Ohlson 8:8

Ohlson 8:8
The true family cruiser
Designer: Einar Ohlson

FACTS AND QUOTES

With the advent of an upcoming middle class in Europe demands for mid-sized, affordable family cruisers became apparent. Einar Ohlson’s response was a modern design, a sea-worthy, comfortable fin-keel boat which would sleep a minimum of four, was built in GRP and thus was easy to maintain. Einar did not follow ideas of other designers offering a back-deck construction but designed a slightly wider hull with full ends thus gaining the space required for a cruising yacht.

Design S/Y109.

Approximately 325 have been built from 1970 to 1982.

Yards: Boats were initially built by Karlskronavarvet and later on by Orvar and Bo Olsson at Kungsviken, marketed under the brand name of Bröderna Ohlson AB in Göteborg.

Material available: Drawings, photos, catalogues, building instruction manual, video footages on YouTube, a class association supportive in Germany and Sweden.

Data

Length overall                 8,8 meter
Length on waterline     7,3 meter
Beam                                2,85 meter
Draft                                  1,56 meter
Sail area                           33 m2
Displacement                3 300 – 3 600 kilos
Keel weight                     1 300 kilos
Year designed                 1970

Further sources:

The Ohlson 8:8 (in German)
Wikipedia DE
Wikipedia SE
Maringuiden
Sailguide
Sailboatdata

Orvar Olsson, one of the boat builders in Kungsviken, started to build in 1964 the NC cruiser (designer Carl-Eric Ohlson) directly after military service, at the age of 20. In total he built some 30 NC’s.

Thereafter Orvar Olsson finished of Einar Ohlson’s designs, such as the Ohlson 35, the Ohlson 38, Neptun and Harmony.

The brother team Orvar and Bo Olsson with a working force of 5 to 6 persons built yearly four – five boats. From Einar Ohlson Orvar learned the business model, the marketing and the selling process. No written documents between Einar and Orvar, only a handshake, a gentleman’s agreement.

The craftsmen at the yard at Kungsviken were skilled to do all work themselves, including motor installation, electricity, plumbing etc. They were also keen to take good care of the after-sales services, repairs and warranty work.

The two brothers, Orvar and Bo Olsson’s, father Johannes started in 1939 Malö Yachts which these two sons took over in 1963. Under the name of Olsöners Båtbyggen they later produced the Malö 50 before they converted the name to Malö Yachts.

Orvar was interviewed by TOP, The Ohlson Project, team in April 2019. He recalled being impressed by Einar’s sharp entrepreneurial mind-set and Carl-Eric’s outstanding handcraftmanship. Often Einar visited the yard in Kungsviken together with his clients. As Orvar said ” It was a great time”.