arcona yachts history

Swedish styling and speed successfully combine in this new racer-cruiser

Arcona Yachts is relatively unknown in the United States, but it has developed quite a following in Europe. The Arcona 430 won the 2009 European Yacht of the Year, and all of its models are well respected on both the race course and in far-flung cruising anchorages.

Arcona builds yachts in Kungshamn, Sweden, and it opened a new plant in Estonia about 10 years ago. The move to Estonia was economically driven, and the company wanted to take advantage of the lower labor rates. In truth, the yard is hardly Estonian. It is on the Baltic island of Saaremaa, which was a Swedish territory until about 150 years ago, and Swedish is still spoken there. The yard's management is also Swedish. Boatbuilding in Estonia is well established, and Swan builds its class 42 there. Arcona has managed to get lower labor rates while maintaining a uniquely Swedish environment. The company builds about 50 boats a year, making it the third largest builder in Sweden.

The Arcona 340, designed by Stefan Qviberg, is placed right at the sweet spot for a racer-cruiser, successfully competing against the other 10-meter boats of the world, but doing so with a bit more comfort and understated Scandinavian elegance.

The cosmetics of the 340 are classic Scandinavian, with conservative lines and a performance edge. The hull has a flat sheer, short overhangs and moderate wetted surface, giving a long, slippery waterline but enough hull form to provide a soft motion at sea. The bow is fairly plumb and the boat terminates with a fairly open transom and small swim step. To give volume below, the cabinhouse is relatively tall, but it does not detract from the look of the boat at all.

The 340 has a 6-foot, 6-inch draft. The keel consists of an iron fin fitted with a cast lead bulb, keeping the center of gravity low. It is through-bolted with 10 20-millimeter stainless steel bolts. The rudder is high aspect and supported by Jefa self-adjusting rudder bearings.

The hull is formed with a vacuum foil infusion process, ensuring even resin distribution and full wet-out. The process yields a strong and stiff hull while keeping the weight as light as possible. The laminate is multiaxial roving and vinylester, all cored with high-density Divinycell. The hull and deck are cored to add stiffness and keep the weight down, but solid laminate in used around the keel, rudder and hull fittings.

A unique aspect of the hull is the galvanized steel framework used in the hull's interior. The framework carries and transports the loads of the keel and rig to the hull. To further stiffen the hull, the bulkheads and interior are fully tabbed to the hull, not just carried in the liner. On deck

The cockpit is wonderful place to sail-very workable for a race crew, but also designed for easy cruising. The large, five-spoke Jefa wheel is mounted on a low-profile fiberglass pedestal topped with a stainless guard that provides a handhold as well as protection for a chartplotter. The traveler is mounted just forward of the helm on an elevated bridge.

The helm is very functional. There are teak-covered seats outboard on the comings, and the test boat was customized with an elevated step to allow shorter drivers a clear view. The transom is just open enough to be sporty, and to clear boarding seas, but not so much that you feel exposed. Forward of the traveler are short settees. The cockpit is fairly wide, but the test boat was customized with a solid teak foot support through the middle of the cockpit sole, a very welcome addition when the wind pipes up.

Farther forward, there is nice recess to hold the folded frame and canvas of the dodger. All the control lines lead aft to a bank of clutches at the cabintop. The lines are led aft under deck to minimize clutter.

The deck molding and nonskid are top-notch. I would have liked to see a bit more nonskid on the cabin-house deck. The smooth fiberglass looks nice, but can be slippery when working around the mast. All the halyards are led aft, but the truth is that you'll still spend a lot of time working around the mast.

Storage on deck is generous, with deep twin lockers on the aft quarters and a very large, deep lazarette on starboard. The lazarette is also accessible from a panel in the head, making it far more usable. There is a large anchor locker accessible on the foredeck.

The boat has a double-spreader Selden aluminum spar, and the test boat had optional Dyform wire to minimize a bit of weight. The rig is fractional with an optional masthead spinnaker. The backstay is easily adjustable from the helm with a triple cascaded tackle. The mainsheet is setup Admiral's Cup style, with winches just forward of the helm. The deck package is very nice, a combination of Selden and Lewmar, using very nice Harken Radial winches.

Arcona did a very nice job with the asymmetrical tack line and the removable sprit. Many builders seem to tackle these items without a lot of elegance-you'll see the tack line flop around deck and can chafe on the furler and pulpit when deployed, and sprits are sometime clumsily mounted via the anchor roller. In contrast, Arcona handled the tack line very nicely; it almost magically emerges from a chafe-free port right below the stem fitting and is led back to the cabintop stoppers below deck. The sprit, a carbon fiber model from Selden, mounts on the foredeck and is led through a hoop integrated into the bow pulpit. The outboard end is supported with a Dyneema line that retracts into the hull when not in use. All very slick, and the sprit is completely removable at the end of the race day. The sprit is designed to carry an asymmetrical chute or a code zero on a continuous line drive furler. The test boat used a great furling unit from Selden.

