The experience with Swede 55 inspired sailors, designers, and boat builders in Europe and the United States to develop the type in various directions. Here you find eight derivates triggered by the svelte Knud Reimers design. Boats thought-out, designed and built in Sweden, Tunisia, the eastern and western seaboard of the United States. Most of them I have seen, with some Swedesail has been involved.
The success of Californian Swede 55 sailor Jim Walton with Temptress at the 1982 San Francisco-Hawaii Race animated this Peter Norlin design. The 53 now referred to the Length instead of the nominal sail area. With 26,455 lbs/12 t planned displacement this thoroughbred with elegant lines departed from the light displacement concept. To get it going in light wind, Super Swede 53 obtained a tall fractional rigged spar with a powerful sail plan. The 517 sq ft (ca. 48 m²) Jib is not too big to be handled and changed.
Super Swede 53 was offered with a traditional raked transom and a modern alternative by Swede Hergla Yachts in Hergla/Tunisia. One of two sandwich boats was completed with the conventional transom. It was named Prillan by her Swedish owner. I have seen the yard in Tunisia, inspected the boat later and sold it to a German client in 1998.
Length over all (modern stern)
52′ 2″ – 16 m
LOA (traditional raked transom)
53′ 6″ – 16.30 m
Beam
12′ 2″ – 3.70 m
Draft
8′ – 2.43 m
planned Displacement
26,455 lbs – 12 t
Ballast
14,330 lbs – 6.5 t
Ballast ratio
54 %
Upwind Sail area
1,292 sq ft – 120 sqm
Mainsail
753 sq ft – 70 sqm
Jib
517 sq ft – 48 sqm
Length/Beam ratio
4.4
Sail area/Displacement ratio
23.28
Segeltragzahl
4.8
The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio is the sail area in sq. ft. divided by the displacement in cubic feet to the 2/3 power and commonly used by US sailors. Reference: 16 – 18 heavy offshore cruisers; 18 – 22 medium cruisers; 22 – 26 racing boats; 26 + extreme race boats.
Calculation Segeltragzahl: 2√Sail area in sqm / 3√displacement in t. Commonly used in Germany. Reference: Tall ships/cruising boats ≈ 3,5 – 4, modern yachts ≈ 4,3 – 5.
1989: Swede 75
Swede 75 Kiel-Schilksee May 1992 – Foto Swedesail
Due to its enlarged upwind sail area, this attempt to relaunch Swede 55 obtained the nameplate 75. As a matter of fact, it is a Swede 55 Mark II with a powerful rig. More lead located slightly deeper enables the boat to carry a 62 sqm main and a 43 sqm jib. The impressive 72′ (22 m) spar is about 13ft (ca. 4 m) longer than that one of Swede 55.
Fractional rigged, the mast is secured by runners plus check stays. Two boats were delivered in 1989, one named Universal Heartbeat. This one used to race in Southampton waters, Scotland, and the Mediterranean, sailing the Three Peaks race and La Nioulargue of Saint-Tropez. It later returned via Germany to Sweden. I sold the prototype from Sweden to Germany in 1995. The 75 was laminated in the original Swede 55 mould (different appendages and Interior) and is now offered as Swede 52.
Length over all
52′ 6″ – 16 m
Beam
9′ 9″ – 2.97 m
Draft
7′ 4″- 2.22 m
approx. Displacement
18,078 lbs – 8,2 t
Ballast
9,039 lbs – 4.1 t
Ballast ratio
50 %
Upwind Sail area
1,130 sq ft – 105 sqm
Main
1.378 sq ft – 62 sqm
Jib
839 sq ft – 43 sqm
Length/Beam ratio
5.3
SA/D ratio
26.3
Segeltragzahl
5
1990: Vortex wooden Swede 55 replica
Swede 55 replica Vortex in Brookin/Maine – Foto Swedesail
Vortex deckhouse with varnished mahogany walls – Foto Swedesail
As far as I know Swede 55 is the only series manufactured glass fibre boat relaunched as wooden replica. Inspired by Swede 55 US 11 Corsair Steve White of Brooklin Boat Yard in Maine contacted Knud Reimers already in 1984 to build her in cold moulded wood. The weight saved in the construction of hull and deck permitted 650 lbs (295 kg) more lead. Vortex was launched with 8,200 lbs (3.719 kg) lead and a 4″ (10 cm) deeper keel. There are further alterations like the raised footrail, the linear instead of stepped deckhouse and different layout and details below deck. White sailed and sails her extensively. Vortex went to the Caribbean and back and is regularly seen at local races like the Eggemoggin reach regatta. 41 ft (12.50 m) waterline, displacement 18,000 lbs (8,165 kg). More about Vortex in Sources.
This 62’ sloop was designed in 1994 by the late Joel White, founder of Brooklin Boat Yard and father of Steve White who built the Swede 55 replica Vortex. Design #50 is based on a balance of simplicity and performance, resulting in a slender hull, with striking lines. Long overhangs, a gentle entry, and the stepped low – profile doghouse give her a classic look that still has a sleek, almost fast feel.
The client who asked for this design drew inspiration from Swede 55, adding length to increase the interior space while keeping similar proportions. Her slender shape is drawn from the 30 square-meter sloop owned by the client at the time as well as her high aspect rig, both further accentuating her classic looks.
The interior is suited for two cruising couples; two double berths, a large settee and an open cockpit with a raised helm fill the slim hull, without sacrificing the necessities and ample storage space. The settee converts to an additional double berth and a pilot berth opposite it allows for more crew onboard. Simplicity is the key both for ease of living onboard and sailing. Despite having been designed for a smaller crew, her jib is self-tacking, spinnaker poleless and her main was designed for in-boom furling allowing her to easily outrun any other boat her size. Boat not jet built.
