discovery 55 sailboat

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• Sailboat Guide

Discovery 55

Discovery 55 is a 54 ′ 9 ″ / 16.7 m monohull sailboat designed by Ron Holland and built by Discovery Yachts between 2000 and 2019.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Reported sail area = main + self-tacking jib. SA for furling Genoa (140%) = 87.5 sqm / 941.84 sq ft. Draft – shoal keel version 1.80m/5.92’ Also available as a cutter as well as a number of different interior layouts.

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Discovery 55

The discovery 55 is a 54.79ft masthead sloop designed by ron holland and built in fiberglass by discovery yachts between 2000 and 2021., 52 units have been built..

The Discovery 55 is a light sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is very stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat. The fuel capacity is excellent. There is an excellent water supply range.

Discovery 55 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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• Discovery 55

The Discovery 55 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Discovery 55, a centre-cockpit sloop, was designed by Ron Holland and built in the UK by Discovery Yachts.

This one is fitted with the double-headed Solent rig , although they were also available as cutters.

Published Specification for the Discovery 55

Underwater Profile:  Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material:  GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall:  54'10" (16.7m)

Waterline Length:  49'3" (15.0m)

Beam:  15'8" (4.8m)

Draft:  7'4" (2.2m)

Rig Type:  Masthead sloop

Displacement:  49,604lb (22,500kg)

Designer:  Ron Holland

Builder:   Discovery Yachts (UK)

Year First Built:  2000

Number Built:  55

Owners Association:  Discovery Yacht Owners

Published Design Ratios for the Discovery 55

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  14.7

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  42.2

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio:  186

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio:  38.6

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula:   1.7

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Discovery 55

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 14.7 suggests that the Discovery 55 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 42.2 means that the Discovery 55 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 186, tells us the Discovery 55 is a light-to-moderate displacement sailboat. If she's loaded with too much heavy cruising gear her performance will suffer to a degree.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 38.6 suggests that crew comfort of a Discovery 55 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 tells us that a Discovery 55 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 

The Discovery 55...

The Discovery 55 is a sailboat designed by renowned naval architect Ron Holland and built by Discovery Yachts in England. This 55-foot (17-meter) monohull boat is part of the Discovery range of yachts, which includes the 50 Catamaran, the 58, and the 67. The boat was launched in 2000 and updated to the Mk II version in 2015, with some improvements and refinements.

The Discovery 55 is a boat that offers comfort and convenience on board. It has a bright and spacious deck saloon with panoramic windows that showcase stunning views. The boat also has a well-equipped and large galley with ample storage space and a full-size fridge/freezer. There is a dedicated navigation station with all the necessary instruments and electronics to plan your voyage. Depending on your preference, the boat has three or four cabins with comfortable berths and plenty of storage space. The boat also has two or three heads, with electric toilets and separate showers. Moreover, it has a generator, an air conditioner, a watermaker, a washing machine, a dishwasher, and even a coffee machine. The Discovery 55 has everything you need to feel at home on the water.

But the Discovery 55 is not just a floating hotel. It is also a sailing machine that can take you across oceans or along coastlines with ease and grace. It has a powerful rig with a slab reefing mainsail (or an optional in-mast or in-boom furling system) and a self-tacking jib that make sailing effortless. The boat has a keel-stepped mast that adds strength and stability to the structure. Additionally, the boat has an aft cockpit that provides excellent visibility and protection from the elements. With a twin-wheel steering system, the boat gives you precise control and feedback. A bow thruster helps you maneuver in tight spaces. The boat's 160-horsepower Yanmar engine gives you reliable power when you need it.

The Discovery 55 is a boat that can handle any weather conditions and sea states with confidence and safety. It has a solid fiberglass hull with Kevlar reinforcement that can withstand impacts and abrasions. The boat has a deep fin keel (or an optional shoal keel) that provides excellent stability and performance. It has a balanced spade rudder that responds quickly and smoothly. Moreover, the boat's sleek hull shape cuts through the waves with minimal resistance. The boat's moderate displacement gives it a comfortable motion at sea, without compromising speed or agility.

The Discovery 55 is a boat that is designed for long-distance cruising, whether it is inshore, offshore, or ocean sailing. With a large fuel tank (1,334 liters) and water tank (1,008 liters), the boat has an impressive range and autonomy. The boat also has a robust electrical system that can power all your appliances and devices without draining your batteries. An efficient ventilation system keeps the interior fresh and cool. The boat has plenty of safety features such as a liferaft, EPIRB, fire extinguishers, bilge pumps, and more.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.

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Your Local Broker, Internationally

Berthon UK (Lymington, Hampshire - UK) Sue Grant [email protected] 0044 (0)1590 679 222

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Discovery 55, SYLVIA

Discovery Yachts Ltd., Discovery 55 Built 2008 / £550,000, + VAT

Broker’s Comments

SYLVIA is one of the most highly specified Discovery 55s ever to launch. As with her sisters, she is a benchmark bluewater cruising yacht, ideal for small crews. She sails comfortably and provides fast passage times with her lovely Ron Holland hull lines. She has new upholstery and an upgraded Discovery Mk II saloon window. Her interior is executed in bright maple, making her feel bright and airy, yet cosy.