The below-deck jib furler is very nicely done. Most below-deck units force a large hole in the deck, looking ungainly and resulting in a spot to catch lots of water. The 340 uses the Furlex TD (through deck) furler. This unit puts the drum below deck, and the tack fitting right on the deck. With no exposed hole at all, the end result is a very clean look. The benefits go beyond looks; with the tack fitting on the deck, the sail can be cut very low. Yes, you can have a furler and a deck-sweeping jib. The boat was originally designed to sail nicely with a 110% No. 3, and it actually sheets inboard of the shrouds for tight reaching angles. Down below

One look at the interior of the 340 and there is no doubt that this is a Swedish boat. The interior is lined with silky smooth satin finished mahogany. The cosmetics of the interior just ooze understated Scandinavian design.

The interior is a traditional layout with few surprises. As you step down the companionway, the nav station is on starboard and the galley on port. Forward, there are opposing settees flanking a centerline folding dining table. Sleeping cabins are in the forepeak, with a large aft cabin on port. The head is just aft of the nav station.

There is just over 6 feet of standing headroom at the aft end of the saloon, in the head and the aft cabin. Headroom drops to 5 feet, 7 inches going forward. The galley is L-shaped, with an Eno two-burner propane stove outboard, an IsoTherm refrigeration compartment forward of it, and a small double sink to center. The galley is very workable, with a reasonable amount of countertop space and ample storage in drawers and lockers.

The nav station is forward-facing with a large work area for paper charts. There is ample panel space for electronics, and a very nice breaker panel. A peek inside the breaker panel shows very nicely done wiring, with numbered wire tags on every terminal. There is storage below the work surface and a bank of drawers.

The head is a nicely trimmed in white fiberglass and laminate with mahogany trim. A highlight of this compartment is the large access panel to the starboard cockpit lazarette. There is a unique hanging wet locker integrated into the head cabinetry.

Ventilation in the boat is good. There are two large deck hatches, the large companionway, and opening portlights in the saloon, aft cabin and head.

The boat has a 20-horsepower Yanmar 3YM20C. Access to the engine is very good. Fuel tankage is 30 gallons and there are 60 gallons of water. The tankage is very reasonable for a performance cruiser of this size. Under sail

I did not have ideal conditions to sail the 340, as it was foggy, light and fluky. With that said, those conditions are great for assessing the sailing abilities of a boat. Face it, most boats sail pretty well when the wind pipes up, but it takes a good design to shine in less than ideal conditions.

As we motored out of Southport Marina, the first thing I sensed was the fingertip control on the helm. The large, low-mass wheel is effortless in your hand yet very responsive. The Jefa steering system and rudder bearings are silky smooth. The helm is responsive but not twitchy in any way; the boat tracks well. The 20-horse Yanmar is very smooth and moves the boat nicely. In the flat water, we motored nicely at about 6 knots and were flirting with 8 knots with a wide-open throttle.

After tacking around for a bit we found a little breeze. With about 10 knots over the deck we could sail about 30 degrees off in the sixes. The boat accelerated nicely as we found little puffs and pushed through the holes with a bit of momentum. We cracked off a bit and hoisted the big asymmetrical. This sail allowed the boat to hit its stride with peak speeds in the 7-knot range.

I was really impressed with the clean spinnaker deck rigging; the trick tack line and pole setup works just as nicely as it looks. The headstay is pulled back a bit from the stem, so even without the optional sprit the stem-mounted tack line gives just enough room to easily jibe the asymmetrical.

This was the first boat I had sailed with Harken Radial winches. The fluted drum performed well, with lots of smooth power, and three wraps secured things, but you could easily surge and release too.

The boat feels really good under sail. The silky steering performs perfectly under sail, and from my perch on the leeward rail, I could easily sail with just two fingers. The feel of the helm was great.

Keep your eyes open for Arcona at the boat shows and on your local race course. A fully equipped boat with delivery from Sweden goes for around $220,000 (base boat price of $178,000 F.O.B. Gutavsberg, Sweden). The winning formula of a comfortable, well-built boat that sails well and is just plain fast is hard to ignore.

Arcona 340 LOA 34'1"; LWL 30'4"; Beam 11'4"; Draft 6'6"; Ballast 4,189 lbs.; Displacement 10,582 lbs.; Sail Area 785 sq. ft. Base Boat Price $178,000 Gunnar's Yacht & Ship P.O. Box 215 Oak Creek, WI 53154 (414) 764-3994 www.yachtworld.com/gys

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Is this true sailing? Arcona Yachts 435

• March 5th, 2019
• Sailing Yacht

She truly was the highlight for me on this years´s Duesseldorf Boat Show: The Arcona 435 performance cruiser. This boat had just received the honour of being chosen as European Yacht of the Year 2019 in the category of the Performance Cruisers and since I´ve never had the chance to see an Arcona yacht from the inside, I jumped aboard and … spend more time than usual on this boat. Why? Because the Arcona may be the perfect sailing yacht for me.

I know, boats are always a compromise between so many things. It´s hard for designers and boat builders to come up with a yacht that may be fast and comfortable, luxurious and lightweight or offering much volume but bearing a desirable design. It´s always in the eye of the beholder. I know. But there may also be common values or features which are valid no matter what boat you may take a look at. Arcona, from my point of view, has accomplished to come up with a pretty perfect boat indeed.

