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The Fleming 55 is a well-proven raised pilothouse motoryacht designed for serious cruising. Her semi-displacement hull gives her great flexibility in performance. The Fleming 55 has a range of 2,000 nautical miles at 8 knots yet, with her standard Twin Cummins QSC 500 hp common rail engines, she can attain a top speed of approximately 18 knots. Maximum sustained cruising speed is around 17 knots where her moderate deadrise provides a very comfortable ride. On longer passages, Fleming owners typically cruise at a very economical speed of 10 knots, where the typical fuel burn is slightly more than 10 gph.

The Fleming's deep keel provides protection for the running gear and stability in following seas. Because noise and vibration contribute to fatigue, Fleming has paid special attention to producing a yacht which has become the standard in the industry for its whisper quiet, ultra smooth ride. Fundamental to this achievement is the use of Aquadrive anti-vibration drive systems. 

The Fleming 55 was first introduced in 1986, and since that time it has benefited from a rigorous program of evolution. There have been literally hundreds of improvements made, both big and small. While its legendary hull design remains essentially the same, today's Fleming 55 is a thoroughly modern yacht utilizing advanced technology, materials and construction methods. In 2019 construction of hull number 250 is well underway, making it one of the most successful production yachts in history.

Standard Specifications

60' 9' (18.50 m)

50' 10' (15.5 m)

16' (4.88 m)

5' (1.52 m)

Displacement Light:

67,801 lbs (30,754 kg)

Displacement Full:

80,178 lbs (36,368 kg)

1,000 US gal (3,785 l)

300 US gal (1,135 l)

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Fleming 55 Specifications

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Hull 55-213

Hull 55-217

Hull 55-232

Hull 55-247

55-260 (Two-Cabin)

Performance Curves

Overview Continued...

Foredeck and Forepeak

Special attention has been paid to the ability to set and retrieve heavy ground tackle on the Fleming 55. The fiberglass anchor platform is equipped with twin Maxwell RC12 vertical windlasses with capstans for both rope and 3/8" (10mm) Grade-60 stainless steel chain. The windlass has a plug-in remote control as well as controls in the pilothouse and on the flybridge. Double sets of grooved rollers make it possible to self-launch and stow two 77 lb (35 Kg) Ultra anchors. Hose bibs for salt and fresh water are located next to the anchor platform, and there are deck lockers to port and stbd.

A lock-down hatch on the foredeck provides convenient access to the forepeak, which is separated from the rest of the yacht by a collision bulkhead. It has an area for storage of chain and a separate ventilated rope locker. Each features a bitter end fitting. The forepeak drains directly overboard and can be hosed down without concerns that water will contaminate the bilges.

The flared bow turns aside green water and provides a forward deck of unusually generous proportions. The oval stainless steel handrail has been brought inboard of the sloping bulwarks for convenience and security. To prevent streaking of the hull, the deck scuppers are piped down to the boot stripe, rather than being allowed to drain directly overboard.

Further protection against heavy weather is provided by the design of the Portuguese bridge. There is comfortable seating on its forward side, which is also the location for the forward shorepower inlet. There is ample storage for fenders and lines inside ventilated lockers accessed from the aft side of the Portuguese Bridge, and double doors close off the forward deck areas from the side and bridge decks creating a safe area for small children. There are sturdy, stainless steel handrails around the forward face of the pilothouse and down both side decks.

Easy stairs with handrails designed for both adults and children lead down to the wide and well-protected side-decks, which run down both sides of the boat. Here you will find cleats and chocks for forward and aft spring lines. The inward-opening bulwark doors make for easy and safe boarding.

Aft Deck and Swim Platform

With an area of approximately 250 sq ft. the Fleming 55 aft deck is unusually large. Being all at one level, it becomes an extension of the salon and provides ample space for chairs, donning scuba gear, or fishing. The fiberglass skirt around the edge of the wide teak cap rail conceals mood lighting and hides the engine-room air intakes which are well-protected from salt-laden spray.

Shower fittings for hot and cold water, located next to the inward-opening transom door, are conveniently placed for use while standing on the swim platform. Stainless steel handrails on the transom and a swim ladder, which can be deployed by a person in the water, provide safety and convenience.

Access to the upper boat deck is via a stainless steel ladder and a sliding hatch in the overhead. Access into the lazarette is through lockable hatches, with safe and stylish curved corners. Available as options are a console for cockpit engine controls and a locker, which can be equipped with a basin and faucet, insulated chest or icemaker.

Flying Bridge

The Fleming 55 low-profile flying bridge is spacious and packed with practical amenities. Its double helmseat, with folding stainless steel footrest, folds forward to access storage beneath it. The control console has full engine instrumentation and ample room for electronics. Access to and from the pilothouse is by a protected internal companionway directly from the pilothouse, avoiding the need to navigate perilous steps or ladders where a slip could result in a fall over the side. A wrap-around venturi windshield with stainless steel handrail provides protection from wind and weather.

