Design and Construction
The hull form is defined by a relatively slim profile and deep canoe body, carrying plenty of ballast in a lead keel bolted to a moulded stub, with a long skeg ahead of the rudder anchor. At 12.24 meters overall and 10.41 meters on the waterline, the 40 draws 2.00 meters and displaces 7,501 kilograms, of which 3,500 kilograms sit in the lead ballast—a figure that places her firmly in the performance-cruiser camp rather than the heavy-displacement tradition. Bulkheads are bonded directly to hull and deck, a structural approach that leaves no ambiguity about the connection between interior furniture and the molded shell. Teak covers the decks in generous measure and alloy toerails are set where they meet the hull, details that period observers noted as characteristic of the builder's finish standards.
Rig and Handling
Forward of the companionway, the keel-stepped mast is supported by two sets of in-line spreaders with both forward and aft lowers anchor, a configuration that keeps the rig tuned for an overlapping genoa without depending on running backstays. Even with a pair of Lewmar 55 self-tailers, winching in the big overlapping genoa is good exercise, a reminder that the 71.81-square-meter sail plan was sized for pace rather than effortless shorthanded ease. The modest proportions of the stern make the cockpit narrower than on most modern boats, so you can comfortably brace your legs between the seats—a small but telling ergonomic choice that trades lounging space for secure footing. A three-bladed folding prop emerges from a shaft log, eliminating the problems inherent in P-brackets, though some later boats may have been fitted with saildrives.
Accommodations
Below decks the Scanmar is beautifully finished in mahogany, with plenty of solid trim and drawers made of wood in abundance anchor. The full-width aft cabin is generously proportioned, a layout that owners report does reduce cockpit stowage but delivers a proper private retreat. The saloon is comfortable, with lockers above the backrests, and the forward end of the galley and chart table is marked by a vestigial keyhole bulkhead incorporating pillar hand-holds. The large galley and a chart table of a size you just don't see in a more modern boat speak to a vessel intended for sustained cruising rather than weekend coastal hops.
Deck and Cockpit Equipment
The cockpit is framed by high coamings incorporating open-fronted lockers, with two lockers right aft under the helm seat and additional coaming lockers for gear anchor. A high up-and-over bridge-deck at the forward end of the cockpit, granny bars around the companionway, an array of vents, and hand-holds running well forward all contribute to a secure, considered deck plan. Lids in the cockpit seats provide escape hatches, a detail that underscores the builder's attention to emergency egress rather than mere aesthetics.
The Verdict
The Scanmar 40 is a stylish and beautifully finished 40-footer that's a fine example of a performance cruiser built in Scandinavia to a high standard anchor. She rewards an owner who values constructed bulkheads bonded to shell, a taut rig, and a mahogany interior over volume-driven modern layouts, though the narrow cockpit and physically demanding genoa are honest trade-offs of the era's design priorities.
Pros
- Slim hull with deep canoe body and lead ballast on a moulded stub for predictable performance-cruiser behavior
- Bulkheads bonded directly to hull and deck for structural integrity
- Extensive solid mahogany joinery and a large galley with an oversized chart table
- Secure cockpit with high coamings, granny bars, and escape-hatch seat lids
Cons
- Narrow cockpit limits stowage and lounging space relative to modern designs
- Overlapping genoa is physically demanding even with Lewmar 55 self-tailers
- Only around 20 built, making survey-aware purchase difficult due to rarity
