We all have dreams, some realised, most not. However Bjorn decided that he had always wanted a steam boat and he knew that it must be sociable and warm as he was cruising the waterways and canals of his native Sweden. With professional help he set about designing his ideal saloon launch and then built it in fine woods between 2005 and and 2010 prior to a late May 2010 launch in time for the summer season. He used a set of blueprints from 1892 by the engineer Harald Olsson of Vanersborg which he obtained when a house was being renovated in Karlsborg during the 1980s. Inspired by the aesthetics of the late 19th century Bjorn designed the saloon to take Captain, a crew member and 12 passengers in style and comfort.

While usually sailing in his spare boating time, Bjorn had a yen to explore the canals and archipelagos including the inner archipelago of Vaxholm, lake Malaren, the Akers canals and the Stromsholms for which Hjerter Kung or the King of Hearts was perfectly suitable.

Having then used his boat as intended for some years he came to the conclusion that keeping the pressure up on the boiler while negotiating locks was not his forte as it became rather stressful. "Aha" he thought "what I need is a clean, efficient electric motor and so began the transformation with the installation of a whole propulsion system based around the 10kw Electro Mobile motor with a 15 amp charger and 32 cells of LiFePo4 all located below the cabin sole. At about 4 knots the boat has 10 hours running time in between charges. The owner estimates that he has done 50 hours since the installation.

In terms of comfort the boat itself enjoys overwintering in a boat house and has been regularly maintained to a very high standard. On board there is a loo with a wash basin pumping water from outside the boat (very environmentally friendly). There are also lanterns and cabin lights running on 12 volt LEDs.

The hull itself is built of pine heartwood and oak using West system and then treated with linseed oil gloss. The gunwales are of oak and decking of Oregon pine varnished with Le Tonkinois which was also used on the internal South American mahogany of the cabin area. The main cabin structure was built of Siberian larch painted with a product whose base is linseed oil, while the outside canvas coated roof is also treated with linseed oil and painted grey.

Bjorn looked outside of his native Scandinavia for the fittings, all of which are cast in bronze (including the propellor) or brass in the late nineteenth century style either by Toplicht in Germany or Davey and Co in the UK. The overall impression is of a detailed and immaculate build offering a true contemporary classic built to last for another century.

Length in metres 9.48

Beam 2.38

Draft 0.65

Displacement 4.5 tons

Hull speed 6 knots

You will notice that the more recent photos show a cream coloured hull. The boat was repainted after the chimney and steam plant were removed. However I have left in some of the previous photos as they show some of the lovely areas where the boat has navigated. Viewing can be done on what's app with the owner or better still a prospective owner can fly to nearby Stockholm airport for an in-person viewing.