Shipman 50 Information, Review, Specs

The concept for the Shipman 50 was born in 2001, aiming to create a groundbreaking singlehanded high-performance pilothouse offshore cruiser. Its development was a collaborative effort, leveraging carbon/epoxy prepreg technology transferred by Bill Green of Green Marine in the UK, with materials engineering and supply from Giovanni Belgrano of SP Systems. This strategic partnership underscored the builder's commitment to pushing the boundaries of yacht design and construction. Shipman, under the Seaway Group, dramatically shifted its focus in the early 21st century towards innovative, high-performance luxury cruising sailboats crafted from advanced carbon composites, and the Shipman 50 was the first all-carbon yacht under this new banner. The design philosophy championed by J&J Design and Shipman emphasized creating yachts that offered unrivaled performance, handling, and comfort, while significantly reducing displacement—reportedly about half that of typical production cruising yachts of similar size. This commitment to lightweight, strong construction became a hallmark of the modern Shipman identity.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Shipman 50 is a monohull equipped with a fin keel featuring a bulb and a spade rudder, a configuration typical of performance-oriented designs. With a length overall of 49.16 feet and a waterline length of 45.25 feet, she possesses a sleek profile. Her displacement of 29,101 pounds results in a Displacement to Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 140, indicating a light to medium displacement vessel for her size. This contributes to her lively performance characteristics. The yacht carries approximately 9,480 pounds of ballast, giving her a ballast to displacement ratio of around 32.6%. While this is not an exceptionally high ratio, the advanced carbon fiber construction contributes significantly to her overall stiffness and stability, allowing her to stand up to a good breeze.

Anecdotal reports consistently praise the Shipman 50 for its sailing capabilities, describing her as very fast and easily handled, even by a crew of two. Owners and reviewers alike have noted her superior performance, handling, strength, and comfort compared to other comparable boats, suggesting a rewarding and enjoyable cruising experience. The fractional sloop rig, combined with the lightweight hull and efficient underwater foils, ensures responsive handling and strong performance across a range of wind conditions. Her theoretical hull speed is calculated at 9.01 knots, a testament to her streamlined design and performance potential.

Accommodations and Layout

The Shipman 50 offers a spacious and functional interior designed for comfortable cruising. The layout typically features three double cabins and two heads, providing ample privacy and facilities for extended voyages. A prominent feature is the open-plan saloon, which benefits from panoramic windows, allowing for abundant natural light and excellent visibility. The emphasis on thoughtful design extends to the amenities, with systems like Webasto heating often integrated to enhance onboard comfort. While specific details on finish quality and materials require on-site inspection, the Shipman brand's focus on luxury suggests high-quality craftsmanship and materials, likely incorporating fine wood finishes balanced with modern composites, reflecting the boat's high-performance yet comfortable cruising ethos. Storage solutions are typically integrated throughout the cabins and saloon, catering to the needs of offshore cruising.