1997 Saga 43

Here's a near-perfect live-aboard cruiser for a couple - and that's just what Bob Perry & the Saga Concept team had in mind when they introduced the Saga 43 in 1997. Over 55 Saga 43's are now cruising! Taking the lead from the shorthanded offshore racing fleets like the Whitbread and BOC around the world races, Saga opted to maximize waterline length to gain the desired interior space, and to judiciously pare weight, and retain a relatively narrow beam. It is a proven offshore concept with a strong scientific basis.

The result is the Saga 43, a more suitable and more comfortable offshore cruiser with a high range of positive stability and better overall seakeeping qualities than boats with extreme beam. The hull has an ultra-fine entry angle with low drag, and is therefore very easily driven through the water and chop with far less sail area required. That makes for less strain on the rig, lower sheet and winch loads, and most importantly, less sweat for the crew. The big bonus is that the Saga 43's longer waterline length translates to higher speeds under both power and sail than ordinary boats with the same LOA.

Neither a cutter nor a sloop in the usual sense, the solent rig has tandem roller furling units for the headsails. The rig is proportioned so that it does not require overlapping headsails for power when sailing close-hulled. The inner furler handles the self-tacking jib for windward work. A custom Harken traveler on the foredeck reduces tacking up a narrow channel to a mere turn of the wheel. After bearing away to a reach, the crew simply rolls out the special high clew reaching genoa on the outer furler to increase horsepower downwind. The jib is then furled out of the way.

This boat is a rare mix of speed and comfort in a great looking package. Revolutionary fast design by Robert Perry...this is a connoisseur's boat...a sailor's boat. Big sail plan + easily driven hull = a great light air boat. It’s a truly thrilling boat to sail! If you sail for pleasure there isn't another boat in its class that will delight the senses more than a Saga 43.

"The Saga 43... can be seen in cruising destinations just about anywhere in the world and is considered by many to be a real classic that will stand out with the Valiant 40 and Cal 40 as an example of a truly excellent cruising boat design." Blue Water Sailing Magazine 10/04

St. Somewhere's owners have enjoyed many safe miles on her, including two Trans-Atlantic crossings when they took her over to the Med and home again. They decided they were ready for a change at this point in life and have now moved on to a power boat. So now she sits in Annapolis patiently waiting for her next owners. Call and make an appointment to see her today! 

While the exterior of the Saga 43 means business under sail and fine performance, the moment you step inside you come into a very classic and elegant interior. The interior of St. Somewhere is hand crafted in satin-varnished American cherry wood and whispers luxury. Headroom is generous at 6'5". All of the cabinets have inviting raised panel fronts on them.

Forward head: In the forepeak forward of the head is a huge chain locker, which is separated from the head by a Starboard type door for easy cleaning. This locker, however, is all storage- and lots of it- as the two hawse pipes lead below the locker to get the weight of the chain down low, where you want it.

Just aft of that is the manual head, which has a fiberglass shower seat that lowers over it if you want to shower seated or for changing. There is bin access on the shelves on either side of the seat and mirrored sliding cabinet doors lining the hull sides on either side of the space. The entire space is made of molded fiberglass and laminate, so cleanup is easy and the space is bright. The floor is also molded non-skid for safety. The clamshell sink is on port has storage beneath it as well. Across on starboard is counter space. The shower head is a wand on an adjustable bar with its’ own separate mixer. There is a screened Lewmar hatch overhead for ventilation and light, as well as two halogen overhead lights.

Forward stateroom: Located just aft of the forward head, the master stateroom features a 6’6” long Pullman style double berth along the port side of the cabin. Beneath the berth there are six drawers, while outboard and above are storage cabinets the length of the berth. Ash staving covers the hullside between. A pair of reading lights is located at the head of the bed. There is a large fiddled bookshelf at the foot of the berth.

The entire starboard side of the master stateroom is storage. Forward is a large cedar lined locker with shelves inside. At the aft end is another cedar lined locker, this one for hanging storage, with fiddled shelf space above. Between the two is a vanity type space, with a mirrored locker door and shelves above the fiddled countertop and two drawers and a drop-front locker below.

Lighting and ventilation for this cabin include the two reading lights, four halogen ceiling lights, a screened overhead hatch, two opening ports, a Hella fan mounted at the head of the bed and a heat/AC supply vent.

Saloon: The main saloon features a fixed drop-leaf centerline cherry table with opposing settees. The table can comfortably seat six and has a center storage space. Both settees are equipped with lee clothes and each settee has storage beneath it and storage behind the seat cushions.

