Seguin 48 Information, Review, Specs

The genesis of the Seguin 48 emerged during a transformative period in boatbuilding, an era when Lyman-Morse was actively embracing new materials and construction methods while upholding its tradition of custom yacht creation. The company, founded in 1978, embarked on developing its "Seguin series" of custom cruising yachts, with the Seguin 44 being launched in 1983. The Seguin 48, which commenced production in 1986, continued this lineage.

The design of the Seguin 48 is attributed to Craig V. Walters, a yacht designer with a rich background, having honed his skills in the offices of esteemed firms such as Dick Carter, Morgan Yachts, and Sparkman & Stephens before establishing his own practice in 1982. Walters' lifelong captivation with sailboats likely informed the Seguin 48's design, aiming for a yacht that was both capable offshore and flexible for coastal exploration. A key design feature is her keel/centerboard hull type, which allows for a significantly reduced minimum draft of 4.92 feet for shallow water access, while extending to a maximum draft of 9.25 feet for enhanced upwind performance and stability in deeper waters. The boat is also recognized by the alternative name, Monhegan 48.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Seguin 48 is engineered for a balanced blend of performance and comfortable cruising. Her sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 21.17 suggests a yacht with good light-air performance, capable of moving efficiently even in lighter breezes. This indicates a design that avoids being sluggish, offering an engaging sailing experience.

With a ballast to displacement ratio of around 0.399 (nearly 40%), the Seguin 48 exhibits good stiffness and stability, enabling her to stand up to a fair amount of wind and maintain a comfortable motion in a seaway. Her displacement to waterline length ratio, calculated at approximately 222.6, positions her as a moderately heavy cruiser. While not an ultra-light racer, this weight contributes to a solid and comfortable ride, especially in offshore conditions. The hull design is noted to be "slimmer than 58% of all other designs," hinting at a "slightly more speedy hull design" compared to many contemporaries. The defining keel/centerboard configuration provides strategic versatility, allowing sailors to navigate both shallow coastal areas and engage in more aggressive, deep-keel sailing when offshore.

Accommodations and Layout

As a product of Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, the Seguin 48 benefited from the yard's philosophy of custom and semi-custom construction, meaning that exact interior layouts could vary to suit individual owner preferences. However, typical for a Lyman-Morse yacht of her era, the interior would have been finished to a high standard, emphasizing traditional marine joinery and robust construction suitable for offshore voyaging.

While specific layout diagrams for the Seguin 48 are not widely available, information from other Seguin series yachts and similar Lyman-Morse custom cruisers from the 1980s provides insight. These vessels often featured spacious interiors designed for comfortable living at sea, prioritizing practicality for offshore sailing. Common arrangements would likely include a V-berth forward, a well-appointed head, a generous main salon with settees and a dining table, and an L-shaped galley. Materials typically included high-quality wood trim (often teak or mahogany), durable formica counters, and practical features like custom stainless water tanks and aluminum fuel tanks, reflecting a commitment to longevity and functionality. The emphasis was on creating a highly functional and aesthetically pleasing living space that could endure the rigors of serious cruising.