Buying a used Kelly Peterson: identification comes before condition
Shopping for a used Kelly Peterson starts with a question most brands don't raise: is the boat in front of you actually one? The name covers a small run built by one shipyard, Queen Long Marine of Taiwan, under the supervision of the broker who commissioned it, Jack Kelly, to a design by Doug Peterson. But other boats carrying a "46" badge and tracing to the same design were built elsewhere, so confirming the builder matters as much as inspecting the hull.
Which era to target
SAILING Magazine dates Kelly Peterson 46 production from 1980 to 1990, with only about 30 boats built in that span — a small enough number that any given used listing is genuinely scarce. Queen Long Marine's own company timeline, however, puts the boat's actual build year at 1982. The two sources don't agree on a start year, but both confirm a short run, so a buyer should treat any Kelly Peterson 46 as a boat built sometime across the 1980s rather than anchor to a single production date.
What to inspect across the range
SAILING Magazine has reported several recurring owner complaints worth checking on any hull: a secondary companionway hatch prone to leaks, rear lazarettes owners describe as impractically small, and a propane locker that holds only two small cylinders. Owners have also noted that the boat's deep draft makes some cruising grounds harder to access — worth weighing against where a buyer intends to sail.
Navigating the lineup
Because only about 30 true Kelly Peterson 46s exist, a listing calling itself a "46" from this design is more likely to be one of its copies than the genuine boat. The Formosa 46 — nicknamed "cheaterson" by the yachting community because it stretched the Kelly Peterson 44 without Doug Peterson ever receiving design copyright — the Liberty 458, and the Delta 46 were all based on the same design without being built by Queen Long. Confirming a listing's actual builder is the first step in the full model directory on this page, well before comparing condition or fit.
Where they're listed
Kelly Peterson listings appear across 8 countries. United States has the most listings with 8 (50.0%), followed by Australia and Germany.
Country view
16 listings · 8 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $83,750 | 8 | 4 | 50.0% |
| Australia | $119,966 | 2 | 0 | 12.5% |
| Germany | $7,575 | 1 | 0 | 6.3% |
| Spain | $64,094 | 1 | 0 | 6.3% |
| Mexico | $99,000 | 1 | 0 | 6.3% |
| Norway | $37,108 | 1 | 1 | 6.3% |
| Sweden | $46,362 | 1 | 1 | 6.3% |
| US Virgin Islands | $59,500 | 1 | 0 | 6.3% |
All Kelly Peterson models
1 model grouped by length overall. Open any model to see recent asking prices and active listings.