Vindö 45 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Vindö 45 has a solid fiberglass hull, external lead ballast, and a fin keel. However, one period review described the hull as a sandwich construction that insulates the cabin against cold water, while the builder's own specification record lists a solid hull. Either way, the design placed a priority on the interior climate.

Mahogany covers most of the coachroof and continues aft to the cockpit coaming. Teak handrails sit on the deckhouse roof, while teak toe rails edge the deck. Six fixed windows, four opening deckhouse hatches, and two foredeck hatches bring light and air below.

The cockpit is roomy, with teak seats and a teak sole. Wide side decks with nonskid surfaces make it easier to move fore and aft, and stainless-steel stanchions with double lifelines run around the perimeter.

Rig, Performance, and Handling

The Vindö 45 carries a deck-stepped aluminum mast with two sets of spreaders and a jumper strut, supported by stainless-steel standing rigging. Its standard sloop sail plan comprises a mainsail and genoa, with roller furling on the forestay. The boom has slab reefing with two reef points and lazy jacks.

With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of around 14, the boat is slightly underpowered for her weight. She needs a stiff breeze to get moving properly, and light-air passages often call for motoring or motor-sailing. Yet a 42-percent ballast ratio helps her stand up to her canvas in a blow and power through waves. A capsize screening figure near 1.9 marks her as a sound candidate for ocean passages.

The fin keel and skeg-hung rudder provide stability and maneuverability, although the skeg adds drag and weight. A draft of 5.25 feet also limits access to shallow water. She isn't an ideal coastal dayboat, but she comes into her own offshore in testing conditions.

Accommodations

Below, the Vindö 45 is a spacious, cozy cruiser with teak-and-mahogany woodwork and above-average headroom. The layout has two separate cabins: a forward V-berth and an aft double. In the saloon, an L-shaped settee to port and a straight settee to starboard can both convert to berths. A folding table seats six.

The U-shaped galley to port includes a two-burner stove, oven, sink, and ample stowage. Opposite, the starboard navigation station has a chart table, instruments, and an electrical panel. One head with a shower is located aft to starboard.

Cabinets, shelves, lockers, and drawers are distributed throughout the interior, supplemented by two large lockers beneath the cockpit seats. The deckhouse windows and numerous hatches provide the natural light and ventilation that give the cabin its open feel.

Engines, Tankage, and Ownership

Fewer than 200 hulls were built, making the Vindö 45 a comparatively scarce Swedish cruiser on the used market. Engines cited for the model include a 28 hp Volvo Penta 2003 diesel and a 30 hp Yanmar 3HM. Both use shaft drive and are cited with an 8-knot motoring speed.

Tankage is modest for extended offshore use, with a 21-gallon stainless-steel fuel tank and 48 gallons of water capacity. The combination of a GRP hull and a crafted mahogany superstructure also means an owner takes on both modern laminate care and traditional brightwork upkeep.

Known Issues and Trade-Offs

The main design compromises are the boat's 5.25-foot draft, which restricts her to deeper water, and an underpowered sail plan that leaves light-air performance dependent on the engine. The mahogany deckhouse is a traditional varnished surface and demands more attention over time than an all-GRP molding.

The Verdict

The Vindö 45 is a heavy, stable, and well-finished cruiser that combines traditional Scandinavian cabin craftsmanship with a modern Lindblom hull. She was built for load-carrying passagemaking rather than quick coastal sailing, and her accommodations are generous for a 34-foot boat.

A prospective buyer or admirer should weigh the draft and light-air sailing character against the comfort and offshore safety she offers.

Pros