Little Harbor Yachts
Little Harbor Yachts stands among the most respected names in high-performance ocean cruising and refined blue-water sailing. Founded by legendary naval architect, America’s Cup winner, and Sailmaker Hall of Famer Ted Hood, the Little Harbor brand represents a rare synthesis of shallow-draft versatility, effortless shorthanded operation, and uncompromising New England craftsmanship.
Renowned for their sea-kindly hulls, robust fiberglass construction, and exquisite teak-rich interiors, Little Harbor sailing yachts and motor yachts were engineered to cross oceans safely while granting access to shallow coastal waters that keep deeper-draft vessels offshore. Whether you are navigating the thin waters of the Bahamas, handling heavy offshore seas, or coastal cruising in New England, these boats deliver a rare combination of confidence, luxury, and performance.
Wellington Yacht Partners brings deep, first-hand experience to the Little Harbor market. Based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the historic home of the brand, our team includes former captains, builders, and brokers who have logged thousands of miles aboard these yachts. Whether you are buying or selling, we offer trusted guidance across the full Little Harbor lineage, from classic centerboard cruisers to WhisperJet powerboats. Browse our current Little Harbor yachts for sale below, or contact our brokers to discuss a specific model.
Current Listings
MOONRACER
BEAU GESTE
L'EQUIPE
BRISE DE MER
MALAMOK
VELOURIA
SEPTEMBER MORN
Pedigree & Performance
Brand History & Legacy
The Innovation of a Legend: Ted Hood’s Vision
Founded in the mid-1950s by Ted Hood, Little Harbor Yachts grew out of Hood’s drive to design and build superior offshore yachts. Originally established in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and later expanded to a state-of-the-art facility in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the Little Harbor boat company set a new benchmark for semi-custom and custom yacht building. Under Hood’s direct supervision, hulls were meticulously built, often in collaboration with skilled international yards such as Lien Hwa, and finished to the highest standards. Over five decades, Little Harbor produced an iconic fleet of sailing yachts and powerboats that remain revered by serious mariners worldwide.
Design & Craftsmanship
Shoal-Draft Versatility Meets Handcrafted Luxury
Every Little Harbor yacht was engineered with a clear purpose: exceptional seaworthiness without giving up coastal access. Ted Hood pioneered the refined keel/centerboard hull form, giving these yachts a low center of gravity and a deep, powerful bite with the board down, and a shallow draft with the board raised. Below deck, Little Harbor yachts are known for handcrafted teak and mahogany joinery, heavy-gauge mechanical systems, and intuitive liveaboard layouts. Built for ease of use, many models feature in-mast furling, electric winches, and centralized cockpit controls, so a couple can sail a 50-plus-foot yacht with confidence.
Key Features & Model Variations
The Classic Centerboard Cruisers (Mid-Sized Sailboats: 38’ to 46’)
Built for coastal performance and offshore stability, these mid-sized Little Harbor sailboats represent the classic Hood design philosophy. With moderate-displacement hulls, skeg-hung rudders, and versatile keel/centerboard setups, models like the LH 38, LH 42, LH 44, and LH 46 offer nimble handling and remarkable comfort.
- Shoal-draft access: drafts as shallow as 4’6” to 5’ with the centerboard up.
- Shorthanded rigging: furling headsails, in-mast furling mainsails, and electric winches for simple shorthanded management.
- Accommodations: typically two-stateroom, two-head layouts with generous storage and sea-friendly galleys.
The Offshore Blue-Water Passage Makers (Large Sailing Yachts: 50’ to 70’+)
Designed for serious passage-making and world cruising, the larger Little Harbor fleet, including the LH 53, LH 54, LH 58/60, LH 62, and LH 70, pairs ocean-crossing performance with mega-yacht luxury.
- Custom and semi-custom build: tailored stateroom arrangements, including grand aft master cabins with centerline berths and private heads.
- Steady in a seaway: deep forefoots and balanced sail plans deliver a soft ride and confident handling in rough seas.
- Deck layouts: flush decks, ergonomic cockpits with easy deck exits, and optional raised pilothouses or dual-helm stations.
The WhisperJet and Powerboat Series (36’ to 44’ Express Cruisers)
In the 1990s, Ted Hood turned his design expertise toward high-performance powerboats and introduced the WhisperJet series. Built with composite construction and powered by jet drives, these Downeast-style express cruisers redefined fast coastal passage-making.
- Hamilton jet drives: ultra-shallow draft (under 2’), quick acceleration, smooth maneuvering, and no exposed propellers.
- Downeast aesthetic: classic lines, low-profile windshields, spacious cockpit seating, and rich wood interiors.
What Sets Little Harbor Apart
Choosing a Little Harbor is an investment in a legendary maritime pedigree. Known for heavy-duty reliability, timeless beauty, and strong performance, these yachts remain a benchmark for discerning cruisers.
Ted Hood’s design genius
Engineered by one of yachting’s most celebrated architects, pairing efficient sail plans with clean, hydrodynamic hull forms.
Unrivaled shoal-draft capability
The signature centerboard configuration opens up shallow harbors and island anchorages that are closed to other blue-water yachts.
Shorthanded friendly
Smart sail-handling systems, centralized helm controls, and electric winches make it easy for a couple or solo skipper to handle the boat.
Exquisite woodworking and joinery
Interior joinery that sets the standard for warmth and durability, with parquet soles, solid teak raised panels, and custom cabinetry.
Enduring value and pedigree
Thanks to limited production runs and exceptional build quality, used Little Harbor yachts hold strong resale interest in brokerage markets worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Little Harbor Yachts was founded by Ted Hood, an iconic figure in American yachting who won the 1974 America’s Cup aboard Courageous and revolutionized sailmaking with Hood Sailmakers. Hood established Little Harbor to build custom and semi-custom sailing and power yachts engineered for blue-water capability, shorthanded sailing, and shallow-draft versatility.
Ted Hood designed the keel/centerboard system to solve the draft limits of traditional deep-keel sailing yachts. With the heavy foil centerboard lowered, the yacht gains a deep draft and high lift for strong upwind performance and stability. When raised into the keel trunk, the draft drops significantly, often to 4.5 or 5 feet, giving easy access to thin-water anchorages in places like the Bahamas or Maine.
Little Harbor produced sailing yachts ranging from 38 feet to over 75 feet, including popular mid-sized cruisers (LH 38, 42, 44, 46) and larger blue-water yachts (LH 53, 54, 58/60, 62, 70). In later years, Ted Hood developed the WhisperJet powerboat line: fast, jet-driven Downeast express cruisers between 36 and 44 feet.
When inspecting a pre-owned Little Harbor, review the condition of the centerboard trunk, pennant assembly, and lifting mechanisms. Also check the teak decks, rigging systems, hydraulic and electric winches, and engine maintenance records. Because many Little Harbors have completed long offshore voyages, documented maintenance logs and recent equipment upgrades add meaningfully to value.
Wellington Yacht Partners represents Little Harbor buyers and sellers from our base in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the brand’s historic home. Our brokers have hands-on experience with the full range of Little Harbor sailboats and WhisperJet powerboats. Browse the current Little Harbor yachts for sale above, or contact our team to list your yacht or find a specific model.