South African builder Knysna Yacht Company is bringing the Knysna 550 to the Annapolis Sailboat Show, 15–18 October 2026, for its first public boat-show outing, billed as a “global premiere”. A premiere with a twist: the first hull, a 550SE named Blue Jacket II, has been sailing since Knysna launched it in early November 2025. The show’s own premiering-boats list bills the 55-foot bluewater cruising catamaran as the “much anticipated successor to the Knysna 500”, and Annapolis is the first time the public can climb aboard.
Knysna 550: bluewater brief
Knysna’s official model page frames the 550 as a purpose-built bluewater cat for people who want offshore capability without giving up a civilised interior. Knysna’s homepage describes two versions: the 550SL, with an exclusive sky lounge, and the 550SE, which “offers more space for extra solar panels and various other optional accessories” — roof real estate for people who plan to be a long way from a shore-power post.
Knysna 550 specifications
Figures below are from Knysna’s model-550 page
| Knysna 550 | |
|---|---|
| LOA | 16.82 m (55 ft) |
| LWL | 16.80 m |
| Beam | 9.06 m (29 ft 9 in) |
| Draft | 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) |
| Light craft weight | 19,754 kg |
| Max loaded weight | 25,631 kg |
| Fuel | 1,000 L |
| Water | 700 L |
| Engines | 2 × 80 hp |
| Mast height | 23.95 m |
| Mainsail | 133.8 m² |
| Genoa | 62.64 m² |
| Indicative price | USD 1.32 million (launch Oct 2026) |
That’s roughly 5.9 t between lightship and max load — a usable payload if you actually fill the lockers for a passage.
Where to see the Knysna 550
Knysna is inviting VIP guests aboard at Annapolis, with pre-registration, merch, an evening cocktail party aboard and possible free day-passes on offer. The build-slot table on the builder’s site runs from “July 2025 SOLD” to an October 2026 slot at USD 1.32m, but it doesn’t say which slots belong to which model, so get any delivery date in writing.
Our take
On paper the Knysna 550 looks like a serious voyaging cat from a yard that already knows this size. We’d still want a sail before blessing the numbers. And yes — at 9.06 m beam you’ll feel every marina’s m² rate. A good anchor setup is certainly needed. Cats have been the “apartment on the water” fashion for a while; harbour costs are the cold shower that cools the crush. If you need the space and the bridgedeck living, fair enough. If you don’t, read the marina’s price list before you fall for that sky lounge.
Sources: Knysna 550 model page · Knysna Annapolis premiere event · Annapolis premiering boats · Knysna Yacht Company homepage · Boating SA: first Knysna 550 launched (3 Dec 2025)
