Discovery 50 Catamaran Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Dixon Yacht Design drew the lines for a boat conceived from the outset for short-handed bluewater voyaging, and the construction follows a traditional, conservative path rather than the resin-infused methods Discovery later adopted on larger monohulls. The hulls are hand-laid fiberglass with solid laminate, while the decks are sandwich construction, and the bulkheads are bonded to both hull and deck for structural continuity. The catamaran carries relatively low freeboard and fine bows, traits that keep the profile sleek but counsel against overloading the forward ends. High bridgedeck clearance and wide side decks speak to the practical priorities of former monohull owners, a group that has made up the entirety of the boat's buyers to date. Large, curved cabin ports integrate into the hulls, and tall tinted vertical ports flood the interior with light while giving the boat a purposeful look.

Rig and Handling

Ease of handling by two people drove the standard rig: an in-mast furling mainsail paired with a twin headsail setup, offering a choice of genoa or self-tacking jib on furlers that can be powered if desired. A traditional main with full battens and a larger roach remains an option for those who want more light-air drive. The mainsheet traveler sits on the aft beam to permit a long boom, though trimming beneath a hard bimini is awkward despite hatches above. Powered winches are standard, and a reversible remotely operated mainsheet winch is available. Twin 57-horsepower Yanmar engines spaced well apart let the boat spin in its own length, with thrusters offered as an option. Writing in Cruising World, test sailors found her barreling along at eight to nine knots in winds in the teens, while a British review noted a consistent, comfortable motion with no pitching or slamming in a wind-against-tide chop, averaging 8.5 knots deep-reaching under Code sail and full main in 20–23 knots of true wind.

Accommodations

The interior layout evolved from an earlier full-beam forward master cabin that lacked headroom to a more conventional three- or four-cabin arrangement with cabins at either end of the hulls. A standout is the master cabin running the full width of the bridgedeck forward of the mast, nearly 22 feet wide and fitted with a separate seating area, a desk, and his-and-her heads. Guest cabins offer twin berths that join into doubles, each with its own head and innerspring mattresses; one early review described a queen bunk in one cabin and twins in the other. Natural light and ventilation improved significantly in the revised version, with vertical portlights, large triangular coachroof windows, and forward hatches providing escape to the foredeck. The main deck living area now enjoys almost all-round views, and the forward-facing nav station allows a watchkeeper to stand protected with sight of the mainsail through a hatch above. A large U-shape galley with fiddled Corian surfaces and deep stowage, plus options for additional fridges or freezers in the hulls, rounds out the sea-going domestic plan.

Cockpit and Deck Life

The aft cockpit sits beneath a hard roof that closes off with canopies for cold-weather protection, seating six at the table with three more on the starboard settee and stowage below. Huge sail lockers in each forepeak swallow sails and fenders, and oversized mooring cleats and ground tackle reflect the builder's concern for real-world berthing. Forward coachroof portholes pass food and drink to a forward cockpit, extending the social deck space.

Refits and Ownership

The model line has been revitalized in recent years, including the Bluewater 50 designation. Large engine rooms aft in each hull make oil checks and filter changes straightforward, a real advantage for owner-maintained boats. The optional hot tub remains an indulgent hallmark for those inclined.

The Verdict

The Discovery 50 Catamaran is a thoughtfully executed bluewater cat that punches above its length in livability, trading some raw speed for comfort, safety, and genuine short-handed control. Its construction is conventional rather than exotic, and its accommodation plan—especially the bridgedeck master—remains distinctive among 50-foot cats.

Pros