There is seating for eight guests close to, but out of the way of, the helm station. A fiberglass table is standard and an ingenious pass-thru "dumbwaiter" eliminates the need to carry refreshments up from the galley. Aft of the seating area is the separate boat deck for the tender and a fully hydraulic davit, with remote control. From here, a ladder provides direct access to the lower aft deck.

A popular option is the aft facing boat deck control station that provides the captain with excellent visibility aft. Complete with bow thruster, and engine controls, backing into a tight slip is easier than ever.

The radar arch provides ample room for the full range of antennae required by modern electronic equipment, and an optional fibreglass hardtop is a popular choice.

Main Salon and Galley

The salon in the Fleming 55 features a comfortable L-settee with cushions upholstered over wood frames instead of the usual foam cushions on plywood. The sole is hand-laid teak and holly strips, and all built-in furniture is of superior quality joinerwork with rounded corners. There is a hi-lo table of unique design making it suitable for dining and as a coffee table. To starboard is a cabinet with powered TV lift and space for entertainment system components. To port is a bar with icemaker. The salon opens directly onto the aft deck through double sliding doors. 

The galley is conveniently located on the same level as the salon and is properly designed to be used while underway. Either Corian or granite counter tops can be ordered. There are ample storage lockers and drawers, and appliances include a 21 cu. ft. side-by-side fridge/freezer with teak-panel doors and chilled water & ice dispenser; Miele induction cooktop with practical custom stainless steel pot-holders; convection microwave; and an undermount double stainless steel sink with waste disposer. Space has been provided for an optional dishwasher. A 20-gallon water heater is conveniently located close to the sinks for instant hot water. A pass-through dumbwaiter makes it safe and easy to serve food and drinks to guests on the flying bridge.

Fleming's signature low-profile design is evident even in the interior, as just a few steps lead up to pilothouse and down to the accommodations. 

Accommodations

The perfect close to a day of cruising is to retire to a comfortable cabin. The Fleming 55 offers easy access to all the accommodations via a central passageway. A separate washer and drier are conveniently located behind a sliding door in this passage.

The master cabin is forward for maximum light and ventilation. It features a tapered queen berth with headboard. The bed lifts at the press of a button to access storage for bulky items. The bed also slides aft to make it easier to make the bed. There are two hanging lockers with shelves, teak louvered doors and space for a TV.

The master cabin has an en suite head with Corian, marble or granite countertops and a molded fiberglass shower stall. Hans-Grohe faucets are used throughout and feature a thermostatically controlled shower. 

The port guest cabin is offered with either two single or one double bed with headboards. An additional slide-out upper berth with either layout is optional. The aft bulkhead has generous bookshelves. The starboard guest cabin has one lower and one upper, slide-out, upper berth. This cabin can also be offered as an optional office with desk, lockers, bookshelves and space for a computer & printer.

The guest head features a one-piece fiberglass molding and shower stall with bi-fold stainless steel doors. The attractive ceramic basin is set in a Corian, marble or granite countertop. Faucets are Hans-Grohe with a thermostatically controlled shower.

Throughout the yacht all lighting is LED type with polished stainless steel fittings. Teak and holly soles are standard in all interior areas.

Engine Room

The Fleming 55 engine room is meticulously well thought out and provides easy accessibility to every piece of equipment.

A signature feature of the Fleming 55 is its quietness and freedom from vibration. Much of the credit for this lies with the Aquadrive system, which isolates the engine and transmission from the propeller thrust, permitting the use of much softer engine mounts. Aquadrive is fitted as standard on every Fleming 55 and their rotating couplings are concealed beneath fiberglass covers for safety.

Another reason for the quietness of the Fleming is the careful attention paid to sound insulation. Lead/foam insulation is used extensively throughout and all hatches are dogged down on rubber gaskets. There are even double hatches separated by an air space over each engine.

Fuel tanks are made of fiberglass with integrally molded sumps to allow maximum useage of fuel. Vinylester resin is used in their construction on the interior and fire-retardant resin in the outer layers. The fuel system has been designed to make the transfer of fuel foolproof. It is impossible to inadvertently overfill one tank by incorrectly switching a fuel return valve.

Access to the engine room is via two hatches in the salon sole and from the lazarette through a uniquely shaped oval door designed for easy access. Engine room intake air enters from the lazarette to ensure it is free of salt before reaching the engines and generators.

For safety and convenience each Cummins QSC 500HP engine has a start and a stop button located in the engine room, and a PTO (power take-off) on the gearbox provides hydraulic power for the stabilizers which are standard equipment on all Flemings.

