Brand Guide
Schaefer Yachts: Buyer's Guide, Models and Current Inventory
Schaefer Yachts builds design-forward day yachts and cruisers with an emphasis on entertaining space and open, light-filled interiors. The range spans outboard, sterndrive, coupe and flybridge configurations, and the buying decision usually turns on configuration and clearance rather than on length alone.
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Premium Yacht Marketplace is an independent yacht-market platform. This guide is editorially independent research; it is not a manufacturer endorsement, a dealer relationship, or a claim of authorised representation for Schaefer Yachts. Brokerage services are provided by participating licensed brokers through their own brokerages.
Schaefer Yachts at a glance
- Origin
- Brazil (Brazilian design and build heritage)
- Boat types
- Day yacht, Cabin cruiser, Flybridge cruiser
- Length range
- Approximately 33 to 45 feet across the models covered here
- Propulsion
- Outboard, Sterndrive, Inboard
- Typical use
- Entertaining, Day cruising, Coastal overnighting
Why buyers choose Schaefer Yachts — and the tradeoffs
Design-led layouts
Interior and cockpit layouts prioritise sightlines, light and entertaining flow. Tradeoff: styling-driven layouts can trade stowage volume for open space.
Fold-down balconies on applicable models
The 380, 400 and V44 are specified with fold-down balconies, which materially change how the boat is used at anchor. This is a model-specific feature and is not a brand-wide characteristic.
Configuration choice across one range
Outboard, sterndrive, coupe and flybridge options let buyers match propulsion and shelter to their waters. Tradeoff: each configuration has different service, clearance and running-cost consequences.
Entertaining-first cockpit space
Cockpit and transom areas are laid out for time at anchor rather than for fishing. Tradeoff: these are not fishing platforms.
Distinct presence in Florida inventory
The brand is less common than volume production builders, which can help a well-kept boat stand out. Tradeoff: fewer comparable sales means pricing requires more careful market work.
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Market report coming as data accumulates
We publish living Schaefer Yachts market reports once verified live and sold data clears our threshold.
Find My BoatModel families
Specifications below are manufacturer-published figures with the term they were published under. Where a figure has not been sourced, the card says so rather than estimating.
Model family
V Series
Sport day-yacht configurations focused on open cockpit entertaining.
Model family
Cruisers
Cabin cruisers with extended accommodation and, on applicable models, fold-down balconies.
Model family
Flybridge
Flybridge cruising with an upper helm and additional entertaining space.
Research module
Ownership planning: lift, slip and clearance
Two planning items matter most on this range. First, balcony-equipped models (380, 400 and V44) require a clear review of side clearance before the balconies can be deployed at a slip or alongside — we have not confirmed deployment clearance dimensions and recommend confirming them with the builder or dealer for the specific hull. Second, weights are published under different terms by model (lightship displacement, displacement, or light craft mass), so do not compare them to each other or to another brand's dry weight without accounting for the term. Add fuel, water, gear and crew before comparing to any lift rating.
| Model | Published base figure | Fuel | Water | Gear + crew | Estimated loaded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schaefer 380 | 19,675 lbsDisplacement (manufacturer) | 2,048 lbs | Not published | 1,000 lbs | ~22,723 lbs |
| Schaefer 400 | 20,944 lbsLight craft mass (manufacturer) | 2,078 lbs | Not published | 1,000 lbs | ~24,022 lbs |
| Schaefer 450 Fly | 34,800 lbsLight craft mass (manufacturer) | 2,378 lbs | Not published | 1,000 lbs | ~38,178 lbs |
| Schaefer V33 | 10,900 lbsLightship displacement (manufacturer) | 1,380 lbs | Not published | 1,000 lbs | ~13,280 lbs |
Assumptions: fuel at 7.5 lbs/gal, fresh water at 8.34 lbs/gal, and a 1,000 lb gear, canvas, electronics and crew allowance. Where a capacity is not published we leave it out rather than guess. Confirm every figure against the build sheet and your lift rating before you buy.
Research module
Construction and systems
Construction, lamination and systems specifications vary by model, configuration and model year. We state only what is verified against the builder's published information for the specific model, and mark anything else as requiring verification against the build sheet for the individual hull.
Research module
What to inspect on a used Schaefer Yachts
On any used Schaefer, confirm balcony mechanism operation, seals and hardware on applicable models, and test hydraulic or mechanical systems through a full cycle. Verify generator, air conditioning and fresh-water systems under load, and confirm propulsion service history for the specific configuration. This is an inspection checklist, not a claim of any known defect.
Represented by PYM brokers
Listings represented by participating licensed brokers. Availability changes daily.
No Schaefer Yachts listings are publicly available right now. Ask us to find one.
Experts on Schaefer Yachts
No named expert relationship has been approved for Schaefer Yachts yet. We publish an expert’s name only when there is a documented basis for it — hands-on experience with the boats, transactions handled, or reviewed contributions to this guide. Until then, this guide is editorial research by the Premium Yacht Marketplace team.
Research module
Market perspective
Comparable sales are thinner for this brand than for volume production builders, which makes documented condition, systems fitment and presentation matter more in pricing. We discuss closed-market context privately rather than publishing individual transaction data.
Schaefer Yachts buyer questions
Do all Schaefer models have fold-down balconies?
No. Balconies are specified on the 380, 400 and V44 among the models covered here. Treat balconies as a model feature, not a brand feature.
How much clearance do the balconies need?
We have not confirmed deployment clearance dimensions and will not estimate them. Confirm the required clearance with the builder or dealer for the specific hull, and check it against your slip before you buy.
Why are the published weights described differently by model?
The builder publishes lightship displacement for some models, displacement for others, and light craft mass for others. These terms are not interchangeable, so we label each figure with the term it was published under.
Which configuration should I choose?
Match the configuration to your waters and your storage. Outboards simplify service and shallow-water use; coupe and flybridge configurations add shelter and interior volume but also add air draft and systems.
How should I price one of these?
Because comparable sales are less frequent, pricing depends heavily on documented condition, systems fitment and presentation. A confidential market read is the practical starting point.
Sources and last update
Last reviewed August 15, 2026 · Maintained by Premium Yacht Marketplace editorial