A 1995 Benford Custom Pilothouse Cutter designed by naval architect Jay Benford, this 63-foot steel yacht was built for serious offshore and high-latitude cruising. Constructed by Custom Steel Boats in North Carolina and launched in 2003, she combines steel construction with a raised pilothouse for weather protection and visibility. The boat features a protected center cockpit, dual helm stations, hydraulic steering, bow and stern thrusters, and redundant systems throughout—all configured for handling by a couple on extended passages.
The single-cabin interior offers comfortable accommodations with excellent livability for a full-time cruising lifestyle. The design prioritizes mechanical access and incorporates substantial fuel and storage capacity for global range. A Yanmar 140-horsepower diesel engine powers the yacht, with cruising speeds around 8 knots.
From 2014 onward, the current owners undertook a major modernization covering standing and running rigging, a Schaefer in-boom furling system, updated sails, a comprehensive Raymarine electronics suite with dual NMEA networks, Mastervolt charging systems and lithium battery bank, a Spectra watermaker, and dual Maxwell windlasses. Interior spaces received updated finishes and customized upholstery.
The engine room is clean and well-maintained, with an Awlgrip finish on the hull. Extensive service records and receipts document the yacht's upkeep and upgrades over her ownership history.
Length
63.00 FT
Beam
16.75 FT
Draft
6.50 FT
Material
Steel
Shape
Displacement
Cabins
1
Heads
1
Engines
1
Engine Make
Yanmar
Power
NaN HP
Hours
1,490 HRS
Fuel
Diesel
Cruising Speed
8.30 KTS
Max Speed
8.50 KTS
Range
1138.00 NM
Fuel
190 GAL
Water
170 GAL