‘La Boheme’ is a 34m Swedish topmast gaff schooner which was originally built to carry 30 ton loads of rock and she has been in service for over 100 years. Her former owner of 47 years used her for private weekend use exploring the local fjords and lakes with his family and friends.
Now back on the market ‘La Boheme’ benefits from being meticulously maintained throughout the last two owners and the works carried out has been very extensive. In the past year she underwent a full re-caulking of the hull by German Shipwright and annual antifouling, painting and oiling of brightwork.
She is able to accommodate 16 in five cabins and the salon all of which are typical Scandinavian style bunks. Her ample space down below allows for 50 people for cocktails and 100 people for functions on deck. She is suitable for MCA coding and the works needed are relatively simple alterations which would allow for a great charter potential – day charter, sail training and functions.
‘La Boheme’ has two sets of sails one Duradon from 1996 and the other Dacron from 2009 which have been lightly used, rigging and spars are all in working condition. She was fitted with a reconditioned Volvo Penta MD100B in 2005 which gives you 10 litres per hour in fuel consumption at 5 knots.
This Swedish Topmast Schooner is a real piece of maritime history which is now awaiting her new owner. Viewing is recommended to appreciate her fine condition.
Boat Name
LA BOHEME
Specs
Builder: Sterno Skeppsvarv, Karlshamn, Sweden
Keel: Full
Dimensions
LOA: 111 ft 0 in
Beam: 19 ft 0 in
LWL: 65 ft 7 in
Length on Deck: 72 ft 0 in
Maximum Draft: 8 ft 1 in
Displacement: 220000 lbs Full Load
Engines
Engine 1:
Engine Brand: Volvo Penta (recon. 2005)
Year Built: 2005
Engine Model: MD100B, 6cyl
Engine/Fuel Type: Diesel
Propeller: 2 blade propeller
Engine Power: 198 HP
Tanks
Fresh Water Tanks: 1
Fuel Tanks: 2
Holding Tanks: 1
Accommodations
Number of single berths: 16
Number of heads: 1
General Description
‘La Boheme’ is possibly Sweden’s best-kept maritime secret, and one of the last great Baltic trading schooners in continuous operation for more than 100 years. A secret, because beyond the western fjords of Sweden, she is unknown – having never appeared at the classic Baltic regattas. So, she is a real discovery.
Launched in 1913, as Tarnan, she has sailed through two world wars, countless storms and miles of sea ice to deliver a range of cargoes from Swedish pink granite used in the Empire State Building, to Polish coal to make ball bearings for the German military and Norwegian saltpeter used to produce dynamite.A 34m Swedish topmast gaff schooner, ‘La Boheme’ has a feminine charm, a swan-like grace and a quick response to a breeze. Her former owner of almost 50 years used her for private weekend voyages with family and friends, exploring Sweden’s myriad fjords, vast inland lakes and the nearby Kattegat.
‘La Boheme’ benefits from being meticulously maintained over the last 20 years by two owners who have spent around 630,000 euros on very extensive works to help ensure she sails through another 100 years. In 2013 she underwent a full re-caulking of the hull by German shipwrights and in 2014 was completely refastened as well annual antifouling, painting, oiling of brightwork and some deck planks renewed.She is currently able to accommodate 16 in four cabins and the saloon in typical Scandinavian style bunks. She has ample space below for 50 people for cocktails, and deck space for 100 people for functions. She is suitable for upgrading to MCA Code 2, with minimal works needed for day charter, sail training and a range evening functions, moored or under weigh.In addition to solid timbers throughout, ‘La Boheme’ carries a full wardrobe of Dacron sails (2009), plus handmade traditional standing and running rig, all in excellent condition. Her Volvo Penta MD100B engine (2005) and variable pitch drivechain are in good condition and deliver consumption of 10 litres per hour at 6-7 knots. She can be handled under sail with just three experienced crew.
This historically significant and rare Swedish topmast schooner is a valuable piece of European maritime history, with a long, bright future ahead of her.
Of course, we can never really own a great classic boat: we can only enjoy being the caretakers of maritime history. And in doing so, we become a part of that history, a privilege that ensures the vessel is kept alive with all it’s stories and significance for future generations.
Historical Documents
The vessel is extensively documented in a treasure trove of historical papers, dating from 1913. There is a digital archive of hundreds of photo, capturing the vessel’s life and including 20 years of major maintenance works to racing events and life aboard. Documents include newspaper articles, programs, certificates, manuals, books etc.
