Arvid Laurin

Arvid Laurin (1901-1998) was a legendary Swedish yacht designer whose career spanned over seven decades. He founded the Laurin Koster boatyard in 1919 and designed more than 1,300 boats, including the famous Nordic Folkboat (1942) in collaboration with Knud Reimers and others. This 25-foot design became one of the world's most successful one-design classes with over 4,500 boats built. Laurin's designs ranged from dinghies to luxury yachts, always emphasizing seaworthiness, functionality, and Scandinavian craftsmanship. His boats were known for their elegant lines, excellent sailing characteristics, and robust construction. Laurin received numerous honors including the Royal Order of Vasa and continued designing boats well into his nineties, leaving an indelible mark on Scandinavian yacht design.