Swedish Sailboat Brands to Check Out
Sweden has arguably some of the best sailboat brands in the world. While they have plenty of different quantities, sailors can find quality in at least one.
Depending on what sailors are interested in will determine what sailboat brand might be better. So price, type of boat, and comfort will play a role in which brand might be better than another.
Hallberg-Rassy
Hallberg-Rassy is a one of a kind sailboat brand that most sailors dream of owning. The company prides themselves on comfort, quality, and easy to handle sailboats.
They have history dating back to 1943, when Harry Hallberg opened his own yard in Kungsviken. Christoph Rassy and Hallberg never actually partnered together, but Rassy bought one of Hallberg’s boat yards when he retired.
Maxi Yachts
Maxi Yachts is a Swedish yard that has been around for ages. They design racing keel sailboats with two models to choose from.
These boats are designed by Pelle Peterson, who is a world champion and Olympic gold medalist. French Beneteau purchased 80 percent of Delphia, who owns Maxi Yachts, in 2018. Maxi is still popular among Sweden residents and in Poland.
Regina af Vindo
Regina Yachts aims to make boats with soul and to have superior quality to the finest detail. They are owned by Sweden Yachts Group, who are big names in the Swedish sailboat brands.
The company has been building boats since 1972 for every world sailor or coastal cruiser in mind. Instead of mass producing various models, they typically stick to a few designs and cater to customers’ needs.
Scanmar/Borjesson Brothers
Scanmar has an abrupt history, but the boatyard of Borjesson Brothers remains today. Nils-Erik Olofsson helped design the interiors of Scanmar boats, while Rolf Magnusson designed the hulls.
Scanmar boats were produced by Borjesson Brothers from 1975 to 1991. Today, you can still find used models of Scanmar that are excellent if in the right condition.
Marieholm Boats
Marieholm boats have most of their success dating back in the 1970’s when they built the International Folkboat. These boats were easy to sail, appealing to the eye, and had a better sail area for more performance.
The last IF-Boat was sold from their production line way back in December of 1984. However, in 2018 the company was starting up production with similar models.
Najad
Najad is a leading Swedish sailing yacht maker that wants sailors to take their sailboats all over the world. Since 1971, they have put together some of the best sailing yachts.
These can typically be handled by two people and have capabilities to go just about wherever. With a handful of models to choose from, they are an appealing option in Sweden.
Sweden Yachts
Doing any casual search for Swedish sailboat brands and sailors can find Sweden Yachts. They own a handful of boat brands but also produce their Sweden Yachts boats from 40 feet and up.
All of their hulls and interiors are built by hand by Swedish craftsmen aiming to make a one of a kind boat. They have been pushing for excellence since 1976.
Marstrom
Marstrom does a little bit of everything when it comes to building sailboats and other projects. In 1983, Göran Marstrom began designing boats after winning a bronze medal in the 1980 Olympics.
These sailboats happened to be the fastest on the circuit for races. Even after 10 years of hardcore sailing and rough conditions, these boats had no signs of fatigue.
Malo Yachts
Established in 1939, Malo Yachts has designed some of the most appealing sailing yachts you will find in Sweden. In conjunction with Sweden Yachts, they look to build excellent sailboats.
As an individual company, they are one of the oldest sailing yacht builders in Sweden. They continue to make Malo Yachts in various sizes up to 54 feet.
Wasa Yachts
With over 30 years of experience, Wasa Yachts has put together over 500 sailboats. They also serve as a shipyard, docking location, and various other services in Sweden.
They have plenty of models to choose from, such as the Wasa 370, 38, 41, and 420 to name a few. These are a perfect combination of quality, racing, and a family boat.
CR Yachts
Charles and Marita Rutgersson started the family company back in 1989. When Charles was 15, he began working in Kungsviken at Harry Hallberg’s Yard.
As years went by, Charles gained valuable experience and decided to start his own company. This allowed him to make wooden interior sailboats that you could customize but also have good sailing performance.
Linjett/Rosattra
Linjett and Rosattra boatyard have a unique combination of building boats. Rosattra was originally farmland in 1886, while Linjett was the first creation of personal boats for the families associated in 1973.
Linjett continues to make sailing yachts in 34, 39, and 43 models out of the Rosattra yard. As one of the oldest shipyards in Sweden, it also provides one of the oldest brands in sailboats.
VK Yachts
VK Yachts are one of the very few sailing yachts made up of aluminum. In fact, designer and builder Vassilis Kostoulas has sworn that aluminum is the ultimate choice for building boats.
The company is relatively new to the idea of using aluminum, as they were established in 2010. The VK 35 Aluminum Performance Sailing Yacht is their flagship sailboat, which is quite popular and has led to plenty of other boat types to be made since then.
Arcona Yachts
Arcona Yachts aims to master their craft in order to provide the best combination of a cruiser and racer sailboat. For superior quality in a Swedish sailboat brand, it does not get much better than Arcona Yachts.
The company first started in the 1970’s when founder Torgny Janson began building smaller boats. Today, they offer a handful of appealing sailing yachts for any size to imagine.
