BoatsNordia 55 Cruiser

Nordia 55 Cruiser

Cutter · Fin With Rudder On Skeg · 1995–2005

A Robert van Dam-designed cutter built for heavy-displacement offshore comfort and stable, long-range cruising

Designed by Robert van Dam, built by Van Dam Nordia Shipyard.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Hull type
Fin With Rudder On Skeg

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a narrow beam gives 48 — a heavy, notably soft motion offshore.

Comfort ratio 48
CoastalBluewater

At 1.58 she sits well under the 2.0 line — a solidly ocean-capable hull for her size.

Capsize screening 1.58
LightHeavy

246 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 246
EasygoingPowered-up

17.4 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 17.4

A capable offshore cruiser with an easy motion when the sea gets up.

  • Heavier than ~95% of boats her size on file
  • Draws less than ~78% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~79% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1122 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Rig & sail area
Rig
Cutter
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.4
Displacement / length
246.4
Comfort ratio
48.3
Capsize screening
1.58
Hull speed
9.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
2623
Hull
Hull type
Fin with rudder on skeg
Construction
Aluminum
Production
Years built
1995–2005
Units built
5
Designer
Robert van Dam
Builder
Van Dam Nordia Shipyard

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Hylas 5616.48 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA 2011 masthead sloop with a 21.51 sail area to displacement ratio, engineered for spirited offshore performance
Bluewater 56 (Frers)16.48 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA former Hylas 56 design featuring a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder, built for stable, high-displacement offshore travel
Oyster 53 (Humphreys)16.41 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA Rob Humphreys-designed masthead sloop built for blue-water cruising with a high comfort ratio and stable hull form
Tayana 5516.76 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Peter Beeldsnijder-designed cutter with a skeg-hung rudder, built for heavy-displacement offshore cruising
Taswell 5617.02 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Bill Dixon-designed cutter with a skeg-hung rudder and high comfort ratio, built for stable, long-range passage making
Oyster Marine 54 (Humphreys)16.43 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA Rob Humphreys-designed bluewater cutter featuring a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio and versatile keel options

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

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