1966 Drake 55 Custom Yachtfisher
Classic Sportfishing Pedigree | Rebuilt Detroit Diesels | 18' Beam | Three Staterooms | Possible Liveaboard Slip
Located in San Diego, California, The Drake is a distinctive 55-foot classic Yachtfisher combining serious offshore fishing capability, exceptional interior volume and the timeless character that can only be found aboard a properly maintained vintage yacht.
Previously used by the Pelagic Sport Fishing Team, Christina Lynn has an established history of fishing and cruising throughout the Mexican Riviera, Magdalena Bay, Panama and British Columbia. Her generous 18-foot beam, three-stateroom interior, expansive fishing cockpit and multiple control stations make her equally appealing as a private sportfishing yacht, coastal cruiser, weekend retreat or potential liveaboard.
Recent carpeting along with updated interior upholstery and new bedding give the accommodations a clean, comfortable appearance. Numerous mechanical, underwater and cosmetic improvements have also been completed in recent years.
Rebuilt Detroit Diesel Power
The Drake is powered by twin freshwater-cooled Detroit Diesel 8V71N naturally aspirated engines, rated at approximately 318 HP each at 2,100 rpm. Both engines have undergone major rebuilds, with supporting documentation available aboard for review.
Additional propulsion features include:
- Twin GM/Allison M20 marine transmissions
- 2.0:1 reduction ratios
- Two-inch stainless-steel propeller shafts
- Twin 23-inch bronze propellers
- Closed-loop freshwater cooling with heat exchangers
- Dual Dahl fuel filters plus engine-mounted filters
- Electric block heaters
- Engine-room start-and-stop controls
- Complete engine-room gauge sets
- Low-oil-pressure and high-temperature alarms
- Controls at the flybridge, tuna tower and aft cockpit
The engines start promptly, run smoothly and maintain normal temperatures and pressures during her runs.
Dual Generators
Two diesel generators provide valuable redundancy for offshore fishing, cruising and extended stays aboard:
- Northern Lights four-cylinder 20 kW generator
- Norpro three-cylinder 14 kW generator
- Freshwater cooling through heat exchangers
- Automatic shutdown protection for low oil pressure and high temperature
Serious Sportfishing Capability
The Drake was designed and equipped for anglers who appreciate a substantial, stable offshore platform.
Fishing and deck features include:
- Expansive aft cockpit
- Aft cockpit controls
- Tuna tower with controls
- Flybridge helm station
- Outriggers
- Rocket launchers
- Bait tanks
- Pompanette cockpit freezer
- Electric bait pump
- Saltwater washdown
- Wide, stable 18-foot beam
- Tender - NOT included
Navigation and Electronics
Her extensive electronics inventory includes:
- Garmin GPSMAP 5215
- Furuno GP-32 GPS
- Garmin radar
- Furuno FCV-585 fishfinder
- Data Marine depth sounder
- Benmar Compu-Course 2000 autopilot
- Simrad AP22 autopilot
- Four VHF radios
- Ritchie six-inch compass
- Data Marine apparent wind direction and speed
- Sea-water temperature system
- Rudder-angle indicator
- Digital amperage and voltage monitoring
- 32-volt running, steaming and anchor lights
- Bridge and salon stereo systems
Spacious Three-Stateroom Interior
Her 18-foot beam creates an unusually spacious interior with comfortable accommodations for extended cruising or time at the dock.
The layout includes:
- Private aft master stateroom with walkaround king bed
- En suite master head + walk in shower
- Walk-in closet
- Ample drawer storage throughout
- Direct cockpit access from the master stateroom
- Guest stateroom with queen berth
- Forward cabin with two bunk berths
- Eight-person dinette that converts to a relaxing sectional
- Dining table adjusts in height to be a workstation, dining table or coffee table
- Comfortable salon settee
- Recent carpeting
- Updated interior upholstery
- New bedding
- Heating and air conditioning
Aft Deck has been fully enclosed and furnished for comfort & relaxing sunsets
Fully Equipped Galley
Galley equipment includes:
- KitchenAid two-burner electric cooktop
- Bosch wall oven
- Three-door refrigerator with commercial-style bottom freezer
- Sanyo microwave
- Corian double sink
- Garbage disposal replaced in 2024
- Updated countertops
Recent Maintenance and Improvements
Recent work reportedly includes:
- New interior carpeting
- New interior upholstery
- New bedding
- New electronic toilet controls — 2024
- New garbage disposal — 2024
- New salon air-conditioning switch
- Both engine shutdown solenoids replaced — 2024
- Generator stop solenoid replaced — 2024
- Neutral-safety switch installed — 2024
- Port aft cutlass bearing replaced — 2024
- Bottom painted — 2024
- Rudder glands cleaned and adjusted — 2024
- Sea strainers cleaned and serviced — 2024 and 2025
Maintenance records and rebuild documentation is available aboard for review.
Watermaker and Tankage
- Approximately 988 gallons of fuel
- Approximately 360 gallons of freshwater
- Approximately 85-gallon holding tank
- Offshore Marine Laboratories Sea Quencher reverse-osmosis watermaker
Chula Vista Slip Opportunity
The Drake is presently berthed in Chula Vista an End Tie that offers lots of privacy. A qualified buyer may apply to keep the boat in its current slip, subject to marina approval- please call to discuss.
Potential liveaboard status may also be available, subject entirely to marina availability. This is a significant benefit for anyone seeking a large San Diego-area yacht without immediately having to locate a slip capable of accommodating her 55-foot length and 18-foot beam.
Principal Specifications
- Year: 1966
- Builder: Drake
- Model: Yachtfisher
- Length overall: 55 feet
- Beam: 18 feet
- Bridge clearance: 20 feet
- Engines: Twin Detroit Diesel 8V71N
- Rated power: 318 HP each
- Engine type: Inboard diesel
- Cruise speed: 9 knots
- Maximum speed: 12 knots
- Fuel capacity: 988 gallons
- Freshwater capacity: 360 gallons
- Holding-tank capacity: 85 gallons
- Staterooms: Three
- Generators: Two
Christina Lynn presents a rare combination of classic styling, Pelagic sportfishing history, substantial accommodations and genuine offshore capability.