Construction
Builder: Sterno Skeppsvarv, Karlshamn, Sweden
Designer: Traditional Swedish-form hull, with tapered stern
Measurements
Length: 111′ 0″
Beam: 19′ 0″
Displacement: 120 tons
Max Draft: 8′ 0″
Ballast: Internal lead ingots
Engines
Number of Engines: 1
Engine Make: Volvo Penta
Engine Model: MD100B
Engine Year: 2005
Engine Fuel Type: Diesel
Engine Propeller Type: 2 Blade
Tankage
Fuel: 2 x 700 litres
Water: 1 x 500 litres
Holding: 1 x 250 litres
Accommodation
Accommodation for 16 crew and guests in total:
Four bunks in forepeak
Two bunks in each of two forward cabins, plus child sized bunk
Six bunks in saloon, along sides, with seating beneath
All bunks of open slat design with easy access
Supplied with fitted covered mattresses
All bunks provided with generous storage space
Saloon
Large oak table with bench seating (doubling as storage boxes) to suit up to 20 guests for light meals, parties “”“ Ideal setting is up to 16 for intimate dinner
Saloon able to accommodate up to 50 guests for party or cocktails. More if forepeak areas are used
Six open bunks (three port and starboard) atop deep storage
Old Captain’s mahogany desk, for navigation, study, etc, with drawers and chair
Small wall-mounted bookshelves for navigation books, etc
Stores and spares of brass oil lamps for intimate evenings
Large suspended brass oil lamp
Three wall-mounted brass oil lamps
Access to galley through large serving hatch
Galley
Four-burner LPG stovetop and oven
LPG & 220volt refrigerator
Stainless steel sink and worktops
Extensive cupboards, drawers and food storage areas
Range of stainless steel cooking pots, food preparation and serving utensils
Crockery, cutlery and glassware for 20 people
NOTE: Ample room for extra fridge, large freezer, washing machine, etc
Heads
Single head with vacuum pump to holding tank
NOTE: vessel has no shower, but plenty of space exists to install one, plus an extra head
Electrical
220v 50Hz AC shore power & 24v DC house power
Five 140ah heavy duty marine batteries
Two isolated for engine, three for house power
Master control box located engine room
Modern ‘smart’ battery charger
Navigation Instruments
Garmin GPSMAP 720s, with memory cards programmed for the area from Norway to southern Brittany, including the UK and Channel Islands.
Navigation cards covering Norway to Brittany (2013)
Sailor 6215 VHF DSC radio (waterproof), with extra external speaker and handset
Various paper charts of Swedish & Norwegian waters
Various navigation instruments and Swedish books
Traditional gimballed compass in historic brass binnacle
Ship’s brass clock & barometer, and binoculars
Raytheon radar – Pathfinder SL70 (all items come with mounts and cables)
Furuno Navtex NX 300 Navigator
Sailor Skanti 1000 VHF
Phillips ap Navigator MK8 GPS
Raymarine ST60 navigation instruments – 3
Mc Murdo R2 GMDSS handheld emergency radio
McMurdo RT 1 emergency radio
McMurdo RT 9-3 SAR radar transponder
ACR Globalfix GPS RLB-35
Focus 8—40 binoculars
Engine and Mechanical
Volvo Penta MD100B, six cylinders, diesel 198 HP (reconditioned in 2005) “”“ Consumption approx: 10 litres per hour at 5-6 knots
Engine driven alternator
2-blade variable-pitch propeller.
Forward & reverse – direction & speed – controlled by traditional bronze wheel at helm.
All chain drive, axels and connectors in good condition.
Sails
Dacron, 2009. Excellent condition.
Spare set Duradon, 1996. Good condition.
Total sail area: 310m2 Working 483m2 (7’911sf)
Flying jib – 35m2
Outer jib – 17.5m2
Inner jib – 17.5m2
Staysail – 22m2
Foresail – 55m2
Fore topsail – 23m2
Mainsail – 82m2
Main topsail – 28m2
Fisherman – 30m2 220.5
Spars
Foremast & Fore topmast – Columbian Pine
Mainmast & Main topmast – Columbian Pine
Foremast boom & gaff – Columbian Pine
Mainmast boom & gaff – Columbian Pine
Bowsprit with dolphin striker & jibboom – Sitka Spruce
Rigging
Traditional galvanized. 2009, Sweden. Wormed, parceled & served.
Handmade baggywrinkle to each set of paired galvanized topping lifts
Deck Equipment
Large storage boxes, for warps, lifejackets and covers, that also serve as seating for outdoor dining, with coach house roofs as the tables, suitable for up to 40 guests
Varnished wooden box over 2 LPG tanks in metal frames
The unvarnished (non-slip) foredeck cover provides storage for fenders, spare anchors and other equipment.
