1970 Custom 51 | 51ft

Introducing Newbliss — a beautifully maintained 1970 Custom 51’ Steel Motoryacht, designed for long-range cruising, loop-friendly travel, or comfortable Great Lakes adventures. Built with exceptional craftsmanship and maintained with pride by a seasoned owner, Newbliss represents one of the rare opportunities to own a solid-steel classic with modern systems, generous accommodations, and proven reliability.

This vessel features twin GM diesel engines, robust steel construction, large tank capacities, a spacious deckhouse, multiple cabins, two heads, and an impressive complement of electronics and mechanical systems.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Length Overall: 51’ 2”

• Beam: 14’ 8”

• Draft: 4’ 7”

• Displacement: ~68,000 lbs

• Construction: All-welded, zinc-coated steel (3/16" topsides, 1/4" bottom, reinforced keel)

• Fuel: 600 gallons (steel baffled tanks)

• Fresh Water: 300 gallons

• Waste: 2 × 25-gallon steel holding tanks

• Bulkheads: 5 welded steel bulkheads

• Region: Great Lakes 

HULL & DECK

The hull presents smooth, fair, and structurally sound with no deficiencies noted during percussion testing.
Features include:

• Raised forward deck (10-gauge steel with non-skid)

• Open side decks with minimal cosmetic rust only

• Recessed aft deck with steel hatches & lazarette access

• Stainless steel swim platform with boarding ladder

• Adjustable side-mount cleats & electric snubbing winches

DECKHOUSE & INTERIOR

The 10’×22’ deckhouse features Duplate safety glass, port & starboard armored doors, and removable aft panels for excellent visibility.

Interior finishes include:

• Mahogany & oak paneling

• Foam insulation

• Acoustic tile ceiling

• Custom cabinetry throughout

• Settees, chart table, salon seating, and storage

ACCOMMODATIONS

A spacious layout makes Newbliss ideal for family cruising or liveaboard use.

Forward Cabin

• Three single berths + one double berth

• Ensuite head with sink

• Watertight steel bulkhead & door

Guest Cabin

• Port-side bunks

• Adjacent head with shower & sump

Owner’s Stateroom

• Double berth

• Closets & storage

• Steel bulkhead hatch leading to lazarette

Additional Spaces:

• Storage forepeak

• Large salon with settees, tables, chart station

GALLEY

Well-equipped galley featuring:

• GE refrigerator/freezer

• Princess 3-burner electric stove & oven (110/220V)

• Microwave

• Twin sinks

• Portable BBQ

MECHANICAL & SYSTEMS Engines

• Twin GM 6-cylinder diesel engines — 185 HP each

• Borg Warner Velvet Drive transmissions (2.10:1)

• Stainless steel 2” shafts, 24×17 bronze props

• Engine access via six salon floor hatches

• Raw-water keel-cooled exhaust system

HVAC & Plumbing

• Reverse-cycle AC (16,000 & 13,000 BTU zones)

• 12-gallon water heater

• Electric toilets (fore & aft)

• 12V washdown

• Air-compressor-pressurized water system

Bilge Systems

• 1.5 HP sump pump

• Two 120V submersible pumps

• One belt-driven pump (off port engine)

• Heavy-duty Whale manual pump

ELECTRICAL

• 12V / 110V / 220V systems

• Two 8D batteries in steel vented boxes

• 600A selector switch

• 30-amp shore power (250 ft cable)

• Fused AC panel with bonding and crossover protection

Generators

• Onan 8 kW genset (sound-suppressed, closed cooling)

• Backup 2 kW generator mounted on starboard engine

ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION

• Garmin GPS

• Lowrance GPS + chart plotter

• Raymarine ST4000 autopilot with remote gyro compass

• Standard Horizon depth sounder

• Lowrance R11X radar

• Standard Horizon Eclipse VHF

• Ray 53 VHF with hailer

• Military-grade magnetic compass

• Stereo system + TV

ANCHORING & TENDER

• 60 lb Bruce anchor on roller

• Two Danforth anchors (80 & 60 lb)

• 12V windlass (600 lb capacity)

• 100 ft of 5/16” chain + ¾” nylon rode

• Zodiac 310 RIB dinghy on stern davits

SAFETY

Extensive safety inventory including:

• CO₂ extinguishers (three 15 lb bottles with helm activation)

• Two additional 15 lb extinguishers in wheelhouse

• Dry chemical units

• Fire pump & hose

• Ten lifejackets

• Flares, horns, liferings, boat hooks, steel buckets, fire axe