RogerRat
Well-Known Member
Swedish Boats worth waiting for? A lot of people think so and this might help you see why.
Went over to Sweden yesterday on a spare ticket. Wow, what a day!
Long… 4:30 am start, arrived home 11:30 but worth it.
Nice People, Nice places, Nice views, Nice boats and a Nice philosophy!
I added loads of pictures to let you see what you’re in for from both ‘WestLine’ Boats and ‘Nord West’. We were lucky enough to shown around the Nord West Factory by Johan Stubner, their Sales Manager.
These people have got their act together making one complete high quality boat every week. It was also nice to see the actual boat that will be at Sibs just being prepared for shipping to.
The message from the day if you go to Sweden for me anyway was:
Don’t worry about the quality, it’s included and in some cases, even I thought they had gone over the top.
But how’s this? I didn’t see it so much as go and buy a Swedish boat but ‘Go and have one made for you!’
First ‘Westline’ which is what we went to see…
When the W34 first appeared, it was really flying with a super engine roar. At over 30 knots, it was eased into a typical Westline ‘Bank’ed turn! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Then we took her out and saw some great views and really took her through her paces. The W24 went straight up to 34 knots with 5 people on board! Not really surprising I thought with a good chunky pair of D4's or similar. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Nope, this one had a single D6 350Hp with outdrive! Hmmm. Why would you want a twin? Twice the expense, weight, fuel. "There's food for thought," I mumbled. especially as I have several friends that cross the channel on single engined boats quite happily.
So thinking that was great what next? A trip back to the factory to see the production and to discuss some minor layout changes to fittings and the saloon before leaving but we were quite wrong!
We ended up here next.
This rear anchoring system is very popular in Sweden, there are no tides to allow for and usually people head forwards towards rocky inlets keeping their props clear and then step off over the open pulpit rail.
The large holes in the floor for the IPS drives are surprisingly large if you've not seen them.
Johan was very proud of the sub assembly system and you can see how they get everything in and fitted so neatly. Each system like the hydraulics for trim tabs, lazerette lift or eberspacher heating is separately mounted on a board and pre wired prior to fitting into the boat.
And sitting outside was this little beauty. I’m sorry but photos couldn’t do justice to the level of finish on this 29’ Vindo built just next door.
And not to mention a special ‘Chris Craft’
After the great tour of Nord West we went on to the much smaller Westline yard.
Nice quaint country location next to an orchard. After scrumping a few apples, discussions followed and we went round to see a few guys hard at work laying up even though they were supposed to be on holiday.
I think this guy had quite a good day too but probably knackered with a capital 'F' this morning. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Thanks to Jez, Westline and Nordwest for a really interesting and enjoyable day trip. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Went over to Sweden yesterday on a spare ticket. Wow, what a day!
Long… 4:30 am start, arrived home 11:30 but worth it.
Nice People, Nice places, Nice views, Nice boats and a Nice philosophy!
I added loads of pictures to let you see what you’re in for from both ‘WestLine’ Boats and ‘Nord West’. We were lucky enough to shown around the Nord West Factory by Johan Stubner, their Sales Manager.
These people have got their act together making one complete high quality boat every week. It was also nice to see the actual boat that will be at Sibs just being prepared for shipping to.
The message from the day if you go to Sweden for me anyway was:
Don’t worry about the quality, it’s included and in some cases, even I thought they had gone over the top.
But how’s this? I didn’t see it so much as go and buy a Swedish boat but ‘Go and have one made for you!’
First ‘Westline’ which is what we went to see…
When the W34 first appeared, it was really flying with a super engine roar. At over 30 knots, it was eased into a typical Westline ‘Bank’ed turn! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Then we took her out and saw some great views and really took her through her paces. The W24 went straight up to 34 knots with 5 people on board! Not really surprising I thought with a good chunky pair of D4's or similar. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Nope, this one had a single D6 350Hp with outdrive! Hmmm. Why would you want a twin? Twice the expense, weight, fuel. "There's food for thought," I mumbled. especially as I have several friends that cross the channel on single engined boats quite happily.
So thinking that was great what next? A trip back to the factory to see the production and to discuss some minor layout changes to fittings and the saloon before leaving but we were quite wrong!
We ended up here next.
This rear anchoring system is very popular in Sweden, there are no tides to allow for and usually people head forwards towards rocky inlets keeping their props clear and then step off over the open pulpit rail.
The large holes in the floor for the IPS drives are surprisingly large if you've not seen them.
Johan was very proud of the sub assembly system and you can see how they get everything in and fitted so neatly. Each system like the hydraulics for trim tabs, lazerette lift or eberspacher heating is separately mounted on a board and pre wired prior to fitting into the boat.
And sitting outside was this little beauty. I’m sorry but photos couldn’t do justice to the level of finish on this 29’ Vindo built just next door.
And not to mention a special ‘Chris Craft’
After the great tour of Nord West we went on to the much smaller Westline yard.
Nice quaint country location next to an orchard. After scrumping a few apples, discussions followed and we went round to see a few guys hard at work laying up even though they were supposed to be on holiday.
I think this guy had quite a good day too but probably knackered with a capital 'F' this morning. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Thanks to Jez, Westline and Nordwest for a really interesting and enjoyable day trip. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