Performance in every line of the hull

First of all, the Arcona 435 is a very imposing attraction: She is sleek (just 3.98 metres wide) for her length of 13.20 metres, which makes for a 1:3.3 ratio – compared to the X-Yachts XP 44 (that is slightly bigger) which has a 1:3.5 ratio or the Dehler 42 , as well a bit smaller, which has a 1:3.3 ratio as well. The Arcona appears to be a slim boat – and slim means fast.

Another feature may be interesting: As for Arcona, the ballast that is counted in the equation is just the weight accumulated in the keel-bomb, which is 3.4 tons (that´s 38 per cent of the boat´s displacement that is just 9 tons all in all). Compared to the XP44 which has 44 per cent – but with X-Yachts the keel´s fin as well as the hull-cage is taken into the ballast count. Dehler´s 42 offers 33 per cent ballast-ratio (as well counting the whole weight of the keel-construction). The Arcona is a stiff boat for sure!

Racing? Cruising? True sailing!

Standing in the cockpit I instantly notice the classic layout of the boat´s running rigging: The double wheels are mounted in a way that the Genoa winches could either be worked by the helmsman or a crew member. Secondary winches are mounted on the coamings as well as the working winches for the halyards and reefing lines which are situated on the coach roof to either side of the entry way.

That´s a pretty conservative approach of fitting this boat and may hint the preferred way of sailing these yachts: Fully crewed sailing trips, may be races and regattas, with people manning each winch trying to squeeze out the last bit of knots from the trim. Nevertheless, the boat may also be fitted to be sailed single- or double handed, in this respect a good powerful autopilot is needed because this layout cannot be worked on completely from behind the wheel.

The Arcona 435 – just as her bigger and smaller sisters – may be equipped with a classic mainsheet traveller as well, in times of effortless, single hand-cruising yachts a kind of “refreshingly dated” appearing detail. I also noticed the long Genoa sheet tracks – Arcona´s 435 braces 140 square metres of upwind sail area that will most certainly boost the boat to high speeds.

A great detail was the completely retractable cockpit table that will disappear into the area between the aft cabins – that´s for a clear and wide open cockpit in full racing mode with loads of hustle going on at the winches and providing a nice seating situation whilst mooring for having a full dinner being served up here. Clever solution.

Absolutely stunning interiors.

But the coolest part is the interiors of the Arcona. Some months back I was interviewing Torgny Jansson, founder and owner of Arcona yachts, and he told me that their specialty and biggest effort is to offer the classy high-quality wooden finish an owner expects from a Scandinavian yacht – and the 435 delivers full force indeed!

The entryway downstairs is admittedly steep and won´t be allowed in current cruising-optimized yachts but saves loads of volume so that the salon of the Arcona 435 appears bigger than one would expect it. Even the relatively short width of the boat doesn´t come out that much. One instantly notices upon taking the first steps inside that everything appears to be of solid, high quality: No squeeking, no scratching. Nice!

I loved the chart table which was absolutely stunning. Rounded edges, nice and stiff grab handles. The design is understatement at it´s best but looking at the details one quickly admires the craftmanship: Just look at the wood grain that is kept running through the whole length and width of the components where possible. Everything is very practical, very “ship like” on the one hand but also lush and comfy.

The salon comes in the classic layout with an L-galley situated right at port-side next to the entryway, facing the navigation station. That´s true sailing: Coming down quickly to check for the VHF or make an entry in the log, grab a sandwich or a coffee in the galley and return to the helm, that´s how it is supposed to be! No walking through the whole length of the salon to reach the chart table …

Also, a nice detail, was the gallay. That´s an L-shaped galley with a large fridge, a big sink and a worktop to prepare even complicated menues. The 3-flamed stove should be sufficient for providing meals and the measurements of the galley are well-sized to be big enough for the ship´s cook to work nicely but also tight enough to offer safety even in foul weather and high waves .

Wooden stuff where it belongs.

Looking into the bathrooms – the 435 has two of them – reminds me of the fact that wooden fittings shouldn´t be mounted just everywhere. On the Arcona they have done the one and only right thing when it comes to wood: Have it fitted where it belongs! That means, no wooden stuff where people take their showers. That´s a consistency I really appreciate.

On the other hand, they have worked so hard to have the wooden stuff presented the best possible way where it should be – in the salon or the cabins. The Arcona 435 features white lacquered ceiling and lots of glossy painted woodwork. Lots of stowage under the seatings, which in this case is a nice U-shaped sofa around a dinner table facing a 3-seater on starboard side.

Also the floorboards are classic and did spark so many memories on “old” sailing boats how they have been made 20 years ago – that´s the years before cost-reducing was setting in and boats haven´t been build with grey, white or other fancy colours but with Teak and Mahogany. I just loved it.

Cabins, just as it is supposed to be.

