Design and Construction
The Sunward 48 has a long keel and fiberglass hull, with solid fiberglass below the waterline and a solid fiberglass deck. She carries deep lead ballast. Her 14.25-foot beam and length-to-beam ratio of 3.37 give her the broad, deliberate proportions of a passagemaker rather than a narrow racing boat.
Hull wetted surface is about 581 square feet, and the immersion rate is roughly 1909 lbs/inch, so she settles heavily as weight comes aboard. That characteristic is consistent with her comfort ratio of 54.33 and Motion Comfort Ratio of 60.4; both figures point to a hull that absorbs ocean motion rather than transmitting it. A capsize screening value of 1.49 and theoretical displacement-hull speed of 8.3 knots complete the picture of a stable, voluminous cruiser.
Rig, Handling, and Power
The Sunward 48 carries a ketch rig. By dividing the sail plan, this arrangement keeps individual sails more manageable for a shorthanded crew and provides easier shorthanded handling and redundant drive. Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 11.93, so she is modestly powered for her weight.
The standing and running dimensions are generous. Mainsail, jib, and spinnaker halyards are each 39.4 meters long and 14 mm in diameter. The jib, genoa, mainsheet, and spinnaker sheets range from 14.6 to 36.6 meters and are 16 mm in diameter. The control inventory also includes a 4.6-meter Cunningham, plus a kicking strap and clew outhaul of 9.1 meters each; all three are 14 mm in diameter.
Under power, the 127 hp Detroit diesel option gives a calculated speed of 6.9 knots. A 115 hp Yanmar 4JH4-THE yields about 6.6 knots. Both use shaft drive.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below, the Sunward 48 has two cabins and a mahogany interior, reflecting a traditional joinery choice common among cruisers of her era. The two-cabin plan concentrates space in private areas forward and aft instead of distributing it among more berths. It reads as an arrangement intended for a voyaging couple or family.
A galley, toilet facility, and 120-liter waste-water holding capacity support extended living aboard. Fresh-water capacity is substantial at 1,900 liters, while the fiberglass fuel tank holds 1,200 liters. Those capacities suit long, independent cruises.
The Verdict
The Sunward 48 is a purpose-built heavy cruiser with the stability and tankage for serious passagemaking, a manageable ketch rig, and a traditional mahogany interior. Her ultra-heavy displacement, strong comfort ratios, and substantial lead ballast describe a boat that favors seakindliness and self-sufficiency over speed or sport. Two engine alternatives and shaft drive keep the propulsion arrangements mechanically straightforward.
Pros
- Ultra-heavy cruising hull with 16,500 lb of lead ballast and 50,000 lb displacement for offshore stability
- Ketch rig divides the sail area for easier handling
- Generous 1,900 L water and 1,200 L fuel capacities for long-range cruising
- Motion Comfort Ratio of 60.4 and capsize screening value of 1.49
Cons
- Modest sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 11.93 limits light-air performance
- Two cabins may feel limiting for larger crews
