Moorings 50.5 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Moorings 50.5 is characterized by its powerful, modern hull shape featuring a relatively fine entry and a broad beam carried well aft. This design provides significant initial stability, which is essential for the comfort of charter guests. Under sail, the boat is surprisingly nimble for its 28,000-pound displacement. With a Sail Area/Displacement ratio typically hovering around 20, it possesses enough power to move effectively in light airs while remaining stiff enough to handle 20+ knots of wind under a shortened sail plan.

Handling is facilitated by a twin-wheel configuration, which provides excellent visibility from the windward side and creates an unobstructed corridor from the companionway to the sugar-scoop transom. According to editorial reviews of the underlying Oceanis 50 platform by Sail Magazine, the design emphasizes a balanced helm and ease of movement. The boat typically utilizes an in-mast furling mainsail and a 110% to 140% overlapping genoa. While the furling main sacrifices some aerodynamic efficiency compared to a full-battened classic main, it allows for effortless reefing from the safety of the cockpit. The hull tracks well upwind due to its deep fin keel, though like many high-volume Mediterranean-style cruisers, it excels most on a broad reach where the waterline length can be fully leveraged.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Moorings 50.5 is a masterclass in spatial optimization. While the private owner’s version (Oceanis 50) often featured a three-cabin layout with a massive forward master suite, the Moorings 50.5 was almost exclusively delivered in a "5+1" configuration. This includes four double-berth cabins (two aft, two forward), a lateral bunk cabin (usually to port), and often a separate "crew" V-berth in the extreme bow accessed through a deck hatch.

The salon is centered around a large U-shaped settee to starboard and a linear or L-shaped galley. Materials typically feature Alpi fruitwood veneers and molded fiberglass liners for durability and ease of maintenance in a tropical environment. Natural light is abundant thanks to the distinctive "eyebrow" coachroof windows and multiple Lewmar deck hatches. Ventilation, a critical factor for a boat designed for Caribbean and Mediterranean service, is excellent. Sibling models include the four-cabin Moorings 50.4, which removed the lateral bunk cabin to provide more expansive head compartments, and the "Club" versions which were often outfitted with slightly more robust hardware for high-frequency use.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers transitioning a Moorings 50.5 from charter service to private use should focus on the following high-signal technical areas:

• Grid and Hull Attachment: Like many Beneteau models of this era, the 50.5 uses an internal fiberglass grid (liner) bonded to the hull. Inspectors should look for "crazing" in the gelcoat near the mast step and keel bolts, which can indicate structural stress if the vessel suffered a grounding during its charter career.
• Electrical System Load: Charter boats often run air conditioning and refrigeration systems constantly. Review the health of the DC wiring and look for signs of heat damage at the panel or the battery terminal connections.
• Standing Rigging: Many Moorings 50.5 units have spent their lives in high-UV environments like the BVI or the South Pacific. If the standing rigging is original (approaching the 10-year mark), it should be considered a mandatory replacement item regardless of visual appearance.
• Rudder Bearing Wear: The twin-wheel system involves a complex series of cables and sheaves. Excess "play" or a notched feeling in the steering often points to worn rudder bearings or cables that have stretched beyond their adjustment limits.
• Engine Hours: Expect high hours on the Yanmar diesel engines (often 75hp or 110hp variants). While these engines are workhorses, the heat exchangers and mixing elbows are common failure points that require specific attention during a survey.

Community & Resources

Owners of the Moorings 50.5 benefit from the massive global footprint of the Beneteau brand. Technical support and parts are readily available through the Beneteau Group dealer network. For specific technical discussions regarding the Moorings-specific modifications (such as the bespoke electrical panels or charter-spec plumbing), the Moorings Owners Group serves as an informal but vital repository of information for those who have purchased these boats "ex-charter."

The Verdict

The Moorings 50.5 is a robust, high-volume cruiser that offers one of the best "price-per-foot" values on the used market. While it lacks the artisanal finish of a boutique bluewater cruiser, its Berret-Racoupeau pedigree ensures it is a capable and safe coastal and offshore passage-maker.

Pros:

• Exceptional interior volume and sleeping capacity for large families or groups.
• Logical, uncluttered cockpit design ideal for tropical climates and entertaining.
• Proven hull design that balances stability with respectable cruising speeds.
• Wide availability of parts and service manuals due to the Beneteau partnership.

Cons:

• Ex-charter units often show significant cosmetic wear and high engine hours.
• The 5-cabin layout can feel "chopped up" compared to more open private versions.
• The in-mast furling system, while convenient, limits performance in light air compared to a traditional slab-reefing setup.