The Bluewater Yachts 48 COASTAL 50 1998 vs Bluewater Yachts Coastal Cruiser 55 1989 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 400 hp, the Bluewater Yachts 48 COASTAL 50 1998 has a 28-hp advantage over the Bluewater Yachts Coastal Cruiser 55 1989's 372-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Bluewater Yachts Coastal Cruiser 55 1989 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Bluewater Yachts 48 COASTAL 50 1998 caps at 15. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Bluewater Yachts Coastal Cruiser 55 1989 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Bluewater Yachts Coastal Cruiser 55 1989 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 55,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Bluewater Yachts 48 COASTAL 50 1998 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 15 that costs less to run day-to-day.