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. Updated June 5, 25.→ Subscribe Newsletter and you won’t miss future articles.
