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

• Bluewater cruising and transoceanic passage making
• Caribbean island-hopping with access to shoal anchorages thanks to lifting keel

Key Features:

• Aluminum hull – topsides + bottom sandblasted + epoxied (2021)
• Sparkman & Stephens design
• USA Built – no tariff!
• Versatile ketch rig – 23 sails plan
• Yanmar 4JH80 904hrs with ZF gearbox (2017)
• Dyform standing rigging (2022)
• Profurl C420 (2023)
• Flex-o-fold 3 blade propeller

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:

• Natural light is provided by portlights, overhead hatches and deck prisms
• Supplemented by LED lighting
• Traditional interior style finish – painted boards, hardwood joinery and varnished laminated floors
• Padded vinyl headliner throughout

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.

• Headroom: 6’9” / 2.06m
• From central cockpit companionway
• U-shaped galley
• L-shaped settee
• Versatile dining table (converts to coffee-table height or large dining table)
• Abundant lockers and bookshelves
• Dorade-vents
• Four coach roof portlights
• Chart table
• Barometer and clock
• 12V & 110V outlets

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.

• Headroom: 6’1” / 1.85m
• Generous bookshelves
• Large hanging closet, drawers and storage
• Private companionway to aft deck, with dodger
• 3x portlights
• Dorade-vented
• 110V outlet

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.

• Headroom: 6’1” / 1.85m
• Jabsco manual toilet
• Teak floor grating and formica surface
• Stainless steel basin
• Hot and cold pressurized water
• Foot pump backup
• Hand adjustable shower head
• Sump pump
• Vanity storage
• 1x portlight

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.

• Headroom: 6’2” / 1.88m
• Generous bookshelves
• Generous lockers and drawers
• Large foredeck hatch
• Built-in ladder to access hatch
• Dorade-vented
• 12V & 110V outlet

Guest Head

The forward guest head to starboard includes:

• Headroom: 6’0” / 1.85m
• Jabsco manual toilet
• Teak floor grating
• Formica surface
• Stainless steel basin
• Hot and cold pressurized water
• Foot pump backup
• Extractor fan
• Hand adjustable shower head
• Sump pump
• Vanity storage
• 2x large hanging lockers across passageway

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.

• Headroom: 5’ 1” / 1.55m
• “Ceiling” (cockpit seat) can be lifted and secured; serves as engine inlet
• Access to large engine room
• Workbench with storage for tools and spare parts
• Tank tender
• Storage for engine battery

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.

• Gimbaled Force 10 3-burner with oven on port
• Corian countertop
• Large single stainless-steel sink (19”x11”x9”)
• Extensible faucet
• Ample storage
• Refrigeration and freezer units with individual controls
  1. BD35 compressor
  2. Fridge interior L-W-D: 24”x26”x28”
  3. Freezer interior L-W-D: 19”x26”x18”
• Pressurized hot + cold water
• Manual freshwater foot pump
• Manual sea water foot pump
• Glassware, crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, kitchen utensils

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.

• B&G Hydra 2000 
• Raymarine GPS
• Raymarine 650 AIS Class B (2021)
• AM/FM radio & CD system (in saloon)
• Capac corrosion monitor
• Standard Horizon DSC VHF Explorer GX 1600E
• 25w/Sea 322 SSB 150w
• Hand-held ICOM IC-M25VHF transceiver

HELM STATION

• Edson wheel steering system
• B&G Hydra 2000 depth, wind direction, speed & log – above companion way
• Raymarine E7/E7D plotter (2021)
• Raymarine autopilot control panel (2021)
• Navigation lights (LED) control panel
• Yanmar engine control panel
• Danforth Constellation 6” compass
• Teak helm seat

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.

• Hull Material:  Aluminum
• Top side Flag Blue Awlgrip paint (2021)
• White boot stripe
• Deck and coachroof Awlgrip top non-slide finish (2024)
• Sea cocks & thru hull
• Red Sailkote antifouling bottom paint (2024)

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.