Inside the large lazarette are four polyethylene water tanks totaling 300 gallons (1,135 liters), battery master switches, and a 3,500 watt inverter. Four air conditioning compressors provide heating and cooling for the entire yacht. Against the transom is the steering system with its connection point for the autopilot. The tops for the rudder stocks terminate above the waterline. Despite all this equipment there remains 95 cu. ft. of storage for fenders and other cruising gear. Access to the engine room is through the oval-shaped door.

In many modern designs it has become fashionable to eliminate the inside steering station, but the Fleming 55 features a pilothouse which closely resembles the bridge of a much larger vessel. We created a dedicated place from which the boat is piloted and controlled without any distractions from other on-board activities but which is still only three steps from the salon and galley. Four interior steps safely lead to the upper flying bridge station.

Specially designed removable consoles provide ample room for a full range of modern electronic equipment without intruding on the engine instrumentation. Overhead consoles provide additional space. There is also a proper chart area with drawers and a chart light. Electrical panels swing out to provide easy access to wiring connections and the inside of the flying bridge console is accessed through a swing-out bookcase. The watch-keeper has their own Stidd helm seat and an adjacent, raised L-shaped settee and table provide a comfortable social area with excellent visibility through the side and forward windows.

This is truly the nerve center of the boat where all the systems and crew come together in complete harmony.

CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

All Fleming Yachts are built to comply with the appropriate marine and environmental regulations for the area in which the yacht is delivered

    USA - NMMA Certified Manufacturer fully complying with: ABYC, USCG and EPA regulations.

    European - Built to CE-RCD Category "A" Ocean Standard using the relevant ISO standards.

    Australia - Australian Standard 1799.1-2009

    Canada - Transport Canada TP1332E 04/2010

MANAGEMENT & ENVIRONMENT

Fleming Yachts Construction (HK) Ltd management and environmental systems have met and been approved by ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management Standards.

The question most manufacturers ask themselves when considering a new feature is whether it is necessary to include it in order to sell the boat. In the case of the Fleming, we ask only whether its inclusion will make the boat safer, better or more convenient. That is why we have introduced literally hundreds of refinements since we started construction in 1985 and why we continue the process today.

For that reason, Fleming Yachts reserves the right to make changes to specifications and equipment without notice. 

Specifications

• LOA (hull): 55' 9" (16.99m)
• LOA (including swim step and anchor platform): 60' 9" (18.50m)
• LWL: 50' 10" (15.5m)
• Beam: 16' (4.88m)
• Draft: 5' (1.52m)
• Air draft (to top of radar arch): 16' (4.88m)
• Minimum Operating Condition: 67,801 Lbs. (30,754kg)
• Loaded Condition: 80,178 Lbs. (36,368kg)
• Main Engines: Twin Cummins QSC 8.3 500 hp with common rail fuel system
• Transmission: Twin Disc MG5075A
• Reduction Ratio: 2.53:1
• Engine Controls: Glendinning EEC3 (with back-up system)
• Generator: 17Kw, 60Hz Onan eQD (European model 13.5Kw, 50Hz)
• Stabilizers: ABT TRAC 7.5 Sq. Ft fins with winglets, 220RMB model actuators
• Fuel Tanks: 1,000 USG (3,785 Liters) in four tanks
• Bowthruster: Sidepower SE250 15.5 hp (11.4Kw)
• Water Tanks: 300 USG (1,135 Liters) in four tanks
• Black Water Tank: 100 USG (378 Liters)
• Monitoring System:  Fleming First Mate (FFM) - Boning

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• Description
• Main Points
• Specifications

The Oceanis 55 is a boat for big exciting projects and she is as appealing to the eye as she is easy to manoeuvre. This cruiser is a gentle step towards the world of large yachts.

Naval designer :  Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design

Interior designer :  Nauta Design

Exterior design

The owner of the Oceanis 55 will enjoy great sensations and safe sailing on this balanced hull with a comfortable deck plan and a high standard of finish. She includes important innovations, such as the mainsail arch, mast position, balanced sail plan, 45° companionway, and electric swim platform, which all go to make this cruiser easy to handle. Equipped with the Incidence D4 Performance Pack, she is capable of performances second to none.

Interior design

Pioneering, the Oceanis 55 has opted for an outstanding level of interior comfort. With lots of glazed openings, a fully glazed shower for the owner cabin in terms of interior design, she has a wonderfully serene atmosphere.  Her galley is very well equipped and very spacious, her interior can be adapted to multiple layouts, and there is scope for personalizing her ambiance by choosing very different woodwork and linings to create a refined and welcoming atmosphere.  

