Southerly 49 Information, Review, Specs

The Southerly 49 emerged from Northshore Yachts' commitment to innovative shallow-draft sailing, a legacy that began with Fairways Marine in the early 1970s. Designed by Rob Humphreys, the 49 was conceived as a "powerful, sleek and stunning yacht" specifically engineered for continuous long-distance, around-the-world sailing. A core tenet of its design was easy handling, allowing the yacht to be comfortably managed by a crew of just two. This vision aligned perfectly with Northshore's established manufacturing ethos of producing robust, adaptable yachts, particularly their renowned Southerly range. The company's pioneering lifting keel technology, allowing the draft to vary dramatically, became a hallmark feature, providing exceptional freedom to explore secluded anchorages and navigate shallow waterways inaccessible to most fixed-keel vessels. While primarily known for its variable draft, a fixed keel option was also available for the Southerly 49.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Southerly 49's design translates into versatile and robust sailing characteristics. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 21.35, the Southerly 49 exhibits good light-air performance, suggesting it can move efficiently even in lighter breezes. Its displacement to length ratio of around 166.7 classifies it as a moderately light, performance-oriented cruiser, indicating a yacht that balances comfort with spirited sailing capabilities. While the reported ballast to displacement ratio of approximately 34% might seem on the lower side for a fixed keel, the Southerly's integral swing keel system provides substantial stability when fully deployed, offering a maximum draft of over 10 feet for enhanced upwind performance and seakeeping. When raised, the minimum draft is a mere 2.89 feet, underscoring its unique versatility.

Owners and reviewers frequently praise the Southerly 49 for its excellent handling, balance, and seamanlike cockpit ergonomics, making it an easy boat to manage for two people. Its robust construction further contributes to a comfortable motion in a seaway, reinforcing its blue-water cruising credentials. While later designs sometimes carried more beam further aft for enhanced off-wind performance, the Southerly 49 still offers solid performance, with a hull speed of nearly 9 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Southerly 49 is consistently described as light, airy, and designed for total comfort and luxury. The well-planned layout typically features a three-cabin configuration. The raised coachroof incorporates pilot house windows, which flood the saloon with natural light and offer excellent views from the saloon table. The forward cabin is often configured as the owner's stateroom, providing a spacious and comfortable retreat. Generally, the interior eschews a multitude of small cabins, favoring a more open and comfortable arrangement suitable for extended living aboard. While specific details on finish quality and materials require individual boat inspection, Northshore Yachts generally held a reputation for superior build and finish.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Southerly 49 consistently highlight its robust construction, comfortable motion, and especially its unparalleled shallow-draft capability as major strengths. Paul and Sheryl Shard of "Distant Shores TV," who have extensively cruised their Southerly 49, "Distant Shores II," frequently extol the virtues of its swing keel for accessing unique cruising grounds. The yacht is praised for its seamanlike deck layout and excellent working ergonomics in the cockpit. The ability to achieve a deep draft for offshore stability while offering extremely shallow draft for exploring makes it a highly versatile and sought-after vessel for adventurers. While general boat maintenance is a constant theme for any yacht, specific recurring problems unique to the Southerly 49 are not widely reported in owner forums or reviews.