2000 Custom Ian Franklin 53 Deck Saloon Sloop
$350,000
Boat in Norwalk, CT 06855 US
Built in 2000
Ian Franklin 53 Deck Saloon Sloop
1 Engine (Yanmar)
53 feet
Diesel
Fiberglass/Composite
INDEPENDENCE is the kind of boat that makes sense the moment you step aboard. She was built for a cruising couple who wanted real offshore capability, but also wanted speed, comfort, and a layout that works both at sea and at anchor. At 53 feet, she gives you serious passagemaking strength without feeling like an oversized project, and the custom build quality shows throughout. The current listing describes her as a high-performance Rob Humphreys design, built strong, finished beautifully, and set up to be sailed easily by two.
What stands out first is how livable she feels. The aft owner's cabin has a centerline queen berth, settee, vanity, and excellent light and ventilation. Moving forward, the galley is properly laid out for safe use underway, with Sea Frost refrigeration, Force 10 stove and oven, microwave, double stainless sink, and abundant storage. The nav station is forward-facing and well equipped, and the main saloon is exactly what a deck saloon should be: bright, open, and connected to the outside through large Lexan windows, opening ports, and overhead hatches. Forward are two guest cabins, giving the boat a true three-cabin layout that works well for cruising with another couple or family aboard.
The interior finish is also a real part of the appeal here. This is not a stripped-out performance boat pretending to cruise. The teak joinery, blue upholstery, cream ultrasuede headliner, Corian counters, good storage, and thoughtful ventilation all point to a boat that was designed to be lived aboard in comfort. There are Hella fans placed throughout, retractable screens and shades on the hatches, and details like proper wine and crystal storage that make the interior feel custom in the right way, not just customized for the sake of it.
On deck and under sail, INDEPENDENCE has the kind of specification that should get an experienced buyer's attention. She has a Kevlar composite hull with Airex closed-cell foam core, watertight collision bulkheads forward, a custom carbon fiber spade rudder, and a bulk lead keel with substantial internal stainless structure. Her rig is equally serious: custom Sparcraft carbon mast, Leisure-Furl carbon boom for the fully battened main, Harken roller furling for the jib, carbon whisker pole, and all halyards and reefing lines led aft to the cockpit. The electric winches are set up with foot controls at the helm, which makes short-handed sailhandling much easier on a boat of this size. Sail inventory includes a Doyle fully battened mainsail from 2014, furling genoa, staysail/storm jib, trysail, and asymmetrical spinnaker.
Mechanically and electrically, the boat also reads like a thoughtful cruising platform. The electrical system was designed by Nigel Calder, with a 900 amp-hour gel cell house bank, dedicated start battery, Heart Interface Freedom 25 inverter, Balmar 180 amp alternator, and Link 2000 charging and monitoring system. Navigation includes Raytheon ST60 displays, Raymarine Axiom plotter at the helm, RayMarine LC 70 at the nav desk, autopilot, Icom SSB, and VHF. The mechanical details in the listing point to a boat built for practical offshore use, with fuel transfer capability, oil change pump, Aqua Drive coupling, redundant freshwater pumps, integral tanks with inspection access, and a Tank Tender monitoring system.
What makes INDEPENDENCE appealing is that she is not just unusual, she is purposeful. There are plenty of custom boats that feel idiosyncratic or compromised. This one feels like someone had a very clear brief: build a fast, strong, easily managed offshore yacht with a proper owner's cabin, real guest accommodations, big views from the saloon, and serious construction. That still comes through in the listing today. At her asking price, she offers a lot of boat for someone who understands what a custom carbon-rigged, Kevlar-composite 53-footer would cost to replicate now.
