Boat Plans - Samoa 56

Modern Sailboat for Speed and Comfort.

The Samoa 56 is a high-performance sailing yacht designed for efficiency, versatility, and comfort. Its single-chine hull features rounded underwater lines, optimizing hydrodynamics for smooth and controlled sailing. A near-plumb bow, coupled with an integral bowsprit, extends the waterline length, maximizing speed and performance. The moderate-to-wide beam enhances both cockpit space and internal volume, contributing to stability and improved downwind handling.

Built for adaptability, the Samoa 56 includes a variable-draft system, allowing sailors to navigate diverse conditions with confidence. A retractable bow thruster ensures precise maneuverability, complementing the yacht’s intuitive handling. The near-plumb transom integrates a multi-use, hydraulically controlled garage door, functioning as a dinghy garage and a spacious swimming platform. Designed for practicality, it can securely store a 3.1m RIB longitudinally, along with an outboard engine and fuel tank.

The Samoa 56’s rigging and sail management are equally refined, incorporating a three-spreader fractional rig with hydraulic furling, slab reefing, and a square-top mainsail for optimized efficiency. Under-deck routing of control lines minimizes trip hazards, ensuring a clean deck layout. Twin helm stations provide superior visibility and comfortable control, while the German-style mainsheet system and hydraulic winches enhance handling ease.

Internally, the yacht is a fusion of functionality and luxury, offering a spacious master cabin with an island berth, a comfortable deck saloon, and a fully equipped galley with dual fridge/freezers, gas and induction cooking options, and ample storage. A technical room ensures seamless mechanical and electrical management, while the dedicated navigation station is configured for professional-grade functionality.

The advanced systems on board include a hydraulic power pack driving key components such as the keel lift, winches, windlass, and furler mechanisms, alongside a full NMEA2000 integrated management system for precise monitoring. Power is sustained by a 24V house system backed by 900Ah lithium battery storage, complemented by solar arrays generating approximately 1,600W.

With its cutting-edge hull form, intuitive rigging, spacious interiors, and state-of-the-art systems, the Samoa 56 is designed for both speed and long-range cruising, offering a seamless blend of innovation, practicality, and performance.

Technical Data

Length Overall

17.0 m

Length Waterline

15.8 m

Beam

4.96 m

Draft

1.42 m / 2.90 m

Ballast

4,840 kg

Displacement

17,910 kg

Fresh water capacity

900 l

Diesel capacity

xxx l

Standing Headroom – Front Cabin

1.97 m

Standing Headroom – Main Cabin

2.20 m

Standing Headroom – Aft Cabin

2.0 m

Sail Area

155.8 m²

Auxiliary Propulsion

110 hp

Construction

Aluminium

List of Plans

view list

SAM56 – S1 – Lines Plan

SAM56 – S2 – Mast and Sails

SAM56 – S3 – Interior Layout

SAM56 – S4 – Deck Layout

SAM56 – S5A – Hull Structure

SAM56 – S5B – Deck Structure and Plating

SAM56 – S6A – Transversal Section A

SAM56 – S6B – Transversal Section B

SAM56 – S6C – Transversal Section C

SAM56 – S6D – Transversal Section D

SAM56 – S6E – Transversal Structural Section A

SAM56 – S6F – Transversal Structural Section B

SAM56 – S6G – Transversal Structural Section C

SAM56 – S6H – Transversal Structural Section D

SAM56 – S6I – Transversal Structural Section E

SAM56 – S7A – Keel System

SAM56 – S7B – Keel Construction

SAM56 – S7C – Keel Box

SAM56 – S7D – Keel Bulb

SAM56 – S8A – Rudders/Steering Systems

SAM56 – S8B – Rudder Construction

SAM56 – S8C – Rudder View

SAM56 – S9A – Chainplates

SAM56 – S9B – Custom Fittings

SAM56 – S9C – Hatches installation

SAM56 – S10 – Engine and tanks

SAM56 – S11 – Garage Door

SAM56 – S12 – CNC

SAM56 – S13A – Construction perspectives A

SAM56 – S13B – Construction perspectives B

SAM56 – S13C – Construction perspectives C

Boat Description

Interior layout:

The Samoa 56’s interior is designed for comfort, functionality, and extended cruising, with meticulous attention to safety and practicality. Two watertight bulkheads—one located immediately behind the sail locker and another forward of the rudders—enhance onboard security. Hull windows provide ample natural light, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

The large master cabin is thoughtfully arranged, featuring an island berth, overhead lockers, hanging storage, and under-berth access with gas struts for additional stowage. A front-facing overhead hatch ensures ventilation and light, with all windows and hatches equipped with screens and block-out covers. An LED TV is positioned for optimal viewing from the berth. The ensuite includes a separate shower with screens, a 24V electric head, and dedicated grey water sumps for both the shower and basin.