Bright and a joy to live on

In the cockpit, at anchor, on deck or inside, the Oceanis 55 offers generous well-ventilated spaces. With rectangular portholes offering a view of the horizon, there is plenty to see and lots of light in all circumstances. 

Sunbathing areas

Combined with the cockpit’s L-shaped seats, the two sun-loungers on the roof cleverly provide extra places to relax outside. At anchor, the huge aft platform lowers to provide a terrace at sea level.

Her hull stands out for its bold taut lines and its colour can be personalized over and over again, making her an unprecedentedly stylish cruiser.

Winches at the helm station

The unique design centres all the winches at the helm station so that all manoeuvres can be carried out alone. This is very reassuring on a 55 foot sailing yacht.

Skipper cabin

The fourteen berth version features a double fore cabin for the skipper, meaning that any crew configuration can be envisaged.

Virtual tour

Characteristics.

Length Overall

Beam overall

Lightship Displacement

Air Draught Max

Fuel Capacity

Water Capacity

CE Certification

A12/B14/C16

• CE certification A12/B14/C16.
• B&G Electronics Pack.
• Twin steering station: integrated multifunction helm consoles (storage, drink holder, grab rails, electronics, etc.) Helmsman's seat on full length of skirt, helmsman's seat for heeling.
• Sail drive engine compatible with Dock&Go technology.
• Flush deck hatches emphasizing the clear deck lines.
• Drop-down transom, opening completely, converting into a swim platform (2,85 m x 0,77 m / 9'4" x 2'6"). Electrically-controlled opening. Natural solid wood decking on swim platform. 1 stainless steel swim ladder, removable - solid wood steps.

• Master suite: very spacious with island bed - mounted on jacks - surrounded by shelves, storage and two large hanging lockers. A cleverly designed chest of drawers with sliding top creating an office space with specific housing for a laptop. Two large aft cabins.
• A large convivial fully-fitted galley at the bottom of the companionway, with a side view of and close to the saloon: separating unit, large Kerrock worktop, double sink .
• An ensuite bathroom in the owner suite with separate toilet, a second bathroom with separate shower at the stern.
• Comfortable gently sloping 45° companionway.
• An enormous modular saloon: rotating chart table seat with special retractable back increasing the open space around the table. A rotating extra seat forming an L increasing the number of seating during meals. A large sofa (2 m/ 6’7’’) faces this space and puts the finishing touch to the comfort of this space.
• Coachroof surrounded by flush hatches and skylights for incredible comfort and brightness inside. Windows at the forward end of the coachroof for the master cabin.

• Master suite: very spacious with island bed - mounted on jacks - surrounded by shelves, storage and two large hanging lockers. A cleverly designed chest of drawers with sliding top creating an office space with specific housing for a laptop. Two large aft cabins. Heads with marine toilet (option).
• A large convivial fully-fitted galley at the bottom of the companionway, with a side view of and close to the saloon: separating unit, large Kerrock worktop, double sink.
• An ensuite bathroom in the owner suite with separate toilet, two other bathrooms at the stern, on of which with shower.

• Two symmetrical fore cabins: double bed and ensuite bathroom including shower, manual marine toilet, washbasin in grey Kerrock top, storage and mirror. Three double aft cabins, one of which with bunk beds. Heads with marine toilet (option).
• Three bathrooms.

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With teams for sea trials, financing, customization, events, an after-sales service, and a network of dealers worldwide, BENETEAU delivers the help and expertise every boat owner needs throughout his boating life maintaining an enduring customer relationship.

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• Jeanneau Yachts 55
• Jeanneau Yachts

Innovative, bold, and original, this Jeanneau Yachts 55 is a direct and uncompromising response to meet the needs of sailors who love to travel and who appreciate beauty.  This sailing yacht offers a world entirely constructed around its owners, headed for a unique cruising experience.

SEANAPPS Technology on board. To learn more, click here .

The Sailboat for All Who Love Open Waters

Faithful to the spirit of the line – with elegance, high performance, and comfort for offshore sail-ing and longer voyages – this sailboat does not hesitate to break from tradition to better meet the expectations of avid sailors headed for far-off destinations. Designed as a true private apartment, in an unprecedented layout, the forward owner's suite occupies fully two-thirds of the interior. Refined, bright and comfortable, the Jeanneau Yachts 55 is well equipped for cruising with full peace of mind. The main companionway provides private access to the owner's suite, opening onto the forward cabin, and features numerous handholds for safety on board while under way. Two cabins with private bathrooms enable guests to enjoy perfectly independent living spaces, accessible from the cockpit by two separate companionways.

