Design and Construction
The 53 carries 43,200 pounds of displacement on a 42-foot-2-inch waterline, yielding a displacement-to-length ratio of 256 that the design review credited with providing plenty of interior volume anchor. Her beam of 15 feet 1 inch and ballast of 18,000 pounds of lead give her the stability expected of a serious cruiser. The hull is an Airex-cored fiberglass layup with a Divinycell foam-cored deck, and the lead ballast is internal, cast in place around the centerboard trunk anchor. A low raised wedge on the foredeck adds to the subdued excitement of the design, while a teak handrail-coaming extension keeps the profile low and handsome for a center-cockpit yacht anchor. Seven Dorades sit forward of the mast for ventilation.
Rig and Handling
The sail plan is built around a Stoway spar with two babystays and the spinnaker pole stowed on the mast anchor. A Stoway main pairs with roller-furling jib and staysail, which the reviewing designer noted reduces the big sloop to a pussycat under short-handed control anchor. A hydraulic vang and an inboard standing backstay complete the notable rig details anchor. The centerboard keel allows the draft to range from 5 feet 1 inch up to 11 feet 4 inches, letting the owner choose shallow gunkholing or deep-weatherly performance. Sail area measures 1,278 square feet in sloop-cutter configuration and 1,371 square feet with the larger rig.
Accommodations and Layout
Below, the 53 makes use of her volume with a center-cockpit layout. One quirk the design review flagged is that the rudderstock intrudes upon the head of the berth anchor, a consequence of the spade rudder and internal ballast trunk geometry that a buyer should view in person. Storage is generous, with a big lazarette aft for cruising gear anchor. Tankage is substantial for extended passages: 175 gallons of water and 310 gallons of fuel support the Westerbeke 100-horsepower diesel auxiliary anchor.
The Verdict
The Little Harbor 53 is a thoughtfully engineered Hood cruiser that trades spectacle for composure. The centerboard hull, furling rig, and deep tankage mark her as a serious passagemaker, though the rudderstock intrusion is a real compromise in the sleeping arrangement.
Pros
- Versatile 5'1"–11'4" centerboard draft for coastal and offshore use
- Airex-cored hull with internal lead ballast around the board trunk
- Stoway and roller-furling rig simplifies handling of a large sloop
- Substantial 175-gallon water and 310-gallon fuel capacity
Cons
- Rudderstock intrudes into the head of the berth
