SV Aphrodite, St Francis 50 catamaran
Built in 2005 in South Africa by St Francis Marine
4 cabins, 4 heads, 110v and 220v (2 x 3000 W inverters)
Galley down design
Designer: Angelo Lavranos
Owners: Rick and Lorraine Escher, circumnavigating with their 4 children since 2015
Table of Contents
SV Aphrodite: Awarded Best Cruising Catamaran in 2006
In 2006, Cruising World Magazine awarded the St Francis 50 “Best Cruising Catamaran”. As part of the Boat of the Year event, SV Aphrodite was inspected, down to the screw, by marine experts, and taken for a sea trial.
Magazine reviews
Magazine reviews that used our St Francis 50 catamaran for the sea trials appear in Cruising World, Sailing, Bluewater Sailing, and Multihulls magazine.
In Multihulls magazine, Neil Rusch describes taking SV Aphrodite out for a sea trial in 60-knot winds and big seas. “What this did, once again, was convince me just how seakindly the St Francis boats are – the freeboard, full bow, reserve buoyancy – are a safety feature and a security, even for the novice.”
Reviews and coverage of include:
- Cruising World Magazine, St Francis 50
- Sailing Magazine, Boat of the Year Awards: Accolades for St Francis 50
- Sailing Magazine, St Francis 50: A Stunning Pedigree
- Bluewater Sailing Magazine St Francis 50
- Multihulls Magazine, St Francis 50 Boat Review
Proven blue water excellence in 2026
In 2015, we began a circumnavigation in Florida. They have sailed to more than 40 countries. They are now in Malaysia and preparing to Sail to South Africa and beyond. SV Aphrodite is robust, maintained in Bristol condition with many upgrades to support blue water sailing.
Boat Specifications
| Length overall | 15.25 m | 50’ |
| Waterline length | 14.35 m | 47’ |
| Beam (max) | 8 m | 26’ 3” |
| Draft | 1.25 m | 4’ 2” |
| Bridgedeck length | 10.87 m | 35’ 8” |
| Bridgedeck clearance | 0.85 m | 2’ 8” |
| Mast height (off deck) | 19.5 m | 64’ |
| Mast height (off water) | 21.48 m | 70’ 6” |
| Standard Auxilliary (Yanmar) | 4JH5E 1 x 36.4 kw (54 HP) 4JH4E 1 x 36.4 kw (54 HP) | |
| Sail Area | ||
| Mainsail | 88 sq. m | 947 sq. ft |
| Furling genoa | 56 sq. m | 602 sq. ft |
| Asymmetrical spinnaker | 170 sq. m | 1830 sq. ft |
| Code zero | – | |
| ISTEC Parasailor | 140 m2 | 1506 sq. ft |
| Storm Jib | 19 sq. m | 205 sq. ft |
| Capacity | ||
| Staterooms | 4 queen-size beds and 1 small single bed | |
| Fuel | 4 x 200 liters (total capacity of 800 liters) | |
| Freshwater | 2 x 675 liters (total capacity of 1350 liters/355 gallons) | |
| Holding tank | 2 x 300 liters (total capacity of 600 liters/160 gallons) | |
| Payload | People: 10 (75 Kg per person), total 750 kg Baggage: 4000 kg | |
A detailed description of SV Aphrodite can be found below.
Detailed Specfications: SV Aphrodite, St Francis 50 catamaran equipment list (18-pages)
Pin it
If you enjoyed this story, you can save it to your own Pinterest board using the images below. Thanks for reading and following our journey.
Related post: Teak and Transformation: Refinishing SV Aphrodite’s Woodwork in Malaysia