Sparkman & Stephens 55 Custom ketch
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David Walters Yachts
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About
Sparkman & Stephens 55 Custom Ketch 1973 – SOUTHERLY
Classic aluminum centerboard ketch with unique pedigree, recent major upgrades, and shallow-draft versatility
SOUTHERLY was originally commissioned for a leading member of the New York Yacht Club. A half-model now hangs in the famed Model Room. She is currently owned by a former Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and now sails under the ensign of the Royal Irish Yacht Cub.
With her classic lines, ketch rig, and lifting keel, she represents a true modern classic.
Built by Paul E. Luke to a Sparkman & Stephens design, SOUTHERLY blends heritage, offshore capability, and practical cruising comfort. Her lifting keel gives her unusual versatility, allowing access to close-shore anchorages, inlets, and beaches that many yachts of similar size cannot reach.
Today she is a comfortable and capable cruising yacht that has been well-maintained and upgraded. Recent improvements include a new Yanmar engine in 2017, electronics and sails in 2021, standing rigging in 2022/23, major brightwork maintenance in 2024, and epoxy-sealed hardwood deck trim in 2026.
SOUTHERLY's design success was noted by Gary Jobson, in his book, An American Sailing Story (2011), Gary sailed her regularly with his wife and daughters and commented on her balanced lines and performance. She remains a fast and capable passage maker with the warmth, joinery, and style expected of a classic gentleman's yacht. She has been cruised extensively in Europe and the Caribbean in the past two decades and she regularly attracts admiring comments under sail and at the quayside.
IDEAL USAGE
Key Features:
SOUTHERLY offers an exceptionally warm and traditional interior finished in honey-blond butternut with occasional mahogany and teak accents, mahogany and elm marquetry inlays in the main saloon, crisp white bulkheads, varnished teak and holly soles, and padded vinyl headliners with varnished butternut ceiling panels.
SOUTHERLY offers eight berths in two cabins, one pilot berth in aft passageway and three berths in the main saloon.
Starting there, an L-shaped settee is found to starboard with lockers and bookshelves behind, while to port a very comfortable guest berth sits above a long settee that pulls out to create a full-width berth. The galley is at the base of the companionway to port. Moving aft to starboard are the navigation station and mains AC and DC electrical panel.
A passageway forward leads to a large double guest cabin, the forward guest head is to starboard, with substantial hanging and utility lockers opposite. Aft of the saloon, the pilots berth is in the passageway leading to master’s cabin. This aft master cabin provides two berths (double and single), its ensuite head, plus its own companionway leading to the aft deck via a sliding hatch protected above by a spray dodger.
The “ceiling” of the passageway forms part of the cockpit seat above, which can be lifted and secured open to provide additional access, light and ventilation.
Interior Styling and Features:
MAIN SALOON
The main saloon is arranged as a comfortable social and dining space with an L-shaped settee to starboard, abundant lockers and bookshelves, and a highly versatile dining table that converts from coffee-table height to a large dining arrangement seating up to eight.
The main saloon provides additional guest berths for three, using the port-side raised berth and settee that pulls out to create a full-width berth.
MASTER STATEROOM
The aft master cabin features a double berth on port and a single berth on starboard, along with storage behind and beneath both berths, a large hanging locker to starboard, and a small bureau with mirror on the centerline.
Master Head
The master ensuite head fitted with a stainless-steel basin, hot and cold pressurized water, freshwater foot pump backup, adjustable shower head, sump pump, and vanity storage.
GUEST CABIN
The forward guest cabin is a large double berth with a filler board and cushions that create a very spacious sleeping area. Bookshelves run fore and aft above the berth, while closet, drawers, and deep storage spaces beneath the berth make the cabin highly usable for extended cruising.
A built-in ladder provides access to the large foredeck hatch.
Guest Head
The forward guest head to starboard includes:
EXTRA BERTH – AFT PASSAGEWAY
On the starboard side of the aft passageway is an attractive sea berth with bookshelves and storage lockers This berth also functions as a practical workbench area with storage for tools and spare parts beneath.
The athwartships galley is located to port at the base of the companionway and offers generous work surfaces, gimbaled stove is located outboard to port, excellent storage, a large single stainless-steel sink, and separate dedicated refrigeration and freezer compartments on the aft bulkhead.
NAVIGATION/CHART STATION
To starboard of the main saloon, the navigation station is positioned beside the passageway aft and directly adjacent to the principal electrical panels, switches, gauges, and the Hart Tank Tender monitoring system.
HELM STATION
HULL AND FITTINGS
The hull and deck are of 5083 aluminum alloy supported by substantial web frames with longitudinal stringers spaced 12 inches on center. Chainplates are welded integrally to the bulkheads and hull for strength and efficient load distribution, and all tanks are integral to the hull structure. Hull sandblasted in 2021 prior to painting.