Fabola Yachts
Fabola has been making sailing yachts in Sweden since 1958. They were also the first to create non-sinkable sailing yachts.
These models include the Diva 24 DC, Diva 34 SC, Diva 40 SC, and the Campus 7.4. These boats are light, easy to handle, and are great for coastal cruising in shallow waters with a retractable keel.
Excel Yachts of Sweden
Excel Yachts has been building boats since 1909, making it one of the oldest to do it in Sweden. While they continue to manufacture boats out of their yard, they do have a few models with their name on it.
These models include the Excel 400 Classic, Excel 319, and the Excel 32. These boats were not put into production until the 1990’s.
Comfortbatar AB
The Comfortbatar is a shipyard that originated in 1964 by Kennet Albinson and with a handful of sailboats in production. It was not until the 20th century when they began making large quantities of sailboats.
The primary brand out of the yard is Comfortina, which has several different options to choose from. Their most popular models include Comfortina 35, Comfortina 39, and the Comfortina 42.
Heyman Yachts/Fantasi Yachts
Heyman Yacht Design was founded in 1991, while Celeste Yachts AB was founded in 2005. The two companies merged together in Sweden simply forming Heyman Yachts.
The company focuses on a handful of elegant styles of boats. Their flagship sailboat designs are the Fantasi 44 Classic, Fantasi 44 Pilothouse, Heyman 34 Sport, and the Celeste 36.
Oceanlake Marine AB
Oceanlake was producing and repairing boats from 2003 to 2015. The shipyard has built similar boat designs in comparison to Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group (France).
While the company does not exist anymore, they had two models that were popular among sailors. These were the Seacart 26 and the Seacart 30.
Scanyacht AB
Scanyacht AB was a shipyard that built a variety of sailboats over the years. It is unclear if they are still in business repairing boats, but they did make a handful of sailboats. These models are the Scanner 361, Scanner 391, and the Scanner 392.
Adventure Yachts
Adventure Yachts is a fairly new company in Sweden that happens to make aluminum sailboats. The founder, Bo Gummeson, had the idea after wanting to make a sailboat for him and his wife.
A lot of these boats use hydraulics, are easy to handle, and have luxury on the inside. Their most popular model is the Adventure Yachts 55.
Classic Swedish Yachts
Classic Swedish Yachts sound exactly as the name suggests. They were founded in 1907 by Olof Hildebrand, who has been a member for 70 years at the Royal Swedish Yacht Club.
The company has one of the richest histories and most elegant looking sailing yachts. They have several in the lineup to choose from, which are Swede 41, Swede 52, Swede 58, and the Swede 68.
Why Choose a Swedish Sailboat?
Depending on what the tastes and desires for sailing are going to be will determine the right boat. There are plenty of sailboats in existence to choose from, but Swedish sailboats make a great case.
Some things in life are just known to be the best at something. When it comes to sailboats, Swedish brands know what they are capable of.
History
It is hard to beat a Swedish sailboat brand that has been in the business for almost a century. While some do not have that much time on their resume, many of them have a rich history.
To say another way, quality craftsmanship and comfort are in their blood. When something that magical has been passed down for generations, it is hard to pass up a Swedish sailboat brand.
Variety
If a sailor’s focus is on choosing a boat that is a great cruiser, comfortable, and easy to sail, then most Swedish sailboat brands can accommodate. There are a few brands that even specialize in aluminum boats, for those that are interested in lighter and faster sailboats.
Perfect Conditions
So not only do Swedish sailboat brands have a rich history of sailing, but the location makes a huge difference. It is no wonder that these families were able to perfect their craft since they had beautiful scenery to try it out on.
The Stockholm Archipelago is a great example of sailors wanting to sail through these islands. With perfect breezes, breathtaking views, and calm waters, sailing is natural here.
What is the Market Like for Swedish Sailboat Brands?
The good thing about Sweden is that they have so many shipyards and boat brands there. This makes the market a little easier to navigate through when trying to find the right Swedish sailboat.
Through a search online, it is easy to see how boats are categorized. For Sweden, used boats range between $28,000 all the way to $3.1 million. Newer boats will fall within that range as well depending on size and brand.
It is important to find as much information about a sailboat brand before buying one. A lot of factors come into play that will affect the price such as age, condition, and the name on the boat.
How to Buy a Swedish Sailboat?
Any sailor that is interested in purchasing a Swedish sailboat from one of the brands mentioned, there are potentially some obstacles in the way of obtaining one. As with any large purchase, thoughtful time and consideration is needed.
Even though these brands are quite popular, they might not be near you or easy to find. I would recommend personally sailing one to see the condition of the boat. Calling a boat broker or visiting websites online might be the easiest method without having to physically travel to destinations blindly.
In addition, a lot of those Swedish sailboat brands make a certain amount each year or only make them if they are custom ordered. Doing research ahead of time will narrow down the process of buying a Swedish sailboat.
Location
The location of the sailboat and whoever is interested in purchasing it might be one hoop to jump through. If a sailor is in the United States and wants a boat from Sweden, there are a few options.
They must travel to Sweden and sail the boat back, have the boat shipped to the nearest marina for pickup, or find the used version of the boat at a local marina for sale. I would recommend whichever method is easiest and cost effective.
