Design and Construction
The MC55 is built largely in carbon, with a full carbon hull and deck finished in high-gloss two-pack polyurethane. The hull, deck, and structure are constructed using controlled vacuum infusion with Carbon and Corecell for lightweight strength and rigidity. Lightship displacement is a modest 15 tons for a boat of this beam.
The styling is distinctive. The inverted bows have a chine at the stem, which continues aft in pronounced form just above the waterline. A step in the deck edge is echoed in the shape of the hull windows.
Twin composite centreboards are hydraulically operated and articulate through three set positions. They retract to 1.3 metres and extend to 3.7 metres, giving the boat a draft range suited to both shallow gunkholing and better windward grip offshore.
Rig and Handling
A carbon-fibre mast and V-boom carry 150 square metres of upwind sail area. The square-top mainsail and self-tacking furling jib are both made in North Sails 3Di OCEAN 700.
Sail handling is managed from a flybridge control station intended to give the boat a cruising rather than racing character. There, a large steering wheel can be moved so the helmsman can position themselves to windward or leeward. Below, twin internal helm stations provide full weather protection, while twin forward helm stations keep the crew connected to the action on deck.
Auxiliary power comes from twin 57hp Yanmar engines with sail drives and feathering propellers. The engines have fresh-water cooling and sit in insulated engine rooms.
Accommodation
Buyers can choose between a four-cabin layout, with all cabins en suite, and a three-cabin version that devotes more space to a large master suite. In the three-cabin arrangement, the starboard hull becomes the owner’s stateroom, complete with a private lounge, dressing room, and ensuite. The port hull contains two guest cabins with their own bathroom.
The wide saloon runs the full length of the hulls, with large windows and fully retractable glass doors aft. A retractable aft window complements the large bay window, allowing the saloon to open fully to the outside. Headroom in the saloon and hulls ranges from 2.0 to 2.3 metres.
The open-plan galley sits within the saloon, giving the interior an apartment-like feel. It centres on a generous island with Corian-type countertops, plus twin 160-litre Isotherm fridge and freezer drawers. Honeycomb-core joinery panels, lightweight timber laminate, and soft fabric liners continue the modern interior treatment throughout.
Deck and Outdoor Living
The expansive aft deck has settees to port and starboard, along with an electric barbecue, wet bar, and hydraulic swim platform. A forward cockpit provides a second, sheltered social space.
Together, the two cockpits and the saloon’s retractable glass create rare indoor-outdoor continuity for a 52-foot catamaran.
Equipment and Energy
A 4.5kW solar array is integrated into the coachroof and paired with a 50kWh battery system under full Victron energy management.
Standard navigation equipment includes dual 12-inch touchscreen chartplotters, dome radar, GPS, VHF, and a Madintech autopilot. The helm has a single electronic throttle to starboard and an engine instrument panel. Racor 500 fuel filters serve the twin 230-litre fuel tanks, which have deck fillers and level sensors.
The Verdict
The MC55 is a focused expression of McConaghy’s carbon-catamaran philosophy at its most accessible length. It trades race-bred austerity for genuine cruising comfort without giving up stiffness.
The Ker Yacht Design hull, with its pronounced chine and articulating centreboards, provides the technical headline. In everyday cruising terms, however, the indoor-outdoor saloon and sheltered helm stations are what make the boat livable.
Pros
- Vacuum-infused carbon and Corecell structure, with a 15-ton lightship displacement, provides rigidity without excess weight
- Articulating hydraulic centreboards offer a 1.3–3.7m draft range for shoal and offshore use
- Three- and four-cabin layouts, with full-en-suite guest quarters and a dedicated owner’s hull
- Retractable saloon glass and two cockpits create genuine indoor-outdoor living
- Standard 4.5kW solar array and 50kWh Victron-managed house bank
Cons
- Inverted-bow carbon construction and 3Di sails imply more specialist upkeep than conventional glass boats
- The flybridge cruising helm favours sheltered command over tactile, race-style feedback
