Design and Construction
The Ocean 62 measures 48 feet on the waterline and 15'3" in beam. She displaces 57,320 pounds and carries 19,840 pounds of lead ballast.
Southern Ocean Shipyard built the boat to a reputation for Lloyd's Register standards, using hand-laid, heavy-duty glassfibre-reinforced polyester. This robust GRP construction suits a boat intended for self-sufficient ocean voyaging. Most original models also left the yard with thick teak decks.
Many boats have the optional hydraulic centreboard, which provides a versatile draft range of roughly 6'7" with the board up and 9'10" with it down. The skipper can trade windward bite for access to shallow harbours that other 60-footers cannot reach.
Rig and Handling
The Ocean 62 was offered as a sloop, standard ketch, or staysail ketch. The staysail ketch is often regarded as the most desirable configuration for serious cruising. Its inner forestay splits the foretriangle, allowing a staysail to be flown beside a high-cut yankee and making sail changes less demanding for a short crew.
The staysail ketch carries:
- A 555-square-foot mainsail
- A 1,166-square-foot 150% genoa
- A 280–320-square-foot staysail
- Total upwind sail area of about 1,721 square feet
- A 64-foot forestay
- A 58'6" main hoist
With the centreboard down, the Ocean 62 points reasonably well. Windward performance suffers with the board up, but the reduced draft opens up quiet anchorages.
Performance
The Ocean 62’s design ratios describe a stable boat with predictable motion that will look after its crew in a gale. Her displacement-length ratio is 232, while her sail-area-displacement ratio is 18.5. These figures reflect a heavy hull that needs wind to overcome its wetted surface, though once moving she carries momentum like a freight train.
On a reach in 15 knots, expect 7.5 to 8.5 knots. A capsize screening figure of 1.58 and a Brewer comfort ratio of 42.5 place her firmly in the bluewater-cruiser class.
Accommodation and Tankage
The typical layout has four cabins for up to eight guests and offers strong privacy for long-term living. The deep, well-protected cockpit is arranged for heavy-weather watches rather than lounging.
The galley is a liveaboard highlight. It is often a longitudinal U-shape, which helps brace the cook under way.
Tankage is substantial. Many boats carry more than 1,200 litres each of fuel and fresh water, supporting extended, independent passagemaking.
Ownership Considerations
Engine access is generally through large engine rooms. The original fuel tanks should be checked for internal corrosion.
On centreboard-equipped boats, the hydraulic centreboard is the principal additional ownership consideration. Its system requires attentive maintenance to preserve the boat’s shallow-draft advantage. The thick teak decks fitted to most original boats also require upkeep.
The Verdict
The Ocean 62 is a purpose-built heavy cruiser with the volume, tankage, and motion comfort needed for sustained offshore life. The optional centreboard and staysail-ketch rig make her adaptable, though she’s no light-air sprinter.
Pros
- Heavy-displacement GRP hull with lead ballast and strong sea-keeping ratios
- Optional hydraulic centreboard providing a 6'7"–9'10" draft range
- Staysail-ketch rig that eases short-handed sail handling
- Four-cabin layout, U-shaped galley, and deep offshore cockpit
- Large fuel and water capacity for long passages
Cons
- Needs wind to overcome wetted surface
- Sluggish upwind with the centreboard raised
- Original fuel tanks are prone to internal corrosion
- Thick teak decks on most original boats require upkeep
