Discovery 55, VELA VEE

Broker’s Comments

Discovery 55, VELA VEE is a superb cruising yacht that was thoughtfully specified for long distance family cruising. She has succeeded admirably in this role and has been carefully maintained through life.

The Discovery 55 has been extensively reviewed. Bluewater Sailing called her `innovative and eminently comfortable voyaging home’, whilst Boat International said `the Discovery 55’ is a beautiful boat, soundly constructed out of the best materials and designed to look after her crew, whatever nature throws up. However, none of this is at the expense of performance.

The Discovery 55 was well received from the outset and there are a number of key features that have ensured the yachts enduring popularity:

• The deck layout and sail plan are unsurpassed in ease of handling with powered furling and electric winches, the white sail plan can be managed by one person entirely from the cockpit.
• The raised navigation station in her deck saloon enabling 360 views while looking at the charts/plotter.
• The raised saloon is popular with crew – keeping you out of the elements but in touch with your surrounding and the cockpit.
• A superb seagoing galley with ample stowage, large capacity fridge and freezers and spacious work surfaces with high fiddles.
• Walk in access to machinery in an airy well laid engine room.

Sales Video (2023)

Sales Video (2022)

Owner’s Comments

We bought Discovery 55, VELA VEE at the end of 2017 and really started to use her with avengeance in 2018 – sailing locally in the Solent and then further afield to the West Country and France through the course of 2018, learning more about the boat in the process.

Our real target in buying the boat was to cruise the west coast of Scotland and we therefore found ourselves headed up the Irish Sea on a cold May Day (and night), finally making our first steps on Scottish soil on a sunny but still cold day. We had a great summer learning more about the islands, the wildlife and enjoying the spectacular scenery.

Our plan for the following year to go across to Norway and up to Lofoten was scuppered by COVID but we still managed to have a few weeks exploring more of the islands once we were allowed to go into Scotland again.

The following year COVID was still limiting travel abroad and we gave up on Norway, turning our attentions instead on the Orkneys, Fair Isle (which was the jewel in the crown) and Shetland.

We then returned down south, passing the outer Hebrides before crossing over to Northern Ireland and Ireland, the Scillies and finally home to Lymington at the end of 2021.

In 2022, we felt that we deserved a bit of sunshine so headed south to the Spanish Rias.

During our time with the boat we have become very attached to it, as happens with boats! Its original design concept, to provide a boat that can be handled easily by two people, has definitely been achieved. Having the space for friends to visit but also to store two mountain bikes and kayaks was also a great advantage.

Over our ownership of the boat we have progressively updated various systems, particularly the navigational equipment.

We have greatly enjoyed owning Discovery 55, VELA VEE and will be very sad to see her go.