Some locations have a hot market for Swedish sailboats.make a few phone calls or messages online can save you valuable time and money.
Making a Budget
Buying a boat is a major purchase and is even more expensive depending on your budget.
Sailors should set up a loan in advance, have an adequate amount of money in savings, or sell other possessions to help fund the purchase.
Swedish sailboat brands cost within the same range of prices as other brands. However, a consumer’s taste will differ from one person to the next that will affect price.
Sailor smuts ask themselves what specific features they can afford to live without. Is an extra 10 or 15 feet worth several thousand dollars more? Is the storage going to be used properly to warrant the extra space?
Buying Swedish Sailboats from the Source
Swedish sailboats are fairly attractive to look at online while shopping around. A lot of Swedish sailboat websites have the ability to build a boat online and customize to the exact idea a sailor would want.
This speeds up the process when trying to find exactly the right boat. I would recommend calling the specific brand in mind to see about designing one or customizing it.
Whoever is on the phone could provide help in locating a dealer or figure out a way to ship it. This would greatly save time and money if the sailboat brand is able to work out a deal.
Looking at a Salvage Yard
If it remains difficult to find the perfect Swedish sailboat and if a sailor does not mind getting their hands dirty, a salvage yard could be the next best thing. When boats are not worth repairing to some sailors or if no one wants it anymore, then this could be a great opportunity.
It is important to understand that this route will take the longest to get out on the water depending on what a damaged boat needs. Furthermore, it will likely need to have a lot invested into it first before it could even float.
This could be one of the most rewarding experiences and make a sailor feel like they are part of the Swedish heritage from the 1900’s restoring boats. However, it is also one of the most time consuming options.
What to Look for in a Swedish Sailboat?
When searching for a Swedish sailboat brand, it is important to remain patient and not buy the first one that is seen. If it is the first time looking for sailboats, it can be overwhelming. The process does not need to be rushed, as this will likely be a big purchase.
It is important to understand what sailing goals are in place. This means short term sailing, long distance sailing, or even just for the weekend. Even if a sailor changes their mind about a sailing goal after they purchase a boat, it can still be used in a variety of ways.
Sailing goals give the purpose of sailing. This helps with narrowing down how much to spend and how long the sailing destination is going to last. If sailors can accurately answer that question, then it makes it easier to search for a Swedish sailboat.
Comfortable
Comfort can be described differently by sailors. Some might claim comfort as the sleeping arrangements, how it sails on the water, or how soft the couches are below deck.
The living space is a major difference for sailboat brands that want comfort and simplicity. Finding one that does not negatively impact comfort for performance is key.
The space on deck could also be comfortable depending on how much room there is. If there are a lot of crew members, more space always adds to comfort.
Stable
A lot of debate is had between monohulls and catamarans. Monohulls are able to right themselves back up as the motion goes back and forth. Catamarans are more stable consistently since they have two hulls.
The more stable a sailboat is, means a safer and smoother ride. Even if a catamaran were to flip, it could be used to float to safety on the other side.
Safety is a big part of choosing a sailboat. If considering a Swedish sailboat, it would be wise to consider all the options when it comes to safety. Both monohulls and catamarans have their advantages and disadvantages, so research is definitely needed.
Easy to Use
A lot of Swedish sailboat brands have the capability of being handled by one or two people. The size of the boat makes a big difference, but some experience will also play a role. Depending what the sailing goals are, it will affect this decision.
Some sailors might need a crew of several people to make things work properly on board. Having more people could make it easier to use, but obviously take up more space with supplies.
This will have to be determined before a purchase is to be even thought of. While these are simple questions, more research will likely be needed.
Craftsmanship
Swedish sailboats look similar to other sailboats, or is it the other way around? Since Sweden has a rich history of making sailboats, it could be argued that they have original designs compared to other brands.
When searching for other brands, it is difficult to pass up a Swedish brand sailboat. The craftsmanship is like no other, making it a one of a kind.
Price
Swedish sailboat brands are competitively priced to the market needs and to other sailboats. The brand that is desired will make a difference in price on a variety of factors.
History of Sailboats in Sweden
Sweden in the early 19th century needed boats made in a crucial way through trade and war. After 1814, the demand for ships decreased specifically for war but eventually grew in demand for pleasure crafts.
As the population grew, the demand for goods and services also expanded. This meant that ships were slowly being built to help with transport. Ships would help transport wood or iron to other parts of Europe and bring back sugar, salt, and coffee.
Once the economy was somewhat stable, many shipyards began building smaller designed yachts for racing. Every now and then a sailor would come up with a design and eventually start their own business.
This pattern increased like wildfire with many sailors having their own ideas of the perfect sailboat. It was not until the last 60 years that designers began using fiberglass instead of wood to make boats. That was a revolutionary idea that other parts of the world rarely used.
As time went on, many generations of families began passing down the experience and business to their younger generations. This is why many of the popular Swedish sailboat brands still exist.
Think about Hallberg-Rassy and Malo Yachts that have an insane amount of experience and time with their brand. These are hard to replicate, making Swedish sailboats a dominant force in the industry.