Lighting
Port & Starboard riding lights in brass housings, mounted on rigid steel frames separate to rigging
Stern riding light mounted on wooden frame of stern davits
Both masts with deck working flood lights
Ground Tackle
Original 1913 Johansson of Karlshamn cast-iron dual-lever action, driving a traditional horizontal wooden windlass.
Galvanised Bruce anchor 30kg, 10m chain, long warp
Pair Admiralty kedge anchors, catted without stocks at bows
Each anchor has 50m of merchant marine studlink chain in chain locker.
Stocks are carried aboard separately
Extensive warps carried
Safety Equipment
6 x self-inflating life jackets with harnesses
20 life vests, in deck boxes
Dan buoy
Bosun’s chair
Wooden boarding steps
Boarding ladder rope and timber
24-person RFD life raft in cannister serviced 2014
25-person Viking life raft in canister awaiting service
Various harnesses for working aloft
Medical kit and flares carried in aft cabin
Tankage
Diesel: 1400 litres in two 700 litre tanks
Water: 500 litres
Black water: 250 litres
Single 500 litre poly tank (2009)
Heating/Plumbing
Electric water heater in galley (2009)
Traditional upright diesel furnace in saloon
Bilge Sytems
220v bilge and main fire 1½” pump
24v Auxiliary fire 1¼” pump with deck outlets fore & aft
Manual deck mounted bilge pump
2 x automatic high capacity bilge pumps in galley & saloon with outlets through hull and non-return valves
Engine room pump running off the engine
Fire Fighting
Fire hose connected to engine pump, with two hoses attached to deckhouse fitting
Machinery manual shut down
Gas alarm in galley. Separate in-line stop taps
4 fire extinguishers, 2 fire blankets, in galley/crew area
Covers
Matching coloured sail covers
Skylights Covers
Hatch covers
Helm cover
Full winter deck cover with metal and wooden frames
Tender
Traditional clinker-built sailing dinghy, with oars, mast, sail and rudder, mounted on traditional stern davits
Storage and Spares
20 foot steel, lockable and waterproof storage container/workshop – located Svendborg, Denmark.
Full cover for the boat timber and metal frames and heavy duty vinyl sections
Set of spare sails white
Range of parts, including rigging blocks, sheaves, pipes, etc
Variety of tools
Sections of seasoned oak, for making parts, small planks, etc
Shaped timber blanks for making (turning) belaying pins
Set of spare mast hoops
Range of other spares and components
Summary Report of the Restoration Work* on La Boheme (ex-Tarnan) 1993-2014
La Boheme was built to high standards, from the best materials, and for 101 years has been extremely well maintained. Basically, the vessel has been substantially rebuilt over the last 20 years.Committed to retaining her strength and character, the former owner lavished resources and time on her continuously. In this he was lucky to be supported by a group of stalwart friends and crew. Every year, once her winter covers came off, they would begin the annual ritual of painting, varnishing, cleaning and attending to minor repairs and improvements. This is the kind of loyal crew that every classic boat owner dreams of.Many of the major works were carried out at the Hlleviksstrands Shipyard, Orust, in Sweden, renowned for their traditional know-how and commitment to authenticity. These works included replacing around 35 frames, port and starboard, extensive re-planking of the transom, topsides and hull, where most of the original pine was replaced with oak. Much of the deck was re-planked, along with water boards, stanchions, bulwarks and cap rails. The three coach houses have new roof planks and seams, and three new hatches to MCA standard. Many years ago the keel hogged, as they all do, and successful remedial works involved a massive new oak keelson and an oversized new laminated keel, shaped to fit. A new owner may choose to rebuild this section, just for posterity, although the current configuration works very well.She has a new mast and new topmasts, along with complete new standing rig and a new wardrobe of sails. Her 1947 80 HP Seffle ignition engine was replaced with a factory reconditioned 190 HP Volvo Penta HD100B naturally aspirated marine engine. Her variable pitch two-blade propellor and drive shaft are also recently reconditioned.Below decks, the ship was stripped out and renewed. The inner hull, forward from the engine room, has been completely re-planked. The engine room has a removable metal floor, its walls are metal clad for fire safety, and is sealed off with a watertight bulkhead. New cabins and bunking have been constructed using the Scandinavian open style to preserve the sense of spaciousness. The galley area has been fully rebuilt, and given generous storage areas.During the last 20 years, the owners have spent more than 530,000 euros (2014 values) on her upkeep and ongoing restoration, averaging a respectable 26,500 euros a year. It is fair to say that restoration is complete and that the new owner will be in the enviable position of only needing consider annual upkeep costs.