The guest cabin offers a comfortable double bed, drawers, under-bunk storage, and hanging space, with semi-ensuite access to the head and shower, which includes privacy screens.

The deck saloon comfortably accommodates up to eight passengers, integrating modern entertainment systems, including a LCD TV on a lifter and provision for a music system. A retractable washboard allows seamless transition from the cockpit to the interior.

The galley is well-equipped for long voyages, featuring a three-burner gas stove/oven combination alongside an induction cooktop for supplementary cooking. Additional provisions include:

Microwave oven
Drawer-style fridge/freezers, with two units each for extended cruising

The navigation station is optimized for efficiency, with:

Under-table stowage for paper charts
Dedicated space for a laptop and screen
Provision for a plotter
Centralized systems management area

A dedicated technical room accommodates a workbench, mechanical equipment, water maker, and critical electrical components, including chargers, inverters, MPPTs, PLCs, communications, and breakers.

The engine room ensures clear access to the engine, allowing straightforward maintenance for key components such as:

Raw water pump, strainer, oil check, and filler
Hydraulic power pack (recommended placement)
Ballast dump and transfer system
Sound and vibration isolation for enhanced comfort

Additional key features include:

A spacious sail locker providing access to the anchor chain, anchor winch, and bow thruster, while offering sufficient room for off-wind sails (Assy Kite & Code 0), warps, lines, and fenders.
Dinghy garage with accessible storage, ideally reachable from both garage and deck level.
Hard and/or soft spray dodger, ensuring protection from sun, wind, and rain.

Machinery and Systems:

The Samoa 56 is engineered for efficiency, reliability, and cruising comfort, integrating advanced systems to enhance performance. Two integrated fuel tanks (two) provide a total of approximately 1,180 liters, strategically positioned under the cabin sole, lowering the centre of gravity and enhancing stability.

The engine can be a Yanmar 4JH110 or equivalent, paired with a suitable gearbox and ratios to maximize efficiency. A folding/feathering propeller ensures smooth operation, supported by a mechanical seal and a self-aligning constant velocity coupling, such as an Aqua Drive, for vibration reduction and durability.

The steering system is designed for redundancy, incorporating chain, gearbox, push-pull, or torque tube arrangements that allow disconnection options for both rudders and helm positions. Jefa steering systems are preferred, complemented by self-aligning rudder bearings and Jefa-type seals for precision handling. An autopilot is mechanically connected to the steering system, with a secondary autopilot option for backup reliability.

The house electrical system is 24V, featuring:

900Ah LiFePo4 battery storage (three banks of 300Ah in parallel)
Dedicated 12V battery for engine start, control (CAN), and instrumentation
Twin 24V alternators for battery charging
Solar arrays generating approximately 1,600W (~1,200W on stern arch & ~400W on deck)
Minimum 5kVA 24V DC-240V AC inverter
Full NMEA2000 integration for system-wide monitoring and management
All LED lighting, with recessed fixtures and low-level indirect lighting
Potential for digital switching

A hydraulic power pack, composed of three 3kW units run in series, drives essential onboard systems via a high-pressure trunk line, centrally controlled by a PLC. Hydraulically powered elements include:

Windlass
Jib furler
Bow thruster
Staysail furler
Vang
Keel lift
Primary and secondary winches
Transom door

Refrigeration and freezer systems operate on 24V, utilizing drawer-style units with integral water-cooled condensers for efficiency.

The Samoa 56 adheres to current Australian regulations for blackwater and greywater systems, ensuring environmental compliance and responsible waste management.

Designed to excel in both speed and comfort, the Samoa 56 combines cutting-edge technology with practical design solutions, making it the ultimate choice for sailors seeking both exhilarating performance and refined cruising capability.

