The Skye 51, built in 1981 by the renowned Mao Ta Shipyard in Taiwan, is a true bluewater cruiser designed by Kaufmann & Ladd and commissioned by John Alden Yacht. With her solid GRP hull, Airex/GRP composite deck, and encapsulated fin keel with rudder on skeg, she is built for strength, stability, and safety at sea.
This ketch-rigged cutter offers excellent sailing performance with a generous upwind sail area of 116 m². She comfortably accommodates six people in three cabins, featuring six berths, two toilets, and one shower, making her ideal for both extended voyages and coastal cruising.
This vessel has undergone an extensive and meticulous refit between 2012 and 2017 by a professional yacht refit project manager. Every aspect of her structure, mechanics, and systems was carefully restored or upgraded, including a complete osmosis treatment, new epoxy and Awlgrip deck coatings, and a full engine room reconstruction.
The Perkins 85HP engine, gearbox, and transmission were fully overhauled, with only around 100 hours of use since.
Major systems such as standing rigging, electrics, plumbing, tanks, steering, and seacocks have been renewed, while comfort upgrades include new upholstery, mattresses, ceilings, and teak deck refinements.
The yacht also boasts upgraded Lewmar deck hardware, a new windlass, Raymarine ST70 electronics, autopilot, and new hatches and windows, blending classic design with modern reliability.
Her inventory is extensive and includes a full suite of near-new Doyle sails– most unused- including mainsail, mizzen, staysail, and spinnaker.
Deck equipment features 11 self-tailing Lewmar winches, a Quick vertical 1700W windlass with 140m of chain, custom cleats, and teak cockpit decking.
Navigation is supported by Raymarine plotters, autopilot, AIS, and full ST60 instrument displays.
The yacht is well-equipped with safety gear including an 8-person liferaft, lifejackets, and flares, as well as a tender (Avon 2.85m Hypalon with Yamaha 9.9hp).
With her robust construction, professional refit, and comprehensive equipment list, this Skye 51 is a rare opportunity to acquire a classic ocean-going yacht that is ready for serious cruising with confidence and comfort.
Location: Marmaris, Turkiye
Flag: Malta
EU VAT paid
- Designer: Kaufmann & Ladd
- Commissioner: John Alden Yacht
- Builder: Mao Ta Shipyard, Taiwan
- Hull Type: Encapsulated fin keel with rudder on skeg
- Rigging Type: Masthead ketch with removable inner stay (cutter rig)
- Construction: Solid GRP hull, Airex/GRP composite deck
- LOA: 16.10 m
- Beam: 4.34 m
- Draught: 2.20 m
Engine & Mechanical
- Engine: Perkins 4236, 85 HP / 63 kW
- Transmission: Borg Warner Velvet Drive 71C + Walter V-Drive
- Engine Hours: ~100 (after rebuild)
- Overhaul: Engine, gearbox, V-drive fully rebuilt (2012–2017 refit)
- Alternators: 100A Balmar smart alternator + 70A standard alternator
- Steering: Edson pedestal, stainless helm, renewed chain/wires
- Tanks: Partially replaced stainless-steel tanks
Sails & Rigging
- Main: Doyle full batten mainsail (never used)
- Mizzen: Doyle full batten mizzen (never used)
- Staysail: New, never used (removable forestay)
- Yankee: Very good condition, serviced, new UV protection (Harken furler)
- Spinnaker: Symmetric, new
- Standing Rigging: Replaced (2010, lightly used since)
Deck & Hardware
- Winches: 11 Lewmar self-tailing (primary 65s, halyard 40s)
- Windlass: Quick 1700W vertical, helm remote control
- Anchors: Bügel (main, galvanized, as new), Danforth (spare), Fortress (spare)
- Chain: 140m galvanized, 12mm (as new)
- Decking: Teak cockpit, teak cap rail, rebuilt hatch frames
- Hatches: 6 Goiot aluminum hatches with new acrylic
- Hardware: New Lewmar tracks, blocks, cleats, stoppers
- Guard Wires: New stainless + Spectra lines at amidships
Navigation & Electronics
- Plotter: Raymarine C90w (chart table)
- Autopilot: Raymarine ST7001 + 400G SmartPilot CPU, Type 2 electric ram, Lacombe & Schmitt Hydro ram
- Instruments: Raymarine ST60 (speed, depth, wind, multi displays at mizzen mast)
- Compass: Danforth Constellation (helm), 2x handheld
- VHF: Standard Horizon Matrix GX 3000E
- AIS: Class B transponder
- Miscellaneous: Barometer, clock, paper charts, spare electronics
Electrical Systems
- Wiring: New primary 220V/12V wiring
- Batteries:
- 800Ah AGM domestic (2022)
- 150Ah AGM engine start
- 150Ah AGM windlass
- Inverter/Charger: Victron Combi 80A / 2000W
- Water Heater: Quick stainless steel (220V + engine heated)
- Lighting: All LED
Safety Equipment
- Life Raft: 8-person ocean
- Life Jackets: 4 inflatable + safety lines + 4 watersport vests
- Flares: Full set
- First Aid Kit: Included
Accommodation & Comfort
- Cabins: 3
- Berths: 6
- Saloon: New upholstery, mattresses, ceilings
- Galley: Stainless steel oven (3 burners), propane solenoid shutoff, built-in fridge & freezer (Frigoboat cooling systems)
- Plumbing: Black water tanks fitted, upgraded fresh water and sump pumps, new boiler
- Heating: Webasto heater (not mounted)
- Interior Finish: Original layout with new ceilings, LED lighting, vinyl carpet on snap buttons
Tender
- Model: Avon 2.85m Hypalon, solid GRP bottom
- Engine: Yamaha 9.9HP 4-stroke
- Accessories: Included
Yacht status:
Currently registered in Malta under a limited company which I am sole owner, company can be sold with the yacht or closed according buyer wishes.
The yacht as been TVA exempted in EU beginning of the 90’, this is why the mechanic has been completely rebuilt instead on to change for new, just to keep the yacht original status.
The yacht comes with all original documentation, boat builder certificate, drawings, etc.
