Even the smell below deck is different - a more pleasant one. You can not only see and feel Scandinavian interior quality, you can also smell it. Maybe it's the wood, maybe it's the varnish or maybe it's the fabrics. Anyone with a keen nose will recognise the olfactory contrasts and be able to distinguish between them. This does not make the yachts from Hallberg-Rassy, Najad or Arcona, for example, any better, but it does make them unmistakable.
Torgny Jansson, previously owner and head of Arcona Yachts in Gustavsberg near Stockholm, sold his company to Swedish investor Håkan Eksandh, who also owns Najad, in spring 2018. The two shipyards now operate under one roof, but remain productive as independent brands.
Also interesting:
In this respect, not much has changed at Arcona Yachts - but the programme of the traditional Swedish shipyard has. With model 435, the yacht builders said goodbye in particular to the previously typical and unique appearance of their models. Instead of the slim cabin windows, the styling now features a continuous light strip on the side of the superstructure. This gives Arcona a contemporary look and brings it closer to the competition, such as Grand Soleil or X-Yachts. What has remained, however, are the very narrow hull windows, which - similar to slits - are smartly integrated into the decorative mouldings and are therefore hardly noticeable from the outside. They are a kind of Arcona trademark; however, their benefit in terms of more light below deck is limited. If they were omitted, this would not be particularly noticeable either inside or out.
Extreme frame - without Chinese
The YACHT editorial team went on board the elegant Northerner for a test in Marstrand, Sweden. Sun, warmth and between 12 and 15 knots of wind provide the ideal conditions. The Arcona 435 cruises at a good 7 knots, tacking at an angle of 85 degrees. The data on the instrument displays is convincing. Even more pleasing in the test are the excellent sailing characteristics with a light rudder pressure, which gives the helmsman just enough feedback on the double wheels to steer the boat very sensitively and easily work his way up to the full performance potential.
A full top gennaker is set for the way back, whereby the sail neck on the test boat is attached directly to the bow; unfortunately, customers can only get a bowsprit with an integrated anchor holder as an option and for an extra charge. This is a pity, because the trunk is actually part of the standard equipment for a sporty performance cruiser, which is presumably often sailed with an additional space wind sail or with Code Zero. In any case: with the gennaker set, the Swede reaches a speed of just under 9 knots over ground at a wind angle of around 120 degrees.
The Arcona 435 sails remarkably stiffly on all courses and also with relatively little heel. This is surprising, because with an aspect ratio (length to beam) of over 3.3, the crack is rather slim compared to the competition and the ballast ratio in the keel is only moderate at 36 per cent. Designer Stefan Qviberg, who has been working for Arcona for many years, has designed the aft section of the ship with an extremely pronounced U-frame, which is intended to match the function of the chines in terms of dimensional stability, but without any real edges. However, the wide and almost completely flat underwater hull has one disadvantage: in harbours and in rough water, the waves can be heard hitting the bottom of the flat hull, which can be annoying, especially at night.
For relaxed working
The layout in the cockpit corresponds to the conventional but tried-and-tested arrangement for performance cruisers. This means: primary and secondary winches for the genoa and mainsheet (German Cupper) on the coaming. Halyards, reefing and trim lines are led over the mast collar and inside the cabin superstructure to the two additional winches on the companionway. This is a similar solution on all current Arcona models and works very well from 10 to over 14 metres hull length.
The variable seating position for the helmsman is particularly pleasing on the 435. If a mainsheet is available, the helmsman sits comfortably and with sufficient support behind the wheel. If, on the other hand, he is travelling with a small crew or alone, he can sit in front of the wheel and steer, while at the same time being able to operate the mainsheet on the winch and the important traveller. The completely free-standing steering columns allow the helmsman to change position quickly and at will.
Strong with steel frame
The short and high genoa with 106 per cent overlap is standard at Arcona. The efficient sheet inhaulers for this are available from the shipyard, as is the profiled forestay with furling system below deck. The strong backstay with triple cascade and six-fold tackle is also part of the 435's basic equipment. Shipyard manager Torgny Jansson, himself an experienced and successful regatta sailor, does not want to make any compromises when it comes to the equipment on the deck of his yachts. The test boat is fitted with fittings from Seldén and winches from Andersen, at the customer's request. In contrast, Harken hardware is used as standard, which is dimensioned too large rather than too small.
As an alternative to the genoa, the customer can opt for a self-tacking jib. On the test boat, the rail is already pre-assembled for testing purposes, but the design is extremely bulky and visually breaks with the elegant lines. The mast from Seldén with two spreaders is through-stepped and stands on a steel girder on the inside, which is fitted into the hull and bolted to the solid stringers. The shipyard refrains from laminating the steel frame to the GRP hull for reasons of different expansion and torsional properties - a question of faith that the manufacturers interpret differently.
