1981 Formosa 51

1981 Formosa 51 Ketch – Proven Ocean Cruiser with Recent Investment

This 1981 Formosa 51 is a substantial, ocean-capable ketch built for serious bluewater cruising. Designed with the traditional strength and character that Formosa yachts are known for, she offers a solid cruising platform with the reassuring motion and stability expected of a long-keel yacht.

Her teak decks were renewed in 2021, and a comprehensive osmosis treatment was completed in 2024, providing long-term hull protection. The long cast iron keel and keel-hung rudder give directional stability offshore and a forgiving motion at sea.

Power is provided by a Ford Lehman 120hp diesel engine, recently serviced, supported by an 8.5kW Northern Lights generator. A bow thruster (installed 2016) assists with close-quarters manoeuvring. The ketch rig features a 65ft main mast (2019) and a 45ft mizzen mast (2024), along with a full wardrobe of North sails, offering flexibility and balance for passagemaking.

Below deck, KUAN YIN presents a traditional teak interior with accommodation for six across three cabins. The aft master cabin is generous, while the forward cabins provide practical space for guests or crew. The saloon features classic joinery and a wood/coal stove, creating a warm atmosphere in cooler conditions. The linear galley is equipped for extended cruising with a full-size electric oven, gas hobs, and ample refrigeration.

As with many yachts of this era, she offers a strong structural foundation alongside systems that may benefit from ongoing refinement and personalisation to suit a new owner’s cruising plans. For buyers seeking a capable, traditionally built offshore yacht with recent investment in key structural areas, this Formosa 51 represents an opportunity to acquire a serious bluewater platform.

Available through Williams & Smithells International.

Construction
Owners version
White GRP hull with blue bootstrap
Osmosis treatment completed in 2024
Teak laid on GRP decks
New teak laid in 2021
White GRP Centre cockpit superstructure
Long cast iron keel
Keel hung rudder
Wheel steering


Machinery
Ford Lehman 120hp, 6-cyl diesel engine
Borg Warner gearbox
Shaft drive to three-blade prop
8.5kW Northern Lights generator
Machinery recently serviced in 2024
Bowthruster (2016)


Electrics
12v and 220v onboard voltage
220v rewired 2020
3 x 200amp/h Engine and service batteries
200amp/h Generator start battery
Victron Energy 200amp battery charger
Fast cranking facility to main engine
75A alternator on the main engine
Manual regulator for auto charging


Tankage
800 liters Fuel capacity in GFK tank
700 liters Water capacity in GFK tank
2 x Holding tanks


Accommodation
Accommodation for six in three cabins.
Forward V-berth with twin bunk berths to starboard
Forward heads to port opposite twin cabin
Forward heads with shower and wash basin
Saloon with L-shaped seating to starboard
Additional seating to port, with TV unit behind.
Wood/coal free-standing, stainless steel stove with flue to deck.
Central companionway from cockpit.
Water, heater, engine, generator, and refrigeration systems housed in a separate engine room
Services/workshop below
Linear galley to port
Second access stairway to cockpit within center-berthed double stern cabin
Aft double master cabin
Master cabin heads with shower and wash basin
Double berth is 6ft square with additional single berths on either side.
Electric heads and macerators added front heads (2006), back (2010), all renewed in 2019 and maintained in 2024


Domestic
Hot and cold pressurized water system to the galley
Deck wash supplied by a saltwater pressure system
Double stainless-steel sink
Front opening fridge and top opening freezer
Full-size electric oven with 2 electric hobs
2 x Gas hobs renewed in 2016
Electric kettle, Toaster, and Sandwich maker
TV & audio systems
Advantage of electric galley - Every time the generator is activated, it automatically charges batteries, operates the 220v refrigeration system, and supplies the hot water system, if selected.


Deck
1500W 24V Lofrans Tigres horizontal Ø10mm windlass
80lb (36kg) Delta anchor
60lb (27kg) CQR anchor
300' 3/8" (100m) Galvanized chain
Deck lights on the main mast
Spotlights
Swim ladder
Passerelle
3 x 3 Warps
8 fenders
Mooring lines
Sun awnings, winter and summer cockpit covers
Davits on stern


Navigation
Tak Tik wind/speed/direction instruments
2 x Depth sounders
2 x Log/speed displays
Cetrek autopilot connected to hydraulic steering rams, with alternative wheel steering
Magellan GPS
Simrad Navi chartplotter, Touchscreen NSS8 (2014)
Simrad Broadband Radar 3G (2014)
Waeco Cold Machine Series 90 Type CU-96 (2014)
C.Plath Merkur Kompass No. 33345 (2015)
Raymarine Speedlog (2016)
Icom IV M23 marine transceiver (2016)
AIS VM-WMX850 Vesper Marine WatchMate 850 (2020)
Steiner Admirals Cup with Compass and light
Icom VHF transceiver
Fixed full-size chart table


Tenders
GFK Tender boat (fiber), 3m, 2 oars, white with blue stripes (2024)
4HP Suzuki outboard S/N 910685 (2018)
Inflatable boat 2.4m CN-HFU656215616
Additional 2hp Suzuki outboard


Safety
Plastimo 8-person liferaft (2011) mounted on deck
GPS/EPIRB McMurdo (2011)
Life jackets, harnesses for 6 persons
2 x Horseshoe life buoys
Dan buoy
Various flares and lifelines
Fire extinguishers
Emergency steering extension to rudder stocks and tiller
The condition or level of safety equipment on board is not to be negotiated on following survey. It is likely to be listed by most surveyors but is not structural or an integral working part of the vessel and is not to be used to further negotiate the price down after survey. We strongly suggest that for your own personal safety that when purchasing a yacht you provide new safety equipment rather than relying on second hand gear.
Should you become the new owner of this yacht then the responsibility to re-register or update official bodies for items such as EPIRB, VHF, MMSI or AIS becomes yours.


Rig & Sails
Ketch rigged ocean cruiser
White 65ft wooden main mast (2019)
White 45ft wooden mizzen mast (2024)
Stainless steel standing rigging (2014)
Standing rigging maintained by Northsails (2023)
Sails
White Northsails main (2005)
White Northsails mizzen (2005)
White 150% Northsails genoa
White high-cut Yankee
White staysail
Club-footed jib
Storm Jib
Radial head spinnaker with snuffer
Winches
2 x Winches XT40
2 x Winches XT 44 (2016)