Design and Construction
Holland's hull was conceived to give a comfortable motion at sea with easy handling and a good turn of speed, and the MkII evolution retained that original shell while introducing a one-piece deck moulding with sleeker coachroof styling and flush hatches. A deep molded-in sump sits in the way of the external lead keel, and the deck shows narrow side decks with a big cockpit divided into two sections, its styling straight out of the Oyster book. The MkII further refined the deck saloon with narrower mullions yet kept the forward-opening windows that ventilate naturally at anchor, and added two vertical hull windows in the owner's cabin made possible by production advances. A beautiful sheerline and the fine-ended hull with major systems weight concentrated midships complete a structure that does not pitch unduly in a head sea and shows excellent stability.
Rig and Handling
The sailplan carries a triple-spreader rig with spreaders swept to 23 degrees, and every foretriangle option includes a self-tacking jib or staysail sheeted at a 10-degree angle from the stem to the track's outboard edge. Sailplan B pairs an almost full-hoist 90-degree self-tacking jib with a furling masthead genoa tacked to the stem, while the MkII's twin headsail rig with a self-tacking blade jib and large overlapping genoa adapts well to tradewind running under twin poled headsails and to efficient reaching or closehauled angles. Around half of MkII owners chose symmetric or asymmetric spinnakers for light-air running. A 90 cm wheel proved adequate on the test boat for viewing the jib luff while maximizing cockpit space, and the boat's inherent power is tamed by its sail-handling systems.
Accommodations
Ken Freivokh handled the interior, a three-stateroom layout with two heads: a large owner's suite aft, a generous galley, and a sizeable deck saloon incorporating the watch-keeper's station just inside the companionway, which gives a 270-degree view even when heeled. The saloon dinette mixes rounded contours with straight stretches, and a pilot berth tucks under the starboard side decks. The MkII's narrow linear galley with deep fiddles suits sea use, its bin, fridge, and freezer placed forward to limit crew crossing, while a 300-litre custom fridge follows the hull profile. The fo'c'sle is adequate but not large, and the easy three-step companionway with raised saloon seating remains uncompromised.
Known Issues
One documented structural concern is the lazarette, which on surveyed examples has eroded to the point where it almost doesn't exist. Buyers and owners should regard that aft compartment's integrity as a check item rather than a given.
Refits and Ownership
The MkII brought some 60–70 improvements from owner feedback, and Discovery's five-axis CNC router expanded custom joinery scope. Standard equipment on the later boat included diesel generators, heating, air conditioning, electric winches, and washer-driers, with a GN Espace cooker built specifically for the marque. The original 55's two bow-thruster options and the MkII's retained watch-keeper tradition show a design meant for short-handed bluewater use.
The Verdict
The Discovery 55 is a serious couple-or-family bluewater cruiser with a Holland hull that balances comfort and speed, a versatile twin-headsail rig, and a thoughtful interior centered on a watch-keeper's station. The eroded lazarette is the one flagged weak point, and the narrow side decks demand care forward.
Pros
- Ron Holland hull with comfortable motion and good turn of speed
- Twin headsail rig adaptable from tradewind runs to closehauled work
- Watch-keeper's station with 270-degree view retained through MkII
- Deep sump and bulb keel with a high ballast ratio of 42 per cent
Cons
- Lazarette erosion documented on examples
- Narrow side decks limit safe movement forward
- Original layout fo'c'sle adequate but not large