Revolutionary Deck Layout

On the exterior, the Dual Cockpit takes on new meaning. The aft is dedicated to relaxation, featur-ing: two saloons, one U-shaped and one L-shaped, which each convert into sundecks, and a gigantic hy-draulic swim platform. The twin helms are positioned forward, and even feature an exterior chart table with a GPS screen and autopilot controls, all sheltered by the hard top and the wide, wrapa-round windscreen, offering remarkable visibility. These innovations enable you to cruise in all seasons and latitudes, placing the pleasure of sailing back at the heart of life on board. When the dream becomes a reality…

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• Solaris Cup

3,00 M (2,30 - 2,70 OPZ)

YANMAR 80 HP - 110 HP OPZ

See all technical specifications

The new Solaris 55 is the culmination of unparalleled experience and knowledge: the 50 year history of the Solaris Yachts shipyard converge into the Solaris 55, which embodies all the qualities of a boat designed for circumnavigating the globe or for a pleasant day sailing.

Solaris have once again continued their successful collaboration with Naval Architect Javier Soto Acebal, while Adi Design has developed the interior design, and the Solaris team has taken care of the structures, systems, and internal technical design.

Every aspect and detail of the project, every component chosen from the best brands on the market, have found their rightful place thanks to a refined and meticulous study of a boat with a LOA of 16.90 meters and a beam of 5.00 meters.

Hull and deck layout

The hydrodynamic study has defined a modern hull, with a small chine at the bow disappearing into a rounded broad stern, which ensures the longitudinal trim. The deck layout is both clean and functional as a result of specific attention and knowledge of deck ergonomics. The broad cockpit with full-width steering wheels improves visibility during sailing and while manoeuvering in the harbour. The two cockpit tables are extremely comfortable, with a central passage towards the boat’s companionway, which also features two innovative windows that allow increased natural light to enter the cabins and the saloon.

Unique features of this latest Solaris are the opening transom to store the dinghy with outboard engine in a longitudinal position and very convenient steps to access down to the bathing platform, which are moulded into the hull.

The structure, like on every Solaris, is characterized by the connection of the three composite main bulkheads which are laminated and resin bonded to the hull and deck. Furthermore, it has a lead  bulb and cast iron keel, mounted with a coupling flange to the hull structure. A perfect blend of innovation and traditional solutions: Solaris 55 is born from great commitment and care to always ensure the owners safety and comfort.

Below deck, you will instantly notice the perfect symmetry, which is the result of a thorough analysis of distribution of space and light: the traditional interior layout is conceived with a spacious forward owners suite, available in two versions with a central or an offset bed, along with a bathroom with a large shower. The saloon conveys light and symmetry, and can be equipped with a sofa or two large armchairs. The portside L-shaped galley is customizable according to the owner’s needs and can be equipped with every comfort.

The two aft cabins have their own bathroom with aseparate shower. The sail locker can be converted into a crew cabin with integrated bathroom.

The new Solaris 55 is our latest innovation. She represents a yacht built according to blue water yacht criteria yet at the same time it can be sailed easily for an unforgettable day sails.

Javier Soto Acebal

INTERIOR DESIGNER

ADIDESIGN STUDIO

SOLARIS TEAM

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

YANMAR 80HP - OPZ 110 HP

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• Sailboats 50'-55'

Popular Cruising Yachts from 50 to 55 Feet Long Overall Their Physical Properties & Key Performance Indicators

Welcome to this ever-growing gallery of some of the most popular cruising yachts between 50 and 55 feet (15.2m to 16.8m) long overall.

Cruising Boats featured on this page...

Large, well-equipped production cruising yachts of this size can cross oceans in relative comfort and speed, but you'll need deep pockets to operate and maintain them.

Not only will their systems be powerful, complex and power-hungry but they'll need equally powerful and complex charging regimes to keep everything up and running. Regular maintenance and upkeep will be even more essential than it is on smaller vessels.

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The British sailor, Dame Naomi James, was the first woman to sail solo around the globe via the great clipper route (ie around Cape Horn) on her Gallant 50 'Express Crusader' .

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GREAT COMFORT FOR A SMALL CREW, A BRIGHT AND INVITING INTERIOR

The Hallberg-Rassy 55 was built 2012-2017 in 9 units. She is based on the  54 , with numerous updates: An all-new deck with improved cockpit and coach roof. The deck is more clean and uncluttered with flush deck hatches and no garage for the entrance sliding hatch. The sheerline is lower in the aft part and the transom is even lower and more elegant. Portlights in the saloon are improved with more glass area. Four hull portlights are added. Also the interior has many upgrades, with an aft head that is identical to the one in the 64. The rudder, skeg and aft part of the hull stiffener are improved and offers room for a stern thruster. The 55 connects closely to the successful 64, with lots of natural light through large tempered glass portlights in the saloon, as well as four hull portlights and seven flush mounted skylight hatches, of which three are in the saloon alone. White painted wooden panels in the saloon alcoves further contribute to the spacious and inviting feel.

