Mon - Fri: 9:00 - 18:00
4005 N Federal Highway, Suite 200
Name: Reneciante Model: Islander 55 Ketch Model Year (advertised): 1969 Build Year (registry): 1968 Designer: Bruce King Keel Type: Long shoal draft with centerboard Hull Material: Solid fiberglass
Classic heavy-displacement bluewater ketch designed for offshore passagemaking Center cockpit with private walkthrough layout and large engine room access Generous interior volume, extensive storage, and ~7 ft average headroom Mahogany joinerwork and recent interior updates (salon fabric and cushions 2022)
LOA: 54 ft 7 in (listed 55.0 ft in other records) LWL: 35.99 ft Beam: 14 ft Draft: 5 ft 8 in (board up) / 11+ ft (board down) Air Draft: 62 ft Displacement: approx. 38,000 lbs (approx. 17,236 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 1050 L Fresh Water Capacity: 1000 L Black Water Capacity: 40 L Holding Tanks: fitted
Engine Manufacturer: Perkins (Perkin / PerkinS references) Engine Model: 4362 (rebuilt 2007) Quantity: 1 Rated Power: 85 hp Hours: ~1150 hours since rebuild (other record lists 1300 hrs) Drive Type: Shaft Max Speed: ~9 knots Cruising Speed: ~7.5 knots Engine mounts replaced: 2016/2017 (records show both years) Alternator: 60 A (2018) Starter: 2018 Engine cooling system drained and cleaned: 2022 Reduction gearbox rebuilt: 2007 Transmission: Borg Warner 2019 Propeller: 3-blade bronze fixed, 21” diameter, 19” (noted as thrust)
Generator: Westerbeke 7.5 kW 110/220 V diesel, 3570 hrs Wind Generator: Rutland 1200 with MPPT controller, new 2022, spare unit onboard Solar: 800 W solar array with Morningstar MPPT 60 A controller (installed 2018; panels upgraded 2022) Battery bank: present Battery charger: present Inverter: present Shorepower: fitted
110 V and 220 V outlets throughout Shorepower inlet and distribution Inverter-powered appliances (e.g., fridge) Alternator 60 A (2018) Battery charger and battery bank present
Rig: Ketch rigged Standing rigging: wire, replaced 2007; cleaned and inspected annually Running rigging: largely new within last five years Main sail roller furler hydraulic motor: new 2017 Main mast cap shroud chainplates: new 2021 Harken mainsail traveler: new 2018 Removable forward inner stay Centerboard configuration for shoal draft access
Hydraulic roller furling (Rondal) on jib, main, and mizzen Jib: 70 m² (new 2007) — fair condition Mainsail: 50 m² (new 2009) — good condition Mizzen: 16 m² (new 2022) Main sail clew roller: new 2019 Forsail hydraulic furling rebuilt by manufacturer (Holland) April 2023 Winches: fitted and operational Deck hardware maintained and updated as noted
Windlass: Lefance 1500 electric windlass (new 2007); bearings and seals renewed 2022 Anchor chain: 300 ft 3/8" HT chain (new 2022) Primary anchor: 45 kg Rocna (new 2017) Spare anchors: 60 lb Spade, 60 lb Bruce Windlass: fitted and operational
Layout: Large U-shaped galley to port Countertops: wood and laminate, good condition Stove/Oven: Dickinson propane stove with oven (new 2018) Propane safety detector and shut-off valve: Trident Marine (new 2019) Refrigerator: Full-size frost-free Nisato 110 V fridge (2018), inverter-powered Freezer: fitted Double stainless steel sink Mixer tap with soap dispenser Watermaker test faucet Full crockery and cookery set included 110 V and 220 V power outlets in galley
Cabins: 2 staterooms (private walk-over layout; center cockpit) Berths: 2 double berths, 2 single berths (listed counts) Heads: 2 Owner cabin: full walk-in owner cabin aft Forward: full walk-in V-berth Salon: spacious, two steps down from cockpit, desk area for work-from-home use Lockers and cabinetry: ample storage Interior finish: mahogany woodwork Salon fabric and cushions: renewed 2022
Navigation lights: fitted Compass: fitted Depth instrument: fitted Wind instrument: fitted GPS: fitted Plotter: fitted VHF radio: fitted Autopilot: fitted Speed log: fitted
Bilge pump: fitted Fire extinguishers: fitted Propane safety detector and automatic shut-off: Trident Marine (2019) General safety fittings: anchor and ground tackle redundancy
Spray hood: fitted Bimini: fitted Fenders: included Grill: onboard
