Perry Design Review: Ted Hood 51

Ted Hood has introduced, with this handsome 51-footer, the "Ted Hood line" as a more cost-effective alternative to the Little Harbors. The design of the 51 has all the Hood earmarks, plus a very innovative cockpit-pilothouse combination of a type usually found on larger boats.

The Ted Hood 51.

The pilothouse is open aft and is actually an extension of the cockpit space. It houses navigation and communication stations in addition to seating and a table for dining. I think this area will become the real hub of life on board. In profile, the pilothouse feature pulls the visual weight of the boat pretty far aft. But when you see the finished boat and are able to look through the windows, I don't think that aspect of the profile will look out of place. The rest of the boat is very yacht-like and quite in keeping with the quiet elegance we have come to expect from this design group.

The D/L ratio for this 51 is 326, and that's a heavy boat. But consider that 21,000 pounds of that is lead ballast, and now you can appreciate that this displacement will give you a stiff boat. There is also sufficient volume for 180 gallons of fuel and 300 gallons of water. The 51 comes in delta configuration with board and pivoting rudder tip for a draft of 4 feet, 11 inches with the boards up. There is also the standard version with 5 feet, 11 inches of draft with the board up. As far as speed is concerned, the heavy boat may give you the fastest and most comfortable ride upwind, especially in lumpy conditions.

Hood earmarks, and some innovation, make this an elegant yacht.

Boat Specifications

LOA	51'11";
LWL	40'9";
Beam	15'2";
Draft	keel/center board up 5'11", down 12'8";
Shoal	draft board up 4'11", down 11'8";
Displacement	49,440 lbs.;
Ballast	21,000 lbs.;
Sail Area	1,302 sq. ft.;
SA/D ratio	15.46;
D/L ratio	326;
L/B	3.42;
Auxiliary	4LH-TE 105-horsepower Yanmar diesel;
Fuel	180 gals.;
Water	300 gals.