The cherry battened headliner is removable for access to the deck hardware and wiring. Overhead one also finds plenty of grab bars to hold on to at sea. There are water tanks and storage beneath the settees, with more storage behind the settees; shelving and cabinetry are outboard and above that. Ventilation and illumination is good, with four fixed ports, two dorade vents, four reading lights, one Hella fan, two overhead hatches and two opening portholes.

Nav station: The nav station is aft facing on the starboard settee and includes the hinged AC/DC distribution panel and a generously sized chart table with ample storage inside it. There is a locker for chart books beneath the chart table.

Aft head: The aft head is located on port and is across from the galley. When you enter, the head is to the left, with the molded scallop sink is directly in front of you, with storage beneath it. To the left of the sink above the counter is a molded fiberglass cabinet with acrylic shelves inside of it; there is another locker beneath the counter under this. To the right of the sink is the separate stall shower, which has a fully molded interior (including a shower seat) and a circular acrylic door that rotates to open or close. Ventilation to this space is provided by a dorade, one hatch and two opening ports.

Galley: The galley is aft of the nav station and at the foot of the companionway steps to starboard. Wrap around Corian counter tops provide plenty of space to prepare anything from crackers to crepes and the storage is generous.

Facing forward, there is a large double stainless steel sink with double doors beneath it in front and a tip-out trash bin on the end. Looking along the hullside one finds counter space to the right of the sink and wrapping around the stove, with more counter space to the right of that. Beneath the stove is a drop-front cubby for pot and pan storage; on either side of the stove are three drawers and a drop front locker beneath the counter. Above the counter on either side of the stove is cabinet storage. On the aft end are the refrigerator and freezer compartments, with the refrigerator portion having a top/front lid for easier access to the bottom of it. Above that is the microwave. There is an overhead hatch, one dorade vent and two opening ports for plenty of ventilation.  

Aft stateroom: Aft of the head on port is the guest cabin. The berth is a generous 6'7" x 6'2"; the cabin is well ventilated, with two ports, an overhead hatch and a Hella fan. There is a cedar lined hanging locker, a stack of drawers with a Corian top above them, ash batten staving lining the hull and room to move around.

• Cherry hardwood interior in a hand rubbed stain varnish finish
• Solid cherry drawer fronts and raised panel cabinet doors
• All cabinet interiors are finished in wood
• Ash staving along hull sides
• Teak and holly cabin sole
• Lee clothes on master berth and both saloon settees
• Hella fans (4- master stateroom, saloon, galley, guest stateroom)

• Corian countertops
• Double stainless steel sink
• Moen single lever water mixer with pull out spray wand
• Whale fresh water foot pump
• Gimbaled Force 10 3-burner LPG stove with oven and broiler
• Stove safety bar
• Two 20# LPG cylinders
• Remote electronic solenoid LPG shutoff valve and gas sniffer
• GE Microwave oven (2013)
• Top loading refrigerator and freezer boxes w/4” insulation
• Frigoboat 12v refrigeration in freezer side with spillover
• Sea Frost 12v/engine driven cold plate refrigerator for on passage
• Cherry spice rack
• Tip-out trash bin

Forward Head:

• Seamless unit construction w/molded nonskid sole
• Molded counter top and scallop shell sink
• Stainless steel H/C pressure water mixer (2015)
• Shower wand on bar with single lever mixer (2015)
• Electric shower sump pump
• Sliding mirror door storage spaces above counters P&S (2015)
• Jabsco manual head
• Y-valve for overboard discharge
• Jabsco macerator pump
• Hinged shower seat over head

Aft Head:

• Molded counter top and scallop shell sink
• Stainless steel H/C pressure water mixer (2015)
• Separate shower stall with curved Plexiglas door
• Curved divider Plexiglas replaced (2015) 
• Shower wand on bar with single lever mixer (2015)
• Electric shower sump pump
• Cherry framed mirror
• Jabsco manual head
• Y-valve for overboard discharge
• Jabsco macerator pump

• 140 gallons of water capacity in two tanks
• Water tank selector manifold
• H/C pressure water
• 11 gallon hot water heater (2013)
• Aluminum water tanks with inspection ports
• SK 12v 150GPD water maker
• H/C cockpit shower
• Electric bilge pump
• Electric high volume emergency bilge pumps w/ 1 1/2" discharge hoses (2)
• Whale Gusher manual bilge pump in cockpit
• Whale Gusher manual bilge pump in galley below cabin sole for operation from below with all hatches and ports closed
• Bilge high water alarm

