Measuring 9.40 metres in length and 2.70 metres in beam, with a waterline length of around 6.70 metres, the Arietta 31 – also known as the Olle Enderlein 30 after its designer – appears strikingly narrow and ship-like by today’s standards. The focus is not on living space, but on sailing performance. The boat has a long keel, with the rudder situated at the rear end of the keel profile, enabling the elegant, overhanging stern. The Arietta is top-rigged. This round-bilged boat was built between 1964 and 1978, initially in a wooden version made of mahogany on oak frames with an iron keel, and later in GRP. The wooden boat has a draught of around 1.50 metres and a displacement of approximately four tonnes.
The first Arietta boats were built from 1964 onwards by Malö Yachts on the Swedish island of Orust. Series production of the GRP models was taken over by Borgs Plast and Comfortbåtar AB, and later by Fiskebäcks Båtvarv. Production continued until 1978, with a total of around 250 boats of all variants being built.
An early design by Olle Enderlein
When the Arietta was built, Olle Enderlein was still a long way from becoming the name later associated with large Scandinavian cruising yachts. Born in Norrköping in 1917, the designer initially worked as an engineer for the engine manufacturer Archimedes in Gothenburg. At the age of 27, he set up his own business as a yacht designer. Enderlein was himself a keen sailor and regatta competitor, and he tested his designs on the water.
The Arietta dates from this early phase of his career. Numerous well-known designs followed, including the Rasmus 35 and the Monsun 31. The Rasmus, launched in 1967, was built 760 times; 904 Monsun 31s were produced. In 1984, his final design for the shipyard, the Hallberg-Rassy 382, was finally launched.
Enderlein also played a leading role in the creation of Najad. The shipyard’s first yacht was the Najad 34, designed by Olle Enderlein, which was delivered from 1971 onwards. This means that the Arietta marks the very beginning of a long line of Scandinavian cruising yachts that Enderlein helped to shape.
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Easy-going on a straight course, demanding during manoeuvres
Even today, the design continues to play a key role in defining the Arietta’s character. The long keel gives the boat excellent course stability and ensures a smoother, less twitchy ride than is the case with many modern yachts featuring a free-standing rudder and a deep fin keel. At the same time, it makes the yacht less agile.
This is particularly evident during manoeuvres. When turning, the Arietta should not lose too much speed; the long keel requires a certain base speed and a clean manoeuvre. Even under engine power, the boat is less responsive to steering than a modern short-keeled vessel. Reversing, in particular, requires experience and a bit of forward planning.
Anyone looking for quick manoeuvres, high tacking speed and as little inertia as possible is therefore more likely to find what they’re after in more recent designs. The Arietta is aimed at sailors who appreciate the reliable character of a traditional long-keel yacht and are able to cope with the peculiarities of such a design.
Wood is part of the concept and part of the task
Anyone wishing to ascertain the true condition of this classic boat must not be blinded by the shine of the paintwork. What matters is looking behind the façade; a targeted tapping test provides clarity: whilst sound wood produces a bright sound, rotten areas give way to an awl or a pin. Particular attention should be paid to the bilge, as well as the frames and keel bolts, where trapped moisture gradually causes the material to rot.
It is also worth taking a close look at screws and rivets, as corroding fastenings cause the surrounding wood to darken and lose their grip. As fresh water massively accelerates rot, hidden leaks at deck joints, bilges and hull penetrations are the main causes of hidden damage. If in doubt, it is worth obtaining a professional survey to provide certainty.
However, anyone buying a classic wooden yacht should take pleasure in the long-term task of maintaining the vessel. Before buying, a thorough inspection of the yacht’s condition is more important than the initial impression made by the paintwork.
Designed for the sea, not for the drawing room
Below deck, too, the Arietta adheres to the principle that underpins the entire design: maximising functionality within a relatively small space. In the forepeak there is a double berth, with a toilet and storage space behind it. The timber construction is clearly visible below deck; the frames are exposed, emphasising the boat’s classic character even inside. The saloon offers seating that can also be used as berths. The table can be folded away; on some models, it is mounted on a gimbal.
In principle, there is space for four people to sleep. However, the open-plan layout – which offers hardly any privacy, even in the bathroom – the cramped galley and the limited storage space suggest that this vessel is better suited to a crew of two.
The fuel capacities of this compact boat are also correspondingly modest: 70 litres of fresh water and 40 litres of diesel mean that a certain amount of planning is required for longer cruises.
A classic for a small crew
The Arietta 31 is not a boat for sailors looking for as much living space as possible, high speed and easy manoeuvrability. There are now numerous newer designs that meet these requirements better.
It will appeal to those who appreciate the character of a classic Scandinavian cruising boat: sleek lines, long overhangs, a long keel and a traditional appearance. Anyone sailing with a small crew who enjoys maintaining a wooden boat will find the Arietta to be a reliable cruising boat with a smooth ride.
Arietta 31 at a glance
- Length: 9.40 m
- Width: 2.70 m
- Waterline: approx. 6.70 m
- Draught: approx. 1.35 m for the standard GRP version; the wooden boat is stated as 1.50 m
- Displacement: approx. 3.4 t for the standard GRP version; the wooden boat is stated as weighing 4.0 t
- Kiel: Long keel
- Rig: Masthead sloop
- Design engineer: Olle Enderlein
- Construction period: from 1964 to 1978
- Quantity: around 250
- Construction methods: initially timber (mahogany on oak frames), later GRP
- Berths: four
Pros and cons
| Pro | Cons |
| + Stable, smooth handling | − Slow speed in light winds, limited performance on the reach |
| + Classic lines and a distinctive character | − A long keel requires practice when turning and manoeuvring in reverse |
| + Compact layout for cruises with a small crew | − Limited living space and modest fuel capacity |
| + Traditional timber construction in early examples | − Wooden boats require a thorough inspection and regular maintenance |
Book recommendations
Maintenance and repair of classic yachts covers the ongoing maintenance and repair of classic boats. Among other things, it describes damage to the planking and fittings, as well as work carried out during the season and whilst in winter storage. For those interested in a wooden Arietta, the benefit lies in gaining a better understanding of typical areas requiring attention. Whether a particular boat actually has damage in these areas and how labour-intensive it would be to repair it must still be determined by an on-site assessment.
Buying a boat begins before the decision is made on a specific vessel. The guide covers the selection of size and materials, as well as valuation, the purchase process, ongoing costs and risks. This complements the technical aspects of wooden boat maintenance with the financial considerations: anyone buying a custom-built yacht should assess not only the asking price, but also the time they will need to invest and any work that may be required after taking possession.
A genuine mahogany classic is a visual delight, but it demands constant dedication. For the wooden-boat sailors amongst you: what do you get in return for all the work on the frames and varnish that a fibreglass boat could never offer?
Antonia von Lamezan
Volontärin