The Swan 55 is with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
9.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 51.8′, the Swan 55 tops out around 9.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √51.8′ LWL = 9.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
51s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Ballast / Displacement
33.5%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
159
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
34.3
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.79
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
9.6kts
S# (Speed Number)
3.6
Pounds/Inch Immersion
3lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
34.3
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.79
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Swan 55 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Swan 55
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Swan 55.
| Swan 55 | Jeanneau Yachts 60 | Oyster 565 | Swan 56 | X56 | Xp 55 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 58.2 | 60.0 | 59.4 | 57.5 | 56.6 | 56.5 |
| LWL | 51.8 | 52.5 | 52.3 | 49.5 | 49.0 | 48.8 |
| Beam | 16.4 | 17.7 | 16.8 | 15.5 | 16.1 | 15.7 |
| Displacement | 49 | 57 | 56 | 43 | 39 | 37 |
| Ballast | 16 | 20 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14 |
| Sail Area | — | 1,798 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 51 | — | — | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 19.3 | 19.3 | 19.5 | 23.3 | 27.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 33.5 | 36.5 | — | 31.9 | 39.8 | — |
| Comfort | 34.3 | 34.9 | 37.3 | 33.2 | 29.8 | 28.7 |
| Capsize | 1.79 | 1.84 | 1.76 | 1.78 | 1.89 | 1.88 |
| Hull Speed | 9.6 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 9.4 |