Sweden Yachts
SWY 390
When a mechanic opens the engine bay of this Sweden Yachts 390, their gaze bypasses surface polish and settles on the foundation and saildrive flange. Peter Norlin drew this model as a cruiser-racer, and the installation reflects that balance. Listings often boast "50 hp," but the factory classic here is the Volvo Penta MD2040 at roughly 40 hp. Older hulls such as Joffer Kaat from 1991 may carry a Volvo Penta 2003T at 45 hp. If a modern D2-50 from 2020 is fitted, fresh sealant and new studs usually mean a later swap. Such mills were often yard-fit on the larger Bénéteau 411; on a 390 they are almost always a later conversion. The mechanic reads those traces as the hull's history - original build versus aftermarket power.
At 11.88 m LOA the Sweden Yachts 390 feels larger inside than the number suggests. Tables often say production ended in 1998 after about 47 hulls. On Midsummer 2005 a new Rising Sunne left Stenungsund with a swim platform in the transom, and brand histories run the series to 2006. Read the year on this boat's factory Lloyd's plate, not a copied database row. Against a mass Bénéteau 411 (on the order of 1,200 hulls) the 390 is a scarce card. At about 7.6 t she is lighter than heavy Hallberg-Rassy peers of similar length (HR 39 around 10 t) and finds light air more willingly.
Under one name sit two docking plans: a deep fin near 2.25 m or a wing near 1.75 m - that choice decides winter depth. A skeg-less rudder plus saildrive need diaphragm and bearing checks once the boat is hauled. Aft, the yard offered twin cabins or one cabin with a second head. Before contract and survey, know what this hull actually carries: factory MD2040 or a later 50 hp class, wing or fin, and one or two doors aft.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Production
- 1991–1998
- LOA
- 11.88 m
- Beam
- 3.87 m
- Model
- SWY 390
Key takeaways
- Best for: Norlin/Östmann aft-cockpit performance cruiser (1991–1998, ~47)
- Common issue: teak fasteners, deck joints, and mixed rod or wire age
- Typical price: rare Swedish badge; reject fixture years 2010–2018
Technical data
- Length overall (LOA)
- 11.88 m
- Beam
- 3.87 m
- Production years
- 1991–1998
Design history
Peter Norlin and Jens Östmann started the 390 in 1991 on an 11.88 × 3.87 m hull, sometimes confused in ads with a Najad 390 (centre cockpit) or an SY 42. These hulls were born in Stenungsund; the badge later lives at Kungsviken (post-~2008 Group chapter - not the birthplace of these 390s). Waterline near 9.60 m, lead in the keel near 3.15 t, lightship near 7.6 t - lighter than heavy Swedish tanks of the same length.
Typical problems
Buyer FAQ
- How do I read the year if a table says 2010–2018?
Match the year on this boat's builder plate to the contract. Model window for this hull is 1991–1998; a catalogue line may not match the plate. Patterns like 2010–2018 in databases are often incorrect for this series.
- Why is a 50-hp engine a sign of a refit?
The factory installed the MD2040 (~40 hp) or, on some hulls such as Joffer Kaat, the 2003T (45 hp). A modern 50 hp unit (D2-50 class) is usually later; check foundation sealant and control linkages. Do not lock D2-50 as the Rising Sunne factory SKU.
- Which keel is best for coastal cruising?
Look for the wing/shoal near 1.75 m. The deep fin near 2.25 m will lock out many Baltic berths.
- Two aft cabins or a second head?
The yard offered both. Ask which layout is on this hull before survey and contract. Salon volume in photos can mislead.
- What should I inspect on rudder and drive?
Skeg-less rudder plus saildrive. On haul-out: shaft, bearings, diaphragm age. A Yachting Monthly account of a rudder lost to a container in the Atlantic is a reason for inspection, not a date for your boat.
- Can I trust "solid GRP" in a listing?
Descriptions conflict; a balsa sandwich core is common. Do not lock deck construction without inspection. Ask about moisture in the core and teak invoices.
Annual ownership costs
A 39-footer of Swedish pedigree sitting next to a serial Bénéteau 411: expects berthing and wintering costs in the same class, plus a reserve for scarce Stenungsund-specific spares and high-end sails. Tanks typically hold around 150L of diesel and 360–380L of water (often dual tanks): this is a passage reserve, not a promise of range. Figures below are in Swedish Kronor (SEK).
| Item | Low (SEK) | High (SEK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berthing | 22,000 | 48,000 | ~11.9m class, Stockholm/Gothenburg |
| Insurance | 12,000 | 28,000 | Agreed value; Swedish premium badge |
| Winter Storage | 12,000 | 30,000 | Crane and keel stands; deep fin costs more |
| Anti-fouling & Hull | 6,000 | 18,000 | Materials and labor |
| Engine / Saildrive | 8,000 | 22,000 | MD2040 or D2-50; diaphragm and hours |
| Rigging Reserve | 10,000 | 28,000 | Wire or rod; age per receipts |
| Teak / Sails / Systems | 16,000 | 50,000 | Teak plugs, Swan-class sails, heating |
| Annual Total | ~95,000 | ~250,000 | Excluding major teak refurbishment |
These figures are not a quote for your specific marina. A full teak deck replacement or a new sail wardrobe will exceed this annual range.
Pre-purchase survey checklist
Survey checklist: Sweden Yachts 390
- Year on the factory Lloyd's plate (locker or helm) vs. the listing year.
- Engine bay: traces of foundation work, new studs, or fresh sealant under a 50 hp-class mill.
- Draft: near 2.25 m or near 1.75 m (wing) - does it fit your marina?
- Rudder and saildrive: shaft play and diaphragm change date.
- Aft: two cabin doors or one cabin + head?
- Deck: moisture at chainplates and balsa sandwich condition.
- Teak: plank thickness and caulking.
- Rising Sunne (2005) as a reminder the series lived past table "last 1998".
Expert verdict
FairHelm rating: 8.4/10: The Sweden Yachts 390 (Norlin/Östmann, 1991–1998, ~47 hulls, 11.88×3.87) is a rare aft-cockpit performance cruiser. FairHelm judgment: buy the survey and teak invoices, not the badge alone.
- Pros
- Known Swedish GRP pedigree, livelier helm than many centre-cockpit peers, and semi-custom care signals when yard invoices exist.
- Cons
- Teak fastener and deck-joint age, mixed rod or wire history, and thinner listing depth than SWY 340 or mass-production peers.
- Who it suits
- Skippers who want Swedish build near 39 feet with more helm feel than a classic Najad layout. Unknown: exact teak fastener, keel option, and rod-rig state until surveyed on the hard; reject fixture years 2010–2018.
Vadim Nareyko, FairHelm Editorial, Last reviewed: 2026-08-29
Owner reviews
Share your experience owning this model. Reviews are moderated before publication.
- Offshore aspirant★★★★☆
We use the 390 for longer Skagerrak passages. Engine hours and rigging invoices matter more than teak varnish on Blocket ads.