Length over all
62′ 2″ – 18.95 m
Length waterline
45′ 11″ – 14 m
Beam
11′ 8″ – 3.55 m
Draft
8′ – 2.43 m
Displacement (planned)*
26,400 lbs – 12 t
Sailarea
1,200 sq ft – 111 sqm
Length/Beam ratio
5.3
Sail area/Displacement ratio*
21.65
Segeltragzahl
4.6
2005: 76 ft Goshawk
Goshawk – Foto Lyman Morse
Goshawk was launched by Brooklin Boat Yard in collaboration with Rockport Marine as an embodiment of a traditionally-based, forward-thinking design perspective by a Stephens/Waring design. Built in wood, foam, and carbon for lightweight and cost-effective construction. Under sail she is powerful and exquisitely balanced. Her light displacement and easily-driven hull means that her sail plan can be relatively small for easy handling – similar to Swede 55. Note the high SA/D ratio or Segeltragzahl similar to contemporary race boats.
Length over all
76 ft 3 in – 23.24 m
Design waterline
53′ 6″ – 16.30 m
Beam
14′ 6″ – 4.42 m
Draft
10′ 9″ – 3.27 m
Displacement
43,000 lbs – 19.5 t
Ballast
17,000 lbs – 7.7 t
Sailarea upwind
2,000 sq ft – 186 sqm
Length/Beam ratio
5.3
SA/D ratio
25.6
Segeltragzahl
5.07
2008: Swede 68 – Håkan Södergren Design # 268
This 68 footer was developed by Håkan Södergren as taller sister of Swede 55 due to the sailors saying the same boat again just bigger. Swede 68 is 13 feet (4 m) longer, nearly three feet (80 cm) wider and has a raised freeboard. This would offer a lot more room below deck.
Södergren looks back on almost 300 designs today, including the Swedish IAAC America’s Cupper Tre Kronor and few 80 to 90 foot cruising yachts. As one of the leading scandinavian naval architects he is known for his Helmsman Range, Sirena 38 and Cayenne. As accomplished engineer with four decades background Södergren started working on Swede 68 in 2007. Similar to his Helmsman yachts he gave Swede 68 a fairly full bodied run, an aesthetic aberration from Swede 55. The design obtained a stern similar to an Etchells instead of a Soling.
Further the concept obtained a modern U- instead of V-shaped hull. Swede 68 should easily travel with 13 knots. The price tag on this eye-catching racer was 2.2 Million € plus VAT in 2014. The design is ready to be built at Rosättra Varv AB in Norrtälje east of Uppsala. This yard is known for its Linjett range of medium-sized quality sailboats. If Swede 68 would be launched with the planned displacement, the high SA/D ratio or Segeltragzahl similar to contemporary race boats appears promising.
Length over all
62 ft – 20.60 m
Design waterline
53′ 6″ – 16.20 m
Beam
12′ 6″ – 3.81 m
Draft
9′ – 2.75 m
planned Displacement*
38,800 lbs – 17.6 t
Ballast
15,563 lbs – 7.1 t
Ballast ratio*
40 %
Sailarea upwind
2,217 sq ft – 206 sqm
Main
1.378 sq ft – 128 sqm
Jib
839 sq ft – 78 sqm
Length/Beam ratio
5.4
SA/D ratio
30.95
Segeltragzahl*
5.5
2014: Francis Lee – 62 ft Bob Perry Double Ender
Shallow canoe body and deep fin keel with ballast at the tip – Foto Boomer Depp
The double ended craft is a peculiarity of Anglo-Saxon yacht design and rarely seen on race boats like Square Metre Boats and Metre Class yachts. Nevertheless, Uffa Fox and Francis Lewis Herreshoff designed a few Skerry Cruisers with a pointed stern in the thirties. 2014 this Swede 55 inspired boat was launched with Puget Sound. In this article you find more about this remarkable and cleverly conceived boat.
Following the concept of Swede 68 Södergren developed a 57 footer with a lot of sail area in relation to the planned displacement. The boat shall fill the gap between the elegant Swede 41 (S30-successor) and Swede 68. The ballast being located deep in the water plus the wider beam shall enable to boat to carry the sail area. The boat shall be built by Rosättra yard, which delivered a nicely crafted Swede 41 in 2018.
Length over all
17,25 m – 56.60 ft
Design waterline
13,20 m – 43.30 ft
Beam
3,85 m – 12.63 ft
Draft (two versions)
2,20 or 3 m – 9.85/7.25 ft
Displacement (planned)*
10 t – 22,046 lbs
Ballast
4,2 t – 6,614 lbs
Sail area
150 qm – 1,615 sqft
Length/Beam ratio
4.5
Ballast ratio*
42 %
SA/D ratio*
32.9
Main
90 sqm – 969 sqft
Jib
60 sqm – 646 sqft
Comments on larger Swede 55 successors
Length and draft limit berthing and cruising
Sails are to large and heavy to be handled by two persons. Furling systems (in boom and around headstays) are expensive, heavy, requiring extra maintenance.
You don’t go sailing on a 20-metre yacht in the afternoon, which is the common use of a sailboat
increased beam and added accessories do not fit to the concept of agile sailing. You lose the thrill of the dinghy like sailing.
Photo on top by Boomer Depp: The 62 ft sailing canoe Francis Lee floating on her planned waterline in Puget Sound/Seattle. Puplished July 1, 25, upda October, 25. → Subscribe Newsletter and you won’t miss future articles.
