Design and Construction
The Scanmar 40 has a relatively slim profile and deep canoe body. Plenty of ballast is carried in a lead keel bolted to a moulded stub, with a long skeg ahead of the rudder.
She measures 12.24 meters overall and 10.41 meters on the waterline, draws 2.00 meters, and displaces 7,501 kilograms. Of that, 3,500 kilograms is lead ballast—a figure that places her firmly in the performance-cruiser camp rather than the heavy-displacement tradition.
The bulkheads are bonded directly to the hull and deck, making the connection between the interior structure and the molded shell unambiguous. Teak covers the decks in generous measure, while alloy toerails run along the hull-to-deck joint. Period observers noted both details as characteristic of the builder’s finish standards.
Rig and Handling
Forward of the companionway, the keel-stepped mast has two sets of in-line spreaders, with both forward and aft lowers. This arrangement keeps the rig tuned for an overlapping genoa without relying on running backstays.
The 71.81-square-meter sail plan was sized for pace rather than effortless shorthanded sailing. Even with a pair of Lewmar 55 self-tailers, grinding in the large overlapping genoa is good exercise.
The modest stern proportions also make the cockpit narrower than those of most modern boats. You can comfortably brace your legs between the seats—a small but telling ergonomic feature that exchanges lounging space for secure footing.
A three-bladed folding propeller emerges from a shaft log, eliminating the problems inherent in P-brackets, although some later boats may have been fitted with saildrives.
Deck and Cockpit
The cockpit has high coamings with open-fronted lockers, two lockers right aft beneath the helm seat, and additional coaming lockers for gear. A high, up-and-over bridge-deck spans the forward end of the cockpit. Granny bars around the companionway, an array of vents, and handholds extending well forward all contribute to a secure, carefully considered deck plan.
The cockpit-seat lids also serve as escape hatches, a detail that reflects the builder’s attention to emergency egress rather than aesthetics alone.
Accommodation
Below decks, the Scanmar is beautifully finished in mahogany, with plenty of solid trim and an abundance of wooden drawers.
The full-width aft cabin is generously proportioned. Owners report that this arrangement reduces cockpit stowage, but it provides a proper private retreat. The saloon is comfortable, with lockers above the backrests. At the forward end of the galley and chart table, a vestigial keyhole bulkhead incorporates pillar handholds.
The large galley and unusually large chart table—of a size rarely seen on more modern boats—suggest a vessel intended for sustained cruising rather than weekend coastal hops.
Verdict
The Scanmar 40 is a stylish, beautifully finished 40-footer and a fine example of a Scandinavian performance cruiser built to a high standard. She will suit an owner who values bulkheads bonded directly to the shell, a taut rig, and a mahogany interior more than a modern, volume-driven layout. The narrow cockpit and physically demanding genoa are honest trade-offs rooted in the design priorities of her era.
Pros
- Slim hull, deep canoe body, and lead ballast on a moulded stub deliver predictable performance-cruiser behavior
- Bulkheads bonded directly to the hull and deck provide structural integrity
- Extensive solid-mahogany joinery, a large galley, and an oversized chart table
- Secure cockpit with high coamings, granny bars, and escape-hatch seat lids
Cons
- Narrow cockpit limits stowage and lounging space compared with modern designs
- Overlapping genoa is physically demanding, even with Lewmar 55 self-tailers
- Only around 20 were built, making a survey-aware purchase difficult because of the boat’s rarity
