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1981 Formosa 51
other
used
Listed 0 days ago
Specifications
Make
Formosa
Model
51
Year
1981
Length
50.8ft (15.5m)
Beam
4.29m
Draft
1.88m
Hull Material
GRP/fibreglass
Engine
Ford Lehman 120hp, 6-cyl diesel engine
Fuel Type
diesel
Location
Fethiye, Turkey
Equipment & Extras
- Displacement
- 23,587 kg
- Length waterline
- 12.06 metres
- 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
- Borg Warner gearbox
- Shaft drive to three-blade prop
- 8.5kW Northern Lights generator
- Machinery recently serviced in 2024
- Bowthruster (2016)
- 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
- 800 liters Fuel capacity in GFK tank
- 700 liters Water capacity in GFK tank
- 2 x Holding tanks
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 2 x Winches XT40
- 2 x Winches XT 44 (2016)
Description
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)
Change History
1 event trackedNew listing appeared
via TheYachtMarket
3 hours ago
Financing Calculator
Financing Calculator
Estimate the true monthly cost of owning the 1981 Formosa 51.
£
15%
(£13,696)
10%
50%
6.9%
4.9%
9.9%
Monthly Finance Payment
£897
£77,613 over 10 years at 6.9% APR
Monthly Running Costs (estimated)
Mooring / berthing
£552
Insurance
£114
Maintenance
£213
Fuel
£292
Running costs subtotal
£1,171/mo
True Monthly Cost
£2,068
Finance + running costs combined
Finance 43%
Running costs 57%
Total Interest
£30,045
Total Cost (finance)
£121,354
Can I afford this?
£
These are estimates for illustration only. Actual rates, terms, and running costs will vary. Always seek independent financial advice before committing to marine finance.
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Boat location
Fethiye, Turkey
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Indicative estimate only. Actual costs may vary. Road distances are approximated. Crane lift and haulage costs depend on boat weight, beam, and access. Always obtain quotes from specialist boat transport companies before committing.
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