Last not least the cabins. The 435 has two aft cabins and the owner´s cabin in the fore peak. To make it short: That was and is one of the most beautifully designed fore cabins I´ve seen to date. No frills, no unnecessary stuff, everything sized well and placed where it is needed.

The wooden glossy painted parts have been sized in perfect harmony to the white-lacquered ceiling , the grey cushion was a perfect counterbalance to the design. I must say, standing in this cabin, I couldn´t really imagine any other boat that was making a similar nice impression to me to date (well, except for the much loved Oyster 745 (LINK) of course …)

The aft cabins are a bit less lush, yet offering white lacquered massive ceiling, loads of stowage and some wooden parts. The only odd thing about the cabins really – and I must state that this is something I really appreciate in modern boat building – is the fact that the Arcona does not offer any porthole or hull-windows in the aft cabins at all, which makes for a rather dark environment here. I think in modern times that´s something that can and should be made different.

Other than this detail, the boat is light suffused, especially the salon which has at last two slime hull windows but two big hatches which can be opened completely. I guess that´s something crucial for a hot summer´s day at the mooring. All in all, she is a gorgeous boat, more than appropriate to be awarded Yacht of the Year and given the fact that she sails like her interior quality fittings promise, she is an absolute dream yacht!

Love fast sailing boats? Try these articles:

Swift and fast – Torgny Jansson about Arcona yachts

Interview with Stefan Qviberg on Arcona yachts

First time sailing a Pogo 40 racing yacht

• Yachting Monthly
• Digital edition

Arcona 380 – Yachting Monthly review

• August 21, 2014

She's designed to take the place of two boats in Arcona's stable of performance cruisers, but is she that good? Chris Beeson finds out

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

What’s she like to sail? If the 380 were a car, she would be an Aston Martin: a beautifully-engineered, luxurious and refined sports tourer, purring with power and control. Torgny ‘Arcona’ Jansson says he’s not entering her for the European Yacht of the Year 2015 because two 38-footers won this year (Dehler and Bénéteau Océanis). This is news that will delight other manufacturers of performance cruisers. For anyone who actively and genuinely enjoys the business of sailing, this boat is the benchmark. Drape an arm over the lifelines, check your position on the binnacle plotter, and luxuriate in a peerless helming experience, unrivalled among production boats. I defy anyone to sail this boat and not smile as she leans gently on a gust and surges forward. It’s pure sailing pleasure. She positively flies upwind. Her structural stiffness and ballast distribution allow her to carry full canvas when others will be reefing. Off the wind she glided across the water regally, accelerating with each extra knot, once again with the helmsman in total control. We didn’t have an offwind sail aboard but I would love to see her pick up her skirts and fly. What’s she like in port and at anchor? The galley is a fine example, well laid-out with good stowage and thoughtful light and ventilation, and works as well in port as it does at sea. The saloon hullports are sized and positioned to blend in with the hull stripe so they’re not tremendously useful as windows but they do add more light. The table is simple but works well, though the mast is a little intrusive. If there is a negative, it’s stowage, which is limited to lockers outboard and the slender space below the sole. However, she has been designed with performance in mind so, where you might usually find stowage under the settees and the tankage pushed out to the ends, Arcona have opted to keep the weight central. Stowage in the forward cabin is good but it’s a bit limited in the two aft cabins. On deck, there’s a simple walk-through to a bathing step with a ladder. There’s enough stowage for most kit. Order the two-cabin version and you’ll have more stowage than you know how to fill. Would she suit you and your crew? She’s not a boat for beginners. For a start, she’s got plenty of power – easily controlled if you know what you’re doing but she might scare newbies. With a cockpit traveller, the falls of the mainsheet could catch the unwary during a gybe, too. Plus, if you’re new to sailing, you should sail something else for a few years just so you can appreciate how good the 380 is. If you’re a dinghy-sailing couple looking for a classy, sporty cruiser then she could be right up your alley, likewise a couple with a more sedate cruising yacht looking to get a bit more excitement out of their time afloat as well as expanding their cruising range thanks to her effortless speed. I wouldn’t say she’s unsuited to families but the kids need to be savvy sailors to make sure there are no mainsheet incidents. As a tweaky sort of sailor myself, I would treasure the thrills she delivers but sadly she’s out of my price range. That said, the pound is strong against the Swedish krona at the moment so, if I did have the money, I know where I’d spend it. Take a test sail and tell me I’m wrong.

Fact and figures

LOA – 11.28m (37ft) LWL – 10.6m (34ft 9in) Beam – 3.8m (12ft 6in) Draught – 2.1m (6ft 11in) Displacement – 6,850kg (15,101 lb) Ballast – 2,400kg (5,291 lb) Sail area – 81.52m2 (877sq ft) Engine – 30hp Diesel – 150 litres (33gal) Water – 200 litres (44 gal) D/L ratio – 159.4 SA/D ratio – 23 Ballast ratio – 35 % RCD – Category A STIX – 37 Designer – Stefan Qviberg Builder – Arcona Yachts Tel – 02380 457770 Website – www.arconayachts.com

The Arcona 380 is not for beginners. For a start, she’s powerful – easily controlled if you know how, but she might scare newbies. Plus, if you’re new to sailing, you should sail something else for a few years to appreciate how good the 380 is. As a tweaky sort of sailor myself, I would treasure the thrills she delivers but sadly she’s out of my price range. That said, the pound is strong against the Swedish krona at the moment so, if I did have the money, I know where I would spend it. Take a test sail and tell me I’m wrong.

