The gentleman with the hat at the tiller is Stockholm sailor Olof Hildebrand. He initiated the development of Swede 55 in the seventies, her successors named Swede75/52 and finally the S30 successor Swede 41 as a Daysailer. This led to Swedesail in the Nineties. So far, three Swede 41 have been built in this manner. Sleipnir was commissioned by an Austrian sailing family and is berthed in Lemkenhafen/Fehmarn.
Sleipnir was built in 2016-18 with this small cabin similar to the racing 30 sqm boat by Rosättra yard northeast of Stockholm. This beauty is so seldom built that it comes in as a costly custom manufacture. Occasionally, there are aesthetes and sailors where it must be a Swede 41 Classic. You are welcome to find out more about Sleipnirhere. Video by Classic Swedish Yachts.
Swede 52 Cheyenne
This clip shows the latest Swede 52, built 2000-2002 in Sweden. She is displacing just 7.15 tons, 600 kgs less than the Swede 55 as planned by Knud Reimers. Her counter well above the water proves the lightweight construction, showing how easy Cheyenne floats. Further, note the simple and sensitive tiller steering instead of the wheel. A lightweight and practically maintenance free solution. Cheyenne is featured in this article. Video by Lars Westergren.
Swede 55 Gamle Swede
Sailing upwind in light air with Genoa II in a little swell in the Southern Baltic Sea. Approaching the bay of Lübeck, heading to Travemünde. The high-rise and striking building of the Maritim Hotel will be visible ahead soon.
Upwind in a breeze with the previous 16 sqm storm jib and reefed main a couple of years ago. Sailing southbound from the northwestern tip of Fehmarn island towards the German mainland.
Racing debut of the new jib
First impression of the dreaded 12 mR-Yacht Anita during the warm-up race on Friday. We are more than delighted to learn that we are about as fast, while pointing a little higher upwind. Exciting moments in spring 2019.
Sheets slightly eased with the new jib underway from Fehmarn to Kühlungsborn at the shore of Mecklenburg, formerly East Germany. Baltic Sea sailing in September 2018. As the foot rail at sea level indicates, it is time to reef.
Looking backwards from the safely embedded cockpit well by main and aft cabin plus the high coamings of Swede 55. This arrangement is as comfy as aboard a Motorsailer.
The long and narrow hull moves easy. Having passed Storstømsbroen linking the danish islands of Falster and Seeland, it only needs the storm jib and a reefed main for the day in gusty conditions. We are approaching Smålandsfarvandet with Vejrø island and expect more wind with swell coming from the direction we are heading to.
Trying the new main in a steady breeze on Fehmarnsund. On starboard, you see the well-known bridge (with approx. 22 m clearance), due to its shape, nicknamed Coat hanger. This Swede 55 mainsail was made by Lübeck sailmaker Arnd Deutsch. As the reefing ropes of the former main are not jet fitting to the new leech, I am checking the length for new ones. The water temperature and the cold wind from the east make this day a chilly experience. However, this does not dim the joy about the new 674 sq. ft. (44 sqm) main. Video from June 2020.
Moored at Ærø/Denmark
Peaceful mooring at Ommel in the shelter of Ærø island. We feel free to tie the boat at one of the unused guest buoys available by the Danish Cruising Association. The tranquillity outside the crowded harbour of Marstal tells why the region is named Dansk Sydsøen, Danish South Sea.
