BoatsBoothbay Explorer (Alden)

Boothbay Explorer (Alden)

Masthead Ketch · Long Keel · 1971–1974

A heavy-displacement masthead ketch with a long keel, designed by John G. Alden for stable, comfortable blue-water cruising

Designed by John G. Alden & Associates, built by Hodgdon Brothers.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Long Keel

Is it for you?

Character

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

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a narrow beam gives 45 — a heavy, notably soft motion offshore.

Comfort ratio 45
CoastalBluewater

At 1.68 she sits well under the 2.0 line — a solidly ocean-capable hull for her size.

Capsize screening 1.68
LightHeavy

321 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 321
EasygoingPowered-up

15.3 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 15.3

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

  • Heavier than ~87% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~94% of boats her size on file

Compared with 69 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Ketch
Ratios
SA / displacement
15.3
Displacement / length
321.2
Comfort ratio
44.6
Capsize screening
1.68
Hull speed
8.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
2364
Hull
Hull type
Long Keel
Construction
FG w/balsa cored deck and coach
Production
Years built
1971–1974
Units built
5
Designer
John G. Alden, Associates
Builder
Hodgdon Brothers

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

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.

TA Chaio Shipbuilding Co. (Taiwan) Ct-5416.46 mSame hull family1.4 m shorterA Robert Perry-designed staysail ketch with a heavy-displacement long keel, originally intended as a Hans Christian 54
Cabo Rico 5617.07 mSame hull family0.8 m shorterA heavy-displacement cutter designed by Chuck Paine, featuring a long keel and high comfort ratio for stable blue-water cruising
TA Chaio Shipbuilding Co. (Taiwan) Ct-5616.92 mSame hull family0.9 m shorterA Robert Perry-designed masthead ketch with a long keel, built for heavy-displacement offshore comfort and stability
Formosa Yachts 5115.49 mSame hull family2.4 m shorterA William Garden-designed staysail ketch with a long keel that served as the foundation for multiple production yachts
Vagabond 4714.20 mSame hull family3.7 m shorterA William Garden-designed staysail ketch with a long keel, built for heavy-displacement offshore comfort since 1972
Dolphin 47 (Alden)14.30 mSame hull family3.6 m shorterA heavy-displacement staysail ketch from the board of John G. Alden, built for comfortable, stable blue-water cruising

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.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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