Monhegan 48 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Monhegan 48 began production in 1986, emerging from the Thomaston, Maine, yard of Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding. This period marked a significant era in boatbuilding, with the industry embracing new materials and construction methods while maintaining an emphasis on traditional craftsmanship. Lyman-Morse, renowned for fusing these elements in their custom power and sailing yachts, brought their expertise to the Monhegan 48. The company's ethos of working closely with world-class naval architects and owners for over four decades is evident in the custom nature of vessels like the Monhegan 48.

While specific design philosophies for the Monhegan 48 by Craig V. Walters are not extensively documented in public records, his background, including time spent at Sparkman & Stephens, suggests a design approach focused on well-balanced and capable sailing yachts. Lyman-Morse itself has listed the "LM 48 sailing yacht" as designed by Sparkman & Stephens, reflecting a close association or influence on the design. The Monhegan 48 was built with a keel/centerboard hull, offering versatility for both deeper offshore waters and shallower anchorages. Details regarding significant variations or different marks during its production run are not widely available, indicating a relatively consistent design or custom modifications for individual builds.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Monhegan 48, with its substantial dimensions, is designed to be a stable and capable performer on the water. Boasting a sail area of approximately 1040 square feet and a displacement of 28,100 pounds, its Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of around 17.75 suggests a yacht with respectable performance, particularly when the wind builds. This ratio indicates it might not be a light-air speedster but will offer solid performance in moderate to strong breezes.

The yacht's Ballast to Displacement ratio (Bal/Disp) is a robust 0.426. This high percentage of ballast, composed of lead, points to a very stiff and stable vessel, capable of standing up to significant wind and maintaining an upright stance in a seaway. Such stability is highly desirable for comfortable and secure offshore cruising. The Displacement to Length ratio (D/L) of approximately 237.8 classifies the Monhegan 48 as a moderately heavy cruiser. This suggests a comfortable motion through waves and the ability to carry stores for extended voyages, rather than a focus on extreme light-displacement racing. The hull design is noted to be "slimmer than 54% of all other designs" and is described as a "slightly more speedy hull design" compared to many similar sailboats, hinting at a good turn of speed for its class. With a hull speed of 8.21 knots, the Monhegan 48 is designed for efficient passage making. The masthead sloop rig, with an I measurement of 58.5 feet and a J of 19.6 feet, provides a powerful and easily managed sail plan for its size.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior layouts for every Monhegan 48, given its custom builder, would vary, a yacht of this size (48.62 feet LOA) and caliber from Lyman-Morse would typically feature a well-appointed and comfortable interior designed for extended cruising. Although precise headroom figures are not readily available, custom yachts from this era often maximized interior volume for livability.

Expect a layout that includes a forward V-berth cabin, a main salon with settees that may convert to berths, and a well-equipped galley and navigation station. A head with shower would be standard, and many 48-foot cruisers would also offer an aft cabin or quarter berths, providing ample sleeping accommodations. Given Lyman-Morse's reputation for quality craftsmanship and their ability to integrate advanced design with nuanced manufacturing, the interior would likely showcase high-quality joinery, potentially with extensive use of wood trim, robust fiberglass structures, and thoughtful storage solutions throughout. Ventilation would be provided by an array of hatches and portlights.

Owner's Perspectives

Information specifically detailing owner perspectives, common strengths, or recurring issues for the Monhegan 48 is not widely available in public search results. This is often the case for semi-custom or limited-production yachts built by yards specializing in bespoke creations, where feedback might be shared within smaller owner communities rather than broad public forums. However, based on Lyman-Morse's general reputation, owners of their vessels consistently praise the solid construction, high-quality materials, and the enduring craftsmanship that characterizes their boats. It is reasonable to infer that Monhegan 48 owners would appreciate its robust build, comfortable motion in a seaway, and the custom touches that make each vessel unique.