Ocean 62 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Southern Ocean Shipyard built the Ocean 62 to a reputation for Lloyd's Register standards, and the hull is hand-laid, heavy-duty glassfibre reinforced polyester. The robust GRP construction underpins a boat meant for self-sufficient ocean voyaging, and most original models left the yard with thick teak decks. A defining feature of many units is the optional hydraulic centreboard, which gives a versatile draft range: roughly 6'7" with the board up and 9'10" with it down. That mechanism lets the skipper trade windward bite for the ability to creep into shallow harbours that other 60-footers cannot reach.

Rig and Handling

The Ocean 62 was offered in sloop, standard ketch, and staysail ketch configurations, with the staysail ketch often regarded as the most desirable for serious cruising. That rig splits the foretriangle with an inner forestay so a staysail can be flown beside a high-cut yankee, making sail changes less demanding for a short crew. The staysail ketch carries a 555-square-foot main, a 1,166-square-foot 150% genoa, a 280–320-square-foot staysail, and a total upwind area near 1,721 square feet, on a 64-foot forestay and 58'6" main hoist. With the board down she points reasonably well; with it up, windward work suffers but shoal draft opens quiet anchorages.

Performance Profile

Her design ratios describe a vessel that will look after its crew in a gale, giving a stable platform and predictable motion. The displacement-length ratio of 232 and sail-area-displacement ratio of 18.5 confirm a heavy hull that needs wind to overcome wetted surface, yet she carries momentum like a freight train. In a 15-knot reach, expect 7.5 to 8.5 knots, and the capsize screening figure of 1.58 with a Brewer comfort ratio of 42.5 places her firmly in the bluewater cruiser class.

Accommodations

The typical layout holds four cabins for up to eight guests with strong privacy, suited to long-term living. The deep, well-protected cockpit is built for heavy-weather watches rather than lounging, and the galley is a liveaboard highlight, often a longitudinal U-shape that braces the cook under way. Tankage is massive, with many boats carrying over 1,200 litres each of fuel and fresh water, supporting extended independent passage-making.

Known Issues and Ownership Notes

Engine access is generally through large engine rooms, but the original fuel tanks should be checked for internal corrosion. Beyond that structural and systems caution, the principal ownership consideration is the hydraulic centreboard on equipped boats: its system demands attentive maintenance to preserve the shallow-draft advantage.

The Verdict

The Ocean 62 is a purpose-built heavy cruiser with the volume, tankage, and motion comfort for sustained offshore life. Her centreboard and staysail-ketch options make her adaptable, though she is no light-air sprinter.

Pros