Design and Construction
Valentijn's 51-foot design was built by the American yard Endeavour Yacht Corporation in fiberglass, with both hull and deck executed as a balsa-cored sandwich construction that the period review credited with improving comfort below sandwich construction which improves the indoor climate. The use of balsa as core material demands that any work penetrating the sandwich be handled so water cannot reach the core balsa wood is used as sandwich core material. The yacht was drawn with a winged rudder and a winged keel, though some hulls carried only the winged keel. Keel options spanned a standard 7-foot-6-inch draft, a 5-foot shoal winged keel, and a 5-foot-8-inch winged keel introduced in 1989, while the review also notes fin-keel and wing-keel variants with drafts that govern marina access.
Rig and Handling
The Endeavour 51 is a masthead sloop whose sail plan measures 1,238 square feet at 100 percent, broken into a 523-square-foot mainsail and a 714-square-foot foretriangle, with an I of 66 feet, J of 21 feet 67 inches, P of 57 feet 5 inches, and E of 18 feet. With the ISO reference sail the SA/D ratio is 15.4 and with a 135 percent genoa it rises to 18.5. The displacement-length ratio of 222 places her among moderate racers by that metric, and the capsize screening value of 1.79 would, by that formula alone, admit her to ocean races capsize screening value for Endeavour 51 is 1.79. Her theoretical displacement hull speed is 8.7 knots, and the motion comfort ratio of 34.8 signals a steady sea boat.
Accommodations
Below, the Endeavour 51 was offered in charter and private-owner layouts. The charter version placed two aft cabins, each with its own head, while the private layout substituted a single aft master stateroom and head. Forward, a traditional v-berth was followed by two quarter berths, one to port and one to starboard. The yacht is equipped with 3/4 cabins and 6/8 berths with a galley, and her 7-foot headroom sits above average for the class.
Equipment and Power
The standard auxiliary was a Perkins 4-236 rated at 85 horsepower with a 1.9-to-1 reduction gear and a 62-amp alternator, though the review notes some boats may carry an inboard Yanmar diesel instead. Fuel capacity is listed at 100 gallons diesel in the manufacturer spec and 159 gallons in the review, while fresh water is given as 300 gallons with hot and cold in the spec and 399 US gallons in the review.
The Verdict
The Endeavour 51 is a substantial center-cockpit cruiser whose Valentijn design and balsa-cored fiberglass construction deliver a roomy, steady platform with multiple keel and layout choices for long-range living. The split between charter and owner layouts, the generous beam, and the tall sail plan make her a capable voyager, though the balsa core demands disciplined through-deck work.
Pros
- Three or four cabins with 6 to 8 berths and above-average 7-foot headroom
- Winged keel and shoal options reduce draft for wider marina access
- 17,300-pound ballast and 34.8 comfort ratio for stable motion
Cons
- Balsa sandwich core vulnerable if penetrated by deck hardware work
- Conflicting fuel and water tankage figures across sources
- Fin-keel draft limits many marinas to major facilities
