The fleet of the classic yachts was built between 1949 and 1969, the number of boats built during this period was about 650 !. Famous architects designed them :Arvid Laurin, C. Raymond, Hunt, Alfred. E. (Bill) Luders Jr., the Ohlsson brothers,Henri Copponex , Olin Stephens and of course Britton Chance Jr.
All the boats did not make it into the new century but those still sailing are coming to life again as they take  regularly part in the world championship  since 1994. In Europe there are large fleets of classical 5.5 like in Holland, Germany, France, Italy or Finland where they have been sailing again as a class since 1986. In the USA, there are some scattered boats around the great lakes and a significant active fleet of 30 5.5 Columbia in the Bay area of SF.

Within the classic fleet some boats are modified and some not. The most valuable and 'real' classic 5.5s are not modified. They can be called vintage classic. Their main feature is the originality and there are no separate rudders. In this group you'll find Banaan, Dalgra III, Geisha, Chaje 3, Grifone, Remi, Struten, Teresita and Web.
Modified classics have a separate rudder. Famous modified classic 5.5s are Topaze, Chaje 2, Aero, Willy Lehmann, Caeskop, Cibele II, Manuela VII and Swift Swiss. Most of the modified classics are from 1967-68.

One can find cheap classical 5.5 for sale, usually they require some repairs... but this is also part of the joy of owning a classical boat. When you have a classical 5.5 it is less for its performance then for the beauty of its lines. But then again there is always a fierce competition in the classical fleet during a world championship. The Classics are generaly characterised by a longer keel to which the rudder is attached.

Want more information: please contact Matti Muoniovaara @ 55_masa@kotikone.fi (please remove the 55 when using this address !)