1981 Formosa 51 Ketch – Classic Ocean Cruiser with Modern Comforts
This 1981 Formosa 51 is a beautifully maintained ketch designed for true ocean cruising. She combines timeless style with thoughtful upgrades, offering both elegance and reliability. Her teak decks, laid in 2021, add beauty and secure footing. In addition, a full osmosis treatment in 2024 ensures lasting hull integrity. With her long cast iron keel and keel-hung rudder, she sails with the stability every bluewater sailor seeks.
Power comes from a fully serviced Ford Lehman 120hp diesel engine, supported by an 8.5kW Northern Lights generator. Together they provide strength and self-sufficiency at sea. A bowthruster, installed in 2016, makes docking and tight maneuvers simple. Moreover, her ketch rig is well-prepared with a 65ft main mast (2019), a 45ft mizzen mast (2024), and a full wardrobe of Northsail sails.
Below deck, the yacht offers inviting space for six guests. The aft master cabin is spacious, while forward cabins provide comfort for family or crew. The saloon is warm and welcoming, with fine woodwork and a wood/coal stove that adds charm on cooler nights. Furthermore, the galley is fully equipped with a full-size electric oven, two gas hobs, and generous refrigeration, making life aboard practical for long passages.
Her proven design, combined with recent upgrades, makes this Formosa 51 an ideal choice for those seeking adventure and comfort on the open sea. Contact Williams & Smithells International, specialists in sluewater cruisers, to arrange a viewing and begin your next voyage.
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)