The Southerly 54 2020 vs Southerly 600 2019 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Southerly 600 2019 measures 58,4 feet overall (2019), giving it roughly 3,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Southerly 54 2020 at 54,7 feet (2020). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Southerly 600 2019 tips the scales at 58 753 lbs — 7 275 lbs less than the Southerly 54 2020 at 51 478 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 146 hp for the Southerly 54 2020 and 160 hp for the Southerly 600 2019. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Southerly 600 2019 carries 368 gallons versus 237 gallons in the Southerly 54 2020. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Southerly 600 2019 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Southerly 54 2020 caps at 16. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Southerly 600 2019 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Southerly 600 2019 displaces 58 753 lbs — a 7 275-lb difference over the Southerly 54 2020 at 51 478 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 11,0 ft and 11,4 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Southerly 54 2020 uses Sloop rigging. For auxiliary power the Southerly 600 2019 carries a 160-hp engine against 146 hp on the Southerly 54 2020. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 10,1 knots for the Southerly 600 2019 and 9,4 knots for the Southerly 54 2020. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Southerly 600 2019 carries 275 gallons versus 211 gallons on the Southerly 54 2020 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Southerly 600 2019 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 58 753 lbs displacement and 58 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Southerly 54 2020 at 51 478 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.