Blue-water yachts should be safe, seaworthy and easy to handle on long voyages. The Boréal 56, Kraken 58, Pure 49, Stem 50 and Breehorn 55 meet these requirements in very different ways.
Anyone looking for a yacht for long ocean crossings or remote sailing areas will need to set their priorities. The blue-water yachts presented here offer ample storage space, sheltered working areas and a robust build. However, when it comes to the keel, rudder, sailing performance and living comfort, the shipyards take different approaches.
Boréal 56: For rough seas and shallow anchorages
The Boréal 56 is an aluminium explorer designed for crews who wish to keep their options open for high latitudes and hard-to-reach waters. Its swivel keel reduces the draught from 3.18 to 1.20 metres. Two side rudders assist the comparatively short main rudder, improve course stability and can be stowed away when required.
In the Review of the Boréal 56 The 20.5-tonne yacht proved particularly impressive in rough North Sea conditions. In winds of five to six on the Beaufort scale, she sailed steadily close to the wind with moderate heel, requiring only minor corrections at the helm. The lockable doghouse offers shelter and an almost unobstructed all-round view. Sheets and winches are arranged in such a way that the boat can be handled even by a small crew.
Below deck, the Boréal combines the brand’s well-known practicality with a significantly refined interior fit-out. Large berths, handrails, anti-sway rails and a spacious engine room are well suited to long-distance cruising. The enormous amount of storage space is striking. The forepeak and aft section alone offer a combined capacity of more than twelve cubic metres. During testing, however, the surfaces on the cockpit coaming – which offer only moderate grip when wet – and the storage compartments, which are not yet optimally organised, were noted.
Kraken 58: Focus on passive safety
Whilst four of the blue-water yachts on display are built from aluminium, the Kraken 58 is made from GRP. The so-called ‘zero keel’ forms an integral part of the hull and is not bolted on separately. A floor structure extending down to the keel sole absorbs the loads. The rudder is protected by a full skeg, whilst three watertight compartments limit the consequences of any water ingress.
The Review of the Kraken 58 However, it also highlights the cost of this consistent design philosophy. With a light-empty weight of 29 tonnes and a wide hull, the yacht is by no means a speed demon. In light winds, it reached five to six knots on a reach. A fresher breeze brought comparatively little extra speed. On the other hand, the Kraken 58 handled waves up to two metres high with unusual smoothness.
The well-protected central cockpit and the bright deck saloon are in keeping with the comfort-oriented design. The extensive fittings and the walk-in engine room make long voyages easier. Criticism must be levelled at the occasionally cramped berths, the steep companionway and the cramped aft cockpit. The Kraken also requires caution in harbour. During the test, she only responded to the rudder when travelling in reverse, whilst the bow thruster was unable to keep the foredeck steady in six Beaufort winds.
Pure 49: An explorer with strong racing DNA
The Pure 49 is aimed at sailors who do not equate range and robustness with sluggish handling. An aluminium hull, carbon rig, Fathead mainsail, twin rudders and tiller steering combine to create a long-distance cruising yacht whose technical features are more reminiscent of an offshore racer. The lifting keel can be lowered to 3.20 metres and retracted to 1.30 metres for shallow waters. Two water ballast tanks integrated into the hull each hold 750 litres. They increase stability under sail and can be pumped over to the new windward side before a tack. Twin rudders and a long tiller provide control and direct feedback even in rougher conditions.
The pilothouse adjoins the cockpit directly, creating a sheltered working area. Below deck, the design remains deliberately functional. Fixtures and fittings, as well as the engine, are easily accessible, whilst visible aluminium surfaces make checks easier. As such, the Pure 49 is less a floating country house and more a fast cruising yacht for owners who prioritise technology, ease of maintenance and sailing performance over elaborate interior fittings.
Stem 50: Well-thought-out details and smooth sailing performance
Stem Marine has been building rescue, patrol and firefighting boats for around 40 years. This experience is evident in the Stem 50, which features a meticulously reinforced aluminium structure with three watertight bulkheads. In the keel area, the frames are spaced just 35 centimetres apart. Two separate autopilots and the twin-rudder system are designed with redundancy. Should one of the rudders jam, the connection between the two quadrants can be disengaged. The Stem 50 comes as standard with a fixed keel with a draught of 2.40 metres. Its fin, milled from a solid block of aluminium, fits securely into the keel box and carries a 3.4-tonne lead ballast. Those requiring a variable draught can order a telescopic keel instead.
