View source for Engineering:5.5 Metre

{{Infobox sailboat specifications
|name            = International 5.5 Metre
|image           = 5.5_Metre_(keelboat).svg
|imagesize       =
|alt             = 
|caption         = 
|class_symbol    = 
|class_image     = 5.5 Metre insigna blue.svg
|class_imagealt  = 
|class_imagesize = 
|crew            = 3
|type            = [[Engineering:Monohull|Monohull]]
|design          = Development class
|construction    = 
|rig             = 
|keel            = Fixed
|trapeze         = 
|loa             = About: {{convert|9.5|m|abbr=on}}
|loh             = 
|lwl             = 
|beam            = Minimum: {{convert|1.92|m|abbr=on}}
|draft           = Maximum: {{convert|1.35|m|abbr=on}}
|hull            = Minimum: {{convert|1700|kg|abbr=on}}<br>Maximum: {{convert|2000|kg|abbr=on}}
|mastheight      = 
|mainsailandjib  = Minimum: {{convert|26.5|m2|abbr=on}}<br>Maximum: {{convert|29.0|m2|abbr=on}}
|sailarea        = 
|mainsail        = 
|jib             = 
|spinnaker       = About:   {{convert|50.0|m2|abbr=on}}
|d-pn            = 
|rya-pn          = 
|phrf            = 
|year            = 1949 (rule design)
|designer        = Charles E. Nicholson (rule designer)
|location        = 
|role            = 
|updated         = 08-AUG-2011
|olympic         = vintage
}}

The '''International 5.5 Metre class''' was created to yield a racing [[Engineering:Keelboat|keel boat]] giving a sailing experience similar to that of the [[Engineering:6 Metre|International 6 Metre Class]], but at a lower cost.

The main class regulation is a restriction on a single quantity output from a formula involving the boat's rating length ''L'', weight (expressed as a displacement ''D'') and sail area ''S''; the regulation states that the output of this formula must not exceed 5.500 metres. There is considerable scope for variations in design while still meeting this restriction, and as a result each 5.5 metre boat is unique.

If the design parameters of a proposed new boat result in a formula output exceeding 5.5 metres, then one or more of the parameters must be suitably adjusted. Performance data gained from testing models towed in a long water tank (referred to in yacht design as [[Ship model basin]]) can suggest optimal combinations of parameters.
The 5.5. metre rule is a variant of the International Rule (sailing) that was established already in 1907. The 5.5. is therefore closely related to larger metre boats such as the 6mR, 8mR and the 12mR.

Since 2010 the 5.5 Metre is one of the Vintage Yachting Classes at the Vintage Yachting Games.

== History ==
[[File:1952 5.5m race.PNG|thumb|5.5-metre class Olympic race in Helsinki 1952. Boats are German ''Tom Kyle'' (G I), Gold medalist ''Complex II'' (US I) and Danish ''Jill'' (D 2).]]
The 5.5-metre class was a redesign of the 6-metre class by Charles E. Nicholson in 1937. The first boats conforming to the 5.5-metre rule were built in 1949. There had been an earlier attempt to build a cheaper alternative to the Sixes. In 1929 the 5-metre class was established by the French "Union de Societes Nautique Francaise" and the class was accepted in London. It achieved a position as the smallest new international metre class and some hundreds boats were built. Nevertheless, the 5 metre never managed to achieve an Olympic status. The 5.5-metre class replaced it quickly and was raced in Olympics for first time in 1952 Summer Olympics in [[Place:Helsinki|Helsinki]]. The Scandinavian Gold Cup has also been competed with 5.5m boats since 1953. 5.5 metre boats replaced the International 6-metre at the 1956 Olympic Games held in [[Place:Melbourne|Melbourne]], {{wipe|Australia}}.  The 5.5 metre participation in the Olympic sailing events continued at the 1960 Olympic Games and 1964 Olympic Games. During the 1960s it however began to draw similar criticism as preceding six-metre class - namely, increasing costs - and the boat lost Olympic status after 1968 Olympic Games, due to excessive design and building costs of one off boats, marking the end of development class keel boats in Olympic regattas.  However, the class remained active thereafter and 5.5-metre boats are still very actively raced.