Arcona 415 Unveiled: The Sailing Yacht With Electric Propulsion As Standard

The Arcona 415 is the first series produced sailing yacht with electric propulsion as standard. Electric propulsion is already available across all the Arcona fleet as an upgrade option and Arcona Yachts has the largest fleet of electric ‘zero emissions’ yachts on the water, the first being the Arcona 380Z launched in 2015.

Arcona performance cruisers will always sail beautifully but in light winds, when you need to use the engine, electric propulsion is the way forward. The sleek and light hull design works well with electric propulsion.

In response to customer demand, the Arcona 415 has the option of a three or two cabin version with an additional en suite in the owner´s cabin.

The Arcona 415, with her modern hull shape, open transom, more accessible stowage space and increased light, continues the tradition of Arcona 410 as a quality performance cruiser, built with attention to detail. In terms of power, the Arcona 415 is equipped with an Oceanvolt Servoprop 15kW electric propulsion system, with variable pitch propeller technology. It has a 19kWh battery pack as standard. A 15kW electric motor is the equivalent of a 50hp diesel engine on our 40-43ft yachts.

For the propulsion system, Arcona works with Oceanvolt. The lightweight system uses hydro regeneration via the propeller to regenerate power whilst sailing, storing it in the propulsion battery pack for later use. Regeneration depends on sailing speed, however our customers have seen the hydro regeneration commence when the yacht is sailing at a speed as low as 3.3knots.

The benefits of electric propulsion are numerous; not having an exhaust and the elimination therefore of emissions, the ongoing cost saving vs. fuelling up with diesel, the minimised operating noise and vibrations, the increased space for living, the complete power management, the ease of use and maintenance, and having an overall lighter weight thus increased performance.

The countdown has begun for the new ICE 66 rs

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

First look: Arcona 415 – electric production yacht

• Rupert Holmes
• November 29, 2021

The Arcona 415 comes with electric propulsion as standard, continuing the brand's move towards more eco-friendly production yachts

The new Arcona 415 is pitched as the first series-produced yacht with electric propulsion as standard.

Arcona already has a long history of developing boats with optional electric motors, dating back to the 380Z (for Zero emissions), which was launched in 2015. As well as the electric motor, this boat was fitted with a large array of solar panels, including some that were laminated into the cloth of the mainsail.

Since then, much has changed to make such a yacht more practical. The cost of solar panels is continuing to fall, for instance, and there are now more options for regeneration of electricity using the propeller when sailing.

However, arguably the biggest and most important advances have been in lithium-ion batteries . These are gaining 20% more power each year, while remaining the same physical size and cost. Today you can therefore buy a battery pack with double the power of one four years ago, for the same money.

As with other designs from the Arcona yard, the 415 is a powerful performance cruiser. It’s based on the existing 10-year-old Arcona 410 , with updates and modifications including a more open transom and larger windows, both in the coachroof and hull.

The standard motor is a 15kW Oceanvolt unit that gives equivalent thrust to a 50hp diesel. A 19kW bank of lithium-ion batteries is fitted as standard. There’s also a service bank of two 90Ah AGM batteries. “Electric is here to stay,” says Arcona’s CEO Urban Lagnéus. “Our performance cruisers will always sail beautifully, but in light winds, when you need to use the engine, electric propulsion is the way forward.”

Arcona 415 specifications

LOA: 12.2m / 40ft 0in Beam: 3.9m / 12ft 10in Draught: 2.0, 2.2 or 2.5m / 6ft 7in, 7ft 3in or 8ft 2in Displacement: 7,800kg / 17,200lb Price: €345,347 ex VAT Builder: arconayachts.se

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New Listing – 2011 Arcona 430

Posted Friday 13th May 2022

Sparkling, One owner, 3-cabin, 2-heads Arcona 430 complete with carbon rig and lots of recent updates including new rigging and sails.

FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:

With just one owner since new, NIGHTFALL is a high-specification and extremely well-presented Arcona 430 complete with Axxon carbon mast, boom and spinnaker pole. Boasting a practical and spacious 3-cabin, 2-heads interior layout, finished to a typically Scandinavian high-standard in warm Khaya mahogany, NIGHTFALL is a great option for anyone seeking just the right combination of quality, performance, space and ease of handling.

