Hood 55 Expedition: Mini Review
Ted Hood has sailed against the tide of convention his entire life, and the Hood 55 Expedition looks powerful enough to stem any adverse current he might encounter. A 300 horsepower diesel is massive for a sailboat this size, but then so is the boat. In keeping with Hood's long-held philosophy, the hull has a shallow keel housing a centerboard, and twin spade rudders compensate for the lack of draft and the effect of the broad beam when the boat heels.
The accommodations are arranged around three sleeping cabins, one of which could house crew, and the outfit specification, while comprehensive, leaves room for customizing and optioning up. Copious stowage space backs up the long-range capability provided by 500 gallons of fuel.
A weatherproof pilothouse suggests that the lure of high latitudes has influenced the expedition aspects of the Hood 55's mission.
Hood 55 Expedition Specs
LOA: 55' 9"
LWL: 50' 5"
Beam: 17' 7"
Draft: 6' 3"-12' 0"
Sail Area: 1630'
Displacement: 52,000 lbs
Water: 300 gal
Fuel: 500 gal
Engines: John Deer 6068 300 hp
Designer: Ted Hood
Portsmouth Marine
401-639-8739
www.portsmouthmarine.com
