Orion 50 Information, Review, Specs

The creation of the Orion 50 by Ta Shing Yacht Building Ltd. from 1983 to 1987 marks a distinct period in the builder's history, showcasing a collaboration with designer Gary Mull. While Gary Mull was known for his philosophy of creating well-built, often light-displacement boats, the Orion 50 falls into a moderate weight category, reflecting a design goal that balanced performance with the substantial construction necessary for offshore voyaging.

During this era, Ta Shing had already established itself as a premier builder, known for its unwavering commitment to hand-crafted quality, meticulous attention to detail, and a robust manufacturing ethos. Their yachts, including the Orion 50, featured solid fiberglass hull construction, premium woods, and hand-joined cabinetry, all contributing to their celebrated longevity, seaworthiness, and aesthetic excellence. The Orion 50 was primarily built as a ketch rig, a versatile sail plan often favored for its ease of handling and adaptability in various wind conditions.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Orion 50 presents a profile indicative of a serious cruising yacht, rather than a light-air racer. With a Sail Area to Displacement ratio of approximately 13.65, she is designed to perform admirably in more robust conditions, typically requiring a decent breeze to truly come alive. Her Ballast to Displacement ratio of around 0.38, approaching the 40% mark, contributes significantly to her inherent stability and stiffness, allowing her to stand up to substantial wind and maintain a comfortable motion in a seaway. This characteristic is often praised by owners for instilling confidence during long passages.

Further underscoring her identity as a substantial bluewater vessel, the Displacement to Length ratio of approximately 212.86 places the Orion 50 firmly in the moderate to heavy displacement category. This means she is built for comfort and safety over outright speed, capable of handling challenging sea states with composure. Owners and reviewers note that the Orion 50 is a "reasonably good performer" for her class, offering a blend of liveaboard comfort and the sailing characteristics of an ocean passagemaker. The ketch rig, as equipped on the Orion 50, is generally considered easier to manage than a larger single-masted rig, allowing for more versatile sail combinations and contributing to the boat's excellent handling characteristics.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific detailed interior layouts for the Orion 50 are not widely published, its design as a liveaboard and ocean passagemaker, coupled with Ta Shing's renowned build quality, suggests a well-appointed and highly functional interior optimized for extended periods at sea. Given Ta Shing's reputation, the accommodations would typically feature extensive use of premium woods, hand-joined cabinetry, and a high level of finish throughout.

A 50-foot ketch of this era and caliber would generally offer a practical arrangement, likely including a comfortable V-berth or island berth forward, a spacious salon for dining and lounging, a well-equipped galley suitable for offshore cooking, and multiple private cabins for owners and guests. Storage would be ample, designed to accommodate provisions and gear for long voyages. While precise headroom figures are not readily available, a yacht of this size is expected to offer comfortable standing headroom in primary living areas. Ta Shing's commitment to custom and semi-custom builds also means that interior arrangements could vary somewhat between the few boats produced, reflecting individual owner preferences for their long-distance cruising yachts.