Cooper 508 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Cooper 508 began its production run in 1981, emerging from the Cooper Enterprises Inc. shipyard in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. The builder, founded by Forbes Cooper in 1970, initially gained renown for producing licensed American sailboat designs before diversifying into its own lines of powerboats and larger custom projects. Source: Builder Article While Cooper's general ethos focused on producing well-regarded and well-crafted vessels, the 508 stands as a testament to their ambition to build larger, more specialized sailing yachts. Source: Builder Article

The design of the Cooper 508 was entrusted to Stan Huntingford, a respected Canadian maritime architect known for his work on robust cruising yachts. Huntingford's designs typically prioritized seaworthiness and comfort for long-distance cruising. The 508's design, featuring a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, reflects a commitment to both performance and directional stability in varying sea conditions. Despite its promising start, the production of the Cooper 508 was notably brief, with only five units believed to have been built. This short production period is attributed to a legal dispute concerning the design.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Cooper 508, with its generous dimensions, is engineered for capable sailing performance, particularly suited for offshore cruising. Her reported sail area of 1,239 square feet combined with a displacement of 38,350 pounds suggests a boat designed to carry sail effectively.

• Sail Area to Displacement Ratio (SA/D): At approximately 17.43, the Cooper 508 falls into a moderate category, indicating a yacht that should perform adequately in lighter winds while still being manageable and powerful in heavier conditions. This ratio suggests a balanced approach to speed and stability, suitable for a comfortable cruising experience without being overtly sluggish.
• Ballast to Displacement Ratio (B/D): With 16,500 pounds of ballast within a total displacement of 38,350 pounds, the Cooper 508 boasts a ballast ratio of around 0.43. This high ratio is indicative of a stiff and stable boat, well-equipped to stand up to a significant amount of wind without excessive heeling, contributing to crew comfort and safety on long passages.
• Displacement to Length Ratio (D/L): The Cooper 508 has a D/L ratio of approximately 201, based on her 44.0-foot waterline. This places her on the lighter side of moderate for a yacht of her size, suggesting a vessel that is not overly heavy and capable of respectable speeds for a cruiser, particularly in offshore conditions.

The combination of a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder further enhances her handling characteristics. The fin keel provides efficient hydrodynamic lift for upwind performance, while the skeg-hung rudder offers protected and robust steering, a desirable feature for blue-water sailing. While specific anecdotal handling descriptions are limited due to the rarity of the model, her design ratios and hull configuration point to a solid and predictable motion, capable of making good progress in a variety of sea states.

Accommodations and Layout

As a large cruising yacht, the Cooper 508 was designed to offer comfortable and extensive accommodations for long periods aboard. While detailed interior layouts are scarce, the sheer volume afforded by her 50.67-foot length overall and 15.0-foot beam suggests a spacious interior. The boat is equipped with substantial tankage, including 185 gallons of fuel and 185 gallons of water, underscoring its long-range cruising intentions. Typically, yachts of this size and era would feature multiple cabin arrangements, including a forward V-berth, a spacious main salon, a well-appointed galley, and often an aft cabin or quarter berths, alongside at least one head with shower facilities. The solid fiberglass hull and deck construction suggest a robust and potentially well-insulated living space. Given the builder's reputation for craftsmanship Source: Builder Article, it is reasonable to infer that the interior would have featured quality finishes, likely incorporating wood trim and solid joinery, designed for durability and comfort at sea.