An interesting boat from Sweden

Imagine a plywood version of a Victorian sailing canoe. This, in essence, is what the Snake Boat - translation of the above - represents. The execution however is very different although the concept of a small open cruising boat on which one can sleep is the same.

The particulars of this boat were sent to me from Sweden by the manufacturers, together with reprints of two reviews. First the bare facts: length - 13' 6", beam - 3' 8", sail area of ketch lugsail rig - 74 sq ft, total weight - 88 lbs, draft leeboards up - 4", 'down - 24".

The hull is constructed of 7mm ply. This is described by one reviewer as shaped like a small dory with all its virtues. This is not true as it is as far from a true dory shape as it is possible to get while still having a flat bottom and being sharp at both ends. If one wants to liken it to a classic design a sharpie would be a better comparison. But no doubt one would read the reviews if one considers buying. The hull is decked fore and aft as well as having side decks. One sits in the bottom on a cushion and steers with tiller lines, though it would be possible to design a more normal system. It appears to have a good reefing system. The diagrams above give a good idea of its versatility.

It is available as a kit which includes sails and oars. Built by stitch and glue, it comes with a thirty page manual of construction instructions. Building time is claimed to be a couple of weekends plus extra for painting. The price seems very reasonable, when you consider what sails cost nowadays - £1,525 for the kit or £2,450 for the finished, complete boat - delivered to this country complete, inclusive of taxes.

Further enquiries should be addressed to Per Zachrison, En Orm - Ranhufvud-Wallenberg, S-310 62 FEGEN, Sweden. Tel 00946 346 61141