Design and Construction
Both hull and deck are fiberglass, with the deck built as a sandwich layup while the hull is solid glass anchor. The keel carries lead ballast giving a ballast ratio around 53 percent and a displacement-to-length figure of 125 — a stout, heavy-displacement cruiser profile. The immersion rate of about 1,023 lbs per inch speaks to a deeply loaded hull that sits firmly in the water. The wetted surface measures roughly 387 square feet, and with a length-to-beam ratio of 5.29 she is comparatively narrow for her length, favoring seakeeping over interior volume.
Rig and Sail Plan
The Wasa 55 is rigged as a fractional sloop, carrying a reference sail area that yields a SA/D of 18.0 and rising to 20.9 with a 135% genoa anchor. She carries more rig than 46 percent of similar sailboats, placing her mid-fleet in sail-power density. Standing and running rigging dimensions are generous: halyards run 36.7 m with 14 mm diameter, sheets 13.5 m with 16 mm, and the mainsheet stretches 33.8 m. The fractional configuration and modest sail-area-to-displacement ratio suggest a boat tuned for controlled power rather than outright acceleration.
Performance Envelope
Her calculated maximum speed is about 4.6 knots, while the theoretical displacement-hull speed for her length reaches 7.9 knots anchor. The capsize screening value is 1.46 and the Motion Comfort Ratio 29.0, both indicating a stable, comfortable offshore character. Relative Speed Performance is indexed at 14, and the ballast-heavy configuration underpins her behavior in a seaway rather than flat-out velocity.
Accommodations
Below, the Wasa 55 provides seven berths and a galley, with the interior finished in teak anchor. The three-cabin owner layouts and alternative arrangements were offered, but the teak-faced accommodation reflects a period Scandinavian cruiser norm rather than a bespoke interior statement.
Draft and Marina Access
With a fin keel drawing between 6.40 and 6.70 ft depending on load, the Wasa 55 is restricted to major marinas anchor. This draft band, paired with the 35.1 ft waterline, means shallow anchorages and tidal creeks are largely off the menu without careful planning.
The Verdict
The Wasa 55 is a thoughtfully engineered Swedish cruiser-racer of limited production, pairing a narrow, heavily ballasted hull with a moderate fractional rig. She rewards the sailor who values stability and comfort over sprint speed, and who can accommodate a deep draft in their cruising grounds.
Pros
- Lead fin keel with ~53% ballast ratio for offshore stability
- Sandwich deck over solid fiberglass hull
- Seven berths with teak interior and galley
- Comfort Ratio 29.0 and capsize screen 1.46 indicate seaworthy posture
Cons
- 6.4–6.7 ft draft limits marina and anchorage choice
- Calculated max speed of only 4.6 knots under power/sail model
- Fewer than 100 built, so spares and class support are thin
