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Comments from Robert Perry the designer of the Saga 48
The third in a line of fast and comfortable cruisers.
Back in the mid-1990s, at a time when a lot of boatbuilders were biting the dust, Scotsman Alan Poole decided to start Saga Marine and produce a line of sailboats initially conceived as counterpoints to the overly beamy cruising boats that were dominating the market. Alan approached me to do the designing and I signed on immediately. Pundits gave Saga little chance of surviving. That was 50 Saga 43s ago and 12 Saga 35s ago. The new 48 is the next logical step beyond the Saga 43 and is intended to be a comfy, fast and easy-to-handle "mom and pop" cruising boat.
The hull form borrows the short ends and nearly plumb stem from my Saga 43 and 35, although this time I have chosen to go with more beam. The L/B of the 48 is 3.47 so the 48 is still far from a fatso when you compare it to many other contemporary cruisers, some of which have L/Bs under 3.
A fine entry combined with a waterline length of 43 feet, 7 inches and a D/L of 160 ensures good performance under both sail and power. This design recognizes that most of us end up motoring a lot when cruising. I just had a weekend on Puget Sound of 3-knot tides combined with light, fickle winds. Performance under power is important. I am looking for speed under power of around 9.5 knots. The big, spade rudder is as far aft as I could put it and will give the 48 good tracking characteristics. The keel is a moderately shoal fin-and-bulb type designed more for cruising convenience than blazing upwind speed.
The concept was for a quick cruising boat capable of navigating the ICW with the happy couple snug and cuddly, so I gave the boat a raised, double helm seat and inside steering. The galley is big and that suits me just fine. There is lots of counter space and a very large reefer/freezer unit. The dinette is not raised but extends outboard under the side deck. This dinette is 7 feet, 6 inches long and more than adequate for four to dine in comfort. The two heads share a shower stall. There is a nav station adjacent to the aft head. Note the large hanging locker. The forward stateroom is spacious and features a double berth that is 6 feet wide across its widest point. The plumb stem affords us the volume for a large fo'c'sle and the aft cockpit layout leaves plenty of room for a huge lazarette.
On deck we chose a two-wheel arrangement for the cockpit in order to have a clear walk-through transom opening to the swim step. The wheel areas feature sculpted consoles to house instruments and computer screens. Just like with the other Sagas, we went with a pipe frame bowsprit that houses the ground tackle rollers. There is a foredeck hatch that allows direct access to the fo'c'sle. I like the looks of this boat. If I didn't I would have changed it. I do find it ironic that while I rail against Euro-styling from time to time, my Saga 48 looks more Euro than the Group Finot-designed Beneteau reviewed next. The Sagas, with their truncated ends, have always had a distinct look.
The rig is based on the rigs we did for the other Sagas. There is a self-tacking jib with a single sheet that goes up the mast from the jib track and then down to a coaming-mounted winch. There are tracks for the masthead genoa, which is a light-air or reaching sail. The best way to tack the genoa on this rig is to just bite the bullet and roll it partially or all the way up. You can squeeze it through the small slot without rolling it up, but it ain't pretty. In any wind above 8 knots the tremendous convenience of the self-tacking jib overcomes the small reduction in sail area. There is also a taller rig for those who don't have to worry about going under bridges. The SA/D is 19.98 with the tall rig. This is on the high side for a mom and pop boat, but consider that this boat is designed to be sailed primarily with the nonoverlapping self-tacking jib.
Keel: Other
length Overall: 52.33 ft Length Waterline: 43.67 ft Max Draft: 6.00 ft Displacement Measure: 30000.00 lb Ballast Weight Measure: 10000.00 lb Bridge Clearance Measure:64.00 ft Beam Measure: 13.67 ft
Engine Brand:Westerbeke Year Built: 2004 Engine Model:82B Engine Type: Inboard Engine/Fuel Type: diesel Engine Hours: 290 Engine Power:82|horsepower
Fresh Water Tanks:1(180 Gallons) Fuel Tanks: 1(183 Gallons)
Number of double berths: Number of cabins: 2 Number of heads: 2
Deck and hull
The hull laminate is of double-woven Kevlar E-glass and vinylester laid on an aircraft grade balsa core specifically designed for ocean cruisers. The raised deck house gives the vessel an aggressive style while creating an almost panoramic view from inside the boat with plenty of height and lots of light.
Her cockpit is deep and secure for the long ocean passages with double wheels for easy sight lines to the headsails. All lines run aft to the cockpit where she has powered winches for the genoa primaries and the cabin top mounted winches.