360 DEGREES VIRTUAL REALITY VIEW

TRIPLE SPREADER RIG

The rig has triple spreaders, which are only swept back three degrees resulting in extra stability. Furthermore, there is an option for jumpstay that gives additional stability when using a permanent hydraulic cutterstay. The permanent cutterstay gives freedom and comfort for ocean crossings.

LARGE AND WELL PROTECTED COCKPIT

Compared  to the 54 , the new 55 has as much as 30 cm longer cockpit. The helmsman's position is slightly elevated like on the 64. The superstructure of the 55 is lower in the forward end compared to the 54 and more elegant. As on the 64, there is no garage necessary for the sliding hatch. The top part of the side panel of the windscreen is slightly curved, as on the new 412. The steering pedestal allows space for an integrated 14 inch plotter.

DEVELOPED PUSH BUTTON SAILING

Apart from all the comfortable push-button operation you are already used to on a Hallberg-Rassy, the 55 is offered with both bow- and stern thrusters as well as backwinding genoa sheet winches.

Press quote

From Sailing magazine, USA, under the section "Perry on Design":

"I like this boat. It satisfies my well-honed aesthetic requirements. No surprise considering the design is by Germán Frers... Hallberg-Rassy is one of the only production builders left who I think build a true offshore cruising boat." 

TRADITIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY

The whole boat is laid out for great comfort for a small crew, with a very bright and inviting interior. The interior is in one level throughout the boat.

The boat is built with traditional craftsmanship and modern technology in a tasteful blend.

WALK-IN ENGINE ROOM

The engine room is really worth a chapter of its own. There is a large door and a walk-in engine room. It is carefully sound insulated and perforated aluminium plates also cover the insulation. In here all the technical equipment is found: low RPM main engine, low RPM generator with soundshield, double heaters, all pumps, filters, pressure equalizer for the fresh water system, AquaDrive flexible coupling for the engine shaft, high pressure pump for the watermaker, just to mention a few. All easy to maintain, all well sound insulated. The engine room lighting is 24 v, but there is also an optional 230 v fluorescent light, with power supply from either the shore connection or the inverter. The Mastervolt inverter automatically and quickly changes between shore power and inverter, depending on what is available.

POWERFUL ENGINE

The D4-180 engine hums pleasantly and it is evident that there is a very good torque even at 1100 RPMs. You can achieve 8 knots at 1400 RPM. Strongly contributing is the efficient optional three bladed, overdrive, Gori folding propeller.

WINNER SAILBOAT OF THE YEAR

The Hallberg-Rassy 55 has won the honourable title Sailboat of the Year 2014 in Sweden, Luxury category. The jury concludes about the 55:  "Luxury blue water cruising at a new innovatory level".

The Hallberg-Rassy 55 has also been nominated to the European Yacht of the Year 2013/2014 in the category "Luxury cruiser". That means that the Hallberg-Rassy 55 has been ranked as one of the most interesting and promising newcomers of its class. The nominees for European Yacht of the Year award are selected by journalists from eleven European yachting magazines.

QUOTES FROM YACHTING MONTHLY MAGAZINE In the May 2013 issue of Yachting Monthly it says: "This big new Hallberg-Rassy is a marvelous thing. The centre cockpit has a fridge in the cockpit table so you don't need to traipse down to the galley whenever you're thirsty. There's a ship's bridge at the helm for running everything from the hydraulic main and genoa furlers and thrusters, to nav lights, push-button tacking winches and anchor windlass. These are all options, but they neatly reflect Hallberg-Rassy's love of a gadget. We especially liked the big, gas-strutted teak washboard: push down and it rises gracefully into place, then push again to lower. Down below, there's lovely mood lighting everywhere. She's designed for a couple and occasional guests, with a vast en suite owner's cabin aft, a pullman double to starboard with heads to port forward of the saloon, and a twin cabin in the bow. The saloon table is to starboard and there's a drawing room with two armchairs to port to watch TV. The chart table has a veritable library in the aft bulkhead, so no shortage of almanac space."

HALLBERG-RASSY 55 DATA SHEET

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Hood Expedition 55

• By Ralph Naranjo
• Updated: June 4, 2008

A spring northerly ruffled Narragansett Bay, and I was about to go for a sail with Ted Hood aboard his latest Robin. In short, things couldn’t get much better. Before our departure, crab cakes and a pineapple-and-kiwifruit salad appeared on the shiny teak cockpit table, and the lunch conversation turned to the theme of the day: cruising in the fast lane. Although the new Hood design features all the comforts of home, I was intrigued by the promise of a vessel as capable under power as under sail. Ted, in his usual unassuming way, shared design details between bites and seemed as eager to go sailing as he must have been when he launched the first Robin in 1959.

