The Hughes 48, also sold as the North Star 48, is a Canadian sailboat that was designed by Sparkman & Stephens as a cruiser and first built in 1970. The boat is Sparkman & Stephens' design 1956. The Hughes 48 is a development of the Seafarer 48, which had been built by Seafarer Yachts on Long Island, New York. Fewer than five boats were built by Seafarer before production ended.