DECK AND FITTINGS
The deck and cabin top feature a non-skid finish, with gray-white decks, white waterways, and white cabin house sides and top accented by varnished hardwood trim moldings. Deck fittings are stainless steel, properly gasketed, and installed with backing plates.
The forepeak houses the chain locker with 250 ft of 7/16" galvanized chain, along with a separate line-storage locker.
COCKPIT
“Southerly” features a truly spacious cockpit measuring nine feet in length, comfortably accommodating six to eight people. A large cockpit dining table is provided and may be stowed below when not in use. A removable teak grate covers the cockpit sole. A white canvas awning (16 ft X 12 ft) can be installed overhead as required to provide shade and protection.
MAST AND RIGGING
Ketch rigged with aluminum main mast and mizzen, both keel stepped. Dyform wire standing rigging (2022) equipped with a Profurl C420 (2023) roller-furling jib, Barient coffee grinder winch, Navtec hydraulic main boom vang, and Navtec hydraulic inner forestay adjuster.
Running rigging includes Spectra genoa and spinnaker sheets, foreguy, and afterguys (two sets). Main mast halyards and running backstays are Aramid-85.
SAILS AND WINCHES
This S&S Custom 55 was designed with an extensive 23 sails plan for racing – see pictures for sail plan. She since has been simplified for cruising.
GROUND TACKLE
ENGINE AND MECHANICAL
The engine is located midship behind insulated removable sliding doors, creating a well-contained machinery space within easy reach of the galley, passageway, and navigation area. The Yanmar 4JH80 diesel was installed in 2017 and is paired with shaft drive and a three-blade Flex-O-Fold propeller.
PLUMBING AND TANKAGE
Fuel and water tankage are integral to the aluminum hull structure, with aluminum fuel tanks, stainless steel water tanks and a stainless steel holding tank. Hot water is supplied by an Allcraft 12-gallon stainless-steel heater powered by both 110-volt shore power and engine heat exchange.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LIGHTING AND CHARGING
GAS SYSTEM
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
EXTRAS
Personal items
BROKER’S COMMENTS
SOUTHERLY presents as a rare opportunity to acquire a pedigreed Sparkman & Stephens ketch with meaningful refit history. Her lifting keel, classic lines, warm joinery, and practical cruising systems make her particularly attractive for an owner seeking a distinctive passage maker.
SOUTHERLY is a gentleman's yacht and served as a flagship design for Paul Luke (builder) and Sparkman & Stephens (designer). She has been described as structurally and cosmetically pristine.
SOUTHERLY is featured in the book Classic Yacht Interiors by Lucinda H. Bobrow and Patrick Jinkins and in American Sailing Stories by Gary Jobson.
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Classic aluminum centerboard ketch with unique pedigree, recent major upgrades, and shallow-draft versatility
SOUTHERLY was originally commissioned for a leading member of the New York Yacht Club. A half-model now hangs in the famed Model Room. She is currently owned by a former Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and now sails under the ensign of the Royal Irish Yacht Cub.
With her classic lines, ketch rig, and lifting keel, she represents a true modern classic.
Built by Paul E. Luke to a Sparkman & Stephens design, SOUTHERLY blends heritage, offshore capability, and practical cruising comfort. Her lifting keel gives her unusual versatility, allowing access to close-shore anchorages, inlets, and beaches that many yachts of similar size cannot reach.
Today she is a comfortable and capable cruising yacht that has been well-maintained and upgraded. Recent improvements include a new Yanmar engine in 2017, electronics and sails in 2021, standing rigging in 2022/23, major brightwork maintenance in 2024, and epoxy-sealed hardwood deck trim in 2026.
SOUTHERLY's design success was noted by Gary Jobson, in his book, An American Sailing Story (2011), Gary sailed her regularly with his wife and daughters and commented on her balanced lines and performance. She remains a fast and capable passage maker with the warmth, joinery, and style expected of a classic gentleman's yacht. She has been cruised extensively in Europe and the Caribbean in the past two decades and she regularly attracts admiring comments under sail and at the quayside.
IDEAL USAGE
Key Features:
SOUTHERLY offers an exceptionally warm and traditional interior finished in honey-blond butternut with occasional mahogany and teak accents, mahogany and elm marquetry inlays in the main saloon, crisp white bulkheads, varnished teak and holly soles, and padded vinyl headliners with varnished butternut ceiling panels.
SOUTHERLY offers eight berths in two cabins, one pilot berth in aft passageway and three berths in the main saloon.
Starting there, an L-shaped settee is found to starboard with lockers and bookshelves behind, while to port a very comfortable guest berth sits above a long settee that pulls out to create a full-width berth. The galley is at the base of the companionway to port. Moving aft to starboard are the navigation station and mains AC and DC electrical panel.
A passageway forward leads to a large double guest cabin, the forward guest head is to starboard, with substantial hanging and utility lockers opposite. Aft of the saloon, the pilots berth is in the passageway leading to master’s cabin. This aft master cabin provides two berths (double and single), its ensuite head, plus its own companionway leading to the aft deck via a sliding hatch protected above by a spray dodger.
