Design and Construction
The 50 MS pairs a solid fiberglass hull with a long, full keel of lead lead long keel, the kind of heavy-cruiser underbody that defines its motion and ground-tackle manners. At a displacement-load ratio of 314, the design falls squarely among what reviewers classify as heavy cruisers, and its 35 percent ballast ratio sits within a hull that draws between 5.31 and 5.61 feet depending on load. The wetted surface runs about 322 square feet, and the immersion rate of 1,001 pounds per inch tells you how reluctantly she changes trim — a number that matters when you are loading tanks for a long stay aboard. Carl Andersson's mid-seventies lines give a length-to-beam ratio of 3.37, a moderate beamy proportion for the era, and the capsize screening value of 1.68 plus a motion comfort ratio of 34.2 place her in the stable, forgiving end of the cruising spectrum.
Rig and Handling
Buyers could specify the 50 MS with either a masthead sloop rig or a ketch, and both share identical sheet specifications: jib and genoa sheets of 34.9 feet at 0.55-inch diameter, a 87.4-foot mainsheet, and a 76.9-foot spinnaker sheet. The ketch option naturally extends the boat's versatility under shortened sail, while the masthead rig keeps the sail plan conventional. With a 75 hp Volvo Penta MD21A diesel on a shaft drive available, the motor-sailer brief is clear — she can press on when the wind fades. The theoretical hull speed for a displacement hull of this length is 7.1 knots, while the calculated maximum speed is about 8.8 knots, and the boat's draft keeps her into most marinas despite the full keel.
Accommodations
Below, the 50 MS is laid out with two cabins and 4+2 berths, a galley, a toilet facility, and an interior of mahogany that period builders favored for warmth and finish. Headroom is above average for a boat of this size, which makes living aboard through a northern winter or a long cruise far more tolerable. Tankage is practical for extended stays: 200 liters of fresh water and 100 liters of waste water, matched by a 100-liter diesel tank. The two-cabin arrangement and six-berth count suggest a boat pitched at a cruising couple with guests rather than a charter crowd.
The Verdict
The Vindö 50 MS is a thoughtfully conceived mid-seventies motor-sailer from Nötesunds Varv AB, with the stability and tankage for real cruising and a choice of rigs to suit owner preference. Her heavy-cruiser numbers and long-keel manners will not appeal to speed seekers, but for a couple wanting a solid, roomy base afloat she remains a coherent design.
Pros
- Stable heavy-cruiser hull with lead long keel and above-average headroom
- Choice of masthead or ketch rig with documented sheet specs
- Practical tankage: 200 L water, 100 L waste, 100 L fuel
- Mahogany interior with two cabins and 4+2 berths
Cons
- Full keel and 314 DL-ratio limit agility and pace
- Some hulls built at yards beyond the original Nötesunds Varv AB
