Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48-2 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a used Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48-2 means looking at a 48-foot offshore cruiser launched from 2015 onward, built around a pilot saloon that blends indoor and outdoor living. These are modern balsa-cored composite yachts with a single 110-horsepower Yanmar diesel, and the used fleet tends to show as well-equipped bluewater boats rather than stripped racers.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin arrangements are the more common configuration among used 48-2s, though both layout variants appear. Ex-charter examples are common, so buyers should expect some with heavier wear and a more utilitarian fit-out alongside privately maintained boats. The saloon itself stays bright and roomy, with the transom folding to a swim platform and a tender garage accessed from the cockpit — features that carry through regardless of cabin count.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Most used 48-2s come heavily equipped for independent cruising. Power and energy systems commonly include a generator, inverter, lithium batteries, and a watermaker, meaning a buyer can expect real off-grid range rather than weekend-only capability. For sail handling and canvas, furling main, electric winches, bow thruster, autopilot, bimini, and an asymmetric spinnaker or code zero are commonly fitted, supporting short-handed passages. Navigation is usually complete with chartplotter, AIS, radar, and autopilot, while comfort items such as air conditioning, heating, teak decks, and a washing machine appear on many boats. Solar and a self-tacking jib are often seen as mid-tier additions; a wind generator or Starlink remain less common owner upgrades.
What to Inspect
The 48-2 centers on build and layout rather than defects, so a survey should focus on the usual composite and systems points. Verify the balsa-cored hull and deck for any moisture intrusion at penetrations, given the core construction modern Wauquiez construction incorporates the resin infusion process using a balsa core. Check the transom swim-platform hinge and tender garage seals for wear, especially on ex-charter boats where the access sees frequent use. Confirm the helm-station winches and led-aft control lines are serviceable, since the small-crew concept depends on them oversized winches placed at the helm station.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These yachts typically appear in France, Denmark, French Polynesia, and the United States. For a buyer, the checklist is straightforward: confirm three-cabin versus alternative layout, assess charter history, verify core integrity, test the tender garage and swim platform, and inventory the generator, watermaker, and lithium bank. A well-kept 48-2 offers a modern, light-filled bluewater platform with serious equipment already aboard.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48-2. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 8 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 | 1 | $140,484 | — |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $235,058 | +67.3% |
| Nov 25 | 2 | $809,270 | +244.3% |
| Apr 26 | 6 | $808,914 | -0.0% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $783,525 | -3.1% |
| Jul 26 | 2 | $279,830 | -64.3% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $134,319 | -52.0% |
| Oct 26 | 1 | $582,047 | +333.3% |
Where they're listed
Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48-2 listings appear across 5 countries. Denmark has the most listings with 5 (38.5%), followed by France and Portugal.
Country view
13 listings · 5 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | $809,270 | 5 | 0 | 38.5% |
| France | $783,525 | 4 | 0 | 30.8% |
| Portugal | $279,830 | 2 | 2 | 15.4% |
| Croatia | $582,047 | 1 | 1 | 7.7% |
| French Polynesia | $134,319 | 1 | 1 | 7.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
8 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance 482 | 48.26' | $ 1,549,000 | 34 | 12 |
| Swan 48 | 48.49' | $ 554,064 | 21 | 6 |
| Cambria 48 | 48.92' | $ 79,500 | 18 | 4 |
| Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 47 | 47.08' | $ 387,000 | 14 | 3 |
| Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48-2You are here | — | $ 783,525 | 13 | 4 |
| Moody 48 DS | 50.59' | $ 1,117,005 | 9 | 4 |
| Nautor Swan Swan 48-2 | 49.51' | $ 778,488 | 6 | 0 |
| Hylas 48 | 48' | $ 1,762,286 | 4 | 4 |