The cockpit is designed for a small crew. Main winches within the helm stations make operation easier, whilst the sheet routing creates additional load and friction. The optional hardtop offers protection and can be combined with electrically retractable sprayhood windows. During testing, the almost vertical backrests and the steps between the cockpit and the side deck – which were too narrow when wet – proved problematic. In the Review of the Stem 50 The yacht sits cleanly on the rudder and can be kept on course with just minor corrections. At force 4 on the Beaufort scale, she averages 5.6 knots close-hauled. On a broad reach, speeds of eight knots and more are possible. Even in gusts of up to 30 knots and rough seas, it remains stable and easy to control.
Below deck The Stem 50 combines its solid construction with a light oak interior and large windows. Practical features include the aluminium storage boxes, which are designed as trays so that their contents do not fall out when opened. Each of these eight storage boxes is designed to hold a load of up to 20 kilograms. On the prototype tested, the longitudinally installed galley and the aft berths, which were too narrow, still left room for improvement. The elevated noise level whilst under engine power should also be reduced by better soundproofing of the engine room.
Breehorn 55: A classic custom-built boat for long voyages
The Breehorn 55 combines an aluminium hull with a GRP deck constructed using a sandwich construction method. Its slender hull, welded fixed keel and conventional cutter rig reflect a traditional design. Weighing 22 tonnes, it is heavier and less agile than the Stem or Pure, but in return offers a smooth ride and excellent course stability.
In the Review of the Breehorn 55 At four to five Beaufort, she maintained a steady 7.2 knots running close-hauled. With a half-wind, the log showed eight knots. The yacht handles tacks and jibes rather sedately. At the wheel, she remains well-balanced and requires only minor corrections. However, the mechanical steering system does not have full redundancy. Should the cable drive fail, the autopilot – which acts directly on the rudder shaft – serves as a fallback system. The watertight, lockable pilothouse forms a sheltered passageway between the cockpit and the saloon. The test vessel was fitted out with two benches and a central table. Double glazing made of real glass provides a clear view; a second navigation station and an inboard steering position would also be possible as options.
The interior, featuring teak furniture and dark blue upholstery, has a deliberately traditional feel. As there are no windows in the aluminium hull and the openings in the superstructure are rather small, it remains comparatively dark below deck. However, all the superstructure windows can be opened. Each living area has at least two ventilation options. Buyers can largely determine the layout themselves. One of the two aft cabins, for example, can be converted into a workshop, office, changing room or walk-in storage space. A 66-centimetre-wide service duct runs between the aft cabins, housing the engine, generator, watermaker and electrical installations. Large access hatches facilitate maintenance work.
Which blue-water yacht is best suited to which destination?
The Boréal 56 is ideal for crews who want to combine extreme sailing grounds, shallow anchorages and maximum practicality. With the Kraken 58, passive safety, smooth handling and a high level of comfort take precedence over pure sailing performance.
The Pure 49 is the counterpart for ambitious sailors who want to take the helm actively and sail fast, even on long crossings. The Stem 50 combines a solid aluminium construction with a bright, cosy interior and straightforward sailing characteristics. The Breehorn 55 focuses on classic lines, customisation and a peaceful way of travelling.
The decision therefore depends less on the size of the boat than on the planned route. For high latitudes and shallow bays, variable draughts are a strong selling point. Those who mainly sail on oceans and in deeper coastal waters can save on weight, technology and maintenance costs with a fixed keel. Performance, weather protection, technical redundancy and living comfort cannot be completely separated from one another on any of the five yachts.
Book recommendations
A Brief Guide to Blue-Water Sailing Written by Sönke and Judith Roever, this book answers practical questions about choosing and preparing a long-distance sailing yacht. Topics covered include the boat, rigging, sails, equipment, energy management, navigation, safety, insurance, provisions and everyday life on board.
Blue-water sailing by Bobby Schenk focuses more closely on the demands of an extended sailing voyage. As well as the techniques of blue-water sailing, the book covers life on board, technical problems, severe weather conditions, insurance issues and communication from remote areas.