Tord Sunden

Tord Sundén (1920–1992) was a Swedish naval architect and one of the most influential designers of small, seaworthy fiberglass sailboats in the postwar era. A self-taught draftsman with a background in engineering and a deep love for traditional Scandinavian boatbuilding, Sundén is best known for creating the International Folkboat (IF Boat)—a fiberglass evolution of the iconic 1942 Nordic Folkboat—that became one of the largest and most enduring one-design classes in the world. Working closely with Marieholm Bruk, he helped transition wooden clinker construction into durable, affordable GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) yachts, democratizing coastal and offshore cruising. His designs are celebrated for their simplicity, stability, and exceptional seaworthiness, blending classic lines with modern materials. Over 3,000 IF Boats and thousands more of his other models were built, and his influence remains strong in active racing fleets and restored classics across Europe and North America.