The hull of the Saga 43 has a nearly plumb bow and rakish stern with a convenient walk-out swim platform. Construction of the hull is of hand-laid fiberglass, using premium grade polyester resin, with two layers of Vinylester resin for added osmotic protection. There is aircraft grade Baltek balsa coring in the hull and deck; the core is voided or replaced with high density backing plates in areas of thru-hulls or deck hardware attachment. Along the keel is additional heavy duty keel solid laminate layup for additional keel and mast support strength. The aluminum slotted toe rail has a PVC rub rail for full length hullside protection. The keel is externally hung lead with a double row of 10 1" keel bolts. All bulkheads and furniture components are fully bonded to the hull and deck. The hull to deck joint is thru-bolted on 4" centers and bonded with polyurethane adhesive sealant. There is a massive sub floor framing structure utilizing bi-directional E-Glass reinforcements for hull stiffness and added strength. The exterior is tropics friendly, with no exterior teak to maintain. The cockpit seats have nice high coamings for great back support and are 7'6" long, making them wonderful for cockpit sleeping. Foot braces are molded into the cockpit sole for the helm and crew.

• NO exterior bright work to maintain! Fiberglass and stainless only
• Double stainless steel bow rollers extend well forward of the bow
• 45# CQR anchor with 200’ of 5/16” chain & 200’ 5/8” nylon rode
• Fortress FX-55 anchor w/12’ of 38” chain and 300’ of 5/8” nylon rode
• Fortress Guardian 37 kedge anchor w/6’ of chain & 250’ of nylon rode
• 200’ of 3/4” nylon rode
• SS anchor snubber
• Simpson Lawrence windlass w/up and down foot switches for windlass
• Anchor windlass remote at helm
• Dual hawse pipes
• Anchor wash down
• Divided chain locker
• Six mooring cleats- 2 bow, 2 amidships, 2 stern
• Slotted aluminum toe rail
• 32” stainless steel bow and stern rails
• 32” high uncoated 1x19 wire lifelines (2010)
• Port and starboard lifeline gates
• 4” diameter stainless steel rudder stock
• Low friction rudder stock bearings and a balanced rudder design provide a very light, responsive feel to the helm
• All below waterline thru-hulls are ¼ turn Marelon ball valves, requiring no grounding and non-corrosive
• All above waterline thru-hulls are chromed bronze
• Heavy gauge copper wire bonding system
• Swim platform w/stainless steel swim ladder
• Fiberglass transom door
• Walk thru transom for ease of boarding and safety- MOB retrieval is simple with the electric winch
• Safety bars at mast
• Storage wells at mast base for winch handles, etc.
• Dodger (frame only) with side and aft grab rails
• Bimini w/connector
• Full cockpit enclosure panels (2010)
• Locking acrylic hatch boards
• Screened hatch boards
• 7’6” long, deep sculpted cockpit seats provide great back support and good sleeping under the stars
• Self-draining line organizer boxes molded into the cockpit coamings
• Dedicated self-draining life raft locker
• Dedicated, USCG approved, vented locker for dinghy gasoline storage
• Four cockpit pad eyes
• Four stainless steel dorades with stainless steel guards
• Four fixed lights
• Nine opening ports (eight with screens)
• Seven opening hatches with screens
• Bow hatch reglazed (2015)

Some preconceived notions about conventional sloops or cutters may need to be discarded in order to understand how the Saga 43's Variable Geometry rig works. It's not a cutter or a sloop in the usual sense and the techniques for sailing it are a tad different than what you may be used to. The rig is proportioned so that an overlapping head sail is never required. The inner head sail is used when sailing close-hulled, even in light air. As it is self-tending, tacking simply requires a turn of the wheel, no crew required. Off the wind, the reaching genoa is deployed to both add sail area and shift the center of pressure forward to maintain an extra light helm pressure on all points of sail. At deeper angles downwind an asymmetrical spinnaker can be flown from the bowsprit. Furthermore, the Saga 43 will remain well balanced and easily steered even when pressed hard on a tight reach, unlike conventionally rigged boats. Mainsail hoisting and reefing chores are easily taken care of inside the safety of the cockpit with a push of the button on the two speed self-tailing electric winch.

The Saga 43 is no slouch on the water- in fact she has an impressive sail area/displacement ratio of 20.01.

