Discovery 50 Catamaran Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Dixon Yacht Design drew the Discovery 50 from the outset for short-handed bluewater voyaging. Its construction follows a traditional, conservative approach rather than the resin-infused methods Discovery later adopted for its larger monohulls. The hulls are hand-laid fiberglass with solid laminate, while the decks use sandwich construction. Bulkheads are bonded to both hull and deck for structural continuity.

Relatively low freeboard and fine bows give the catamaran a sleek profile, but they also counsel against overloading the forward ends. High bridgedeck clearance and wide side decks reflect the practical priorities of former monohull owners—a group that has accounted for all of the boat’s buyers to date.

Large, curved cabin ports are integrated into the hulls. Tall, tinted vertical ports bring plenty of light into the interior while giving the boat a purposeful appearance.

Rig, Handling, and Performance

Ease of handling for two people drove the standard rig. It combines an in-mast furling mainsail with twin headsails, giving the crew a choice between a genoa and a self-tacking jib. Both headsails are on furlers, which can be powered if desired. Sailors who want more drive in light air can choose a traditional, fully battened mainsail with a larger roach.

The mainsheet traveler sits on the aft beam, allowing a long boom. Trimming beneath the hard bimini remains awkward, however, despite the hatches above. Powered winches are standard, and a reversible, remotely operated mainsheet winch is available.

Twin 57-horsepower Yanmar engines are set well apart, allowing the boat to spin in its own length. Thrusters are optional.

Writing in Cruising World, test sailors found the Discovery 50 barreling along at eight to nine knots in winds in the teens. A British review reported a consistent, comfortable motion, with no pitching or slamming in a wind-against-tide chop. Deep-reaching under Code sail and full main in 20–23 knots of true wind, the boat averaged 8.5 knots.

Accommodations

The interior 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. Even so, the master cabin remains a standout. It spans the full width of the bridgedeck forward of the mast, measures nearly 22 feet across, and includes a separate seating area, a desk, and his-and-her heads.

Guest cabins have twin berths that convert into doubles, along with individual heads and innerspring mattresses. One early review described a queen bunk in one cabin and twin berths in the other.

The revised version brought significant improvements in natural light and ventilation. Vertical portlights, large triangular coachroof windows, and forward hatches brighten the accommodation; the forward hatches also provide escape to the foredeck. The main-deck living area now has almost all-round views. At the forward-facing navigation station, a watchkeeper can remain protected while viewing the mainsail through an overhead hatch.

A large U-shaped galley has fiddled Corian work surfaces and deep stowage. Additional refrigerators or freezers can be fitted in the hulls, completing the seagoing domestic plan.

Cockpit and Deck

A hard roof shelters the aft cockpit, which can be enclosed with canopies for cold-weather protection. The table seats six, with room for another three people on the starboard settee and stowage beneath.

Huge sail lockers in both forepeaks hold sails and fenders. Oversized mooring cleats and ground tackle reflect the builder’s concern for real-world berthing. Forward coachroof portholes allow food and drinks to be passed to a forward cockpit, extending the boat’s social deck space.

Refits and Ownership

The model line has been revitalized in recent years, including under the Bluewater 50 designation. Large engine rooms aft in each hull make filter changes and oil checks straightforward—a real benefit on an owner-maintained boat.

For those inclined, an optional hot tub remains an indulgent hallmark.

Verdict

The Discovery 50 Catamaran is a thoughtfully executed bluewater cat that offers unusual livability for its length. It trades some outright speed for comfort, safety, and genuine short-handed control. Its construction is conventional rather than exotic, while its accommodation plan—particularly the full-width bridgedeck master—remains distinctive among 50-foot catamarans.

Pros