Highlights
- Custom 53-foot offshore deck saloon sloop
- Rob Humphreys design
- Built to be sailed by two
- Kevlar composite hull with Airex core
- Two forward collision bulkheads
- Custom carbon fiber mast
- Leisure-Furl carbon boom
- Electric cockpit winches with helm foot controls
- Three-cabin layout
- Bright deck saloon with large Lexan windows
- Nigel Calder-designed electrical system
- 900 amp-hour gel house bank
- Raymarine Axiom chartplotter
- SSB and VHF
- Sea Frost refrigeration and freezer
- Force 10 three-burner stove with oven
Starting aft in the owner's cabin is the queen-sized berth on centerline, starboard settee, hanging locker and abundant drawers and cabinets, vanity is to port; overhead opening hatch and 4 opening ports provide for a light and airy cabin.
There are two access doors from the cabin; the portside door leads to the aft head and shower and the starboard door leads to a well-equipped galley. The galley is extremely well laid out providing an efficient, safe, cooking and food preparation area. There are two opening ports, one to cockpit and one outboard which provides light and ventilation as well as pass thru to the cockpit.
The Nav Station is forward facing, located forward of the aft head to port, and is very well equipped.
Midships is the spacious main salon which features a light and airy ambiance. There are large Lexan windows, the bottoms of which are 5'4" off the floor, offering a clear view outside. Two overhead hatches and two opening ports provide additional light and viewing along with superb ventilation. A beautifully finished salon table to port opens to seat 7-8 comfortably for dining or socializing. A settee to starboard pulls out and converts to a small double berth.
Crystal and wine storage cabinet is located forward of the starboard settee.
Continuing forward to port is a guest cabin with double berth; hanging locker, drawers and cabinet. To starboard is the large guest head with shower, Corian countertops and spacious linen closet.
Further forward is another guest cabin with queen berth, hanging locker and abundant drawers and cabinets, as well as a small settee to starboard.
The interior features beautifully finished teak, using world-class workmanship and joinery. The headliner is cream colored ultra-suede and easily removed for access to coach roof. There are handsome blue fabric settees throughout.
Both heads are finely finished in high-gloss fiberglass with Glacier White Corian countertops and teak grates over the shower floors. Galley countertops are Savannah Magna Corian with raised edges to avoid water seepage to the teak.
There are Halogen lights overhead and reading lamps throughout; Eight Hella fans are strategically placed for added ventilation. All hatches have retractable screens and shades.
The owner's cabin features a centerline queen-sized berth, small settee, hanging locker, abundant storage with vanity, large and small drawers, cabinets, four opening ports for excellent ventilation and 270 degree viewing. One large opening hatch overhead with retractable screen and shade, overhead Halogen lights and reading lamps, as well as Hella oscillating fans.
The middle guest cabin features a double berth, hanging locker, drawers, cabinet, overhead Halogen lights and reading lamps, oscillating fan, large overhead hatch with retractable screen and shade, opening port for good ventilation and viewing outside. The forward guest cabin features a large centerline queen-sized berth, small settee, hanging locker, drawers and cabinets, overhead Halogen lights, reading lamps, two opening ports, large overhead opening hatch with retractable screen and shade and two Hella oscillating fans.
The main salon is spectacular - exceptionally spacious and very bright and airy. The cabin features a U-shaped settee to port, full-length settee to starboard, cocktail/dining table with adjustable height, crystal and wine bottle storage cabinet, AM/FM radio and CD stereo system with Bose marine speakers in interior and cockpit, two large opening hatches with retractable screens and shades and two opening ports. Large Lexan windows surround slightly raised cabin sole and large windows provide exceptional outside light. Beautifully finished teak interior is accented by blue upholstery and cream ultra suede ceiling liner.
Dockside Air Conditioning,
Top and front opening fridge and freezer for full and easy access with 5" insulation. Sea Frost separate engine driven and DC refrigeration systems. Full-length Savannah Magna Corian counter tops with dedicated dishware compartments built-in. Force 10 three burner stove with oven and broiler Microwave Oven Small pantry and abundant storage. Double s/s sink with retractable spray hose
- Electrical system designed by Nigel Calder; 900 amp/hrs gel cell house battery bank; dedicated battery for main engine starting.
- Full compliment of navigation lights, running lights, anchor lights, etc.