Rigging & Sail Plan:

The Samoa 56 features a three-spreader swept-back fractional aluminum rig, designed to balance efficiency with ease of handling. A cutter rig enhances versatility, equipped with a self-tacking staysail and hydraulic furling for both the staysail and jib, ensuring precise sail control.

The mainsail utilizes a slab reefing system, ideally configured for single-line reefing, with provisions for custom Selden-style shuttles to streamline the process. A fourth reef point is preferred, though it may not be compatible with single-line reefing. The square-top mainsail optimizes sail area distribution while maintaining a lower center of effort, improving balance.

Performance-enhancing elements include:

RCB batten cars, with a releasable batten car for the yard batten.
Antal tracks for jib and staysail halyards, ensuring smooth operation.
Lazy jacks for easy mainsail handling.
A boom with tubular lazy bag frames, facilitating efficient reefing and secure stowage.
Grab bars integrated into the boom for added safety.
A German-style mainsheet system, double-ended and running under the deck to the cockpit.
Boom brake provision, enhancing control during sail adjustments.

The boom vang is hydraulic, preferably double-acting, to provide superior tension control. Running backstays offer additional security and better sailing performance by maintaining forestay and staysail tension.

Winches are thoughtfully positioned for optimal efficiency and specified for easy handling. Primary and secondary winches are hydraulic while running backstay winches and Mast-mounted winches are manual.

The bowsprit serves multiple functions, integrating anchor stowage and a tipper mechanism while providing two anchor rollers—one dedicated to the working anchor and another for mooring lines. Additionally, it supports off-wind sail attachment, designed to operate without interfering with anchoring systems.

Keel & Rudder Arrangement:

The swing keel configuration allows for variable draft. Upwind saling performance is optimised by a lead bulb at the bottom end of the keel.

Additional righting moment is provided by approximately 1,000 liters of potable water, placed in built-in tanks positioned close to the rail on both sides. Water can be pumped to the leeward side to reduce the heeling when sailing upwind. The water transfer system is controlled from the cockpit.

The vessel is equipped with twin balanced spade rudders, which will support the hull when careening. The rudders are constructed from aluminum, featuring self-aligning bearings and watertight sealing for durability.

Deck Layout:

The Samoa 56’s deck design prioritizes safety and functionality, minimizing trip hazards by routing control lines beneath the deck where possible. Flush-fitting glass or plastic hatches provide ample drainage to the side deck, preventing leakage.

For secure movement on deck, stainless-steel stanchions, pulpit, and pushpit are strategically positioned, with well-defined entry and exit points. Adequate ventilation, including dorades and suitable deck openings, ensures fresh airflow throughout. Additionally, sufficient fixed and/or opening windows enhance natural lighting.

The twin helm positions provide excellent forward visibility while ensuring a comfortable and safe seating area. To streamline sailing operations, a cockpit arch accommodates the mainsheet arrangement with a minimum 1.85m headroom, while a transom arch can support up to 1200W solar panels and provides cockpit shade.

A split-folding cockpit table offers versatility, complementing ample cockpit lockers designed to house lines, sheets, and fenders. Dedicated rope/sheet tail storage helps maintain an organized and clutter-free cockpit.

All deck fittings are secured via plug welding and tapped thread, with dissimilar metal fittings properly isolated using suitable materials. Mooring and docking cleats are welded and integral for added durability.

For ease of ingress, a well-considered step arrangement connects the water to the swimming platform, and subsequently from the platform to deck level.

Additional key provisions include:

Anchor chain lock and samson post adjacent to the anchor winch.
A moderate-size sail locker to stow ‘off-the-wind sails,’ warps, sheets, and other equipment.
Integral gunwales, specifically designed to allow isolated stanchion attachment.

Hull Design:

The Samoa 56 features a single-chine hull with fair and rounded underwater lines, ensuring smooth sailing and optimized hydrodynamics. With a near-plumb bow and integral bow sprit, the design maximizes waterline length for increased performance.

The moderate-to-wide beam enhances cockpit space, internal volume, and downwind efficiency.

A retractable bow thruster improves maneuverability, while a variable-draft system offers versatility in different sailing conditions.

The near-plumb transom incorporates a multi-use garage door, hydraulically controlled, serving as a dinghy garage and a spacious swimming platform. It can accommodate a 3.1m RIB longitudinally stored, with outboard and fuel tank in place.