Svanö / Express Cruiser (Bergö)

Remarks

The Svanö was the third self-developed boat of the Örnmaskiner shipyard. Originally she was presented as a Kabinbåt and listed in the shipyard's lists. During the construction period, the Svanö underwent several major modifications. The Svanö was a very popular boat in Scandinavia, where most of the boats were sold. Some boats were also exported to the USA and fitted with twin engines for the US market. The design was by Einar Runius.

The Bergö is actually just a further development of the Svanö. The boat owes its name to Gösta Berg, the largest retailer and pioneer in the water sports sector at the time, who strongly pushed for a revised version of the Svanö. The boat he demanded should have a larger freeboard and more space. So Einar Runius first drew a motorboat with a length of 7.60 m for Gösta Berg in September 1960. This design was adopted by AB Örnmaskiner as early as October 1960 and then became the Bergö.

Production manager Tage Truedsson always resisted the distinction Svanö/Bergö. For him, all ships of this type were Svanös. Even in the shipyard's books, ships of this type are listed either as Kabinbåt (1956) or as Svanö. It is therefore not clear from the serial number whether it is a Svanö or Bergö.

The Bergö was produced at a time when coloured hulls became fashionable. Instead of the classic white or clear varnished hulls, the ships were now delivered in blue and green pastel shades or even black. The photos show, for example, a Bergö with a pastel blue hull. Especially the King's Cruiser was offered in a wide range of colours.
As with the Sea Chaser (Solö Ruff), there was the problem with the Svanö/Bergö name for international sales. So the ship was also sold as Baltic 24 (Svanö) or Express Cruiser (Bergö).

For identification of the type, the following matrix shall supply with a few pointers (Note: This information is not conclusively confirmed! Feedback on details or corrections is requested):

Estimated boat type

Silhouette

Year

Info

Svanö

1956-1957

Origin Design since 1956 - Related Design elements such as the King's Cruiser. The boat is 7.25 m long and 2.10 m wide. The boat has a very low freeboard.

Svanö

1957-1960

Slightly modified variant with modified sideline (model '58). The hull has only been stretched a little to 7.31 m. The width increases significantly to 2.46 m. The freeboard was also increased significantly. The dimensions are mentioned in the price lists 1957 and 1958. As with the Solö Ruff, a double engine is possible. The steering wheel is on the starboard side.

Bergö

1961-1963

New model with higher freeboard. The hull is now 7.60 m (25 feet) long and 2.56 m wide. The dimensions are proven from at least 1961. Two side windows in the cabin structure, one or two front windows. Elimination of the narrow light bands. The steering wheel is on the port side.

Bergö

1963-1964

Even longer hull with 7.80 m (26 feet). The width remains constant. Bigger cabin construction. Second side window with rounded end, end-to-end front window. Helm with two or three windscreens.