Under the starboard cockpit seat is a large access into the mechanical space under the cockpit and aft end of the cockpit. You have access to the generator and main engine transmission here along with the steering quadrant, hydraulic backstay controls, water pumps, autopilot, water heater, transformer, dual racor fuel filter system 110 distribution breakers and plenty of spare and mechanical storage.
The aft end of the cockpit is a walk through for easy dinghy boarding and water access. There are davits integrated into the arch system that holds antennae, radar and the dinghy engine lift.
Forward you have 6 oversize opening deck hatches for light and ventilation through the boat. There are also 9 opening ports to add to the ventilation.
On the forward deck is a large opening deck hatch that gives access to an oversize lcoker for sails, fenders and dock lines. The stainless steel bowsprit fits into the lines nicely with dual rollers for your heavy overnight hook and your lunch hook to be ready to deploy.
Interior
The Saga 48 interior has a great layout for a cruising couple that may occasionally work on the way. She has two cabins, two heads, a large shower and a navstation that can double as an office work space.
Coming down the companionway to the starboard is the large galley. You have the freezer and fridge on the aft wall, stove dry storage and microwave in front of that and the double deep sinks completing the U shape. Ample storage and well thought out placement makes this a galley for producing meals at sea or anchor.
To port at the foot of the companionway is the aft double stateroom. A large well ventilated stateroom with hanging closet and drawings makes this a comfortable berth for two.
Forward of this you will find the dinette that folds open for 6 or stays small for a cozy couples dinner. The table raises or lowers for adjustable height. You have storage behind the seating and lots of light through hatches and ports.
To starboard of the dinnette is the large chart table/desk with two over stuffed reclining chairs for sitting at. You have all of the ships panels here along with repeat instruments and all systems controls.
Working forward you have a head to port that shares a shower with the forward head. Opposite on the starboard side you have lots of closet space and drawer space for dry goods.
Forward is the vberth with its own head and large island style bed with lots of natural lighting and plenty of storgae in overhead bins and hanging closets.
Mechanical electronics notes
The generator has a fuel issue that will need to be addressed by new owner. The navigational electronics are at the end of their life and will need to be replaced in part or in whole.
Equipment
Original Raymarine electronics Genoa in excellent condition Staysail in excellent condition Full batten Mainsail in excellent condition Vaccuflush heads 12 volt fans in each cabin Microwave oven Force 10 propane 4 burner stove with oven ZF transmission Westerbeke
Deck Hardware
Canvas new in 2013
Harken winches, blocks, and deck hardware throughout
Two (2) Harken two-speed, self-tailing primary cockpit winches
Two, two-speed electric secondary winches (powered furling)
One (1) electric two-speed, cabin top winch & one manual self tailing cabin top winch
Two Quadruple rope clutches
“Spaghetti boxes” for halyards and reef line tails in the cockpit coamings
Self-tacking Jib gear, custom traveler, blocks and single sheet, led aft
Cabin top mounted, mid-boom mainsheet traveler system, led to cockpit
Fairleads, blocks and inboard tracks for reaching genoa and jib.
Dual Whitlock direct drag link steering systems, 34" wheels.
Two (2) Ritchie steering compasses, pedestal mounted; SS Emergency tiller.
SS Bow pulpit & stern rail with integral Radar arch & dinghy hoist bar.
30" high lifeline stanchions, port and starboard lifeline gates.
Heavy Duty stainless steel bowsprit, dual anchor rollers.
Double deck pipe to divided chain locker below.
Muir electric anchor windlass with cockpit remote control.
Anchors
66 lb Spade S-140
55 lb delta
G-16 Guardian stern anchor
Anchor rodes
(1) 300'' 3/8 G4 high test chain w/ 100’ 3/4” Megabraid nylon snubber
(2) 50'' 3/8 G4 chain with 250’ 3/4” Yale 8-strand Brait nylon rode
Anchor & deck wash down system with hose and nozzle.
Stainless steel welded grabrails on cabin top
Four 10" mooring cleats, two 10" spring-line cleats.
Folding cockpit table with S/S base
Jack lines with high strength padeyes on the side decks for crew safety
Aqua Dutch 310 Hypalon inflatable
Nisssan 9.8 h.p. 4-stroke outboard
Rig and sails
Innovative Variable Geometry rig and self-tacking jib provide nearly effortless sail handling on all points of sail.
Triple spreader Selden MDS aluminum mast, ICW friendly.
Selden Single Line Reef boom with internal reef lines.
Patented Selden MDS (Multi Directional Support) full batten cars ride internally for easy mainsail hoisting and reefing.
Selden Rod kicker vang with 16:1 block and tackle, controlled from cockpit.
Stainless steel 1x19 standing rigging, discontinuous.
