“LU ELLA B” is a high-end, bespoke commuter yacht now offered for sale for the first time by her single owner. Designed by Doug Zurn and built by New England Boatworks in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, she reflects the perfect union of engineering and aesthetics—purpose-built for high-speed coastal cruising with a refined ride. “LU ELLA B” stands out as a unique opportunity to acquire a rare custom build with both pedigree and performance. A true yachtsman's yacht, in a league of her own, far beyond today's standard production offerings.
Highlights Include:
Twin MAN 1550 HP V12 engines with just over 1,100 hours create the capability of a 55ft boat that cruises comfortably at 43 knots
Roll-Royce Kamewa waterjet propulsion, typically only seen in commercial marine applications, provides agility at high speeds, close-quarters handling, and the freedom to operate in shallow waters
A practical deck plan allows seating for 8+ between the aft and bridge decks, with overnight accommodations for two below. The yacht's systems are simple, open, and uncluttered
Currently on hard for the winter season in Portsmouth, RI. Showings by appointment.
DESIGN COMMENTS & CONSTRUCTION:
“LU ELLA B” is based on Doug Zurn’s successful 50’ platform after conceiving “LONGEVITY” with Northeast Composites and CH Marine in 2002. A long, narrow, jet-driven hull engineered from the outset for very high cruise speeds with controllable behavior and motion. The design runs a relatively slender beam of 14’5” on an LOA of 55' 3", with a light ship displacement in the early 40,000 lb range, giving a notably low displacement-to-length ratio for a 50-plus-foot inboard yacht.
Zurn describes the underwater body as “long and narrow with 15° deadrise at the transom, transitioning to 17° and greater forward of amidships, with bell-shaped forward sections and fine entry rather than a blunt bow". This geometry, together with the narrow beam, reduces wetted surface and impact loading at speed. The fine, flared forward sections soften the re-entry in a head sea, while the moderate but persistent deadrise aft maintains enough running surface for tracking and grip during high-speed turns. The result is a hull that operates legitimately in the 40-50+ knot club while still feeling predictable and composed.
Structurally, the hull and deck are built as high-tech, epoxy resin-infused E-glass composites over foam core, a process New England Boatworks is well known for in its custom race boat work. Infusion yields a very controlled glass-to-resin ratio, producing a strong, stiff shell with fatigue resistance at a significantly lower weight than traditional hand-laminate methods. The foam-cored structure also contributes to panel stiffness and acoustic damping, which is particularly important at the kind of sustained cruise speeds this boat sees.
Propulsion is via twin high-output MAN diesels driving Rolls-Royce Kamewa waterjets, upgraded to 1,550 horsepower per side. In practice, the NEB/Zurn 50 has been documented cruising comfortably around the mid-40-knot range and approaching 60 knots depending on load and conditions. The jet controls, integrated with the Humphree system, give very fine control of running angle and lateral trim. This not only improves comfort but also reduces drag and fuel burn at a given speed. Waterjets combined with the hull’s 2’6” static draft allow for shallow-water operation and great maneuverability in close quarters - particularly when pairing the jets with bow and stern thrusters.
The NEB/Zurn 50’ sits at the intersection of modern race-boat technology and classic New England downeast styling: a fine-entry, moderate deadrise, composite hull optimized around high specific power and waterjet propulsion, delivering big-boat ride quality and capability in a package that still looks timeless in any harbor.
