2013 MARCH CLASSIC SAILBOAT OF THE MONTH: The International 5.5 meter class boat
History and Olympic career
The 5.5-metre class was a redesign of the 6-metre class by Charles E. Nicholson in 1937. The first boats conforming to the 5.5-metre rule were built in 1949. There had been an earlier attempt to build a cheaper alternative to the Sixes. In 1929 the 5-metre class was established by the French “Union de Societes Nautique Francaise” and the class was accepted in London. It achieved a position as the smallest new international metre class and some hundreds boats were built. Nevertheless the 5 metre never managed to achieve an Olympic status. The 5.5-metre class replaced it quickly and was raced in Olympics for first time in 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. The Scandinavian Gold Cup has also been competed with 5.5m boats since 1953. 5.5 metre boats replaced the International 6-metre at the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia. The 5.5 metre participation in the Olympic sailing events continued at the 1960 Olympic Games and 1964 Olympic Games. During 1960s it however began to draw similar criticism as preceding six-metre class – namely, increasing costs – and the boat lost Olympic status after 1968 Olympic Games, due to excessive design and building costs of one off boats, marking the end of development class keel boats in Olympic regattas. However, the class remained active thereafter and 5.5-metre boats are still very actively raced.
Current Specifications
Crew: 3
Type: Monohull
Design: Development class
Keel: Fixed
LOA: About: 9.5 m (31 ft)
Beam: Minimum: 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Draft: Maximum: 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in)
Hull weight: Minimum: 1,700 kg (3,700 lb)
Maximum: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb)
Main & Jib area: Minimum: 26.5 m2 (285 sq ft) Maximum: 29.0 m2 (312 sq ft)
Spinnaker area: About: 50.0 m2 (538 sq ft)
Development Year: Basic rule: 1949
Designer: Basic rule designer: Charles E. Nicholson
December 2012 Classic Sailboat of the Month