Seafarer 45 Buyer's Guide
The Seafarer 45 is a 45-foot racer-cruiser designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in the Netherlands by Werf Gusto from 1961, later imported to the United States by Seafarer Yachts and briefly sold as the Sailmaster 45. As a used boat it offers a fiberglass hull with teak and mahogany trim, a masthead sloop or optional yawl rig, and an eight-berth interior that still reads as practical today.
Layouts on the Used Market
The boat was offered in sloop and yawl configurations, both around 25,000 pounds displacement with a 6.42-foot standard keel draft. The sloop is S&S design #1618 and the yawl #1618.1 with a mizzen. Inside, buyers will find a bow V-berth, main-cabin settees and pilot berths, and an aft double, served by two heads and a port-side U-galley opposite a starboard nav station. The 250-gallon water tank and 55-gallon fuel capacity define the cruising envelope regardless of rig.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The standard Gray Marine 491 gasoline engine is the notable original fitment, used for docking rather than propulsion at sea. Period galleys carried a three-burner stove, ice box, and sink; a buyer should expect these to have been modernized or to need it. The rig choice remains the principal distinction between individual used boats.
What to Inspect
The Seafarer 45's construction is predominantly fiberglass with wood trim, so check the mahogany and teak for rot where it meets deck hardware and the hull-to-deck joint, a common failure point on aged trim. The fixed modified long keel with cutaway forefoot should be examined for grounding damage forward of the leading edge, since that shape exposes the forefoot to impact. With a keel-mounted rudder and wheel steering, inspect the rudder post and bearing for play, and confirm the wheel linkage is free. The Gray Marine 491 gasoline engine demands fuel-system scrutiny: look for stale lines, tank corrosion, and vapor-risk wiring given the 55-gallon gasoline capacity.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
- Confirm rig identity as sloop #1618 or yawl #1618.1
- Check wood trim and deck joints for rot
- Inspect forefoot and keel for impact damage
- Test rudder and wheel steering for free play
- Survey gasoline engine fuel system thoroughly
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
2 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dufour Classic 45 | 45.92' | $ 107,877 | 10 | 1 |
| Oyster 45 | 44.33' | $ 289,320 | 4 | 0 |