Swede 55 Buyer's Guide
The Swede 55 is a 53-foot Reimers-designed sloop built by Fisksätra Shipyard between 1975 and 1985, with only 35 examples afloat. She is a narrow, lead-ballasted cruiser-racer whose deep fin keel and saildrive transmission define much of what a buyer must evaluate before committing.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Swede 55 carries seven berths with a galley and a toilet facility below. Freshwater is split between 18.5 gallons at the galley and 43.6 gallons for the head and deck shower, while diesel capacity is 19.5 gallons. The Volvo Penta Saildrive 110 S is turned by a 27-horsepower MD11C two-cylinder or a 35-horsepower MD17C three-cylinder, and any substitution is a deviation from the as-built specification.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The defining original equipment is the Volvo Penta saildrive and the fractional rig with 694 square feet of sail; any engine or drive substitution is a material deviation from the as-built specification worth weighing in the offer.
What to Inspect
The deep fin keel is the first reality check: one version draws about 6.43 to 6.73 feet loaded, another about 6.99 to 7.29 feet, and both limit the boat to major-marina access — confirm the specific keel on the hull you view against your home berth. The Volvo Penta Saildrive 110 S is a known age-sensitive item; inspect the lower-seal area for weeping or corrosion staining and confirm the original MD11C or MD17C engine still turns it without undue vibration.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Swede 55 boats are found in the United States. Before you commit, run this short check:
- Confirm the fin-keel draft against your marina's depth.
- Inspect the saildrive seals for leaks or staining.
- Verify the original Volvo Penta engine model and horsepower.
- Check the split freshwater tanks for odor or pressure loss.
- Review the fractional rig for halyard and sheet wear at spec diameters.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Swede 55. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 1 | $15,000 | — |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $17,000 | +13.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden Yachts 45 | 46.42' | $ 318,811 | 23 | 4 |
| X-Yachts X-55 | 55' | $ 539,353 | 16 | 3 |
| Sweden Yachts 50 | 50' | $ 267,539 | 15 | 0 |
| Solaris 55 | 54.79' | $ 1,126,578 | 13 | 2 |
| Hallberg-Rassy 55 | 54.72' | $ 1,215,234 | 9 | 0 |
| Baltic 55 DP | 55' | $ 497,500 | 7 | 3 |