Ocean 55 Steel Motor Yacht

  • Vessel Specifications and Comments

    • Construction: Double-chine steel
    • LOA: 55'0"
    • Beam: 15'0"
    • Draft: 6'0"
    • Displacement: 75,000 lbs
    • Power:105 HP four cylinder John Deere 4045TFM
    • General Comments: This is a large, comfortable, fuel-efficient boat; an ocean crossing speed of 7 knots at 2.25 gph is a very reasonable cost. The Ocean55 is designed around minimum horsepower driving a large diameter propeller for fuel efficient ocean cruising. A four cylinder John Deere 4045TFM engine of 105 HP (continuous M1) at 2300 RPM is coupled to a ZF W220 gear with 3.96:1 reduction. This turns a 40 inch diameter prop via a 3 inch ss shaft. The latest addition for this design, commissioned in 2006, is an 833 sq ft ketch sailing rig. This will provide added savings of fuel or increased range and roll stabilization without the underwater drag of fins or paravanes. The sails are individually small and easily handled, and the vertical clearance is still less than 50’ for Intracoastal Waterway travel. More  

About the Plans

    • Construction Method and Materials:

      Double Chine Steel.
    • Number and Type of Drawings:

      Drawings are CAD. Full size part plots available at extra cost.
    • Study Plan:

      General Arrangement PDF
    • Design Comments:

      Design Comments

Designer's Comments

The Ocean55 is designed around minimum horsepower driving a large diameter propeller for fuel efficient ocean cruising. A four cylinder John Deere 4045TFM engine of 105 HP (continuous M1) at 2300 RPM is coupled to a ZF W220 gear with 3.96:1 reduction. This turns a 40 inch diameter prop via a 3 inch ss shaft.

This is a large and comfortable boat; an ocean crossing speed of 7 knots at 2.25 gph is a very reasonable cost. Her fuel tankage of 1700 usg in integral tanks will allow a theoretical cruising range approaching 5000 miles at 7 knots. The latest addition for this design is an 833 sq ft ketch sailing rig. This will provide added savings of fuel or increased range and roll stabilization without the underwater drag of fins or paravanes. The sails are individually small and easily handled, and the vertical clearance is still less than 50’ for Intracoastal Waterway travel.

The layout of the OC55 allows a large owner’s cabin with on-suite head aft. The standup entrance to the engine room is also here. The pilothouse includes large chart flat and a day berth, with sliding doors port and starboard. Below forward is a roomy main cabin with u-shaped galley to port and huge storage locker opposite. Forward of the galley is a desk and easy chairs with a dining area to starboard. Forward agin is a guest cabin with private head opposite and then a watertight door into the storage foc’sl with space for a household washer and dryer. On deck the fordeck has space for a 15’ boat in chocks and additional smaller boats, kayaks, etc. There are also numerous deck lockers forward and aft. An optional arrangement on this hull has a longer engine room with galley/saloon above at main deck level. The pilothouse is forward on the raised foredeck with roomy sleeping cabins forward and aft.

Tad Roberts