2002 Reichel/Pugh 2002 Reichel/Pugh 50

Step aboard and you can feel this 50-footer was drawn with a stopwatch in mind. The cockpit is long, open, and built for straight-line trimming with plenty of space for a full race crew to work without stepping on each other. Primary and secondary winches are placed so you can grind hard on a headsail while still having clear access to the mainsheet. The low, fair coachroof and clean side decks make moving forward effortless, and the carbon rig and spars keep weight out of the ends for a lively, responsive helm. Below, the layout is deliberately sparse but smart, with ample sail stowage, wide settees, and systems positioned for easy access between races or passages.

This Reichel/Pugh 50 is an excellent match for local waters where varied breeze and mixed-course racing are the norm. The slippery hull and powerful sail plan shine in marginal conditions, yet the boat has the right balance and ballast for longer offshore legs when the weather pipes up. Quick acceleration out of tacks helps in tight starting lines and crowded mark roundings, while the simple, race-focused interior keeps weight down and maintenance manageable between events. For sailors who want to campaign a serious 50-footer across both buoy and distance races in this region, this design offers the right mix of speed, handling, and practicality.