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All data of Swede 55 obtained from brochures and own measurements aboard Gamle Swede: hull dimensions, weight, rig dimensions, nominal sail area and actual sail sizes. Cabin heights, tank capacities, engine and transmission, various international ratings/racing certificates.

This information has been compiled from Gamle Swede and other Swede 55 over the past decades. This is just a fraction of what Swedesail knows about this boat.

Principal data Swede 55

Length over all	52 ft 6 in – 16 m
Length actual waterline	42′ 06″ – 12.96 m
Beam	9′ 9″ – 2.97 m
Beam waterline	8′ 9″ – 2.65 m
Freeboard bow	43″ – 110 cm
Freeboard midship section (station 15)	32″ – 82 cm
Freeboard cockpit (station 10)	30″ – 78 cm
Freeboard stern	31″ – 79 cm
Initial design draft (1974)	6′ 6″ – 2 m
Corrected design draft (1975/6)	6′ 9″ – 2.05 m
Actual draft (Gamle Swede)	≈ 7′ 2″ – 2.17 m
Initial design displacement	17,085 lbs – 7.75 t
Real displacement	≈ 18,078 lbs – 8.2 t
Displacement (half load)	≈ 18,739 lbs – 8.5 t
Probable displacement in cruising mode	≈ 19,500 lbs – 9 t
Ballast (lead)	7,500 lbs – 3.4 t
Bridge clearance/air draft with Windex	59′ 5″ – 18.1 m
Nominal sail area (main ∆ + 85 % of fore ∆) hence the 55	592 sq ft – 55 m²
Main and jib (real sail area)	797 sq ft – 74 m²
Main	474 sq ft – 44 m²
Jib	323 sq ft – 30 m²
Yankee	215 sq ft – 20 m²
Genoa II	431 sq ft – 40 m²
Genoa I	517 sq ft – 48 m²
Spinnaker	1,400 sq ft – 130 m²
Hull speed	9 kn
Sailed top speed	22 kn
Length/Beam ratio	5.3 : 1
SA/D ratio (based on 18,739 lbs)	18.07

The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio is the sail area in sq. ft. divided by displacement in cubic feet to the 2/3 power and commonly used in the US. Reference: 16–18 heavy offshore cruisers; 18–22 medium cruisers; 22–26 racing boats; 26 + extreme racing boats.

Sail measurements

P (luff mainsail)	15.20 m
E (foot mainsail)	4.85 m
I (height fore ∆)	13 m
J (base fore ∆)	4.40 m
T (headstay length)	13.70 m
SL (Spinnaker leach length)	13.95 m
SMW (Spinnaker width)	10.00 m
Spinnaker foot	8.00 m

Swede 55 Ratings

Yardstick German Sailing Association, Deutscher Seglerverband (DSV) with/without Spinnaker	89/91
SRS Handicap Svenska Seglerförbundet, Version SRS 2014.5.0 with/without Spinnaker	1.316/1.269
Scandicap with/without Spinnaker	10.20/10.95
Lidingö Yardstick (LYS) Sweden	1.27
Time Correction Factor TCF Channel Handicap 1988	1.29
Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF), seconds per mile	81.0
Klassiker Rennwert (KLR) of German Classics Association, Freundeskreis Klassische Yachten	146

Swede 55 ratings retrieved by various sources

Cabin heights

Companionway, Galley, Navstation	1.89 m	6.2 ft
Main cabin	1.79 – 1.82 m	70 – 72 in
Bathroom	1.68 – 1.72 m	66 – 70 in
Forward cabin	1.55 m	61 in
Aft cabin	1.22 m	4 ft

Miscellaneous

U.S. Coast Guard Tonnage Measurement for Recreational Vessels: 14 gross Tons, 12,5 net tons
Original engine: Volvo Penta MD11C two-cylinder with 27 HP (23 kW) or MD17C three-cylinder with 35 HP (27 kW)
Transmission Volvo Penta Saildrive 110 S
Fuel 19.5 US gal. / 74 l
Freshwater galley 18.5 US gal. / 70 l
Freshwater for bathroom and deck shower 43.6 US gal. / 165 l

These data are provided on an „as-is“ basis without any warranty. So no liability or responsibility in relation to it is assumed. Photo on top Gamle Swede at Marina Weiße Wiek/Boltenhagen by Swedesail. Published May 31, 25, updated October 26, 25. → Subscribe Newsletter and you won’t miss future articles.