S/V Reneciante is a Colón, Panama based 1968 Islander 55 For Sale By Broker. Responses to inquiries may come from a broker who is representing the owner as a fiduciary. This owner requires financial settlement only. No trades.
1969 Islander 55 Ketch – Reneciante
Rare. Capable. Timeless.
A true bluewater classic designed by Bruce King, Reneciante is a seldom-seen Islander 55 ketch—built for offshore passagemaking and admired for her elegant lines and heavy-displacement comfort.
With only a limited number ever built, this is a rare opportunity to own a proven offshore yacht with undeniable presence. She has been considered the most beautiful boat in the anchorage many a time.
Reneciante is a rare and striking 1969 Islander 55 ketch—an ocean-capable classic designed by renowned naval architect Bruce King. Built in an era when yachts were crafted for strength and passagemaking, she combines timeless lines with true bluewater capability, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of sailing history.
Accommodations
Generous interior volume with a traditional layout offers multiple staterooms, a large salon, a functional galley, and ample storage for extended cruising. This yacht would be a perfect “work from home” home office as she was redesigned for the original owner to include a desk in the main salon.
Sailing & Design
Designed by Bruce King, Reneciante delivers balanced handling and dependable offshore performance. The ketch rig allows flexible sail combinations, while the centerboard configuration provides access to shallow anchorages without sacrificing upwind capability.
Ask for a full detail sheet as there is simply too much to mention here.
Machinery and power systems have been well maintained and organized, with good access to the engine room and systems.
The yacht features multiple power and charging systems to support extended cruising and onboard systems.
Two staterooms in a private walk-over layout give a secure center cockpit with easy access to a large engine room.
Two steps lead down to a spacious main cabin with numerous opening ports that provide good light and fresh air flow. There is an average headroom of about seven feet throughout the living spaces.
Lockers and cabinetry provide ample storage for supplies.
The salon features refreshed fabric and cushions and mahogany woodwork throughout.
Galley
A beautiful large U-shaped galley to port with wood and laminate countertops is in excellent condition and well suited for provisioning and meal preparation underway.
The rig and running gear are well maintained, with roller furling and recent upgrades and inspections to ensure reliability offshore.
Sails and deck gear include serviceable inventory and furling systems appropriate for long-distance cruising.
Ground tackle and anchoring systems have been updated and are ready for use.
The Opportunity
Reneciante is more than a yacht—she is a statement of classic offshore cruising heritage. With her rare pedigree, capable design, and unmistakable presence, she offers an exceptional platform for sailors seeking authenticity, capability, and timeless appeal.
Whether your vision is crossing oceans, coastal exploration, or living aboard in style, Reneciante delivers a level of character and confidence that modern production yachts simply cannot replicate.
Videos
Specifications
| Name | S/V Reneciante |
| Make | Islander |
| Model | 55 |
| Year | 1968 |
| Type | Monohull Sailboat |
| Designer | Bruce King |
| Construction | Solid fiberglass |
| Cabins | 2 |
| Heads | 2 |
| Galley | Port, U-shaped |
Dimensions
| Loa | 55.0 feet |
| Lwl | 35.99 feet |
| Beam | 5.75 feet |
| Headroom | 7 ft |
| Draft | 5.5 feet |
| Mast Height | 62 ft |
Tankage
| Fuel Tanks | 1050 L |
| Water Tanks | 1000 L |
| Holding Tanks | 1 |
Performance
| Engines | 1 x Perkin 4362 Rebuilt 85hp |
| Engine Hours | 1300 |
| Generator | Westerbeke 7.5 kW 110/220V diesel |
| Gen Hours | 3570 |
| Displacement | 38000.0 kgs |
| Sails | Jib 70 m2 (2007, fair), main 50 m2 (2009, good), mizzen 16 m2 (2022); hydraulic roller furling (Rondal) on jib, main, mizzen; removable inner stay |
Layout Diagram

Inventory
Vessel Identification
- Name: Reneciante
- Model: Islander 55 Ketch
- Model Year (advertised): 1969
- Build Year (registry): 1968
- Designer: Bruce King
- Keel Type: Long shoal draft with centerboard
- Hull Material: Solid fiberglass
Key Features
- Classic heavy-displacement bluewater ketch designed for offshore passagemaking
- Center cockpit with private walkthrough layout and large engine room access
- Generous interior volume, extensive storage, and ~7 ft average headroom
- Mahogany joinerwork and recent interior updates (salon fabric and cushions 2022)
