Question 1

What are Boström yachts?

Accepted Answer

Boström yachts are Swedish-designed blue-water cruising sailboats built in the 1970s and 1980s. They were designed by Bruno Boström as practical, seaworthy cruisers with moderate displacement, skeg-hung rudders, and masthead rigs. The line includes the Boström 31 (B-31) and Boström 37 (B-37), both known for their robust construction and offshore capability.

Question 2

What models of Boström yachts are available?

Accepted Answer

There are two main models: the Boström 31 (B-31) and the Boström 37 (B-37). The B-31 is a compact 30.64 ft (9.34 m) offshore-ready cruiser, with a Mk II variant built from 1977-1984. The B-37 is a larger 36.25 ft (11.05 m) yacht with a hybrid center-cockpit and private aft cabin. Approximately 300 B-37s were built, making them relatively rare.

Question 3

What makes Boström boats special?

Accepted Answer

Boström boats are known for their exceptional build quality, often cited with Lloyd's-style standards. They synthesize the best attributes from legendary Scandinavian brands like Hallberg-Rassy, Swan, and Najad. Key features include: robust fiberglass construction designed to survive a 360° rollover, skeg-hung rudders for offshore reliability, intelligent hybrid center-cockpit design (B-37), and balanced sailing characteristics with masthead sloop rigs.

Question 4

Are Boström yachts suitable for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Boström yachts are specifically designed for blue-water offshore sailing. They feature robust Lloyd's-influenced construction, skeg-hung rudders for reliability, high ballast ratios for stability, and Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) values below 2.0, indicating offshore suitability. A Boström 37 named 'Northern Quest' was successfully sailed around the world by Norwegian journalist Ragnar Kvam Jr. in a 14-year circumnavigation starting in 1987.

Question 5

What is the difference between the Boström 31 and Boström 37?

Accepted Answer

The main differences are size and layout. The B-31 is 30.64 ft with 7,782 lb displacement, offering a compact, efficient design for coastal and offshore passages. The B-37 is 36.25 ft with 17,637 lb displacement, featuring a hybrid center-cockpit, private aft cabin, more tankage and storage, and better load-carrying for extended cruising. Both share the same design DNA with skeg-hung rudders and offshore capability.

Question 6

How many Boström yachts were built and are they rare?

Accepted Answer

The Boström 31 was built from 1973 (Mk I) with the Mk II variant from 1977-1984. Production numbers vary as many Mk I hulls were sold as kits. The Boström 37 is rarer with approximately 300 units built starting from 1974, manufactured by Porali Marin AB in Sweden. Due to limited production, especially the B-37, these boats often have strong resale interest among enthusiasts.

Question 7

What type of rig do Boström yachts have?

Accepted Answer

Boström yachts feature conservative masthead sloop rigs. The design philosophy places most driving power in the foresail, with a tall, narrow mainsail that is easily reefed. The boats are balanced under a 135% furling genoa alone, making 6-7 knots in 15-20 knot breeze. This rig configuration is sized for real-world weather and allows safe, short-handed sailing with sail reduction from the cockpit.

Question 8

Who designed Boström yachts?

Accepted Answer

Boström yachts were designed by Swedish yacht designers Bruno and Börje Boström, active in the 1970s-80s. Bruno is typically cited as the principal designer, while Börje contributed to co-design and production refinement. Bruno Boström was a visionary who synthesized the best attributes from legendary Scandinavian brands, creating practical blue-water cruisers with moderate displacement, high stability, and predictable handling.

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