Hasselfors of Sweden fittings and turnbuckles.
Internal halyards in low stretch T-900 (Spectra/ Technora w/Dacron cover)
Furlex roller furlers for Genoa and Jib with furling lines run to powered winches.
Main halyard and reefing lines led aft to cabin top winches (one electric).
Single line reefing for two reefs, led aft through rope clutches to cockpit. Third reef point rigged for storm sail.
Spinnaker track, halyard and hardware
Selden mechanical rod vang with 16:1 block and tackle.
One (1) mast-mounted self-tailing winch with rope clutches for halyards.
Sailtec hydraulic backstay adjuster
Full-batten Mainsail Quantum 2004
Genoa 130 Quantum 2004
Self-tacking Jib Quantum 2004
ATN gale sail storm jib 2004 (unused
Navigation equipment
Raymarine SmartPilot ST600R. An S3G computer including an internal gyro, a remote fluxgate compass and a type 2S 12-volt linear drive. A ST6001 at the starboard helm controls the SmartPilot.(HEAD UNIT INOPERATIVE)
Raymarine 4D 4kw, 48 mile range radar scanner
Raymarine Seatalk network MFDs:(COCKPIT UNIT INOPERATIVE - CHART TABLE
OPERATIVE) RL80C+ CRC (color radar chart plotter) at port helm(INOPERATIVE)
RC530C+ CRC at chart table
Raymarine 300GPS w/ Bluetooth provides data for wireless chart plotting on a computer or iPad and provides a redundant fail-safe
ShipModul MiniPlex-41BT NMEA-0183 multiplexer and Bluetooth transmitter
NASA AIS Engine AIS receiver w/ Bluetooth
ST60 tridata displays at each helm station, ST60 wind instruments at each helm and at nav center, ST60 Graphics display at the nav center
Two (2) Ritchie Navigator steering compasses
ICOM M502 VHF w/ cockpit remote
ICOM M802 SSB with AT-140 auto tuner
SSB radio ground plane (counterpoise) factory molded into hull (bonded copper straps and screen)
C.A.R.D. radar detection system
Poly-Planar MRD 60 stereo system CD/AM/FM with speakers below and in cockpit and remote cockpit controls
Electrical Equipment
Custom BEP panel with AC and DC magnetic breakers and AC and DC voltage meters and ammeters.
Interior lighting is provided by 30 recessed overheads on multiple dimmers and switches, 9 individual reading lights and 16 low glare footlights, 4 in the cockpit and 12 additional in the cabins.
Fans, five total, in the master stateroom, galley, main salon and aft stateroom, provide good circulation.
An entry switch turns on dedicated courtesy lights.
Navigation lights to COLREG specs; Masthead anchor light, emergency strobe, masthead tricolor, steaming light; halogen foredeck floodlight, cockpit spotlight.
AC power highlights:
One (1) 120 volt, 30 amp AC shore power inlet
One (1) 230 volt, 30 amp AC shore power inlet
Charles Marine isolation transformer
Double pole AC main circuit breakers at power inlets
New 2018 - 110 amp shore power charging provided by two 55 amp battery chargers
Three (3) 50'' shore power cords
DC power highlights:
New 2017 - Eight (8) Lifeline AGM 6 volt Batteries provide 880 amp hour capacity at 12 volts
New 2017 - One (1) Lifeline AGM 12 volt battery for engine start
One (1) dedicated electronics backup battery
BLUESEA main switch panel, emergency battery combiner and LED indicators
Ample Power V-3 smart alternator regulator
Ample Power Energy Monitor/Controller at the navigation center
Ample Power Genie 150 generates up to 150 amps of charging capacity.
Two (2) Prosine 1800 watt inverters
Mast, chain plates and rig are grounded to the keel for lightning protection
Profile electronic tank level monitoring system
Mechanical
Westerbeke 82B (82HP@3000RPM), naturally aspirated diesel
160-amp High Output large case alternator with dual belts.
Self-bleeding fuel system with electric fuel pump.
Racor 75/500 MAX fuel filters / water separators.
Tides marine shaft seal, 1 3/8" SS shaft with bronze strut.
Three blade Varifold folding prop
Reverso electric oil change system
Ample Power Genie 150(INOPERATIVE)
Marine Air 16000 BTU A/C in salon and guest stateroom
Glacier Bay Arctic Air A/C dedicated to master stateroom
Spectra Catalina 300 water maker, 300 GPD
Two 2000 GPH Electric bilge pumps with automatic float switches
(2) Whale gusher manual bilge pumps
150 (approx.) gallons of fuel in two aluminum tanks
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
