1976 Motorsegler Calypso 43, EUR 89,000

Calypso 43 Ketch – Frans Maas Design | Classic Long-Distance Cruising Yacht

A classic cruising yacht designed for long voyages and life aboard.

This 1976 Calypso 43 Ketch, designed by the renowned Dutch designer Frans Maas, is a yacht from an era when solid construction, seaworthiness, and long-distance cruising capability were the top priorities.

The fiberglass hull, manufactured in Nuremberg, consists of an impressive 30–50 mm solid laminate; the interior was fitted out at the Gebr. Rüst shipyard in Emden. The yacht was built and certified according to Lloyd’s specifications.

With a displacement of about 15 metric tons, approximately 4 metric tons of ballast, a center cockpit, and a classic ketch rig, the Calypso evokes a feeling that many modern production yachts rarely offer anymore: you’re sailing on a real ship.

This design offers a remarkable foundation, especially for sailors who dream of long voyages, a transatlantic crossing, a circumnavigation of the globe, or a life aboard. Approximately 1,500 liters of diesel and 1,500 liters of water provide exceptional range and self-sufficiency for a yacht of this size.

Below deck, the Calypso impresses with a full-sized aft cabin with headroom, a spacious salon, a forward cabin with a V-berth, and two bathrooms, one of which includes a shower. The sheltered center cockpit comfortably accommodates up to six people.

In recent years, significant investments have been made in the yacht’s maintenance and modernization. The wooden superstructure was extensively restored by a boat builder and recoated using an epoxy vacuum infusion process. Invoices and photographic documentation are available.

Additional features include a high-quality soft top from 2021, overhauled sails, new boom covers, UV protection for the genoa, and two Andersen 50 ST two-speed winches, new in 2023.

The navigation system has also been modernized: Raymarine Axiom chartplotter and radar (2025), NAVTEX (2025), radio (2021), overhauled instrumentation, and an overhauled Segatron electric autopilot. A Vetus bow thruster from 2021 facilitates maneuvering.

Technical Specifications

Year Built: 1976
Designer: Frans Maas
Rigging: Ketch
Length: approx. 13.00 m
Beam: approx. 3.75 m
Draft: approx. 1.75 m
Displacement: approx. 15 t
Ballast: approx. 4 t
Sail area upwind: approx. 90 m²
Engine: Volvo Penta diesel, 60 PS
Diesel: approx. 1,500 l
Fresh water: approx. 1,500 l
Mast height: approx. 18 m including antennas

The Calypso 43 is thus far more than a classic yacht for weekend cruises. It offers a substantial platform for long-distance cruising, liveaboarding, and ambitious travel plans—for owners who value character, classic lines, and solid construction over fleeting trends.

A yacht for people whose journey is not meant to end at the horizon.

The yacht is located in Lübeck and is being sold to a good home for family reasons. Viewings and further information are available by appointment.
Commission-free for buyers