The Skye 51 is a sought-after ocean cruiser from the golden era of Taiwanese production — a Kaufman & Ladd design that has earned a strong following among serious offshore sailors. The centre cockpit, encapsulated lead keel and skeg-hung rudder give confidence for extended bluewater passages, while the ketch rig offers exceptional versatility and ease of handling for a shorthanded crew. It is no surprise the design has been described as an ideal choice for tradewind circumnavigators.
Blue Zulu is a premium example. She received an extensive refit in 2016 with new engine, teak decks and standing rigging and was refreshed again in New Zealand with new electronics, watermaker(watermaker was installed in 2016), batteries, solar and more. She is genuinely ready for offshore life: well-equipped, well-maintained, and well-documented with a full maintenance log.
For off-grid passages, the package is hard to beat. 600W of solar with Victron MPPT controllers and a 1560Ah battery bank keep the watermaker, refrigeration and electronics running with ease. A Hydrovane windvane serves as a fully independent backup to the Raymarine autopilot. Starlink is already fitted for global connectivity underway.
Currently cruising the Pacific Northwest and ready to head offshore again tomorrow. The experienced offshore owners will offer a thorough handover to help the new owners launch their own adventures with confidence.
UK flagged – contact us to find out the most tax efficient way to purchase this vessel.
Name Blue Zulu Year 1983 Builder Mao Ta Shipyard Designer Kaufman and Ladd LOA 50’10” LWL 42’11” Beam 14’3” Draft 7’ Displacement 38,708 lbs Ballast 15,500 lbs Sail Area 1260 ft2 Hull Solid Fiberglass Deck Cored Fiberglass Steering Wheel Keel Modified Fin Keel - Encapsulated Rudder Skeg hung Fuel 132 gals/500 l Approx Water 87 gals/330 l Approx Hot Water Yes Holding Tank Yes
CONSTRUCTION Robust solid fiberglass hull Modified fin keel – encapsulated so no keel bolt worries. Lead ballast Skeg hung rudder for maximum reliability
COCKPIT Center cockpit – a comfortable and safe location whether at sea or at anchor. Bimini and dodger Cockpit cushions
INTERIOR High quality teak joinery throughout in good condition. It is too expensive to build boats like this anymore ! Beautiful cavernous saloon with the galley and chart table an easy reach from the companionway. The saloon features a large table to starboard and settee to port. Lots of seating and storage. Additional liquor storage in the saloon table. Substantial navigation station/office to starboard with additional electronics, a large chart table and the electrical controls. Superb large owner’s cabin aft with private head and … a separate shower ! Forward of the saloon there is a guest cabin with a double bed and a fold down single. Small settee and drawer storage. Forward again is the convenient guest head, And in the forepeak there is a bed for two more people or for a massive storage location. Massive bright engine room with access to all the key systems including inverters, the engine, watermaker, steering, many of the seacocks and more. Includes storage mount for the outboard when at sea ! Deck prisms for more natural light and dorades for ventilation in all conditions. Heater: Diesel heater (new 2023)
GALLEY Excellent seaworthy galley. Lots of storage and preparations space. Force 10 stove/oven (new 2023) Refrigeration: Frigoboat thermostat (compressors unknown)
MECHANICAL Yanmar 4JHTE-TE with Yanmar SD60 saildrive 75 HP New in 2016 with 3469 hours Yanmar instruments with LCD and RPM, engine temperature and oil pressure. Saildrive seals replaced in 2025. Amazing engine room with excellent access from the interior or the cockpit. Automatic fire suppression system
ELECTRICAL + PLUMBING Batteries: 1560 amp-hrs of wet cell batteries (new in 2023) Solar: 600W with Victron MPPT controllers (new 2023) Yanmar alternator with Sterling Pro Alt C advanced charge controler Blue Sea Battery monitor – colour display Inverter: Victron Pure Sine Wave Phoenix 12/1200. Charger: Sterling Pro-Charger Ulra 40 amps – Global Charger – it will work worldwide ! Sterling Automatic Crossover System. 220V wiring with NZ Warrant of Fitness (2023). Can operate in North America using the global battery charger and inverter Watermaker: high efficiency Schneker Smart 30.
INSTRUMENTS New electronics suite installed 2023 Raymarine Autopilot with colour control screen at the helm (2023) Raymarine Axiom Touch Screen (2023) Raymarine Digital Radar (2023) Raymarine ST60 instruments x 4– wind, speed, depth and more AIS: Comar CSB200 Class B Transmitter/Receiver. Chartable Chartplotter – Raymarine E80 VHF: Icom IC-M423G with integral GPS and DSC Brass barometer and clock Sony Stereo
SAILS & CANVAS Ketch rigged – perfect for offshore with maximum versatility and easy performance. Fully battened mainsail with stackpack and lazy jacks Fully battened mizzen with stackpack and lazy jacks Jib on furler – 140% (new 2023) plus two spare jibs (one new in 2016 roughly 120% very high clew, one original roughly 160% very low clew and poor condition) Staysail which doubles as stormsail Symmetrical spinnaker – for those downwind trade wind days !
RIGGING Standing rigging replaced: 2016. Forestay Replaced August 2024 Staysail stay on recessed Highfield lever. Maximum flexibility – easy to rig when required otherwise it tucks out of the way. Cockpit, foredeck and masts have large self tailing winches including two powerful Barient 36’s (equivalent to a modern 64) Mast pulpits (aka Granny Bars) at the mast Offshore rated spinnaker pole
DECK GEAR
Windvane: Hydrovane self steering plus acts as an emergency rudder Windlass: mighty Lofrans Tigres Anchor: big Rocna 40kt – sleep well at night at anchor ! Rode: 100m (330 ft !) of chain new in 2024. Spare rode: 30m of chain Backup/Kedge anchor: Folding Fortress Anchor w/ rode
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT Tender: AB aluminum bottom RHIB – 2.7m with hyperlon tubes 2017. With protective chaps and beaching wheels. All ready for the tropics again. Outboard: Yamaha 15 – a sought-after reliable solution. Can be stored in the engine room at sea on its own bracket. Liferaft: Survitec 6 pax ISO Ocean standard with hydrostatic release (recently expired – Dec 2025) Fishing rod holder and fishing equipment. Full set of safety equipment for offshore passages including 2x EPIRB Very extensive collection of spares.
MAINTENANCE Last haul-out and anti-fouling: Last antifoul September 2024 Last H/O – May 2025 Last zinc(s) change: Changed on saildrive in 2025, other zincs checked and not changed as in good condition. Last engine oil change: April 2026 Teak decks – new in 2016 and lots of life left. Most of the seacocks and through hulls converted to compositie Tru-Design – no more corrosion issues ! Full maintenance log
