Scandinavian Cruisers Introduces New Sailboat Line to the United States
Scandinavian Cruisers has launched a new line of compact sailboats to the U.S. market, first unveiled at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in January. The builder is offering two distinct designs that combine traditional aesthetics with modern materials and practical features for day sailing and rowing. Both boats emphasize light weight, low maintenance, and versatility—appealing to sailors who want classic lines and contemporary performance in a small package.
Scandinavian Cruisers 20 — A Modern Take on a Traditional Skerry
The Scandinavian Cruisers 20 is a daysailer styled after traditional skerry designs, with clean, classic lines and attention to proportion. To improve sailing performance and handling, the 20 features a semi-stayed rotating carbon fiber wingmast. The wingmast helps optimize sail shape and efficiency, particularly in varying wind conditions.
For shallow waters and easy trailering or beaching, the SC 20 is equipped with a lifting keel and a lifting rudder, allowing owners to reduce draft when needed. The sail plan is practical and user-friendly: a full-battened mainsail, a furling self-tacking jib with vertical battens, and a furling asymmetrical spinnaker for off-wind sailing. These options make single-handed or short-handed sailing straightforward while still delivering lively performance.
Construction of the lightweight hull and deck uses E-glass with VE resin and Navicell core materials, chosen for durability and low maintenance. Scandinavian Cruisers positions the 20 as an accessible, performance-oriented daysailer with a sail-away price of $24,900, offering a blend of classic aesthetics and modern sail technology.
Dory 18 — Classic Clinker Lines with Modern Versatility
Scandinavian Cruisers’ second model, the just-launched Dory 18, embraces the familiar clinker or lapstrake dory silhouette while providing true multi-role capability. The manufacturer notes that the Dory 18 is effective both as a small sailing boat and as a capable rowing shell, making it suitable for coastal daysailing, sheltered-water exploration, and fitness rowing.
The sailing package for the Dory 18 includes a modern tri-radial mainsail designed to deliver strong upwind performance and a crisp sail shape. The rig and major underwater appendages make extensive use of carbon fiber: the mast, rudder, and centerboard are offered in carbon to reduce weight aloft and improve responsiveness. For those who prioritize rowing, optional packages are available that turn the Dory 18 into a serious rowboat—options include sliding seats, adjustable footrests, outriggers, and carbon fiber oars configured for one or two rowing positions.
In pricing the Dory 18 for different uses, Scandinavian Cruisers lists a row-away price of under $10,000 and a sail-away price of under $16,000, making it an economical choice for buyers who want a dual-purpose boat with classic looks and modern construction.
Company Background and Future Plans
Scandinavian Cruisers is a newly formed company founded by Nis Peter Lorentzen, a third-generation boatbuilder whose approach blends traditional hull forms with contemporary materials and systems. The company has indicated plans to expand the lineup with larger daysailers in the near future, including 30- and 40-foot models that will follow the same design philosophies of combining refined lines, practical sail plans, and modern composites.
Both the Scandinavian Cruisers 20 and the Dory 18 are scheduled to be displayed this fall at major U.S. boat shows in Newport and Annapolis, offering prospective buyers and enthusiasts the chance to see the boats in person and discuss options.
Where to See and Who to Contact
In the Northeastern United States, Haye Kesteloo, based in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, represents Scandinavian Cruisers. For more information, including specifications, options, and dealer inquiries, refer to the manufacturer’s website: www.scandinaviancruisers.com (site name provided for reference).
This article originally appeared in the Home Waters section of the August 2010 issue.