Built by Adriatic Yachts starting in 1980, this substantial 48-footer represents a thoughtful approach to blue-water cruising design. The masthead ketch rig configuration offers excellent sail handling flexibility for shorthanded crews, while the fiberglass construction with foam-cored deck provides both strength and weight savings where it matters most. With a displacement of 43,000 pounds and 12,000 pounds of ballast, the Alpha 48 delivers the stability and seaworthiness that serious cruisers demand for extended offshore passages. The generous 13.58-foot beam creates spacious accommodations below, while the 6.33-foot draft with keel/centerboard configuration allows access to shallow anchorages without sacrificing windward performance. The boat's impressive comfort ratio of 51.11 indicates exceptional motion comfort in seaway conditions, making long passages more pleasant for the crew. Combined with a conservative capsize screening value of 1.55, these numbers suggest a yacht well-suited for ocean voyaging. The 1,200 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for the displacement, though this is clearly a boat designed for comfort and safety rather than racing performance. The reliable 85-horsepower engine ensures dependable auxiliary power for maneuvering in tight quarters or powering through calms.
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What is the Alpha 48's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Alpha 48 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.71. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Alpha 48's comfort ratio?
The Alpha 48 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 51.11. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Alpha 48 safe for offshore sailing?
The Alpha 48 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.55. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Alpha 48?
The theoretical hull speed of the Alpha 48 is 8.15 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Alpha 48 weigh?
The Alpha 48 has a displacement of 43,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 48.00 ft.