Design and Construction
The hull form is narrow, with a length-to-beam ratio of 4.9 and very fine 14-degree entries from centerline, paired with a wide beam that carries aft and a straight, slightly uplifting sheer. A plumb bow carries a tough bowsprit for anchor clearance, and the cut-off stern terminates in a molded swim platform. Three large squarish portlights punctuate each hull side. Structurally, the hull and deck are fiberglass with balsa core for stiffness and insulation, the hull molded in one piece with an integral grid supporting keel, mast, and rigging loads. The deck bonds to the hull with epoxy and is through-bolted on an inward flange, the joint masked by a teak toe rail that adds both strength and visual warmth. Below, a fin keel with a lead bulb provides stability and reduces draft to 1.8 meters, and a spade rudder rides a long, skinny skeg that shields it from damage and steadies tracking. The propeller emerges near the skeg on a steep angle to cut drag and cavitation.
Rig and Handling
The rig is a simple sloop with a raked, double-spreader mast and a large, powerful mainsail, carrying 96.9 square meters of sail area. The foresail region is flexible enough for jibs, staysails, genoas, and spinnakers, and some boats substitute swept-back spreaders or a B&R rig to avoid running backstays. Mast height usually sits near 19.7 meters above the waterline but can vary with owner preference. Offshore, the narrow, light hull easily averages more than 200 nautical miles a day, and the capsize screening value of 1.68 places it within accepted offshore limits. With a displacement-length ratio of 88, the design falls among ultra-light racers, yet the ballast ratio of 29 percent and 10-knot theoretical hull speed show a cruising sensibility underneath the performance numbers.
Accommodations
The deck saloon layout floods the interior with natural light and air through large windows, hatches, and dorades, while generous headroom of 1.9 to 2 meters runs throughout. The saloon sits forward of the mast with a U-shaped dinette to port seating six around a table that drops to form a berth, and a long starboard settee that doubles as a sea berth with stowage beneath and behind. Aft of the saloon, the L-shaped galley to port offers ample counter and stowage with cockpit access, fitted with a three-burner stove and oven, double sink with hot and cold water, top-loading refrigerator and freezer, and a microwave. Opposite, the navigation station carries a large chart table, adjustable seat, and instrument array. Forward, the owner's cabin holds a double berth, hanging locker, drawers, and private head with shower also reachable from the saloon; a port-quarter guest cabin provides two singles convertible to a double with its own ensuite. Teak and holly sole, vinyl overhead, LED lighting, and 12 ports with 8 hatches and 4 dorades complete a warm, practical long-term cruising interior.
The Verdict
The Sundeer 56 distills Dashew's offshore philosophy into a compact, light, and genuinely fast cruiser with a thoughtful liveaboard interior and a structure built for latitude. Its scarcity means buyers must wait for the right example, but the design's awards and Cornell's endorsement confirm its bluewater credentials.
Pros
- Ultra-light fractional rig with flexible foresail options and 200+ mile daily offshore averages
- Balsa-cored fiberglass hull with integral grid and protected spade rudder
- Deck saloon with generous headroom and strong natural ventilation
- Well-separated owner and guest cabins with ensuite heads
Cons
- Only 17 built, limiting market availability
- Fin keel with lead bulb draws 1.8 meters
