Free Boat -Ohlson 35
A sistership to CORSAIR racing off Newport USA
We have often made the point in SWS, that Australian Sailing Culture is far more Scandinavian in its genetics than British or American. See HERE for an example. Well, here is the chance to own a piece of the vast jigsaw that links that particular part of the world with the antipodes… And it has the potential to be quite special.
CORSAIR is an Ohlsen 35 yawl that is currently on the hard stand at Hobson’s Bay Yacht Club in Melbourne. She is believed to have been built in 1962 in Sweden, shipped to America then sailed or shipped to Australia.
The Ohlson Brothers, Einar and Carl-Eric were self-taught sailors from Hälleviksstrand, Orust. At the end of the 1940s, the they entered various design contests but requests for design work started to flow after their 5.5m IC Hojwa won a bronze medal at the 1952 Olympic Games at Helsinki, Finland. This early success established their names internationally. The 5.5m boats became the formula one in world class sailing from the beginning of the 1950s until the end of the 1960s.
At each of the Olympic Games between 1952 and 1968 one of their boats was sailed to an Olympic medal. In parallel to these successes in racing, cruiser/racers were developed for sailors and won international recognition in racing and cruising.
CORSAIR´s design was developed around 1955 as a 35ft boat very much with the US market in mind. The design became the big success commercially for the company and was soon extended to 36′ soon, allegedly to make her eligible to the Bermuda Race. She was designed as a cruiser but quickly proved to be a good racer which gave her the name “THE RACING MACHINE”.
The design was in production until 1965 and was available with a sloop or yawl rig and was planked in mahogany on laminated oak frames.
She was built by at least two of the yards on Orust, around Kungsviken by the yard of Gustavsson at Brattås and Martinsson at Svineviken.
The yards that built her had a wonderful manual in the form of a photo album showing the details of her construction.
CORSAIR is now in need of some TLC. The engine is out of the boat, the rig would not meet insurance requirements and much cosmetic work is required to bring her back to her former glory. If your not afraid of hard work then the rewards will be huge!
For more information or to arrange an inspection contact Colin Orchard
