1973 Sparkman & Stephens 55 Custom ketch

This 1973 Sparkman & Stephens 55 Custom ketch was built by Paul E. Luke to a classic design that blends offshore capability with practical cruising comfort. The aluminum hull features a lifting keel, which provides unusual shallow-draft versatility for anchoring in inlets and close-shore waters that larger yachts cannot access. The ketch rig carries a 23-sail plan, and her balanced lines have been noted for strong passage-making performance. The yacht was originally commissioned for the New York Yacht Club and has been extensively cruised in European and Caribbean waters over recent decades.

The boat's systems and rig have seen substantial recent investment. A Yanmar 4JH80 engine with ZF gearbox was installed in 2017 and has logged 904 hours. Electronics and sails were replaced in 2021, standing rigging (Dyform) was renewed in 2022–2023, and major brightwork maintenance was completed in 2024. The aluminum topsides and bottom were sandblasted and epoxied in 2021. Current equipment includes a Profurl C420 furling system and a Flex-o-fold three-blade propeller.

The interior reflects the character of a classic gentleman's yacht, with traditional joinery and warmth throughout. Two cabins and two heads provide comfortable accommodation for cruising passage making.