Condor 55 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The story of the Condor 55 begins in 1976, with its design credited to Helmut Stöberl. Stöberl's vision for the Condor 55 focused on creating a small, highly performant, and easily trailerable sailing yacht. This design ethos aligned well with the manufacturing philosophy of Albatros Boats, a German builder founded in 1960 by Dieter Hänsel. Albatros Boats was known for producing sturdy, practical, and user-friendly small cruisers using durable GFK (fiberglass) construction. Their commitment to accessibility and longevity made them a fitting builder for Stöberl's design. While Albatros Boats was the primary builder for much of its production run, earlier versions of the Condor 55 were also built by Klepper.

A notable aspect of the Condor 55's production was a design refinement that occurred after 1978, involving an increase in both displacement and ballast. This suggests a continuous effort to optimize the boat's characteristics, potentially improving stability or handling over its production lifespan. The inclusion of a lifting keel was a key design feature from the outset, significantly enhancing its trailerability and allowing access to shallower waterways.

Sailing Performance and Handling

Despite its compact size, the Condor 55 is lauded as a very high performer in its class. With a length overall of 18.04 feet and a waterline length of 16.4 feet, it offers a nimble and engaging sailing experience. The boat is characterized by its stability and stiffness, enabling it to stand up well to wind and provide a confident ride. Its fractional sloop rig contributes to its responsiveness and ease of control.

The lifting keel is a defining feature, not only simplifying transport but also allowing for reduced draft, opening up opportunities for exploring shallow anchorages. While its lightweight design contributes to its performance, it's also noted that the Condor 55 has a low righting capability if capsized. This characteristic is common among smaller, lighter performance boats and highlights the importance of attentive sailing, especially in challenging conditions. When it comes to auxiliary power, the Condor 55 is considered well-motorized with a 4HP engine, which is sufficient for its size and intended use as a day-boat.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its overall length of just over 18 feet, the Condor 55 offers practical, albeit minimal, accommodations primarily geared towards day-sailing or short weekend excursions. Detailed information regarding the specific interior layout, such as the arrangement of berths, galley facilities, or head compartments, is not widely available in structured form. However, consistent with small trailerable cruisers of its era, one would expect a basic cuddy cabin providing shelter, with potential for a V-berth forward and perhaps limited seating. The emphasis of the Condor 55's design prioritizes sailing performance and trailerability over extensive interior volume or amenities, making it a functional and straightforward vessel for recreational sailing.