Dimensions & Displacement
- LOA: 54 ft 7 in (listed 55.0 ft in other records)
- LWL: 35.99 ft
- Beam: 14 ft
- Draft: 5 ft 8 in (board up) / 11+ ft (board down)
- Air Draft: 62 ft
- Displacement: approx. 38,000 lbs (approx. 17,236 kg)
Tankage & Capacities
- Fuel Capacity: 1050 L
- Fresh Water Capacity: 1000 L
- Black Water Capacity: 40 L
- Holding Tanks: fitted
Propulsion & Engine
- Engine Manufacturer: Perkins (Perkin / PerkinS references)
- Engine Model: 4362 (rebuilt 2007)
- Quantity: 1
- Rated Power: 85 hp
- Hours: ~1150 hours since rebuild (other record lists 1300 hrs)
- Drive Type: Shaft
- Max Speed: ~9 knots
- Cruising Speed: ~7.5 knots
- Engine mounts replaced: 2016/2017 (records show both years)
- Alternator: 60 A (2018)
- Starter: 2018
- Engine cooling system drained and cleaned: 2022
- Reduction gearbox rebuilt: 2007
- Transmission: Borg Warner 2019
- Propeller: 3-blade bronze fixed, 21” diameter, 19” (noted as thrust)
Generator & Alternate Power
- Generator: Westerbeke 7.5 kW 110/220 V diesel, 3570 hrs
- Wind Generator: Rutland 1200 with MPPT controller, new 2022, spare unit onboard
- Solar: 800 W solar array with Morningstar MPPT 60 A controller (installed 2018; panels upgraded 2022)
- Battery bank: present
- Battery charger: present
- Inverter: present
- Shorepower: fitted
Electrical
- 110 V and 220 V outlets throughout
- Shorepower inlet and distribution
- Inverter-powered appliances (e.g., fridge)
- Alternator 60 A (2018)
- Battery charger and battery bank present
Rigging
- Rig: Ketch rigged
- Standing rigging: wire, replaced 2007; cleaned and inspected annually
- Running rigging: largely new within last five years
- Main sail roller furler hydraulic motor: new 2017
- Main mast cap shroud chainplates: new 2021
- Harken mainsail traveler: new 2018
- Removable forward inner stay
- Centerboard configuration for shoal draft access
Sails & Deck Gear
- Hydraulic roller furling (Rondal) on jib, main, and mizzen
- Jib: 70 m² (new 2007) — fair condition
- Mainsail: 50 m² (new 2009) — good condition
- Mizzen: 16 m² (new 2022)
- Main sail clew roller: new 2019
- Forsail hydraulic furling rebuilt by manufacturer (Holland) April 2023
- Winches: fitted and operational
- Deck hardware maintained and updated as noted
Ground Tackle
- Windlass: Lefance 1500 electric windlass (new 2007); bearings and seals renewed 2022
- Anchor chain: 300 ft 3/8" HT chain (new 2022)
- Primary anchor: 45 kg Rocna (new 2017)
- Spare anchors: 60 lb Spade, 60 lb Bruce
- Windlass: fitted and operational
Galley & Appliances
- Layout: Large U-shaped galley to port
- Countertops: wood and laminate, good condition
- Stove/Oven: Dickinson propane stove with oven (new 2018)
- Propane safety detector and shut-off valve: Trident Marine (new 2019)
- Refrigerator: Full-size frost-free Nisato 110 V fridge (2018), inverter-powered
- Freezer: fitted
- Double stainless steel sink
- Mixer tap with soap dispenser
- Watermaker test faucet
- Full crockery and cookery set included
- 110 V and 220 V power outlets in galley
Accommodation Layout
- Cabins: 2 staterooms (private walk-over layout; center cockpit)
- Berths: 2 double berths, 2 single berths (listed counts)
- Heads: 2
- Owner cabin: full walk-in owner cabin aft
- Forward: full walk-in V-berth
- Salon: spacious, two steps down from cockpit, desk area for work-from-home use
- Lockers and cabinetry: ample storage
- Interior finish: mahogany woodwork
- Salon fabric and cushions: renewed 2022
Navigation & Electronics
- Navigation lights: fitted
- Compass: fitted
- Depth instrument: fitted
- Wind instrument: fitted
- GPS: fitted
- Plotter: fitted
- VHF radio: fitted
- Autopilot: fitted
- Speed log: fitted
Safety Equipment
- Bilge pump: fitted
- Fire extinguishers: fitted
- Propane safety detector and automatic shut-off: Trident Marine (2019)
- General safety fittings: anchor and ground tackle redundancy
Deck & Canvas Equipment
- Spray hood: fitted
- Bimini: fitted
- Fenders: included
- Grill: onboard
Miscellaneous Equipment & Inventory
- Full walk-in accommodations fore and aft
- Engine room: organized with generator and systems access
- Holding tanks and plumbing: fitted
- Windlass: fitted and operational
- Jib and other sails: onboard
- Speed log and other onboard electronics: operational
- Additional spares and equipment: various on board
Opportunity & Description Summary
- Classic Bruce King-designed bluewater ketch with rare pedigree and heavy-displacement offshore capability
- Well-maintained machinery, updated electrical and renewable power systems, and recent sail/rigging upgrades
- Suitable for long-distance passagemaking, coastal cruising, or liveaboard conversion






































