In an era when it is common to replace boats as often as others change their trousers, I would like to remind that a single boat is enough. You can enjoy the right boat for decades. Such as the Swede 55 designed by Knud Reimers. This photo was taken 36 years ago – in May 1990. On that pleasant day with some wind and sun, Gamle Swede was already sailing her tenth season.
When you need just one boat like Swede 55
In the first decade of this Fisksätra Varv manufacture, Gamle Swede was simply used as launched in Västervik on the east coast of Sweden in spring 1980. We departed after breakfast and would see what the day offers. During those enjoyable hours we found out in which port we ended up in the late, sometimes very late afternoon.
We just had a rough idea of where to go and an enduring will to get there. This boat is made for upwind sailing. There were no weather apps or chart plotters, just an occasionally used radio, beefed up by suggestions of the locals, like harbour masters or fishermen. Navigation was based on charts, bearings and estimated positions—and my constant fear to make sudden acquaintance with unforgiving rocks. For some reason, it never happened. I looked back on traumatic experiences at the west coast of Sweden aboard a previous boat.
When Gamle Swede was mostly used
As a closer look at the photo reveals, I did not take too much care for boat maintenance like annually polishing the freeboard, as the rusty streak indicates. The focus was rather on life on board with repeately coming sailing friends—this year from Bregenz/Austria and Mannheim near the Rhine River.
How I removed nearly 800 lbs of clutter
And there was a lot of clutter aboard with a fairly reliable 60 lb (27 kg) CQR anchor, a long and heavy chain, plus a Lofrans capstan (never worked). Gamle Swede carried a dinghy, a solar panel, a gangway, a bathing ladder, an inconveniant Sprayhood and more. Step by step, I removed about 350 kgs (nearly 800 lbs) from the boat.
If you are familiar with the standard of boatbuilding in the late seventies and Swede 55 in particular, you will note the horizontal cut Dacron mainsail made by Canon Sails Västervik that came with the Knud Reimers design. The sliding hatch of teak- covered marine plywood was movable when dry and jammed when wet. I would learn some decades later during a visit of Baltic Yachts in Jakobstad/Finland how this is done properly. Polyester ropes were yielding and forgiving. Spectra fibers were not common jet.
You will further note the somewhat basic and not practical mainsheet arrangement without a Traveller. There was just one set of selftailing Lewmar 46 ST winches for the headsail sheets. Servicing and repeated chroming was a burden. They were soon replaced by the first generation by a newcomer named Andersen from Denmark.
Replacing the original Fisksätra 31” wheel with one of 39 inches was one of many ideas to refine the joy of upwind sailing. If you simply sail your boat with a limited budget, you have time to consider what to improve and what you keep for the moment.
Rusty streak removed. The Jlb by Canon Sails/Västervik was still in good shape – Photo Swedesail
And yes, the fellows aboard were all a bit younger. Today, Gamle Swede is still being enjoyed, with some improvements, lessons learned, and a bit more maintenance. The forward edge of the keel still is in good shape, as drawn by Sven Olof Ridder and Knud Reimers.
The smart sailor uses his boat and starts polishing later
As you get older and wiser, you find time to polish your boat with tender loving care in May. Gladly there is enough Gelcoat left. As you will note all the aforementioned clutter is being removed now. So Gamle Swede is brought back to its original shape, as Knud Reimers designed it in 1975.
Gamle Swede freshly polished with matured Gelcoat at Schaich Werft/Fehmarn July 26 – Photo Swedesail
Photo on top by Swedesail: Swede 55 Gamle Swede. Published October 11, 2026, by Erdmann Braschos; updated October 11, 2026.→ Subscribe to the newsletter, and you won’t miss future articles.
