Ruesch 5.5 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

Under sail, the Ruesch 5.5 behaves more like a spirited sportboat than a sluggish pocket cruiser. With a displacement of approximately 1,500 pounds and a sail area of 157 square feet, the boat possesses a generous sail-area-to-displacement (SA/D) ratio of roughly 19, which ensures responsiveness even in light air. The hull features a prominent hard chine that provides a firm "shelf" for stability when heeled, while the semi-planing hull form allows the boat to touch speeds of 5 knots or more when reaching in a moderate breeze.

Handling is characterized by an exceptionally light and communicative helm, a trait highlighted in Sail Magazine’s review which noted the boat's rewarding feel in Chesapeake Bay test conditions. The ballast system consists of roughly 450 to 540 pounds of lead, partially distributed within the hull and the fiberglass centerboard itself. This configuration allows the boat to point high while maintaining the ability to retract the board to a draft of just 10 inches for beaching or shallow-water navigation. While the standard rig is simple, often lacking a mainsheet traveler, the addition of an optional 120-square-foot asymmetric spinnaker transforms the 5.5 into a potent club racer.

Interior Comfort & Variations

Despite its compact 18-foot length, the interior of the Ruesch 5.5 is thoughtfully engineered to maximize usable volume. The cabin is spartan but functional, featuring a V-berth forward and two long settee berths that double as seating for four adults. A key design element is the oversized companionway hatch, which opens up a significant portion of the cabin roof to provide standing headroom while working in the galley area.

The interior layout is utilitarian, typically finished with a clean gelcoat and minimal wood trim to keep weight down and maintenance simple. Variations of the model, particularly those built under the Malbec 18 name, often include creature comforts like a portable chemical toilet tucked under the companionway, an ice chest, and a compact "swing stove" for weekend camping. While the Ruesch 5.5 is the primary hull, Heraldo Ruesch also designed a series of larger "siblings" for the Argentinian yard Astillero Campanili, including the Malbec 200, 240, and 290, which scale the design philosophy of the 5.5 into true offshore cruisers.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Ruesch 5.5 achieved a unique piece of cultural trivia when the first two American production hulls (as the Malbec 18) were featured as prizes on the television game show The Price Is Right. This exposure helped introduce the Argentine design to a broader audience of recreational sailors. Additionally, the model was nominated as one of the Best Boats of 2018 by Sail Magazine, cementing its status as a top contender in the modern trailer-sailing market.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should focus their inspections on the unique technical aspects of the Ruesch design:

Centerboard Trunk: Given its beachable nature, inspect the trunk and pivot pin for wear or impact damage from grounding.
Deck Hardware Seals: Because the boat is often trailered and exposed to varying stresses, check the mounting points for the Ronstan hardware and U.S. Spars rig to ensure the core remains dry.
Ballast Attachment: Verify the condition of the lead "dabs" set into the hull; in some early Argentine-built hulls, the integration of ballast into the fiberglass layup should be checked for any signs of delamination.
Rigging Tension: The high-aspect fractional rig relies on proper stay tension; check the chainplates and mast step for stress cracks if the boat has been raced heavily.

Community & Resources

The primary community for the Ruesch 5.5 is centered around the Argentine sailing scene and the American Ventura Sport Boats network. While there is no dedicated independent owner's association for the 5.5, technical support and parts are often coordinated through the builders at Astillero Campanili or regional dealers who support the Malbec range.