Year Work Completed Approximate and current cost in
- 1993 New frames and planking. 15,000 ‚
- 1996 New wardrobe of sails. Replace propeller gearing, new topsides planking.60,000 ‚
- 1997 New fore topmast and boom 10,000 ‚¬
- 1998 Renovation of main mast. New main topmast and main boom. 15,000 ‚¬
- 1999 Replace 34 frames and topsides planks, port side. 90,000 ‚¬
- 2000 New water heating system installed. 5,000 ‚¬
- 2001 New starboard quarter planks. New stern planks. Renovation of propeller and shaft. 25,000 ‚¬
- 2002 Renovation of electric work, interior woodworking, gas alarm system. 10,000 ‚¬
- 2003 Replace port side water boards 18,000 ‚¬
- 2004 Clean out diesel tanks, new dome covers and fuel system.
- Restore reversing mechanism. 8,000 ‚¬
- 2005 New foremast. New reconditioned motor installed: Volvo Penta MD 100B. 35,000 ‚¬
- 2006 New Keelson laid. Topsides caulking. New water heater. 22,000 ‚¬
- 2007 Replace sheer plank. 8,000 ‚¬
- 2009 Replace starboard planking. Install complete new laminated keel. New wardrobe of sails. 80,000‚¬
- 2010 Install steel protection plates to bow and rudder. Topsides caulking. New oak planks on topsides and pine of deck.
- New cabinet timber-work on deckhouses. 20,000 ‚¬
- 2013 Complete re-caulking of hull, anti-fouling, painting,
- Aerokobing, September-October 2013. 50,000 ‚¬
- 2014 Underwater hull entirely refastened at Ring Andersons, Svendborg, re-caulking of seam ends and replacing of bolts. / Replacing several deck planks portside. 35,000 / ‚¬ 15,000 ‚¬ (approx)
- Additional annual maintenance costs of slipping, painting, anti-fouling, oiling, etc. over 20 years. 60,000 ‚¬
*Repairs up to 2010 were mostly undertaken Hälleviksstrands Shipyard, Orust, Sweden.
New Work Completed:
Re-Fastening – http://schoonerlaboheme.com/re-fastening/
2014- New Work – http://schoonerlaboheme.com/2014-new-work/
BROKERS NOTE:
La Boheme is the famous boat that no one has ever heard of, yet many think they can recall seeing her, somewhere. She has been in service for over 100 years. She was originally built to carry 30-ton loads of Swedish pink granite used in the Empire State Building. Her historic provenance includes being the last schooner built in Sweden for sail alone. She got her first motor in 1926, a 22 HP hot bulb engine. The former owner of almost 50 years used her for private weekend trips exploring Sweden’s local fjords and lakes with his family and friends.We believe La Boheme is possibly the best kept secret in the Baltic historic boat world, as she has never been seen outside Scandinavia. She spent 100 years as ‘Tarnan’ in and around Sweden, first in cargo then in pleasure. She was recently renamed La Boheme for good reasons. La Boheme is currently lying in Svendborg, Denmark after undergoing extensive works to preserve her for another 100 years. I see from your website that you have associates in Italy and France. So if they are looking to add something very different to their books, Denmark is not too far away.Over the last 18 months, under new ownership, La Boheme has undergone important work to ensure she remains solid and seaworthy. During 2013 (September-November), her hull was completely recaulked in a famous shipyard on Aero Island, under German shipwrights. This year she was completely refastened at the renowned Ring-Anderson shipyard in Svendborg, Denmark. This included 2,000 nails installed, all bolts replaced with trunnails and all plank-end joints recaulked.
We’ve also done a lot of freshening work – renewing all the coachhouse brightwork, painting her inside and out, new electrics, new pumps, etc. The end result is not only that she looks great – a uniquely beautiful and elegant ship, like a “gentleman’s (or lady’s) yacht”, but she could serve a variety of personal or commercial uses. Yet at heart she is rock solid and new where it matters. She is not a million dollar Fife, but a really authentic vessel with a palpable soul, and her original look, rig and dimensions. She was surveyed in September 2013 by a specialist German Surveyor, and re-surveyed and revalued by him recently to take into account the further work. She also has her European Buoyancy Certificate valid for two years.
LYING: DENMARK
VIEWING: By Appointment Through CLASSIC YACHT BROKERAGE
GUIDE PRICE: £390,000