Midday heating had discouraged the northerly, so we were greeted by a glistening calm when we slipped the Expedition 55 out of Hinckley Yacht Services, the big marina complex Ted created in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. This was an ideal time to test the six-cylinder, 300-horsepower John Deere 6068 housed belowdecks. The barnyard favorite proved fit for sea duty, and with neither smoke nor excess noise, the diesel sprang to life, pushing more than 50,000 pounds of cruising boat effortlessly. The knotmeter registered nine, with still more juice left in the throttle. I marveled at the lack of vibration and the efficiency of the spray chine molded into the forward portion of the hull. Ted checked the bow and stern waves and pointed out how the boat’s flat run aft and wide stern kept it from squatting as hull speed was reached. The thrust derived from the four-bladed Bruntons Varifold folding prop left a churning stream of whitewater smoothly slipping astern-another good indicator of the engine’s power.

As if by magic, Newport’s famous sea breeze materialized, and the transition from power to sail was nearly instantaneous. Facnor electric-furling headsails and mainsail turned the arduous side of sail setting into mere button pushing. I watched Ted, 80, checking sail shape with the same analytic gaze that once assisted him in making Hood Sailmakers the biggest loft in the world. He zeroed in on the furling mainsail and its vertical battens, quickly deciding that the first batten was positioned a little too high.

Meantime, I took the helm and discovered a big boat with a friendly feel that tracked well at seven-plus knots and had a wide groove. It used its form stability to stand up to the gusty sea breeze, which filled in with 20-knot puffs. Cracking off on a reach, the knotmeter was back in John Deere range, twitching between nine and 10. Steering was butter smooth and fingertip light with the hydraulic system’s power assist, and when the boost pump was turned off, it was stiffer but still manageable. Visibility from either of the dual wheels in the cockpit and from the electronic helm in the pilothouse was excellent, and the sheet leads and winches all seemed well placed. In less than an hour, I was convinced that the Expedition 55 performed well under both power and sail.

Design Challenges

The Expedition 55 is a distinct departure from the successful Little Harbor line of cruising sailboats that Ted designed, built, and sold. This heavy, high-sided sloop with the big John Deere and tankage for 500 gallons of fuel, at first glance, seems more motorsailer than performance sailboat, but a look aloft dispels the stereotype. Standing as tall as a church steeple is a triple-spreader rig that’s half again as long as the boat. Turning compromise on its ear, Ted has drawn upon the best of both worlds to deliver a long-distance cruiser that can motor by many trawler yachts and turn in similar performance under working sail.

To take advantage of the horsepower, Ted added lots of flare and freeboard to the bow along with a spray-taming chine that keeps the water where it belongs. Belowdecks, the accommodations plan mimics what’s found on yachts 10 or 15 feet longer, while topside, there’s indeed a feeling of harmony between power and sail. Wide beam and high freeboard give the flush-deck hull of the Expedition 55 considerable windage, but on the return from our sail, it became clear that the boat is still maneuverable. With Ted at the helm and a gusty wind on the beam, he spun her around in little more than her own length and backed into a tight slip. It was a good example of the boat’s responsiveness, the skill of her skipper, and, as Ted put it, the value of a not-so-old-fashioned bow thruster.

Ted says he’s always felt that wide beam and large genoas were both good for performance and readily adaptable to cruising boats-a vision verified by the 55 under sail. He adds that the shoal-draft Scheel keel was ahead of its time, and on this boat, by adding a centerboard to the Scheel keel’s flat bulb, he’s ensured good windward performance.

The 55’s extra freeboard adds a bit of a trawler look and increases windage, but it also affords drier decks on a rough slog to weather.

A neat bit of seafaring subtlety lies behind the design of the inside steering station. The enclosure provides superlative shelter but isn’t part of the interior volume of the vessel, and in the unlikely scenario that the windows are damaged by heavy seas, water is kept abovedecks by companionway “washboards” that can be slipped into place during a storm. This, like the watertight bulkhead forward, is a seamanlike feature of definite value for serious passagemakers.

When the sun reappears and the crew emerges from the comfortable pilothouse-like hard dodger that protects the front of the cockpit, they can take the helm at either of the twin wheels. The hydraulic-steering system and dual-rudder design integrate flawlessly with the autopilot.