• Deck Material: Aluminum 
• Epoxied hardwood trim moldings (2026)
• Aft deck shower
• Hatch covers
• 6x Dorade vents
• Deck washdown system
• Main & Aft companionway spray hood/dodgers
• On-deck pressurized swim shower, stowed in lazarette 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.

• Shower
• Cushions
• Table
• Awning
• Spray hood/dodger
• Navtec hydraulic main boom vang controls (serviced 2025)
• Paul Luke captive reel centerboard winch
• Port side below seat cockpit storage
• Starboard side seat raises to open ceiling passageway
• Emergency manual bilge pump

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.

• Dyform standing rigging (Dec 2022)
• Profurl C420 furler (2023)
• 2x spreader aluminum main mast, keel-stepped
• Harken mainsheet traveler
• 1x spreader aluminum mizzen mast keel stepped
• GMT carbon-fiber spinnaker pole (2001)
• Aluminum jockey pole
• Navtec hydraulic main boom vang – serviced 2025
• Navtec hydraulic inner forestay

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.

• Taller Valeria (Spain)main sail and mizzen sails (2021)
• Yankee (genoa) high cut foresail (Watson and Jameson (2016) on ProFurl furler
• Hood inner foresail
• Hood asymmetric spinnaker
• 14x stainless steel Barient winches
• 6x Barient winch handles, including 2x double-handed
• 1x Paul Luke captive reel centerboard winch
• Sail covers and sail bags

GROUND TACKLE

• 1x Ideal BHW electric windlass (rebuilt 2025) with manual handle
• Rocna 40 kg / 88 lbs CQR 
• 250 ft of 7/16" galvanized chain
• CQR 16 kg / 35 lbs anchor
• 300’ 1” nylon anchor rode
• Anchor chain snubbing line
• 2x line-storage lockers

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.

• Yanmar 4JH80 (2017) – 904 hrs
• Yanmar engine panel – main display replaced 2026
• Shaft drive
• ZF gearbox (2017)
• Flex-o-fold 3-blade bronze propeller
• Sound-insulated engine room
• 12V engine alarm bell
• Webasto diesel heater and ventilation (2003)
• Racor 500 fuel filter/water separator

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.

• Diesel
  1. 135 US Gal / 511 L 
  2. Tank Material: Aluminum
• Water
  1. 350 US Gal / 1,325 L
  2. Tank Material: Stainless Steel
  3. Hot water
     • 12-gallon Allcraft stainless-steel tank
     • 110V shore power heated
     • Engine heated
• Holding
  1. 15 US gal / 57 L
  2. Tank Material: Stainless-steel

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LIGHTING AND CHARGING

• 12V DC System
• Shore power 30A/110v AC
• Freedom 20 marine battery charger/inverter (2000w/100A) 
• 200W flexible solar panel on Victron MPPT 75 regulator
• Separate 110v circuit breakers and electrical panel
• 2x Renogy AGM 200Ah batteries (2025)
• Yanmar 125A alternator (2017)

GAS SYSTEM

• Gas type: Propane
• 4x 4.5kg propane tanks
• Allcraft 12 gal. stainless steel hot water heater (12V & 110V)
• Pressurized on-deck shower

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• 2x Electric bilge pumps 
• 2x Emergency 12v bilge pumps
• 2x Manual bilge pumps (interior)
• 1x Whale Gusher manual bilge pump (cockpit)
• Lalizas liferaft 6 pax (2021) 
• 2x Horse shoe life buoys
• Fire extinguishers (2021)
• 1x ACR distress marker light 
• 2x EPIRBs
• 1x search light
• 8x offshore life jackets with inbuilt-harnesses 
• 6x harness tethers
• 1x wire cutters

EXTRAS

• Outboard brackets: 1x on pushpit & 1x in engine room
• 8’ Swim ladder
• Dinghy boarding step
• 9x fenders w/ custom covers
• 2x fender boards
• 6x dock lines plus spares
• Set of two full length deck lifelines
• 50’ deck hose
• Bosun’s chair
• All purpose harness
• Set of alpha-numeric display flags
• 2x gas jerrycans
• Custom-made bed sheets

• Yacht Tender Line 2.4m
• NS Marine 2 stroke 2.5HP outboard

•  Personal items

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.