• Saga Variable Geometry rig
• Harken roller furlers on the jib and headsail
• Removable inner forestay added for a storm jib (2010)
• Offshore keel stepped double spreader spar
• Mast and boom stripped and repainted (2010)
• Offshore rigid boom vang
• Stainless steel 1x19 wire standing rigging replaced (2010)
• Aluminum 19’ whisker pole (2010)
• Harken 2SPCH32ST on mast
• Spinlock line clutches on mast (4)
• Harken 2SPCH56ST Primaries
• Harken 2SPCH40ST on house
• Harken  2SPCH40EST electric winch on house
• Mid-boom sheeting
• Harken mainsheet car and track
• Main, jib halyards and topping lift replaced (2015)
• Mainsheet and traveler control lines replaced (2015)
• Reefing control lines replaced (2015)
• Vang sheet replaced (2015)
• Spinlock line clutches on housetop (6)
• Harken Battcar track and slides provide low-friction raising and lowering of the main
• Lazy jacks
• Spinnaker halyard
• Storage wells at mast base for winch handles, etc.
• All halyards, reefing and control lines are led aft to the safety of the cockpit beneath a carapace, keeping them from underfoot to reduce trip hazards while on deck and protecting them from the elements
• Hood main sail w/3 reef points (reconditioned 2010, OK for cruising but not for performance)
• Rolly Tasker Genoa (2011, good condition)
• Rolly Tasker jib (2011, good condition)
• Mack Sails storm jib (unused)
• Halsey Lidgard asymmetrical spinnaker
• Winch handles
• Winch handle holder by companionway

• Yanmar 4JH2E 51HP engine with 2784 hours S/N 09830
• Racor R26S fuel filter
• Groco raw water strainer
• Fuel tank gauge
• Oil pressure and temp gauges
• PSS dripless shaft seal
• Edson steering pedestal w/leather wrapped 40” SS destroyer wheel
• Steering cables replaced (2010)
• Single lever Morse engine control
• Pedestal cover
• Autoprop feathering propeller
• Spur line cutter
• Northern Lights 5Kw genset w/191 hours (serviced 2015)
• Aqua Air 16,000 BTU reverse-cycle heat/air conditioning

ELECTRICAL

• 30A shore power connection w/50’ cord
• 50A - 30A adapter
• 15A - 30A adapter
• 120V AC Panel with voltage and amp meter
• 12v DC Panel with voltage and amp meter
• West Marine Group 27 AGM starting battery (2013)
• Two 4D flooded cell house batteries (2013)
• NOTE: Set up for three 4D’s, AGM’s were not available in time for return trip to US from Spain
• Battery selector and bypass switches (3)
• Xantrex Link Pro battery monitor
• Link 1000 inverter (2006)
• Heart Interface 3-stage alternator regulator
• Heavy gauge copper wire bonding system
• LED masthead tricolor/anchor/strobe light (2010)
• LED reading lights in main cabin (2010)
• LED overhead lights switchable white/red in galley/aft head/aft cabin
• Hella fans (4)

ELECTRONIC

• ICOM IM710 SSB radio (2002)
• Insulated backstay antenna (2002)
• SSB Interface to connect to a computer for Weather Fax, Navtex, & Ham radio digital transmission/reception modes
• Raymarine E85001 interface
• Sea Tech SR161 AIS receiver (displays on iPad/iPhone/Chartplotter)
• Lowrance Elite-4M HD color chart plotter/radar repeater at helm
• Raytheon RL70 radar at nav (2002)
• Raytheon 2kw radome on gimbaled backstay mount
• Raymarine RC520 chart plotter/radar display at helm
• HSB connection between RL70 and RC520 chart plotter at helm
• Standard Horizon GX2100 VHF radio w/AIS & DSC
• Standard Horizon RAMIII microphone w/AIS at the helm
• ICOM handheld VHF
• Raymarine ST6000+ autopilot
• Raymarine ST60+ speed and log
• Raymarine autopilot remote
• Raymarine ST60+depth
• Raymarine ST60+ wind
• Raymarine ST60+ graphic display
• ACR 406MHz EPIRB (needs inspection)
• Alpine CDE-102 AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA/AAC stereo
• Polk Audio stereo speakers (2)

• Zodiac 6 person offshore life raft (needs recertification)
• MOM8 crew overboard module
• Autotether “Screamer” crew overboard alert system
• Jacklines
• PFDs
• Fire blanket
• West Marine 9’ inflatable dinghy (09)
• Johnson 4hp outboard'
• Outboard motor pad
• Cockpit shade awning
• Teak and holly folding cockpit table
• Teak cup and binocular holder
• Bottomsider custom cockpit cushions
• Companionway screens
• Fenders
• Braided dock lines
• Boat hook
• Emergency tiller
• Boson’s chair
• Numerous spare parts
• Yanmar service manuals
• Flag staff

Owner’s personal effects and any items not specified in this listing

Potential purchasers should assume that any items on the vessel at the time of viewing, but not specifically listed on this specification sheet, are not included with the sale of the yacht. These specifications are believed to be correct but cannot be guaranteed. Specifications are provided for information purposes. Data was obtained from sources believed reliable but is not guaranteed by owner or brokers. Buyer assumes responsibility to verify all speeds, consumptions, capacities and other measurements contained herein and otherwise provided, and agrees to instruct his/her agents or his/her surveyor to confirm such details prior to purchase. This vessel is subject to sale, price and inventory changes or withdrawal from market without notice.