SYLVIA has been extensively refitted over the past three years, including all new Raymarine electronics and plotters, new standing and running rigging, new solar panels, a generator, and a main engine overhaul. Her new large 860Ah Lithium house bank and new 1150W solar panel array make her almost power-neutral.

She carries a substantial number of spares to fit her for Pacific cruising. She even houses Reckmann and in-mast furling motors aboard. Her owners have created a digital, customized manual that explains every electrical and mechanical aspect aboard.

SYLVIA is a very special and well-sorted bluewater cruising yacht.

Sales Video

Owner’s Comments

As a family with 2 young kids planning to cross oceans, we wanted a strong monohull that could take us anywhere safely. The center cockpit, heavy keel, straightforward running rigging, clear open gangways to the front deck, and solid stanchions on the Discovery 55 provided the platform that we wanted. We also loved the companionway steps from the cockpit to the saloon – there are only 3 of them, and they are shallow. The deck saloon view, the possibility to steer the yacht from the saloon from the elevated navigation station, the bathtub in the cockpit, and the big freezer and fridge were also big ticks for us. We were attracted to SYLVIA because of her light maple interior, blue hull, and perfect blue water cruising specification.

After purchase, we refitted SYLVIA with new flush saloon windows, replaced both standing and running rigging, and upgraded all the electronics, among lots of other jobs. The biggest upgrade for our voyage was undoubtedly the installation of a substantial 860Ah Lithium battery bank and the solar array on top of the davits. Everything is fully integrated within the Victron ecosystem onboard, and it has reduced our generator use to a few hours every 3 or 4 days. The washing machine, watermaker, and even the dive compressor can now be run straight off the inverter. If you ask our kids, however, they’ll probably tell you that having Starlink onboard has been the game-changer!

We bought SYLVIA in Lymington and spent the first years summer sailing in the UK, Norway, and the Channel Islands, preparing ourselves and the boat for the big trip. In 2021, we cruised in Spain and Portugal before making the Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean, where we explored for a year before continuing to Colombia, Panama, Galapagos, and ending up in French Polynesia, where we are now. The original plan was to have arrived in Australia by now, but we absolutely adore French Polynesia, so we decided to stay another season.

During our voyaging with SYLVIA, we have come to appreciate that whatever the weather conditions, we have always felt completely safe.

We have now fulfilled our dream of visiting some of the most beautiful places on this earth. We immersed ourselves in the cruising community and have seen our kids grow and evolve into multilingual sociable teenagers. We always knew this voyage would have an end-date, and it is almost time for us to return to our business and for our kids to enroll in regular school again. Keeping SYLVIA is not an option, as yachts need to be used and cared for to keep all the systems working. We would like to hand SYLVIA over as is, fully equipped, on the blue, ready to sail many more miles with her new owners.

Key Features

• She underwent a full overhaul in 2021 to prepare for ocean crossings.
• All new Victron electrical equipment on board (2021).
• Reckmann electric furlers and Andersen electric stainless steel winches.
• New solar array with custom stainless steel frame on top of the davits (2022).
• Flush forward deck for sunbathing.
• Underwent Safety Inspection ARC2021 and safety inspection by Belgian Naval Authorities in 2021.

Download Full Specification (PDF)

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Yacht Details

• Builder: Discovery Yachts Ltd.
• Model: Discovery 55
• Yacht Name: SYLVIA
• Hull Designer: Ron Holland; Int. Ken Freivokh
• Year Built: 2008
• LOA: 55’9” / 17m
• LWL: 44’9” / 13.64m (Static) - 49’2” / 15m (Heeled)
• Beam: 15’8” / 4.78m
• Min Draft / Max Draft: 7’3” / 2.23 (HL)
• Displacement: 22,500kg / 49,500lb (HL)
• Ballast Weight: 9,500kg / 20,900lb
• Berths: 7 berths in 3 cabin(s) / 2 head/WC(s)
• Engine Count: 1 Yanmar 4LHA-HTP (160hp) Diesel
• Country: Fiji
• Asking Price: £550,000, + VAT

Contact Details

Sue Grant Berthon UK Tel: 0044 (0)1590 679 222 E-Mail: [email protected] Click image for full broker profile.

Enquire about SYLVIA

Related yachts.

SPIRIT OF SANGOMA €345,000 / 1977 Camper & Nicholsons, Camper & Nicholsons 70

C-QUEST £450,000 / 2007 Discovery Yachts Ltd., Discovery 55

HUAHINE £450,000 / 2007 Discovery Yachts Ltd., Discovery 55

SURPRIZE €365,000 / 1999 West Custom Marine & Bowman Yachts, Mystic 55

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Discovery 55 MkII

• By Cruising World Staff
• Updated: September 24, 2014

Drawing from the experience of owners with many thousands of sea miles on the original Discovery 55, the MkII has a new design for the raised-saloon windows to let in more light, an updated profile with flush deck hatches and a more spacious cockpit. Interior joinery is light and has a contemporary look. www.discoveryyachts.com

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