Her specification highlights include: • Swedish construction • 3-cabin, 2-heads interior layout finished in Khaya mahogany. • 2.55m lead bulb fin keel • Low-maintenance non-slip deck finish • Yanmar diesel engine with saildrive (recently replaced diaphragm) and Flex-o-Fold 2-bladed Axxon Spars carbon fibre mast, boom and spinnaker post (new clear coat 2022) • Stainless steel rod standing rigging – replaced 2022 • Mainsail and jib replaced 2022 • Harken winch package including electric primary control line/halyard winch • Code Zero with Karver furler • Recently replaced service and engine start batteries • Nexus instruments with mast repeaters • Panasonic Toughpad plotter displays • Iridium Gio satellite communications • Wind generator • Eberspacher diesel fired cabin heating • Holding tanks • Sprayhood and helm bimini • Tender and outboard • Liferaft • Brompton folding bicycles

Freshly antifouled, serviced and completed with new standing rigging and sails, UK VAT paid, Part 1 British Registered, freshly antifouled, serviced and complete with new standing rigging and sails, NIGHTFALL is 100% ready for the new season.

OWNER’S COMMENTS:

“NIGHTFALL’ Is our Arcona 430, designed by Stefan Qviberg. Built for us in Sweden and in our ownership since new (2011), this boat has a carbon mast and spars by Axxon and rod rigging (replaced 2022).

Beautifully fitted below, she is a fast cruiser, very close-winded and a real sailor’s boat, with fast, pinpoint handling. She can be easily and safely sailed short-handed, with all lines led aft and having the German mainsheet system within easy reach of the helm.

‘NIGHTFALL’ is a fast cruiser, delightful to sail and race but refined, comfortable and spacious below and well-equipped for family or two-up cruising. She has taken us in complete safety as far afield as Greece and is equally at home pottering around the Solent. The yard were meticulous in their attention to detail – we visited several times while she was in build. One of the reassuring features for us is that the keel and rig are bolted to a galvanised steel frame, ensuring a strong and rigid structure.

With six full berths in three cabins, she is able to sleep up to nine when the saloon table infill and (short) starboard saloon berth are also used. The deep fridge is efficient, benefitting from an Isotherm through-hull heat sink. The gas cooker has a remote gas shut-off and an automatic cylinder changeover valve – no more dashing out in the rain because the dinner is half-cooked!

The 430 has a generous sail area to displacement ratio, so she can keep going even in light airs. When the breeze picks up, since she has single-line reefing on the first and second reefs, she’s easy to reef from the cockpit. With her 100% foretriangle sail, her upwind sails sheet inside the shrouds, so she points like a witch! The carbon mast also reduces weight aloft, reducing pitching, increasing boat speed and helping ensure a comfortable passage. She’s just been given new white sails and has been rerigged, so is ready to go.

It’s been a privilege to own ‘Nightfall’ but with some extended cruising in mind, I’m moving to a boat which carries lots of fuel and water, large solar panels and a big cockpit arch – maybe even a washing machine!”

MANFACTURER’S COMMENTS:

“When it was time to design the Arcona 430, there were a long list of ideas and thoughts from the Arcona Yachts team on how build a yacht without compromises and standard solutions; this list arose as a direct result from many years of experience in sailing, yacht design and boat building. The outcome was a yacht awarded European Yacht of the Year 2009 – Arcona 430.

She is a full sized 43 feet yacht with sailing capabilities above normal. She’s just as hot on the race courses as she is safe and easy to handle for the family during cruising. The Arcona 430 has the same technically advanced construction, built to a superb quality and with modern technology, like all Arcona yachts are. Arcona 430 is full of practical details and smart solutions – she is an extraordinary yacht.”

MANUFACTURER HISTORY:

“Arcona Yachts in Sweden have been building boats for more than 40 years, and over that time have developed a vision that has evolved through their love of sailing and the desire to produce the best sailing experience. Consequently, each new model builds upon the best of what has gone before and, while reflecting the latest design development, remains true to the spirit of Arcona.”

PRESS REVIEW:

“European Yacht of the Year 2009 – WINNER – This category proved to be a very tough one for the judges, but in the end the Arcona came out on top. In particular the panel was impressed with the details and thoroughness of design, from her broad concept to the consistently high standard of build throughout. The best aspects of her sistership the 460, have been passed down to ensure a practical working and racing cockpit, excellent response, good balance and smooth tracking – with an end result of riveting sailing.” Yachting World. European Yacht of the Year 2009.

“Verdict – She’s billed as the ideal cruiser-racer, combining race-winning speed and heart winning comfort – and I can’t disagree. For two handers or dyed in-the-wool cruisers she’s too powerful, but for two adventurous couples, a group of friends, or a fast cruising family, you won’t find anything this solid, satisfying, comfortable, thoughtfully designed and well-finished for the money.

She’s stiff enough to forgive you if you’re a little late reefing down, and the rudder’s deep enough to keep you in control. There’s a lot of canvas for a with her waterline length, but you’re in charge – its there if you want it. She’s light for her length so she’ll perform through the wind range.”

Yachting Monthly – 24 Hour Boat Test-Arcona 430. Chris Beeson. January 2009.

2011 Arcona 430 – NIGHTFALL – Asking £319,000 UK VAT paid – full details here

Do you have a yacht like this to sell? Grabau International are always looking for new high quality cruising yacht listings both in the UK and internationally. For further information about our tailored brokerage services, please  look here  or feel free to  contact us .