Construction Basics

Tekad Marine, in Turkey, did a good job of laminating a rugged, well-engineered hull. Vinylester resin was used for the outer skin coats, and a schedule of E-glass stitched roving and mat constitutes the laminate on either side of one-inch ATC Core-Cell AL-500 foam-sandwich material. The Expedition 55 was built on a male jig rather than in a female mold. Computer-generated station templates were used to define the transverse shape of the hull and deck, and these were set up on a center-line strongback, with battens slotted in place defining the hull’s contours. The foam core was secured to the jig, and the outer layers of fiberglass were laminated over the core. Once cured, the vessel was rolled right-side up, the jig removed, and the inside hull skin applied. The core was cut out in high-load areas and in-filled with extra layers of glass laminate. The deck was built in a similar fashion, with solid-fiberglass backing plates used where appropriate. Once fully cured, a combination of bonding and mechanical fastening joined the hull and deck. Fiberglass tanks were built into the hull, and a stick-built approach to the custom interior made good use of the shipwright’s carpenters.

Robin’s interior is finished in satin-varnished cherry, and there’s a teak-and-holly-veneered plywood cabin sole. Throughout, the carpentry skills of the Turkish builder are a clear indicator of traditional craftsmanship. Adding European flair, in both head compartments I found extensive use of ceramics and metal appointments as well as marble surfaces and recessed bullet lights with metal trim. Aft, the owner’s cabin features an island berth of suite proportions, and with its own head and the cockpit-length separation from the main saloon, true privacy can be maintained.

The saloon makes use of all 18 feet of the boat’s maximum beam and provides for a dining and entertaining experience usually seen only on much larger yachts. The interplay between the galley, to starboard and aft, and the combination dining table and port settee as well as the “cocktail alcove,” to starboard, means that between offshore adventures, guests have no need to hold a drink and hors d’oeuvres on their laps. Add to this the large, collapsible cockpit table, and entertaining can take on a whole new level of sophistication.

From stem to stern, the layout should work as well at anchor as it does at sea. There are plenty of storage lockers and drawers, along with room for 800 amp-hours of 24-volt ship’s batteries and a large inverter. The tradeoff for all this creature comfort in the stern of the boat is the lack of a “climb-in” engine room, but that’s compensated for with good access-panel openings to get at key components associated with the engine and generator. By no means, however, is there full-360-degree convenience for the mechanic coping with an overhaul, and when it finally comes time to repower, some disassembly of the surrounding joiner work and the engine will be necessary.

The Expedition 55’s deck, forward of the mast, is that of a no-nonsense flush-deck cruising sailboat, sporting the right gear placed in the right location. Whether it’s the functional stem rollers and powerful Lofrans Tigres anchor windlass, rugged chainplates, or the utilitarian choice of Awlgrip nonskid rather than teak, the E-55 is all about form and function.

The in-mast-furling spar, from Charleston Spar, has winches and rope clutches located where they’re handy and easy to use. The genoa can easily be poled out on a self-stowing, extendable carbon-fiber whisker pole. The massive triple-spreader rig and the Facnor headsail furlers handle 2,000 square feet of working sail and make reefing and furling possible for a shorthanded crew. The mainsail itself is a tricky compromise between performance-enhancing draft and roach and a flatter, no-roach, easy-to-furl alternative. During our sail, Ted demonstrated how to toggle a power furler to clear a furling mainsail that starts to bind. He emphasized the importance of not trying to overpower the bind by winching either in or out; instead, one should gently toggle back and forth, coaxing the bind to release.

As might be expected aboard any Hood-designed sailboat, the rig and deck hardware are in the right place, and the layout of sailhandling equipment proved to be well thought out. For example, Ted pointed out why the inner forestaysail was tacked well aft of the headstay, closer to the main, where the sail would actually clean up the airflow past the large, turbulence-producing obstacle the mast represents. It also moves the center of effort of this handy heavy-weather sail aft and adds versatility to the sail plan.

Under sail, the high freeboard has some beneficial effects. It allows the center of buoyancy to move up and to leeward of the centerline, in effect causing it to separate from the fixed vertical center of gravity, thereby significantly increasing the righting moment. Much of the Expedition’s ability to stand up to its high-aspect-ratio sail plan has to do with this additional freeboard and the vessel’s wide beam carried aft. The powercruiser-like chine that’s been molded into the forefoot of the vessel works in conjunction with the freeboard and flare to keep the decks dry when powering dead to windward. And the wide stern and leaner forward sections help dampen pitching moment in a seaway.

For decades, Ted’s formula for success has been to design, build, sail, and sell the boats he envisions. The latest Robin is an amalgam of power and sail, an effort to draw from the best of both worlds-and after a close look and a short sea trial, it was clear that the man from Marblehead may well have done it again.

Ralph Naranjo lives in Annapolis, Maryland. His book, The Art of Seamanship, will be published by International Marine next year.

• More: 2001 - 2010 , 50+ ft , Bluewater Cruising , coastal , dinghy , hood , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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