High-caliber cruising
The Gunboat 55 takes cruising to a higher level of innovation, speed and elegance
“A talented couple can sail this boat around the world,” Johnstone said. “We really believe in the less-is-more concept, and the 55 is designed for minimal maintenance and to be owner operated. This is a fast cruising boat. Think of it as Maserati for the milk run.”
I sailed the Gunboat 55 in Annapolis last fall. It was a blustery afternoon, ideal conditions to see what the 55 was capable of, and I confess I was excited by the prospect of ripping along at 20 knots. The boat was easy to spot in the harbor. Photographer Bob Grieser maneuvered the chase boat alongside. I hopped onto the wide swim step and joked that I hoped he could keep up with his twin 100-horsepower outboards. Making my way to the saloon, I joined Johnstone and the boat’s full-time skipper Chris Bailet. We quickly hoisted the main, courtesy of a hydraulic Lewmar 58 winch with toe controls at the helm station, raised the full-batten solent jib and sped off on a tight reach.
Our test boat was Rainmaker, the unlucky boat that would be dismasted in a microburst with hurricane force winds off Cape Hatteras a few months later. The crew, including new owner Brian Cohen and his son, abandoned the boat in a dramatic Coast Guard air rescue mission. Rainmaker was not recovered.
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