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Arcona makes its way into the world of fast cruisers and buys a shipyard

• May 6, 2023
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Arcona Group , owner of Swedish sailboat manufacturer Arcona Yachts, is not stopping its desire to grow, and to do so it is acquiring Uddevalla-based SailYard AB shipyard . A move, aimed at further strengthening the skills and resources within the group, which is now close to the launch of the new Arcona 50 signed Jeppesen . Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Arcona launches challenge in fast cruiser segment

After parading a legend such as Niels Jeppesen , founder and principal designer of the Danish shipyard and father of the performance-cruiser, to X-Yachts , the shipyard sold its first 50-footer last spring , ushering in a new path that aims for a comeback among the big players in the fast-cruiser segment that is in great turmoil . A challenge not only to X-Yachts but also, thanks to the decidedly more Mediterranean flavor than past models, to leading Italian shipyards such as Grand Soleil , ICE Yachts , Solaris Yacht s, Italia Yachts , Neo Yachts , Advanced Yachts and Mylius Yachts .

The SailYard

Arcona and SailYard shipyard have already worked together for several years . SailYard built the 45-foot Arcona 435 Performance Cruiser and is in the process of building the new flagship Arcona 50. “ I think that bringing this site into the group is a very positive step forward since we have been collaborating for several years “, stated Urban Lagnéus, CEO of the shipyard . “ It gives us the opportunity to use all their knowledge and experience and have shorter and more efficient processes. The fact that our parent company has now, in a short time, acquired a shipbuilding company and one of the largest winter service and storage yards on the west coast (of Sweden, ed.), means that we now have the opportunity to offer full service to our customers , from sales to service including winter storage .”

James Barbaro

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The New Flagship

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The First by Jeppesen & Pons

Introducing the Arcona 50, the first model designed by Jeppesen & Pons, and the new flagship of the Arcona fleet. This captivating 50ft performance cruiser marks a step change for Arcona Yachts with a new design collaboration and many new design features.

With over 6000 yachts on the water and a ¾ ton cup winning race pedigree, Principal Designer, Niels Jeppesen, and Yacht Designer & Naval Architect, Ariadna Pons, bring a wealth of experience to Arcona Yachts.

The brief for Jeppesen & Pons’ first Arcona was to design a 50-foot performance cruiser that can be easily handled by two people, while simultaneously delivering in terms of cruising comfort and sailing performance, in true Arcona style. Created to go further, this yacht forges ahead in all design aspects, setting a new standard to meet the high demands of our customers, whether it’s their ambition to go cruising the Stockholm Archipelago or to cross an ocean.

GO FURTHER WITH THE ARCONA 50

The Arcona 50 is ideal for safe and comfortable long distance performance cruising. In a first for Arcona, this new flagship has twin rudders providing more control in the water. Another first for Arcona is the addition of a dinghy garage. Watertight composite bulkheads separate the accommodation from both the bow sail locker and the dinghy garage.

Also new to Arcona are the L-shaped cockpit benches and the two cockpit tables, which improve functionality and enable guests and crew to move around the cockpit more easily under sail. Liferaft locker recessed into the cockpit floor, halyard and sheet lockers under the side decks in front of the helmsman. Aft coaming lockers to hide the yacht’s gas bottles and shorepower socket.

REAL SAILING – YOUR WAY

The Arcona 50 has twin wheels as standard, and the cockpit layout and the sail handling systems are set up for shorthanded sailing and ease of use.

She has a three-spreader mast with discontinuous rod rigging plus double hydraulic backstay cylinders with a central pumpstation. A carbon mast and furling carbon boom is available as an upgrade. There is an optional inner forestay to attach a furling heavy weather jib for ocean passages. There is also the option for a bowsprit for easily controllable use of asymmetric sails.

The central single mainsheet block is recessed below the cockpit floor. The yacht is available with an electrically operated mainsheet traveller track, also recessed below the cockpit floor, as an upgrade.

Next to the winches, there are dedicated lockers for halyards and sheets enabling the cockpit to be ‘clean’.

Under power, an standard 80hp or optional 100Hp common rail engine propels a folding propeller, keeping vibrations and noise to a minimum. Optional retractable thrusters will secure maximum manoeuvrability in narrow marinas.

SCANDINAVIAN ELEGANCE BELOW DECK

Below deck minimalist Scandinavian elegance permeates every detail. The interior is made in Khaya Mahogany and can be upgraded to Scandinavian Light Oak. As seen in superyachts, but new to Arcona, the woodwork is cored to maximise weight-saving without compromising on the aesthetics.

The galley has lots of practical stowage, a gimballed cooker with oven and a generously-sized sink and fridge. The galley layout enables easy access to the L-shaped saloon seating. There is the option to choose an alternative layout with U-shaped seating and an additional worktop space.

The saloon table has an additional seat to starboard that can be moved and locked into position.

The owners’ cabin features a Kingsize bed, lots of storage and an en-suite with a separate shower. For guests, there is an additional heads with a separate shower area. The two aft cabins have double berths as standard and can be upgraded to a convertible twin berth configuration.

