substantial volume for a comfortable salon, galley area, and private cabins.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners and charterers consistently praise the Beneteau Cyclades 50.5 for its spaciousness and comfort, particularly appreciating its capacity for larger groups. Its design as a dedicated cruising yacht for the charter fleet means it offers amenities and layouts well-suited for social sailing and extended stays. While specific recurring problems are not widely documented for this model in particular, owners often highlight the importance of good maintenance for charter yachts to ensure longevity. General observations on Beneteau yachts can sometimes include notes on creaking sounds or potential issues with original deck fittings, but these are not specific to the Cyclades 50.5. The Cyclades 50.5 has proven capable of significant voyages, with instances of owners undertaking long-distance passages. Reviews generally indicate satisfaction with its performance as a reliable and comfortable cruising platform.