Overview
The Southerly 480 is the Discovery 48, designed by Oscar Mayr, fitted with a swing keel and first built in 2018 as a Southerly. After Discovery Yachts closed in 2021 the name changed briefly to Southerly 48, and it went back to 480 in 2023 when Concept Yachts bought the Southerly brand.
Design and Construction
The hull is fiberglass, 49.15 ft overall on a 42.81 ft waterline, with 14.63 ft of beam. Displacement is 38,043 lb with 13,492 lb of ballast (35.47%). Draft runs from 3.28 ft with the keel up to 10.24 ft with it down. The rig is a sloop carrying about 1,116 sq ft. Twin rudders are fitted.
Buyers Notes
John Neal rates the Southerly range from the 330 to the 590 at 3 of 5, calling them quality-built, attractive and innovative swing-keel yachts. The lifting keel gives shallow-water access, so check the keel pivot, lifting gear and hull stiffening on any survey.