Lots of natural light flows from the large hull windows and flush hatches which creates the feeling of more space. Arcona offers a broad range of cushion fabrics and colour options for you to choose from to personalise your Arcona.

SWEDISH BUILD QUALITY

Like all boats in the Arcona fleet, the Arcona 50 reflects the quality expected from Swedish boatbuilders, using the best materials, techniques and trusted handpicked suppliers. Hull, deck and internal structure will be made of vacuum infused Divinycell cored GRP with strategic important areas reinforced with carbon. This carbon reinforcements are useful for both strength and weight-saving. As with all Arcona yachts, the Arcona 50 also features a galvanised steel keel frame.

Blending Scandinavian yacht design expertise with Swedish boatbuilding craftsmanship is an exciting combination for this new Arcona flagship.

Please note: The images featured may show optional features and equipment that are not included in the standard specification.

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She is praised by journalists and sailors, won European Yacht of the Year 2024 in the luxury cruiser category and was highly commended in the British Yachting Awards – Performance Yacht 2023. Check out what the journalists say about her.

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Sailor Cole Brauer makes history as the first American woman to race solo around the world

Aboard her 40-foot racing boat First Light ,  29-year-old Cole Brauer just became the first American woman to race nonstop around the world by herself.

The New York native pulled into A Coruña, Spain, on Thursday after a treacherous 30,000-mile journey that took 130 days.

She thanked a cheering crowd of family and fans who had been waiting for her on shore.

“This is really cool and so overwhelming in every sense of the word,” she exclaimed, before drinking Champagne from her trophy.

The 5-foot-2 powerhouse placed second out of 16 avid sailors who competed in the Global Solo Challenge, a circumnavigation race that started in A Coruña with participants from 10 countries. The first-of-its-kind event   allowed a wide range of boats to set off in successive departures based on performance characteristics. Brauer started on Oct. 29, sailing down the west coast of Africa, over to Australia, and around the tip of South America before returning to Spain.

Brauer is the only woman and the youngest competitor in the event — something she hopes young girls in and out of the sport can draw inspiration from.

“It would be amazing if there was just one girl that saw me and said, ‘Oh, I can do that too,’” Brauer said of her history-making sail.

It’s a grueling race, and more than half of the competitors have dropped out so far. One struck something that caused his boat to flood, and another sailor had to abandon his ship after a mast broke as a severe storm was moving in.

The four-month journey is fraught with danger, including navigating the three “Great Capes” of Africa, Australia and South America. Rounding South America’s Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet, is often likened to climbing Mount Everest because of its perfect storm of hazards — a sharp rise in the ocean floor and whipping westerly winds push up massive waves. Combined with the frigid waters and stray icebergs, the area is known as a graveyard for ships, according to NASA. Brauer  said  she was “so unbelievably stoked” when she sailed past Cape Horn in January.

Marco Nannini, organizer of the Global Solo Challenge, said the comparison to scaling Mount Everest doesn’t capture the difficulty of the race. Sailing solo means not just being a skipper but a project manager — steering the boat, fixing equipment, understanding the weather and maintaining one’s physical health.

Nannini cited the relatively minuscule number of people who have sailed around the world solo — 186, according to the International Association of Cape Horners — as evidence of the challenges that competitors face. More than 6,000 people have climbed Mount Everest, according to  High Adventure Expeditions .

Brauer stared down 30-foot waves that had enough force to throw her across the boat. In a scare caught on camera, she badly injured her rib   near the halfway point of the event. At another point, her team in the U.S. directed Brauer to insert an IV into her own arm due to dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

She was able to stay in constant communication with members of her team, most of whom are based in New England,   and keep herself entertained with Netflix and video calls with family through Starlink satellites.   That’s also how Brauer was able to use Zoom to connect with NBC News for an interview, while she was sailing about 1,000 miles west of the Canary Islands.

While Brauer was technically alone on First Light, she had the company of 450,000 followers on Instagram, where she frequently got candid about life on an unforgiving sea while reflecting on her journey.

“It all makes it worth it when you come out here, you sit on the bow, and you see how beautiful it is,” she said in an Instagram video, before panning the camera to reveal the radiant sunrise.

Brauer grew up on Long Island but didn’t learn to sail until she went to college in Hawaii. She traded in her goal of becoming a doctor for life on the water. But she quickly learned making a career as a sailor is extremely difficult, with professional racers often hesitant to welcome a 100-pound young woman on their team.

Even when she was trying to find sponsors for the Global Solo Challenge, she said a lot of people “wouldn’t touch her with a 10-foot pole” because they saw her as a “liability.”

Brauer’s message to the skeptics and naysayers? “Watch me.”

“I push so much harder when someone’s like, ‘No, you can’t do that,’ or ‘You’re too small,’” Brauer explained.

“The biggest asset is your mental strength, not the physical one,” Nannini said. “Cole is showing everyone that.”

Brauer hopes to continue competing professionally and is already eyeing another around-the-world competition, but not before she gets her hands on a croissant and cappuccino.

“My mouth is watering just thinking about that.”

Emilie Ikeda is an NBC News correspondent.