Peter Norlin

Peter Norlin (1941–2012) was a renowned Swedish naval architect and yacht designer whose innovative work defined the "Golden Age" of Scandinavian sailing in the 1970s and 1980s, blending elegant lines, lightweight construction, and exceptional performance to produce over 50 influential designs that excelled in both racing and cruising. Born in Stockholm and initially trained as an engineer and sailmaker, Norlin discovered his passion for boat design while crewing on Knud Reimers' classic Fingal, leading to his breakthrough with the Scampi 30 in 1970—the world's first GRP Half Ton Cup winner and one of the most prolific production racers with ~1,000 hulls built by yards like Albin Marine and Yamaha. His portfolio, often featuring chined hulls, moderate displacement, and IOR-optimized shapes, included racing successes like the one-tonner Agnes (1975 SORC class winner) and cruisers such as the Omega 42 (his personal favorite, revived in modern builds), Sweden 41, and Albin Express, which dominated regattas while prioritizing seaworthiness and simplicity. Norlin's designs, produced by Swedish builders like Albin and Shipman, earned him accolades including the 2025 GFK-Classics honor and shaped global yachting, influencing brands like Luffe and Faurby; he passed away in Stockholm on December 13, 2012, leaving a legacy of timeless boats that continue to race and cruise worldwide.