BoatsBestevaer 53ST

Bestevaer 53ST

Cutter · Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder · First built 2004

A customizable cutter featuring optional water ballast and a lifting keel for performance in varied conditions

Designed by Dykstra Naval Architects, built by Km Yachtbuilders.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder

See her sail

The Bestevaer 53ST, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Distant Shores TV

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a narrow beam gives 33 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 33
CoastalBluewater

1.79 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.79
LightHeavy

153 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 153
EasygoingPowered-up

19.3 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 19.3
TenderStiff

36% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 36%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Heavier than ~85% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~82% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1360 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Bestevaer 53ST, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Bestevaer 53ST is a 16.2-meter cutter-rigged sailboat designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and built by KM Yachtbuilders since 2004. It features a fin keel with a bulb and a spade rudder, displacing 17,999 kg. The model is highly customizable, with options including water ballast tanks (two 1179 kg tanks), a lifting keel that varies draft from 1.5m to 3.2m, and dual rudders. KM Yacht Builders emphasizes the flexibility of aluminum construction for custom designs, allowing modifications to existing hull designs like the Bestevaer 45 and 49 to incorporate features such as a pilothouse or dedicated office space.13:32 This customization means fuel and water tankage can vary. The builders integrate features like welded-on tracks to prevent deck leaks and integrated bollards for structural integrity.2:50

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
36.3%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cutter
Ratios
SA / displacement
19.3
Displacement / length
152.5
Comfort ratio
32.6
Capsize screening
1.79
Hull speed
9.4 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
2653
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Construction
Aluminum
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
First built 2004
Designer
Dykstra Naval Architects
Builder
KM Yachtbuilders

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Dufour Yachts 53016.35 mSame hull family0.2 m longerOffered in Easy, Ocean, and Performance configurations, this 16.35-meter cruiser adapts from simple handling to race-ready trim
Newport Beach International Boat Show (NBIBS) and Anchoring with Local Cruisers (April 2023)18:55from keeldragger
Hanse Yachts 54816.22 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 16.22-meter Judel/Vrolijk design featuring a 2.55-meter bulb keel and a balanced 18.26 SA/D ratio for modern cruising
Hanse 548 Haul Out & Maintenance 2026 | Boat Service, Repairs & Upgrades0:03from 45 Degrees Sailing
Jeanneau Yachts 5316.06 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe Briand-designed cruiser offering performance rig and shallow keel options, also marketed as the Sunsail 53
I Must Haul Out the Boat! But Where ?? (& boat won't start)18:47from Huub Vlogs
Saga Marine 4815.94 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA Robert Perry-designed masthead sloop built for performance cruising with a stiff 33% ballast ratio
Saga 48 // Boat Shopping18:16from 59° North Sailing
Hallberg-Rassy 5016.34 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA German Frers-designed bluewater cruiser featuring a modern fractional rig, dual rudders, and a high-stability hull
Hallberg-Rassy 50 English0:08from SEILmagasinet
Beneteau First 53f515.90 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA Bruce Farr performance cruiser styled by Pininfarina, featuring multiple cabin layouts and an optional shoal wing keel
Sailing Croatia with 4 Beautiful Crew | 1.5 Hour Adventure Film2:11from Sailing Doodles

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Bestevaer 55STA 16.9-metre cutter designed for offshore passage-making with a stable 40.19 comfort ratioBestevaer 49STA 15-metre aluminum cruiser with a fixed fin keel and bulb, designed for stability and offshore performanceBestevaer 56STA Dykstra-designed aluminum lifting-keel cruiser built for serious offshore exploration and shoal-water accessBestevaer 45ST PureA Dykstra-designed aluminum expedition cruiser featuring a lifting keel and dual rudders for versatile shoal-water accessBestevaer 36A modern aluminum cruiser by Dykstra featuring a versatile sail plan with a Hoyt boom jib for simplified handling

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