=== The formula ===
The measurement formula is given in the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150907174432/http://www.5.5class.org/technique/55_rating_rules_06.pdf 2006 International Five Point Five Metre Rating Rules]:

:<math> 
5.500 \mbox{ metres} \ge 0.9 \cdot \left( \frac{L \cdot \sqrt[2]{S}} {12 \cdot \sqrt[3]{D}} + \frac{L + \sqrt[2]{S}} {4} \right)
</math>

where
* <math>L</math> = length for rating
* <math>S</math> = measured sail area
* <math>D</math> = displacement in cubic metres

==Events==

=== Olympic Games ===

=== World Championship ===

===Vintage Yachting Games ===
{{Medals table
 | caption        = 
 | host           = 
 | flag_template  = 
 | event          = 
 | team           = 
 | gold_FIN = 1 | silver_FIN = 0 | bronze_FIN = 0
 | gold_GER = 0 | silver_GER = 1 | bronze_GER = 0
 | gold_FRA = 0 | silver_FRA = 0 | bronze_FRA = 1
}}

|-
| 2012 Lake Como
|{{flagcountry|FIN}}<br>Anders Nordman<br>Robert Segercrantz<br>Johan Hjelt
|{{flagcountry|GER}}<br>Hubert 'Biwi' Reich<br>Wolfgang Oehler<br>Christian Hemmerich
|{{flagcountry|FRA}})<br>William Borel<br>Yves Duclos-Grenet<br>Adrien Baumelle
|}
<ref>[http://www.vintageyachtinggames.org Vintage Yachting Games]</ref>

=== Pan American Games ===
{{Medals table
 | caption        = 
 | host           = 
 | flag_template  = 
 | event          = 
 | team           = 
 | gold_USA = 1 | silver_USA = 0 | bronze_USA = 0
 | gold_CAN = 0 | silver_CAN = 1 | bronze_CAN = 0
 | gold_ECU = 0 | silver_ECU = 0 | bronze_ECU = 1
}}

|-
| 1959 Chicago
|{{flagcountry|USA}}
|{{flagcountry|CAN}}
|{{flagcountry|ECU}}
|}
<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sports123.com/sai/opa-5.5m.html |title=PanAm results |access-date=2011-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103091603/http://sports123.com/sai/opa-5.5m.html |archive-date=2011-11-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== European Championships ===
{{Medals table
 | caption        = 
 | host           = 
 | flag_template  = 
 | event          = 
 | team           = 
 | gold_SUI = 7 | silver_SUI = 4 | bronze_SUI = 7
 | gold_NOR = 2 | silver_NOR = 2 | bronze_NOR = 0
 | gold_USA = 1 | silver_USA = 0 | bronze_USA = 1
 | gold_GBR = 0 | silver_GBR = 1 | bronze_GBR = 1
 | gold_FRA = 0 | silver_FRA = 1 | bronze_FRA = 0
 | gold_URS = 0 | silver_URS = 1 | bronze_URS = 0
}}