The hull and deck of the Arcona 435 are built as GKF constructions with a foam core and vinyl ester resin using the vacuum infusion process. As an option, the ship can also be ordered completely made of carbon fibre; the weight saving is calculated by the shipyard to be around 350 kilograms. The surcharge for this is not insignificant.
The large Arcona models 435 and 465 are manufactured in Uddevalla in Sweden. The smaller ships Arcona 340, 380 and 410 continue to be manufactured in Estonia.
Nordic cosiness
To properly categorise the interior of the Arcona 435, you first need to know that the owner of the test boat obviously prefers the classic and conservative look. The dark blue upholstery in the cabins and saloon as well as the curtains in front of the windows on the superstructure no longer correspond to the current design or Arcona's standard in terms of interior design - the shipyard has a more modern, lighter and friendlier look. In addition, the Swedes are now offering the use of light-coloured oak wood for the first time as an alternative to the reddish Khaya mahogany. It will be interesting to see what effect this has on the ship.
Nevertheless, due to the narrow windows in the superstructure and the almost non-existent hull windows, it remains relatively dark inside during the day; even the two large hatches in the roof of the superstructure don't help much. On the other hand, the interior is really cosy and homely, very much in the Nordic style. The interior is also simple and unaffected throughout. But above all: impeccably built, right down to the smallest detail of the on-board technology. There is only one negative aspect: both the saloon and the wet room aft lack sufficient ventilation.
The layout below deck features two double cabins aft and a very luxurious owner's cabin forward with a large double bed (1.90 metres wide at shoulder height) including en-suite bathroom with shower option. The living space with three separate cabins and two heads is the standard in the class of performance cruisers of this size, as is the positioning of the navigation and galley. The competition also offers hardly any variation worth mentioning.
Honest and uncompromising
Arcona Yachts has always focussed primarily on good function, both on and below deck, and does not try to score points with unnecessary accessories in the form of supposedly particularly cleverly solved details. This is also the case with the new ship. Instead, it is the coherent concept, the flawless workmanship and the high-quality fittings that are convincing.
A first glance at the price list may be painful: Arcona is asking around 572,717 euros gross for the well-equipped basic boat, and that's without the sails - not a favourable amount even compared to the upmarket competition. But: Arcona does not want to be an alternative, it wants to offer individualists an attractive platform. They will also be prepared to dig deeper into their pockets for this.
Facelift with new shapes
In 2022, Arcona Yachts gave the 435 model a comprehensive upgrade. The boat is now on the market under the name suffix MK II. The design by Stefan Qviberg is now built in new moulds and has become eight centimetres fuller in comparison. The new width is now 4.06 metres with an unchanged hull length of 13.20 metres. The Swedes have also given the ship new and significantly larger hull windows, which are protected with a pigment film as standard.
The measured values for testing the Arcona 435
The Arcona 435 in detail
Technical data of the Arcona 435
- Design engineer: Stefan Qviberg
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 13,20 m
- Width: 4,06 m
- Low/old: 2,30/2,00, 2,60 m
- Weight: 8,9 t
- Ballast/proportion: 3,2 t/36 %
- Mainsail: 62,0 m2
- Furling genoa (107 %): 52,0 m2
- machine (Yanmar): 33 kW/45 hp
Hull and deck construction
GRP sandwich construction with Divinycell foam as the core material, built using the vacuum infusion process
Prices and shipyard
- Base price ex shipyard: 572,717 euros gross incl. 19% VAT.
- Guarantee/against osmosis: 3/3 years
As of September 2024, how the prices shown are defined can be found here!
Shipyard and distribution
Arcona Yachts, 14341 Gustavsberg (SWE); www.arconayachts.se
YACHT review of the Arcona 435
Fast and sporty sailing and yet classic and comfortable living: The Arcona 435 manages the difficult compromise masterfully. The boat is straightforward and works very well
Design and concept
- + Good sport/comfort compromise
- + Robust, high-quality construction
- - Expensive in comparison
Sailing performance and trim
- + Sails high and stiff on the wind
- + Successful cockpit layout
- + Strong components, good trimming
Living and finishing quality
- + Beautiful, unadorned interior design
- - Small windows, little light
- - Lack of ventilation options
Equipment and technology
- + Machine very easily accessible
- + Retractable cockpit table
The test first appeared in YACHT issue 21/2018 and has been revised for the online version.
