2025 Sail Buyer's Guide

55 to 60 Feet

This category, which only 10 years ago symbolized ultimate luxury with a few rare semi-custom models, now boasts no fewer than 20 multihulls - some of which are already bestsellers. These catamarans (especially) and a few trimarans all offer absolute comfort for living aboard without no time limit. On the other hand, they become more demanding to handle for a crew of enlightened amateurs, so entrusting these units to professional skippers is therefore recommended.

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Published 29/11/2024

By Mark Bernie, Julie Echelle, Dick Sawyer, Emmanuel van Deth and Kim Wellington

Subscribers Only

Issue: 199

Published: jan. / mar. 2025

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Dazcat Ocean Cruiser 55

Designed and Built by Sailors, for Sailors

NEW

Forever Green

The Cornwall-based shipyard has decided to refocus its 40 to 55-foot range and has launched the Dazcat Ocean Cruiser (DOC) range, with a first model, the 55, just announced. The main feature of this Dazcat is the adoption of a forward cockpit/maneuvering station, with the wheel just behind, at the front of the nacelle. Another helm station is located mid-height, to starboard. This new Dazcat maintains a strict weight schedule, with carefully centered masses, and is able to take the ground thanks to its shoal draft when the appendages (carbon daggerboards) are raised. As for the bimini, this has been designed to optimize the surface area of solar panels, which also largely cover the dinghy on its davits. Optionally, the Ocean Cruiser can be propelled by a hybrid diesel/electric drivetrain.

Builder: Dazcat
Overall length: 55’ (16.76 m)
Beam: 26’3” (8 m)
Displacement: 26,450 lbs (12 t)
Mainsail: 1,033sq ft (96 m²)
Jib: 592 sq ft (55 m²)
Gennaker: 1,292 sq ft (120 m²)
Spinnaker: 2,153 sq ft (200 m²)
Berths: 6/8
Price: £ 2,750,000 ex-tax
www.multihullcentre.com

Knysna 550

Much more Modern than her Predecessors

NEW

In South Africa, it’s the sea that call the shots... so much so that local shipyards are adept at the “There’s no such thing as too strong” approach, with a design that is above all efficient if not very modern. In this context, the new Knysna 550, for which hull #1 has already been ordered, is an excellent surprise, with a very neat coachroof design featuring sloping, colored aft pillars and inverted forward windows. The hulls are slender but well-defended at the bow, providing a generous glazed area in the cabins. On the first 3D images of the 550, you can clearly make out the good old, perforated aluminum toerail that already surrounds the Knysna 500SE - when all you swear by is rustic and sturdy, even after four years of in-house development, you can’t go wrong!

Builder: Knysna Yachts
Length: 55’ (16.83 m)
Beam: 29’9” (9.06 m)
Draft: 4’11” (1.5 m)
Air draft: 78’6” (23.95 m)
Displacement: 39,200 lbs (19.6 t)
Mainsail: 1,440 sq ft (133.8 m²)
Genoa: 672 sq ft (62.64 m²)
Drivetrain: 2 x 80 HP
Fuel: 264 US gal (1,000 l)
Water: 264 US gal (1,000 l)
www.knysnayachtco.com

Swisscat 55

A Design that Leaves No One Indifferent

NEW

Swiss Cat Yachts is back in business, having kept a relatively low profile in recent years: their new 55 made a big impression at Cannes, with its inverted bows, modern, attractive layout and, of course, its electric metallic blue exterior. Circulation on board has been optimized thanks to wide side-decks and gentle slopes - such as the steps between the cockpit and the sugarscoops. The deck plan is particularly sleek, in the same style as the minimalist helm stations.
The weight calculation of around 31,000 lbs (14 t) and the generous sail area (1,840 square ...

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