The Herreshoff Caribbean 50 is a seaworthy ketch-rigged sailing yacht, designed by Halsey Herreshoff and built in 1983 by D. Cheng Boat Builders Ltd. in Hong Kong. This vessel is specifically designed for long-distance cruising and tropical conditions. With a length of 16.64 meters (54.6 feet), a beam of 4.27 meters (14 feet), and a draft of 1.80 meters, this yacht offers a spacious and functional layout, suitable for both living aboard and ocean voyages.
Construction and Hull
The hull is made of hand-laminated polyester with a round bilge shape. The construction is reinforced with longitudinal stringers measuring 5 cm x 5 cm at 60 cm intervals, contributing to structural rigidity. The hull and deck are joined with an overlapping connection. The bulkheads are made of 19 mm plywood and finished with teak in the interior. The keel features an encapsulated centerboard (currently sealed), originally intended for improved upwind performance.
Interior and Layout
The interior is designed with comfort and functionality in mind. The headroom is 1.80 meters. There are six fixed berths and two additional berths possible by lowering the dining table. The forward cabin has three bunks, while the spacious aft cabin is equipped with a raised bed, a navigation station, a separate shower and toilet, and ample storage space. The central salon contains a U-shaped galley on the port side and a dining area on the starboard side. The galley is equipped with a Shipmate 3-burner gas stove with oven, double stainless steel sinks, a pressurized water system, a seawater pump, and a six-stage drinking water filtration system.
Engine and Technical Details
The propulsion is provided by a Perkins 6354 diesel engine with 120 hp, coupled to a Borg Warner 72C transmission. The engine has approximately 4000 operating hours and is equipped with a 1¾ inch stainless steel propeller shaft with a bronze stuffing box and a three-blade bronze propeller. A spare aluminum four-blade propeller is available. The engine room is easily accessible via the passage to the aft cabin and through the cockpit hatch. Various spare parts are available, including a complete overhaul kit, injectors, an extra water pump, and an alternator.
Electrical Installation and Power Supply
The electrical installation is extensive and suitable for long-term stays on board. There are 1100 watts of solar panels with two Victron controllers, a 200Ah alternator with an external Balmar regulator, a 2kW Victron inverter, and 800Ah of LiFePO4 batteries, plus a separate 150Ah starting battery. The onboard voltage is 12V and 220V. Shore power connection, wind generator, and battery charger are also present.
Navigation and Equipment
The navigation equipment includes a Raymarine autopilot, Dragonfly chartplotter/depth sounder, NASA Marine depth sounder and wind meter, Icom VHF (fixed and handheld), AIS transponder, and an Icom 700HF radio with antenna tuner. The steering system consists of a wheel on an Edson pedestal, connected with a cable and quadrant system.
Sail Plan and Rigging
The ship is rigged as a ketch with two aluminum masts. There are six sails: mainsail, mizzen, genoa, jib, storm jib, and gennaker. Additionally, there are spare sails, including an extra mainsail, genoa, and a spinnaker. The genoa is equipped with a new UV strip (2024). The rigging was replaced in 2018 and consists of Hi-Mod compression fittings. The foresails are equipped with furling systems.
Safety and Extras
On board, there is a Viking Pro liferaft for eight people, EPIRB, AIS, gas detection system, smoke detector in the engine room, four fire extinguishers, a fire blanket, and both electric and mechanical bilge pumps. The cockpit is self-draining.
Exterior Equipment and Dinghy
The exterior equipment includes a teak deck, bimini, sprayhood, cockpit table, swim ladder, davits, deck covers, fenders, lines, and a guardrail. There are three anchors: a 33 kg Rocna (2017), a 40 kg Danforth, and a 25 kg Delta, with 100 meters of 3/8” chain and an electric Lofrans/Tigres windlass.
The dinghy is a 3.10-meter Cholamark RIB with a 15 hp Yamaha outboard motor and a spare 8 hp motor. Additionally, there is a 25-liter oil-free compressor with a 20-meter hose for hull cleaning.
Navigation
- Wind Instrument
- Speed Instrument
- Plotter
- GPS
- Depth Instrument
- VHF
- Compass
- Autopilot
Rig/Sails
Safety Equipment
Electronics
Galley