The “ceiling” of the passageway forms part of the cockpit seat above, which can be lifted and secured open to provide additional access, light and ventilation.
Interior Styling and Features:
MAIN SALOON
The main saloon is arranged as a comfortable social and dining space with an L-shaped settee to starboard, abundant lockers and bookshelves, and a highly versatile dining table that converts from coffee-table height to a large dining arrangement seating up to eight.
The main saloon provides additional guest berths for three, using the port-side raised berth and settee that pulls out to create a full-width berth.
MASTER STATEROOM
The aft master cabin features a double berth on port and a single berth on starboard, along with storage behind and beneath both berths, a large hanging locker to starboard, and a small bureau with mirror on the centerline.
Master Head
The master ensuite head fitted with a stainless-steel basin, hot and cold pressurized water, freshwater foot pump backup, adjustable shower head, sump pump, and vanity storage.
GUEST CABIN
The forward guest cabin is a large double berth with a filler board and cushions that create a very spacious sleeping area. Bookshelves run fore and aft above the berth, while closet, drawers, and deep storage spaces beneath the berth make the cabin highly usable for extended cruising.
A built-in ladder provides access to the large foredeck hatch.
Guest Head
The forward guest head to starboard includes:
EXTRA BERTH – AFT PASSAGEWAY
On the starboard side of the aft passageway is an attractive sea berth with bookshelves and storage lockers This berth also functions as a practical workbench area with storage for tools and spare parts beneath.
The athwartships galley is located to port at the base of the companionway and offers generous work surfaces, gimbaled stove is located outboard to port, excellent storage, a large single stainless-steel sink, and separate dedicated refrigeration and freezer compartments on the aft bulkhead.
NAVIGATION/CHART STATION
To starboard of the main saloon, the navigation station is positioned beside the passageway aft and directly adjacent to the principal electrical panels, switches, gauges, and the Hart Tank Tender monitoring system.
HELM STATION
HULL AND FITTINGS
The hull and deck are of 5083 aluminum alloy supported by substantial web frames with longitudinal stringers spaced 12 inches on center. Chainplates are welded integrally to the bulkheads and hull for strength and efficient load distribution, and all tanks are integral to the hull structure. Hull sandblasted in 2021 prior to painting.
DECK AND FITTINGS
The deck and cabin top feature a non-skid finish, with gray-white decks, white waterways, and white cabin house sides and top accented by varnished hardwood trim moldings. Deck fittings are stainless steel, properly gasketed, and installed with backing plates.
The forepeak houses the chain locker with 250 ft of 7/16" galvanized chain, along with a separate line-storage locker.
COCKPIT
“Southerly” features a truly spacious cockpit measuring nine feet in length, comfortably accommodating six to eight people. A large cockpit dining table is provided and may be stowed below when not in use. A removable teak grate covers the cockpit sole. A white canvas awning (16 ft X 12 ft) can be installed overhead as required to provide shade and protection.
MAST AND RIGGING
Ketch rigged with aluminum main mast and mizzen, both keel stepped. Dyform wire standing rigging (2022) equipped with a Profurl C420 (2023) roller-furling jib, Barient coffee grinder winch, Navtec hydraulic main boom vang, and Navtec hydraulic inner forestay adjuster.
Running rigging includes Spectra genoa and spinnaker sheets, foreguy, and afterguys (two sets). Main mast halyards and running backstays are Aramid-85.
SAILS AND WINCHES
This S&S Custom 55 was designed with an extensive 23 sails plan for racing – see pictures for sail plan. She since has been simplified for cruising.
GROUND TACKLE
ENGINE AND MECHANICAL
The engine is located midship behind insulated removable sliding doors, creating a well-contained machinery space within easy reach of the galley, passageway, and navigation area. The Yanmar 4JH80 diesel was installed in 2017 and is paired with shaft drive and a three-blade Flex-O-Fold propeller.
PLUMBING AND TANKAGE
Fuel and water tankage are integral to the aluminum hull structure, with aluminum fuel tanks, stainless steel water tanks and a stainless steel holding tank. Hot water is supplied by an Allcraft 12-gallon stainless-steel heater powered by both 110-volt shore power and engine heat exchange.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LIGHTING AND CHARGING
GAS SYSTEM
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
EXTRAS
Personal items
BROKER’S COMMENTS
SOUTHERLY presents as a rare opportunity to acquire a pedigreed Sparkman & Stephens ketch with meaningful refit history. Her lifting keel, classic lines, warm joinery, and practical cruising systems make her particularly attractive for an owner seeking a distinctive passage maker.
SOUTHERLY is a gentleman's yacht and served as a flagship design for Paul Luke (builder) and Sparkman & Stephens (designer). She has been described as structurally and cosmetically pristine.
SOUTHERLY is featured in the book Classic Yacht Interiors by Lucinda H. Bobrow and Patrick Jinkins and in American Sailing Stories by Gary Jobson.
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