- Shorepower connection for electrical outlets, batteries, fridge & freezer charging
- Heart Interface Freedom 25 inverter
- Balmar 180 amp alternator in addition to Yanmar alternator
- Link 2000 battery charger and monitoring system
- Battery parallel switch for both battery banks
(8) Raytheon ST60 multi-function displays
(3) displays over companionway
(3) Navigation Table
(1) Helm
(1) aft stateroom
RayMarine Axiom chart plotter at the helm
RayMarine LC 70 Chart plotter at Navigation desk
Raytheon ST 7000 autopilot w/type 300 core pack
ICOM M710 SSB radio w/AT-130 antenna tuner
ICOM M45 VHF radio w/ mast-mounted speaker
- Full-size chart drawer
- Chart table w/opening top & 3 large drawers
- Four long storage cabinets
Teak seating and floor in cockpit, with teak on aft coach roof and mast step area; teak seats, port and starboard, in custom stainless steel push pit; toe rail is white painted composite with custom two-tone grey/white non-skid decks; 32" custom tapered s/s stanchions w/double plastic covered lifelines. Two large lazarette aft, port and starboard. Large sail locker at foredeck behind deep anchor chain locker. Dedicated vented propane locker to secure two - 20lb tanks. Whitlock Deluxe Mamba 1001/130 DL Bevel drive steering system for precise feel and control, w/recessed Ritchie compass white enamel aluminum steering wheel w/leather cover. Dodger and bimini with s/s framework, clear overhead panel and removable sides for total enclosure. Four 50' Yale 5/8" blue docklines w/loops; four white 10 x 30 fenders.
Humphrey's designed hull shape with two watertight collision barrier bulkheads forward. Extremely strong Kevlar composite hull with Airex closed cell foam core (epoxy E-glass unidirectional and triaxial with Kevlar cloth on fore foot area), Resin-International Product XTR; fiberglass layup (material and design by High Modulus), Forespare Marlon thru-hull valves. Humphrey's designed unique bulk lead keel, bolted on and glued with Epiglass glue; keel has stainless steel internal frame with centerline bolts of 32mm diameter reaching to bottom of keel; 18mm top plate stainless steel between keel and hull. Large custom carbon fiber spade rudder with Harken rudder bearings. Painted topsides
Fuel transfer from lowest parts of tanks for testing or transfer; oil change pump on engine; PPS Shaft Sea; Aqua Drive coupling; Groco manual head system; redundant freshwater system with two Jabsco freshwater pumps; integral tanks with inspection, "Tank Tender" system to monitor fuel and water tanks.
All winches are conveniently located in the cockpit; electric winches have foot controls at helm allowing skipper to easily trim and ease sails. All halyard & reef lines led through Lewmar turning blocks and clutches to cockpit. Harken unit 3 roller furling for jib. Sparcraft Hi-tech Composite custom carbon fiber autoclave construction mast designed by Bruce Thompson/America's Cup NZ; custom Marten Marine Leisure-Furl roller furling boom for fully battened mainsail, retractable stowage cover slides forward on boom to easily cover sail when not in use, reef line to cockpit; custom Sparcraft boom vang with control line to cockpit; carbon whisker pole.
Air draft 78'
- 519 sq/ft Doyle Vectran (DV 18/6P) 100% genoa roller furling jib with UV cover and Sea Foam luff;
- 108 sq/ft Doyle Dacron 8.62 oz 50% staysail storm jib bank onto inner forestay
- 811 sq/ft Doyle Vectran 18/6P fully battened mainsail; (2014)
- 166 sq/ft Doyle hank on storm trysail with separate halyard point;
- 1,469 Doyle 1.6 oz nylon Asymmetrical spinnaker with adjustable luff line and ATN snuffer sleeve; staysail hanks onto inner forestay.