{{incomplete list|date=April 2015}}
|-
| 1968 Neuenburger See<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.5.5class.org/archives/68/1968.html |title=International 5.5 Metre Class Association |access-date=2015-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906115450/http://www.5.5class.org/archives/68/1968.html |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{flagathlete|''Toucan IX''|SUI}}<br>Louis Noverraz 
|{{flagathlete|''Nadezhda VI''|URS}}<br>Konstantin Alexandrov 
|{{flagathlete|''Janael''|FRA}}<br>Breteche
|-
| 1980  Bénodet 
|{{SUI}} (F) <br> Sprecher 
|{{FRA}} (F) <br> Souben 
|{{SUI}} (Z) <br> Capecchi
|-
| 1993 Cannes<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.5.5class.org/archives/93/european1993.html |title=International 5.5 Metre Class Association |access-date=2015-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906110606/http://www.5.5class.org/archives/93/european1993.html |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{flagathlete|''The Sting''|SUI}}<br>Christian Wahl 
|{{flagathlete|''Zenda Corn''|NOR}}<br>Kalle Nergaard 
|{{flagathlete|''My Shout''|USA}}<br>Glen Foster
|-
| 1995 Thun<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.5.5class.org/archives/95/european1995.html |title=International 5.5 Metre Class Association |access-date=2015-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906110934/http://www.5.5class.org/archives/95/european1995.html |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{flagcountry|SUI}}<br>Daniel Schenker<br>Christoph Schenker<br>Eric Waser
|{{flagcountry|SUI}}<br>Jürg Menzi<br>Jürg Christen<br>Dino Fumasoli
|{{flagcountry|SUI}}<br>Bruno Marazzi<br>Stefan Haftka<br>Flavio Marazzi
|-
| 1997 Le Crouesty 
|{{USA}} (FRA) <br> Glen Foster 
|{{SUI}} (SUI) <br> Jean-Claude Vuithier 
|{{SUI}} (SUI) <br> Jürg Menzi
|-
| 1998 Cannes 
|{{SUI}} (FRA) <br> Christian Wahl 
|{{NOR}} (NOR) <br> Kalle Nergaard 
|{{USA}} (USA) <br> Glen Foster
|-
| 2000 Genoa<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.5.5class.org/archives/00/european_genova.html |title=International 5.5 Metre Class Association |access-date=2015-04-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906175632/http://www.5.5class.org/archives/00/european_genova.html |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|{{flagathlete|''Joker 8''|SUI}}<br>Thomas Moser<br>Felix Meyer<br>T. Sprecher
|{{flagathlete|''Salamander 5''|GBR}}<br>Jonathan Janson<br>Mark Downer<br>Rupert Richardson
|{{flagathlete|''Marie-Françoise 14''|SUI}}<br>Jürg Menzi<br>Juerg Christen<br>Daniel Stampfli
|-
| 2005 Attersee 
|{{flagathlete|''Marie-Françoise 17''|SUI}}<br>Jürg Menzi<br>Daniel Stampfli<br>Gaume
|{{flagcountry|SUI}}<br> Christoph Burger <br><br>
|{{flagcountry|SUI}} <br> Hans-Peter Schmid<br><br>
|-
| 2008 Mariehamn 
|{{NOR}} (FIN) <br> Kristian Nergaard<br>Petrus Eide<br>Johan Barne 
|{{NOR}} (NOR) <br> Christoph Burger<br>Christof Wilke<br>Mathias Dahlman<br>Dominik Neidhart 1st race only 
|{{SUI}} (SUI) <br> Jürg Menzi<br>Daniel Stampfli<br>Léonard Gaume
|-
| 2013 Benodet 
|{{NOR}} (FIN) <br> Kristian Nergaard<br>NN<br>NN 
|{{NOR}} (SUI) <br> Bernard Haissly<br>NN<br>NN 
|{{SUI}} (SUI) <br> Jürg Menzi<br>NN<br>NN 
|}
<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sports123.com/sai/oe-5.5m.html |title=European Championships |access-date=2011-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104043424/http://sports123.com/sai/oe-5.5m.html |archive-date=2011-11-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Scandinavian Gold Cup ===

==Class association ==
[[File:5.5 Metre keelboat photo d ramey logan.JPG|thumb|International 5.5 Metre]]
The object of the International 5.5 Metre Class Association is to promote and develop 5.5 Metre racing throughout the World. The first President of the association was Mr. Owen Aisher.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.5.5class.org/rules/rules/constitution_5.5.pdf |title=Constitution |access-date=2011-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906111345/http://www.5.5class.org/rules/rules/constitution_5.5.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Since the development of the class spanned more than half a century the early boats are not competitive to race against the modern designs. Therefore, the association made, in 2007, divisions in the class based upon age of the boat:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.5.5class.org/rules/rules/wc_rules_v08.pdf |title=World Championship Rules |access-date=2011-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906110938/http://www.5.5class.org/rules/rules/wc_rules_v08.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Classic Fleet (Designs before 1970)
* Evolution Fleet
* Modern Fleet (Designs from 1994)
During major races there are separate trophies per fleet, however if a classic fleet boat beats the modern fleet, the classic fleet boat wins the modern fleet trophy.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.5.5class.org/ Official International 5.5 Metre Class]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130318004824/http://www.5point5worlds.org/ 5.5m IC  World Championships]
*[http://www.5point5.de/ German 5.5m-Klassenvereinigung]
*[http://www.5point5.ch/ Switzerland 5.5m-Klassenvereinigung]
*[http://www.storerboatplans.com/wp/boat/sailing-boat/kirribilli-historic-5-5-metre-yacht-starts-restoration  A 5.5m about to be restored in Australia]
*[http://www.storerboatplans.com/wp/uncategorized/storerboats-old/event/sailing/olympic-5-5-metre-yacht-kirribilli  A 5.5m about to be restored in Australia (cont.)]
*[http://5.5inventory.org/boats/all The 5.5m World Fleet Online Database]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120425004900/http://www.sailing.org/classes/55M.php  ISAF 5.5m Microsite Website]
* [http://www.sailing.org/  ISAF Homepage]


{{DEFAULTSORT:05.5}}
[[Category:Keelboats]]

{{Sourceattribution|5.5 Metre}}