Full walk-in accommodations fore and aft Engine room: organized with generator and systems access Holding tanks and plumbing: fitted Windlass: fitted and operational Jib and other sails: onboard Speed log and other onboard electronics: operational Additional spares and equipment: various on board
Classic Bruce King-designed bluewater ketch with rare pedigree and heavy-displacement offshore capability Well-maintained machinery, updated electrical and renewable power systems, and recent sail/rigging upgrades Suitable for long-distance passagemaking, coastal cruising, or liveaboard conversion
1969 Islander 55 Ketch – Reneciante
Rare. Capable. Timeless.
A true bluewater classic designed by Bruce King, Reneciante is a seldom-seen Islander 55 ketch—built for offshore passagemaking and admired for her elegant lines and heavy-displacement comfort.
With only a limited number ever built, this is a rare opportunity to own a proven offshore yacht with undeniable presence. She has been considered the most beautiful boat in the anchorage many a time.
Reneciante is a rare and striking 1969 Islander 55 ketch—an ocean-capable classic designed by renowned naval architect Bruce King. Built in an era when yachts were crafted for strength and passagemaking, she combines timeless lines with true bluewater capability, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of sailing history.
Accommodations
Generous interior volume with a traditional layout offers multiple staterooms, a large salon, a functional galley, and ample storage for extended cruising. This yacht would be a perfect “work from home” home office as she was redesigned for the original owner to include a desk in the main salon.
Sailing & Design
Designed by Bruce King, Reneciante delivers balanced handling and dependable offshore performance. The ketch rig allows flexible sail combinations, while the centerboard configuration provides access to shallow anchorages without sacrificing upwind capability.
Ask for a full detail sheet as there is simply too much to mention here.
Machinery and power systems have been well maintained and organized, with good access to the engine room and systems.
The yacht features multiple power and charging systems to support extended cruising and onboard systems.
Two staterooms in a private walk-over layout give a secure center cockpit with easy access to a large engine room.
Two steps lead down to a spacious main cabin with numerous opening ports that provide good light and fresh air flow. There is an average headroom of about seven feet throughout the living spaces.
Lockers and cabinetry provide ample storage for supplies.
The salon features refreshed fabric and cushions and mahogany woodwork throughout.
Galley
A beautiful large U-shaped galley to port with wood and laminate countertops is in excellent condition and well suited for provisioning and meal preparation underway.
The rig and running gear are well maintained, with roller furling and recent upgrades and inspections to ensure reliability offshore.
Sails and deck gear include serviceable inventory and furling systems appropriate for long-distance cruising.
Ground tackle and anchoring systems have been updated and are ready for use.
The Opportunity
Reneciante is more than a yacht—she is a statement of classic offshore cruising heritage. With her rare pedigree, capable design, and unmistakable presence, she offers an exceptional platform for sailors seeking authenticity, capability, and timeless appeal.
Whether your vision is crossing oceans, coastal exploration, or living aboard in style, Reneciante delivers a level of character and confidence that modern production yachts simply cannot replicate.
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 desired validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may not properly reflect the current condition of the actual vessel offered for sale. In some cases stock photographs may have been used.
Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing.
All dinghies are considered separate vessels and should have separate titles and documents. There is no guarantee as to the title of the dinghy on this vessel so Buyer accepts that while he may receive the dinghy included in the transaction, he may not receive the proper title to it.
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