Design and Construction
The Comet 51S measures 15.40 meters overall, with a 12.70-meter waterline and a broad 4.70-meter beam. She displaces 13,000 kg and carries a fixed keel drawing 2.90 meters. Her fiberglass hull and long, beamy proportions provide a substantial platform, while 148 square meters of sail area promise a lively boat on the wind.
Vallicelli conceived the hull for dual-purpose service within a cabin-cruiser envelope. The 51S belongs to Comar Yachts’ later design era and reflects the yard’s mature collaboration with Vallicelli, rather than the earlier Finot-era generation of Comets.
Rig and Handling
The Comet 51S carries a sloop rig with 148 square meters of sail, using a single headsail-and-mainsail plan intended to deliver powerful performance upwind and on a reach. The standard 2.90-meter fixed keel provides the lateral grip and stability expected of a 15-meter cruiser-racer, while the 12.70-meter waterline gives her a long, steady footprint under way.
A Yanmar 100 cv engine with S-drive provides auxiliary power for harbor maneuvering and motoring in light conditions.
Accommodations
The standard owner’s layout has three cabins, two toilets, and eight berths, making it suitable for cruising with guests. Comar also offered a charter version with four cabins, two toilets, and accommodation for ten. Those alternatives show how the hull could serve either private or commercial programs.
The cabin-cruiser designation and cruising/regatta brief point to an interior planned around livable volume rather than minimum racing weight.
Verdict
The Comet 51S is a Vallicelli-designed, Comar-built fiberglass sloop that bridges cruising comfort and regatta capability. Her length, beam, and sail plan make her a roomy, well-canvased 15-meter yacht, while the choice of owner and charter layouts broadens her appeal.
Pros
- 15.40-meter hull and 4.70-meter beam provide generous volume
- 148 square meters of sail on a sloop rig support strong performance
- Choice of three-cabin owner’s or four-cabin charter layouts
- Yanmar 100 cv auxiliary with S-drive
Cons
- The 2.90-meter fixed-keel draft limits access to shallow water
- The 13,000 kg displacement is substantial for light-air agility
