Design and Construction
Scanyacht AB built the 391 with a solid fibreglass deck over a sandwich hull. The designer used this construction to improve the climate below by reducing temperature swings and condensation.
The hull is 39.1 feet long with about 11.8 feet of beam and a 38 percent ballast ratio. The lead-filled fin keel has a bulb and draws between 6.23 and 6.53 feet, depending on load; the boat has a spade rudder.
At nearly 12,800 pounds, with an immersion rate of about 1,278 pounds per inch, the 391 is a substantial boat. Her displacement-length ratio of 210 and length-beam ratio of 3.30 describe a hull designed around cruising volume rather than light displacement. Wetted surface is about 419 square feet. A capsize screening value of 1.83, together with the CE Ocean rating, points to a stable, seaworthy platform.
Rig, Handling, and Power
The 391 came with several rigs: masthead, fractional, and an alternative fractional configuration. Sail plans therefore vary among used boats.
The standard fractional rig carries 676 square feet of working sail, while the alternative fractional version increases that slightly to 689 square feet. On the fractional rig, the halyards are 121 feet long and half an inch in diameter. The sheets are 38.5-foot, 0.55-inch lines, and the mainsheet is 96 feet long.
Theoretical hull speed is 7.5 knots. A motion comfort ratio ranging from 22.2 to 28.8 suggests a forgiving ride in a seaway.
Engine options also varied. The available 29-horsepower Volvo Penta MD2030 gives a calculated maximum speed of about 5.5 knots. The larger 40-horsepower MD2040, fitted with saildrive, reaches about 6.5 knots.
Accommodations
Below, the 391 has five or six berths, a galley, and a head. Above-average headroom helps the mahogany interior feel open, while the sandwich hull contributes to a drier cabin with steadier temperatures. The layout is conventional, but the interior volume is generous for the boat’s length.
Fresh-water capacity is 45 US gallons, with a separate 13-gallon waste-water tank. Those capacities support extended cruising for a family or two couples.
Configurations, Refits, and Ownership
The main consideration for owners is the variation in rigs and engines from boat to boat. This isn’t an inherent fault, but it affects sail inventories, spares, and maintenance requirements.
Refit history should therefore be considered alongside each boat’s particular configuration. A masthead-rigged example needs different sheets from a fractional-rigged boat, while an MD2040 with saildrive requires different drivetrain care from an MD2030. The solid deck and CE Ocean certification make the 391 a sound candidate for long-term ownership.
The Verdict
The Scanner 391 is a thoughtfully built Swedish cruiser with genuine ocean credentials and a cabin well suited to living aboard. Its chief complexity lies in the range of factory configurations rather than any inherent weakness.
Pros
- CE Class A (Ocean) certification
- Sandwich hull improves the cabin climate
- Above-average headroom and mahogany interior
- Multiple rig and engine options to suit different uses
Cons
- Draft varies with load and rig, complicating anchorage planning
- Differences between individual boats complicate spares and sail planning
