Santa Cruz 50
Masthead Sloop · Fin w/spade rudder · First built 1980
A Bill Lee-designed ultralight masthead sloop built for IOR competition with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio
Designed by Bill Lee.
See her sail
The Santa Cruz 50, on the water
The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.
Footage from Sven Yrvind
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
The living fleet
Sailed by the fleet
The crews aboard this model, and where they were last seen.
What they go for
Market signal
Where this crew has seen the model for sale, and the asking prices that came with it.
- A friend, Carlos, whose boat nearly sank, wanted a new, fast, big boat and asked Sven to help him find one. Sven suggested the Santa Cruz 50, and they planned to fly to inspect it. Carlos later backed out, so Sven flew alone to inspect the boat for Carlos, who intended to build it in Argentina to avoid import taxes.▶ 4:05
From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Boats like this, on the water
More boats like her, on the water.
Comparable boats the fleet has actually sailed on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video.
Tips for sailing around the Aeolian Islands
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT + We Almost Bought a Dismasted Sailboat! EP 201
The family
Boats like this
Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.
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