Design Evolution & Interior Layout 5
The transition from the original 1974 Windrose 18 to the Windrose 5.5 represents a fundamental shift in design philosophy. While the earlier model featured a narrow seven-foot beam and a high-maintenance cast-iron swing keel, Turner stretched the beam of the Windrose 5.5 to a full eight feet—the maximum legal highway limit for towing without a permit in most jurisdictions. Simultaneously, the swing keel was replaced with a fixed, shoal-draft fin keel drawing just two and a quarter feet.
This architectural shift had a profound impact on the boat's interior. By replacing the swing keel, Turner completely eliminated the massive, space-consuming centerboard trunk that traditionally bisected the cabin floor of small trailer-sailers. This allowed the Windrose 5.5 to boast a remarkably open cabin sole for an eighteen-foot boat. The layout accommodates up to four people, featuring a forward V-berth, two straight quarter berths that tuck neatly under the cockpit seats, and space for a portable marine head.
The interior fit-out is typical of Laguna Yachts' production era, utilizing a practical blend of hand-laid fiberglass liners and simple wood joinery. While headroom is understandably limited to a sitting height of just under four feet, the extra foot of beam prevents the cabin from feeling claustrophobic. It is a simple, dry, and surprisingly voluminous space designed for weekend pocket cruising rather than long-term liveaboard comfort.
Sailing Performance & Under-Sail Handling
On the water, the Windrose 5.5 behaves with a blend of dinghy-like responsiveness and keelboat predictability. Boasting a displacement of 1,500 pounds and carrying 500 pounds of ballast in its fixed fin keel, the vessel possesses a solid ballast-to-displacement ratio of 33.33 percent 4. When paired with the wide eight-foot beam, this ballast package provides excellent initial and secondary stability, allowing the boat to stand up to its canvas far better than lighter, swing-keel contemporaries.
With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 18.5, the Windrose 5.5 is a lively and sporty performer under its fractional sloop rig 4. It powers up easily in light breezes, tracking well to weather with a balanced helm. The boat’s displacement-to-length ratio of 163.49 places it on the lighter side of moderate displacement, meaning the hull accelerates quickly in gusts and is highly receptive to sail trim adjustments. Downwind, the clean run of the hull allows the boat to transition smoothly into a fast, stable plane under a gennaker or spinnaker.
However, the physical limits of an eighteen-foot micro-cruiser must be respected. A capsize screening ratio of 2.8 indicates that the Windrose 5.5 is fundamentally a trailerable daysailer/coastal cruiser. It lacks the ultimate righting moment of heavy-displacement ocean-goers, meaning it can capsize if knocked flat by a severe gust or a breaking wave. Additionally, its exceptionally low comfort ratio of 8.75 indicates a quick, lively motion in chop. The hull will bob and slide over waves rather than slicing through them, making for an active, spray-filled ride that can tire out the crew during long sails in heavy chop.
Maintenance Issues & Technical Triage
While Laguna Yachts utilized robust, hand-laid solid fiberglass construction for the hull, several decades of use have highlighted areas that require close inspection and preventative maintenance. The most critical structural concern centers on mast compression. Early production models utilized a partial bulkhead to transfer the load of the deck-stepped mast. Over time, this bulkhead can compress, causing the cabin top to sag and the standing rigging to lose tension. Veteran owners often resolve this by retrofitting a localized compression post or reinforcing the bulkhead arch with modern composite supports.
Another documented point of interest is the hull-to-deck joint and the chainplate attachments. Reviewers and owners have occasionally noted inconsistent factory finishes and minor misalignments in the chainplate knees. Over decades of stress, these areas can develop hairline cracks, allowing moisture to seep into the deck core. Rebedding the chainplates and checking the surrounding fiberglass for delamination is a standard triage task.
Finally, the transom requires attention if the boat is to be fitted with a modern outboard motor. Designed in an era of light, two-stroke outboards ranging from three to six horsepower, the original transom can exhibit flexing under the weight of heavier, modern four-stroke units. Reinforcing the transom bracket with a marine-grade plywood or G10 backing plate is a highly recommended safety measure.
Modernization & Refit Potential
The simple and accessible nature of the Windrose 5.5 makes it an exceptional canvas for DIY upgrades and modernization. One of the most popular retrofits among single-handed sailors is leading all halyards, reefing lines, and control lines aft to the cockpit. By mounting a set of deck organizers and small rope clutches on the cabin top, the helmsman can manage the sail plan safely without having to step on the narrow side decks.
Given the boat's light displacement, conversion to electric propulsion has also emerged as a highly viable upgrade. Swapping a noisy gasoline outboard for a lightweight, transom-mounted electric motor matches the boat’s sailing profile perfectly. An electric system minimizes transom weight, eliminates gasoline storage in the cockpit lockers, and provides ample thrust for docking maneuvers. This modern setup is easily supported by a modest lithium iron phosphate battery bank housed under the companionway, charged by a flexible solar panel mounted on the cabin hatch.
Market Standing & Economics 1
On the brokerage market, the Windrose 5.5 is categorized as a high-value, low-cost entry point into the world of cruising. Because it was produced in moderate numbers compared to industry giants like the Catalina 22, finding a Windrose 5.5 can require some patience. However, they consistently trade at an accessible price point, representing a bargain for sailors who want the security of a fixed keel without the slipping fees associated with larger vessels.
The refit economics of the Windrose 5.5 are highly favorable. Because of its diminutive size, major expenses like purchasing a new suit of sails or replacing running rigging cost a fraction of what they would on a twenty-five or thirty-foot cruiser. Furthermore, its trailerable nature allows owners to store the boat on a trailer in a standard residential garage or driveway, eliminating slip fees and winter storage costs entirely.
The Verdict
The Windrose 5.5 remains a testament to W. Shad Turner’s ability to design a smart, highly functional pocket cruiser that balances performance, accommodation, and trailerability. By omitting the swing keel of its predecessor, the design provides an open, usable interior that punches well above its eighteen-foot class. While it is not designed to cross oceans or handle heavy offshore conditions, it is an exceptionally stable, easy-to-sail pocket cruiser that offers a rewarding and economical sailing experience on lakes, bays, and sounds.
Pros
- Fixed shoal-draft keel eliminates the maintenance, noise, and cabin intrusion of a swing-keel trunk.
- Stretched eight-foot beam offers exceptional interior volume and initial stability for a boat of this length.
- Sporty fractional rig provides excellent light-air performance and nimble handling.
- Light weight allows for easy trailering and launching behind mid-sized family vehicles.
- Highly favorable refit economics with low ongoing maintenance and storage costs.
Cons
- Very low motion comfort ratio means a quick, bouncy ride in chopped waters.
- High capsize screening ratio requires active sail management and early reefing in heavier winds.
- Original deck-step design is prone to mast compression issues on the cabin top.
- Tight cockpit coamings can make seating cramped with more than three adults on board.
- Inconsistent factory finish at the hull-to-deck joint and chainplate knees on some early builds.
