Design and Construction
The Sense 55 has a lightship displacement near 39,500 pounds and a beam of 16 feet 4 inches. Its hull was deliberately kept low on the water to inspire confidence both at the dock and at sea.
The hull is hand-laid solid glass and polyester resin, with a vinylester layer beneath the gelcoat to help ward off blistering. The deck uses a glass-and-balsa laminate, but remains solid where hardware is mounted; it is bonded to the hull Cruising World. A cast-iron shallow-draft keel is bolted and bonded in place with stainless-steel bolts and a counter plate.
Cruising World’s tester noted that the hard chine helped keep the boat upright. The builder, for its part, promised minimal heel and perfect balance under sail.
With no traditional aft cabins below, the cockpit occupies the full beam aft of the cabin house. A pop-up transom keeps following seas out while still providing quick access to the stern swim platform, according to Cruising World. Large hull portholes bring plenty of light and sea views into the interior, while the raised saloon provides a gentle transition between inside and out.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
Twin helms, each with an instrument pod just forward, give the skipper room to work clear of guests. In Cruising World’s trial, the Sense 55 “steered like a dream” on its twin rudders Cruising World.
A signature arch over the companionway carries the mainsheet and supports a dodger. Lazy jacks and a boom pouch help manage the mainsail. Sailing under main and a 105-percent genoa, the test boat reached in about 11 knots of breeze and consistently recorded speeds in the 9s. A self-tacking jib was also available.
The tested boat’s 75-horsepower turbo Yanmar, fitted with Dock-and-Go rotating saildrive, pushed the Sense 55 at 7 knots in calm seas, according to Cruising World. The builder’s specifications also state that the saildrive engine is compatible with Dock&Go technology.
Accommodations
Nauta Design’s interior draws directly on the world of superyachts. Light-colored upholstery, white wall panels, and fruitwood joinery create a bright atmosphere.
The owner’s cabin is well forward and includes a centerline queen island berth with a marine mattress and slatted frame. It also has a leather dressing table, a tucked-in office, and a private head with the shower separate from the toilet.
Two guest cabins sit amidships at the center of the boat. Each has a sliding door, a double queen bunk, and its own head. This arrangement leaves the boat without conventional aft cabins, but allows the cockpit above to span the full beam.
The lengthwise fitted galley has a grey synthetic-resin worktop and appliances concealed behind retractable panels. A large hatch opens the galley to the cockpit. The companionway is notably easy to negotiate, with three steps set at 45 degrees rather than the usual five. A central furniture unit also provides a two-person chart seat.
Cockpit, Equipment, and Options
The cockpit’s modular retractable table converts the starboard seating into a huge sun lounger. An additional cabin is accessed directly from the cockpit.
Buyers could specify leather-clad saloon furniture, white lacquered doors, and ivory carpet. Entertainment options included a retractable 32-inch television on a motorized lift and a 22-inch television in the master cabin.
The test boat carried air-conditioning, a dishwasher, a washer-dryer, a 9-kilowatt generator, electric blinds, a microwave, three electric heads, and a Pioneer system. B&G electronics, with plotter housings at each helm, were standard Cruising World.
Verdict
The Sense 55 is a bold reinterpretation of the cruising monohull. Its low hull, full-beam cockpit, and superyacht-inspired interior genuinely give it the feel of a “monomaran,” to use the builder’s own joke. It sails flat and balanced, steers crisply on twin rudders, and offers indoor-outdoor flow rarely found in a 55-foot sloop.
Pros
- Minimal heel and easy maneuverability from a low, hard-chined hull
- Full-beam cockpit with a pop-up transom and modular sun-lounger table
- Superyacht-inspired interior with an ensuite head for every cabin
- Dock-and-Go rotating saildrive and B&G electronics at the helms
Cons
- The lack of traditional aft cabins limits belowdeck layout variety
- The forward owner’s berth, far from the companionway, may feel remote underway
