BoatsSoutherly Yachts 480

Southerly Yachts 480

Solent · Swing Keel w/dual Rudders · First built 2018

A Stephen Jones-designed 14.98-metre cruiser featuring a Solent rig and a centerline skeg to protect the propeller

Designed by Stephen Jones.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Swing Keel w/dual Rudders

See her sail

The Southerly Yachts 480, 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.

Shoal draughtDraws 1.00 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a narrow beam gives 37 — a sea-kindly motion in a seaway.

Comfort ratio 37
CoastalBluewater

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

Capsize screening 1.74
LightHeavy

216 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 216
EasygoingPowered-up

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

Sail area / displacement 15.9
TenderStiff

35% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 35%

A capable offshore cruiser with an easy motion when the sea gets up.

  • Heavier than ~78% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~76% of boats her size on file

Compared with 198 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Southerly Yachts 480, as the fleet has seen it

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

The Southerly Yachts 480 is a 15.0-meter sailboat, built from 2018, designed by Stephen Jones, and based on the Discovery 48 hull.0:15 It features a Solent rig and a swing keel with dual rudders, allowing its draft to vary from approximately one meter to over 11 feet.0:51 This variable draft enables both shallow-water access and blue-water cruising. The Southerly 480 is equipped for extended offshore sailing, with models like IZANA and MANUKA featuring comprehensive power systems including watermakers, generators, and solar arrays.1:45 Its deck layout often includes twin whisker poles for downwind sailing, an electric swim platform, and a large aft sail locker.2:27 Navigation is typically managed by a full B&G electronics suite, with all lines led aft to the cockpit for ease of handling.1:31 Interiors commonly feature a two-cabin layout with a raised saloon offering extensive natural light, and galleys are equipped with multiple refrigeration units and induction hobs.8:02 Maneuvering is assisted by bow and stern thrusters, and the hull is often finished with Coppercoat antifouling.6:26

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 4 times across 2 channels of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Southerly Yachts 480 on video

Southerly 480 (MANUKA) - Yacht for Sale - Numerous Custom Features (2)The 2019 Southerly 480 Manuka features a swing keel, lithium-ion batteries, and an all-electric galley setup.Berthon InternationalSoutherly 480 (MANUKA) - Yacht for Sale - Simply Stunning Throughout (1)The 2019 Southerly 480 MANUKA features a swing keel, electric furlers, and an off-grid power system.Berthon International[OFF MARKET] Southerly 480 (IZANA) - Yacht for Sale - Berthon Int.The 2018 Southerly 480 IZANA features a swing keel and a full B&G navigation suite.Berthon InternationalBuilding an Aluminum Sailboat Pt 6 - Your questions answered | EP 224The Shards are building a custom 49-foot aluminum Orion 49 in the Netherlands for high-latitude expedition sailing.Distant Shores TVShould We Build a BIGGER Sailboat? Building an Aluminum Boat - Design Part 2 with KM Yachts | EP 206KM Yacht Builders explains the design flexibility of custom aluminum sailboats compared to fiberglass production models.Distant Shores TV

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model come up for sale.

1seen for sale

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.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
35.5%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Solent
Ratios
SA / displacement
15.9
Displacement / length
216.5
Comfort ratio
36.9
Capsize screening
1.74
Hull speed
8.8 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
2238
Hull
Hull type
Swing keel w/dual rudders
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Cast Iron
Production
Years built
First built 2018
Designer
Stephen Jones
Builder
Southerly Yachts, Discovery Yachts

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.

Southerly Yachts 47014.35 mSame hull family0.6 m shorterA 14.35-metre fractional sloop featuring a self-tacking jib and a swing keel for deep-water performance in shoal areas
Alden Yachts 5416.48 mSame hull family1.5 m longerAn extended-stern evolution of the 50-foot series, available in both center and aft cockpit layouts as well as cutter or ketch
Garcia Yachts Exploration 4514.88 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA rugged aluminum cutter by Berret-Racoupeau featuring a centerboard and dual rudders for high-latitude exploration
Boreal 5215.86 mSame hull family0.9 m longerA 15.86-metre aluminium cutter with a 3.13-metre draft, engineered for high-latitude exploration and blue-water speed
Irwin Yachts 5416.46 mSame hull family1.5 m longerA 16.46-metre staysail ketch with a 39.9 comfort ratio, built since 1988 for stable, long-range cruising
Morgan Yachts Out Island 5115.70 mSame hull family0.7 m longerA heavy-displacement staysail ketch with a keel-centerboard configuration designed for comfortable long-range cruising

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Southerly Yachts 480, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

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