Radford 50

Radford 50 in race ready condition is now for sale exclusively with DBY Boat Sales.

If you are looking for a 50 foot, high performance yacht that has an already proven track record in numerous offshore race events including the Sydney to Hobart, this could be the one.

Cleverly set up to be able to race competitively with crew or as a 2 hander, she will be a fine choice for the Melbourne to Osaka race, Sydney to Hobart, RPA to Auckland, around the Globe and others.

Pekljus was originally built to Cat 0 and recently modified and updated with no expense spared by current owners to create a bulletproof turn key ocean racing yacht that is competitive, easy to handle and comfortable for the crew.


Pekljus is extremely well equipped and the owners have undertaken a year round routine maintenance program since purchase.

This versatile design and yacht set up provides any new owners with numerous options including short-handed racing, full crew distance ocean racing, inshore racing or a leisurely weekend sail.


The water ballast system, electric winches and long slender design are suited to ocean racing or coastal cruising. An extensive sail inventory is included. Pekljus has competed in six Sydney to Hobart races including the last three events.

The designer/builder Don McIntyre competed in the BOC Challenge Around Alone 1990-91 in his 15.2m Radford 50 yacht "Buttercup".
Based on this experience he decided that for future races it would make more sense to participate in a one design class where the yachts would maintain their value better; be stronger and more reliable than a one-off yacht and lead to more fun competition within Class II. The 2nd Radford 50 was designed to meet these requirements and now you have the chance of owning it.


The 2nd Radford is designed specifically for short-handed, long-distance racing with a deep bulb keel, water ballast, large rig and minimum accommodation. The cockpit and cuddy cabin are ideal for the purpose with all the control lines leading to the well organised cockpit where everything is within easy reach. The cockpit has liferaft stowage and four large tail boxes for all the sheets and halyards. The cuddy cabin gives excellent "on deck" protection for the crew and further shields the watertight companionway door.


Female moulds have been built for the hull, deck and interior mouldings such as the water ballast tanks and watertight bulkheads - four in total. The keel foil is fabricated from 2205 duplex stainless steel which is plasma cut from plates of various thickness. The keel can be removed for easier transportation. The hull and deck are FRP / foam sandwich construction with high density foam in the slamming areas of the hull and compression areas of the deck. The aim is to supply structurally complete hull, deck, ballast tanks, watertight bulkheads, keel & rudder and closely control mast section, sails and rigging sizes so that there is consistency within the Class. The design has American Bureau of Shipping plan approval for Category O.

Specifications:

Designer : Radford
Builder : Macintyre
Water (Potable) Capacity (l) : 120
Hull Construction Material : FRP sandwich
Hull Type : Mono
Deck Construction Material : GRP
Country Origin : Australia

Length (feet) : 50 feet
Length (m) : 15.20 m
Length Waterline (m) : 14.50 m
Beam/Width (m) : 3.56 m
Draft (m) : 3.26 m
Keel/Ballast : Fin keel with bulb and 4 tanks of water ballast
Number of Helms : 1 x Wheel with autopilot plus emergency steering
Colour : White

Engine Notes : Yanmar E23702
Number Of Engines : 1
Engine Hours : Original engine with low hours
Horse Power (hp) : 29
Drive Type : Saildrive
Number of Batteries : 1 engine crank, 1 house
Fuel Type : Diesel
Number of Fuel Tanks : 1 stainless steel
Fuel Tank Capacity (L) : 120
Propeller : Folding 3 blade
Steering System : Stainless wheel, chain with cables to quadrant

Number of Berths : 6
Number of Showers : 1
Number of Toilets : 1
Toilet Type : Electric
Air Conditioning : Yes
Holding Tank (L) : No

Galley Notes : Inline galley, basic cooking and ample pantry storage plus prep areas.
Stove : Microwave, 240v cooker
Refrigeration : 12v deep fridge plus very large icebox
Number of Sinks : 2 stainless steel

Entertainment and Appliances Notes : Sound system

Bilge Pump : 5 x auto plus manuals
Deck Gear : Dock lines, fenders,
Mast/Rigging : Aluminium mast and boom, 2023 running and standing rigging replaced

Sail Inventory Upwind Sails Code 1 jib/Genoa twa 35 to 90 tws 5 knot to 15 knot Panelled Carbon laminated sail. Code 1.5 Jib twa 40 to 90 tws 12 to 18 knots Panelled Carbon Laminated Sail Code 1.5 Jib Ex TP52 Norths 3Di - 66m2 Code 2.5 Jib Ex TP52 Norths 3Di - 64m2 Code 3 blade twa 40 to 90 tws 18 knot to 25 knot Carbon Millenium String sail with white taffeta. Code 4 Heavy weather jib. Twa 35 to 90, tws 25 to 35 knots Carbon D4 String Sail. Black Tafetta, Strop at top - not full hoist Storm jib twa 45 to 90 tws 35 to 60 knots Orange Dacron, with hanks. Code 0 Whomper, twa 45 to 120 tws 10 knot to 20 knot Carbon String Sail. On furler, free flying. Uses 2 to 1 Halyard and 2 to 1 tack line. Ex TP52 Jib - J2. For twilights etc. String Sail Mainsails Regatta Offshore Mainsail - Carbon D4 String Sail. Black Taffeta Workhorse Offshore Mainsail - Carbon String Sail, White Taffeta. Storm Trisail twa 35 to 90 tws 50 to 60 + knots. Orange Dacron Downwind Sails A2 twa 120 to 170 tws 10 knot to 18 knot. White, biggest chute on boat. 260 m2 A2.5 Repaired and recut Chute blown up A3 on Hobart 17. Heavier cloth than A2. To preserve the A2 for big races. 120 to 170tws (140 to 150 twa). 8 to 20 knots 240m2 105 to 155 AWA 8 to 20 knots A3(A) twa 120 to 160 tws (125-138 twa) 18 knot to 25 knot depending on sea way. Blue. 230 m2 75-130 AWA 2-20, maybe 25? knots Also good in very light air as a VMG chute- the flatter chute fills easier. A3(B) Practice Chute. White A4 twa 120 to 160 (138-160twa) 20 knot to 30 knot tws depending on sea way. Blue 207 m2 115 -155 AWA, 14 - 30 knots A5 (A) twa 120 to 160 (120-130twa) tws 25 knot to 35 knot. White 170 m2 115 - 155 AWA, 20 to 35 knots A5 (B) Also white. Not full hoist. 155 m2 Genoa Staysail twa 80 to 120 tws 15/18 to 25 knots. Carbon String sail. On furler. Set at midpoint on foredeck. Spinnaker staysail twa 130 to 170 tws 15knot to 25 knot. Other Sails Blast Reacher (recut Code O) twa 80, to 120 tws 15/18 to 25 knots Paneled Code Zero laminate. On furler. Dacron Delivery Genoa Dacron Delivery Main Dacron Delivery Staysail

Electrics : 12v, 240v shore power, inverter
Electronics Navigation : Extensive Raymarine plus other back up nav gear

Dinghy : No

Covers : Full boat cover for use at dock, boom bag,
Safety Gear : CAt 1 plus extensive redundancy safety gear
Ground Tackle : 2 x galvanised anchors, chain and warp.
GPS : Raymarine
Has Navigation Lights : Yes, LED
Radio : VHF plus HF
Number of Life Jackets : 9

Remarks : Ultimate 2 handed strong performer or fully crewed racer on a realistic entry price point

Vessel Name : PEKLJUS