Beneteau 50 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Two interior configurations appear consistently when shopping this model. The owner-oriented three-cabin layout devotes the full aft section to a large master stateroom with an en-suite head, keeping the two forward cabins for guests or crew. This arrangement is the more coveted among private buyers who intend to live aboard or cruise long-distance. The four-cabin charter layout sacrifices some of that aft owner space in favor of an additional guest cabin, and examples with this floor plan are common on the market, having returned from professional bareboat fleets in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Both layouts share the same saloon and galley configuration amidships, and neither is fundamentally inferior — the choice hinges on how you intend to use the boat. It is also worth noting that this model was sold under several charter-management names, including the Moorings 503, 504, and 505, and the Stardust 505, so ex-charter histories are not rare and should be investigated closely during survey.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

The used fleet tends to arrive reasonably well equipped by the standards of this size class. Chartplotters and autopilots are commonly fitted, and virtually every example you encounter will have some form of electronic navigation. Biminis and dodgers are nearly universal, a practical acknowledgment of the boat's charter and passagemaking heritage. Radar is widely fitted, and bow thrusters appear with enough regularity that their absence on an otherwise well-equipped boat may simply reflect an owner who preferred to single-hand from the helm. Electric winches and freezer units are frequently found aboard, as are inverters, solar panels, and teak decks — the last of which deserves close attention during any inspection, as aging teak deck installations can hide moisture intrusion in the underlying fiberglass.

Among the commonly seen secondary equipment, air conditioning, hot water systems, dinghy davits, cockpit showers, and swim platforms appear on a meaningful share of listings, particularly on boats that spent time in tropical charter regions. Life rafts are often present but should be verified for currency regardless.

Owner upgrades tell an interesting story about how people actually use these boats. Watermakers, AIS, heating systems, and various sail-handling improvements — furling mains, asymmetric spinnakers, and cruising kites — appear on boats whose owners pushed them toward extended offshore passagemaking. Lithium battery banks are a more recent upgrade seen on boats that have been actively maintained and modernized by engaged owners.

What to Inspect

At this age and size, a professional survey is a non-negotiable starting point. The hull is fiberglass construction, and osmotic blistering is a possibility on any boat from this era; a moisture meter reading across the hull and keel area should be part of every survey without exception.

The keel deserves particular attention. The bulb-fin configuration is efficient and contributes meaningfully to the boat's stiffness, but keel-to-hull joint integrity should be checked carefully — a common inspection point on fin-keel boats of this generation. Look for staining, cracking, or movement at the joint, and verify that the keel bolts have been inspected within a reasonable service interval.

The Yanmar or Perkins diesel should be assessed with a compression test and a review of service records. At the hours that many of these boats have accumulated — especially ex-charter examples — impellers, heat exchangers, and raw-water cooling systems deserve close scrutiny. Running rigging and standing rigging age at different rates depending on use and climate; a boat that spent years in UV-intense tropical or Mediterranean conditions may need a full rig replacement regardless of visual appearance.

Teak deck installations, where present, are a specific liability. Water ingress beneath teak decks can cause core delamination that is expensive to repair and easy to miss on a casual inspection. Probe methodically, especially around deck hardware, hatches, and any area where the teak shows checking or separation at the seams.

Interior joinery and upholstery condition varies enormously between private-owner boats and ex-charter boats that saw heavy rotation with multiple crews. Inspect all through-hulls, seacocks, and the raw-water systems carefully — deferred maintenance on these items is common across the used fleet.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Beneteau 50 enjoys a genuinely global used market. Listings surface widely across the United States East and West coasts, the Caribbean — particularly Martinique — and in large numbers throughout the Mediterranean basin, especially France, Croatia, and Spain. Australia also maintains a healthy supply. This breadth of availability means buyers are not geographically constrained, though it also means bringing a knowledgeable surveyor into a distant location may add meaningful cost to the acquisition.

Before making an offer, verify:

• Survey by a qualified marine surveyor with specific fiberglass experience
• Moisture readings across hull, deck, and keel area
• Keel-to-hull joint condition and keel bolt inspection history
• Engine hours, service records, and compression test
• Standing rigging age and inspection documentation
• Teak deck condition and underlying core integrity
• All through-hulls and seacocks operable and in serviceable condition
• Life raft service date and hydrostatic release currency
• Ownership and charter history, including any class association records
• Sailing trial under power and sail in representative conditions