HULL & DECK:
Hull: “Aristo” Blue Awlgrip
Bootstripe: Double - Pure White Awlgrip
Deck: “Moon Dust” Non-Skid
Bottom: Black Anti-Fouling
1 ¼ S/S bow rail
FRP quarter guard with S/S striker
PVC rub rails with S/S cap
(8) 316 S/S cleats with custom chock leads molded into caprails
Muir Storm 2200 S/S vertical electric windlass with footswitches and helm control
Suncor 45lb Plowmaster S/S anchor with 50’ of S/S chain and 200’ ft of nylon rode
Lewmar anchor swivel
Deep anchor locker with subfloor compartment and freshwater washdown spigot
Large varnished teak bow pulpit
LED disk navigation light recessed under the pulpit
(4) Lewmar opening deck hatches
(6) Lewmar opening ports with screens
Varnished teak grab rails on the cabin top
Centerline transom access door
Oversized teak platform with rubrail and S/S striker
Armstrong S/S swim ladder beneath platform on centerline
(2) removable daybeds with S/S deck fittings and legs
(2) aft-facing bench seats with removable cushions
Varnished teak covering boards on bench tops with storage
Large slide-out fishing rod drawer box - starboard side bench
Storage lockers between both aft benches
(4) aft deck gunwale rod holders
(5) deck hatches with lockdowns and gas lifters
(2) fold out cockpit boarding steps at port and starboard midships
Large varnished teak flagstaff with US ensign and S/S fitting on transom combing
Hot and cold aft deck shower - wand and mixing tap
Courtesy lighting
Stamoid covers for: Stidd chairs, table tops, varnished coverboards, all deck hatches, and radar dome
Strataglass roll-up aft enclosure with zippered door and removable sides - shades for clear panels
Undermounted S/S basin sink with designer high-neck faucet
Top-loading dry goods storage locker in the countertop
Ample provision storage cabinets above the galley
Trash receptacle under sink
Water purifier
Chromed Grohe faucets and fixtures
Framed varnished-paneled doors and drawers
Centerline queen-sized berth with a custom 8” memory foam mattress
(2) Ocean Frigast Danish reading lamps
LED lighting on Vimar controls
Pillows, fitted sheets, and blankets
Hatch and port screens
Smoke and CO2 alarms
ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING SYSTEMS:
24V DC electrical/ 120V AC shorepower
(2) 50 AMP shore cords
Mastervolt Mass Combi 24/2500-60 charger/inverter
AC/DC panel at companionway
Batteries: (2) Lifeline 4D, (5) AGM G31
BlueSeas MLRBS battery relays with parallel
Bilge alarms
68-gallon poly water tank
Headhunter toilet system
32-gallon poly holding tank
Blackwater macerator with overboard discharge
Graywater tank with auto-discharge
PVC plumbing
Epoxy finished bilges
(2) Rule 2000GPH bilge pumps on auto-floats
IsoTherm basic 13-gallon hot water heater
4” bronze seacocks with S/S balls and single levers for engines
Marelon thruhulls - other than engines
PROPULSION & MECHANICAL:
Twin MAN 1550HP 24L V12 2300 RPM Common Rail Diesel Engines with 1117 hours (Clocked 12/25)
MAN MMDS-CLC 6.5’ digital engine monitoring displays
670-gallon fuel capacity between (3) tanks, automatic fuel transfer via electronic manifolds
ZF 2060 vertical offset gears - 1.25:1
Rolls-Royce S4 Kamewa Waterjets with single joystick control for both buckets
Rolls-Royce engagement operation panel at the helm
Rolls-Royce redundant control panel
Humphree Interceptor trim tabs
Aqua-drive jack shafts
Exhaust Systems risers, mufflers, and tail pipes
High-temp wet exhaust hoses
Kevlar jet tubes
Reinforced aluminum jet tunnels in the hull
Fail-safe galvanic isolators
Fuel/ air separators
Seafire automatic suppression system
Sound attenuating material throughout all machinery spaces
Custom powder-coated aluminum engine room ventilation louvers on housetop sides
Delta-T engine room ventilation system
(3) Diesel fan heaters for the owner's workstation, helm, and interior
Engine room lights
DC outlets
Dual engine hatch lifts
2013 New England Boatworks Zurn 50 "LU ELLA B"
Length:
50 ft
Beam:
14.42 ft
Draft:
2.5 ft
Displacement:
42,000 lb
Hull:
Composite
Condition:
Used
Year Refit:
N/A
Number of Engines:
2
Engine Manufacturer:
MAN
Engine Model:
V12-1550
Power:
1550 HP
Engine Hours:
1117
Fuel Type:
diesel
Holding Tank Capacity:
32 gallon
Fuel tank Capacity:
670 gallon
Water Tank Capacity:
68 gallon
Disclaimer:
This listing is courtesy of the BoatWizard MLS and may be centrally listed with another broker. It is offered as a convenience by David Walters Yachts to its clients and is not intended to convey representation of a particular vessel.