Fractional rig with prebend, 75' off water; mast is 68' above deck with 22 degree sweptback double spreaders, 78' air draft; running rigging in Vectran and Spectra; oversized discontinuous rod rigging; Harken roller furling manual Series 3; Harken B503 manual backstay adjuster; Kevlar check stays with block and tackle for use when inner forestay is employed; dedicated separate trysail cable adjacent to mast for easy deployment of trysail; hydraulic mast jack for easy spar work when necessary; colored Spectra halyards. Stainless steel inner forestay cable with Wichard quick release (inner forestay needed only when storm staysail is to be employed). Custom stainless steel chainplates; angle of chainplate 22 degrees.
- Two Lewmar 64 CEST electric primary winches
- Lewmar 54 CST electric main halyard winch
- Lewmar 54 CST electric main sheet winch
- Lewmar 54 CST halyard winch
- Lewmar 16 CST traveler winches
- Lewmar 16 CST jib reefing winch
Safety equipment: six USCG approved offshore PFD's; horseshoe buoy; EPIRB 406 GPS: flares; bell. Heavy duty bolt cutters.
Simple mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems mean easy maintenance and minimal downtime, while the simple sail plan makes for safe, fun easy and fast sailing. A 2000 model, "Independence” provided years of cruising for a family of 8 from Maine down to the Bahamas and has been well maintained by a knowledgeable owner.
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 3/19/26 | Initial price | $350,000 |
Overview from around the web 2000 Custom Ian Franklin 53 Deck Saloon Sloop
Customers praise the 2000 Custom Ian Franklin 53 Deck Saloon Sloop for its exceptional craftsmanship and timeless design
Many highlight the spacious and well-appointed deck saloon, which offers panoramic views and abundant natural light, creating a comfortable and inviting living space. The sloop’s sailing performance is frequently noted for being both smooth and responsive, making it enjoyable for both leisurely cruising and more spirited sailing. Reviewers also appreciate the quality of the build materials and the attention to detail throughout the vessel, emphasizing its durability and reliability. Overall, owners commend this yacht for combining classic elegance with practical functionality, making it a standout choice for serious sailors seeking comfort and style on the water.
The Biggest Pros and Cons
The 2000 Custom Ian Franklin 53 Deck Saloon Sloop offers a unique blend of performance, comfort, and craftsmanship. Here are some of the key pros and cons to consider:
Pros
Custom Design: Tailored to the owner’s specifications, ensuring a personalized sailing experience.
Deck Saloon Layout: Provides excellent natural light and panoramic views from the main living area, enhancing onboard comfort.
Spacious Interior: Generous living spaces with well-thought-out accommodations for extended cruising.
Solid Construction: Built with quality materials and attention to detail, offering durability and seaworthiness.
Sloop Rig: Efficient and versatile sail plan that performs well in a variety of wind conditions.
Good Performance: Designed for balanced handling and stability, suitable for both coastal and offshore passages.
Cons
Custom Build: May result in longer lead times and potentially higher costs for maintenance or replacement parts compared to production models.
Size: At 53 feet, it may require a skilled crew for handling, especially in challenging conditions.
Deck Saloon Configuration: While offering great views, the elevated salon can raise the center of gravity slightly, which might affect sailing performance in certain situations.
Limited Market: As a custom yacht, resale opportunities may be narrower compared to more widely produced models.
Made For
The 2000 Custom Ian Franklin 53 Deck Saloon Sloop is designed for discerning sailors who value a blend of classic craftsmanship and modern performance. Ideal for experienced cruisers seeking a spacious and comfortable vessel, this sloop offers exceptional seaworthiness for extended voyages. Its versatile design appeals to those who appreciate elegant deck saloon living spaces combined with reliable handling, making it perfect for both coastal cruising and offshore adventures. Whether you're an avid sailor looking for a robust yet stylish yacht or a couple desiring a luxurious floating home, this boat caters to a refined lifestyle on the water.
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Meet the Broker
Address
Boat Location
Contact David Walters Yachts about 2000 Custom Ian Franklin 53 Deck Saloon Sloop
850 NE Third Street, Suite # 209, Dania Beach, FL, 33004
Contact David Walters Yachts
850 NE Third Street, Suite # 209, Dania Beach, FL, 33004
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