Johan Anker 52 ft Flush Deck Fast Cruiser 10-Metre 1937/1996

When we last listed BOJAR for sale we claimed she was a yacht that might even define the term ‘classic yacht’; visiting her recently on her mooring - nothing has changed! I would not be surprised if the sheerline Johan Anker drew in 1937 has not moved a single millimetre such was the quality of her original build and the caring ownerships this boat has enjoyed. Her beauty remains effortless and totally unspoilt. BOJAR’s race record is impressive - although she has never competed on the Mediterranean classic race circuit, you have to wonder… With her ballast ratio at approximately 50% and very little to compromise her authenticity coefficient, what fun she could be as the new girl in sunny town!?

REFITS 2021 TO 2025
- Laid up under cover ashore every winter - with mast unstepped
- Hull, deck, mast, interior pro-maintained annually by Traditional Sail
- Keelbolts tightened (2025)
- Localised re-fastening
- Mast and rigging maintained by Allspars (Plymouth)
- Boom reef line sheaves and pins rebuilt (2022)
- Standing rigging renewed and modernised (2021)
- All rigging screws NDT tested and certified (January 2021)
- Completely electrically re-wired (2021)
- New Raymarine Axiom electronics (2021)
- Replacement batteries, power isolation and fuse system - 2022
- Mast/rig modification and annual maintenance by Allspars
- Mast laid up ashore under cover annually
- All new canvaswork
- New Maxwell anchor windlass
- New upholstery in saloon
- Cabin sole stripped back and refinished
- Gas bottle storage made safe and alarms fitted
- Bilges and frames treated and painted
- All running rigging new or near-new

REFIT WORK LYMINGTON UK 2012 TO 2020 IN PREVIOUS OWNERSHIP
- Hull, rig and systems professionally maintained
- Masthead modified to allow return to original masthead cutter rig
- Electrics and electronics upgrades

REFIT WORK IN NORWAY 1980s TO 1990s
- Replacement of sternpost
- New rudder
- All steel frames refastened below waterline
- Strap and plate floors replaced
- Wood keel refastened to frames with monel bolts (c.2006)
- Original 30 mm Oregon pine deck planed down as substrate for new deck (1996)
- 8 mm Bruynzeel marine plywood layer glued and screwed (1996)
- 6 mm 'Teak-laid' top surface epoxy glued with Arbocol seams (1996)
- 6 mm Mahogany epoxy glued covering boards and king planks (1996)
- Mast split and re-glued (1992)
- Replacement masthead in oak

ANKER & JENSEN YARD No. 417

Johan Anker conceived BOJAR (launched as ILMEN V, one of his final designs) as a Fast Cruiser 90 Square Metre for Oslo specialist outdoors sports clothing merchant Ludvig Svinndal. Her dimensions are very similar to the 'F-Class' Cruising 10-Metres that would become increasingly popular in Norway in the years just before the Second World War.

Anker’s reputation is in parts due to his incredible success in International Rule 'metre boat' designs, his creation of the International Dragon, that he could control quality with his own yard, and that of all the famous designers of his era he was arguably the best helmsman. Anker often watched the offerings of Messrs Fife, Mylne, and Nicholson cross the finish line behind him. This 'feel' for a boat helped him, partly empirically, create some of the fastest and most beautiful designs of any period.

Post-war, in the second ownership (actually from c.1943) of skilled 6mR and 5.5-Metre racing helmsman Ragnvald Jacobsen, who gave her the name BOJAR, she sailed along with the F-Class 10-Metres in handicap racing, sometimes under RORC Rule, and was eventually accepted as one,. A record of some of Jacobsen's 6mR victories can be seen at the saloon skylight. He eventually sold BOJAR in 1967 to Frederick D. Sundt, a Norwegian shipping agent located in Seattle, but BOJAR remained in Norway.

Then from 1981 she entered 31 years of loving and caring ownership by Arve Eriksen and family. In short summers BOJAR cruised the length of Norway and south to Germany, and by winter received the very best of care safely tucked away under cover in a traditional boatyard. Increasingly this was the dawning of the revived interest in older, "classic" yachts and BOJAR became something of a celebrity, winning the prize for best restored boat at Risør Wooden Boat Festival” and at the “Forbundet Kysten” gathering.

Norwegian yachting commentator Henrich Nissen-Lie wrote in 2012:

"... one of our great cultural treasures... in many ways the most successful example of how a large, old meter boat should be taken care of... Arve Eriksen and his wife made an impressive effort to keep BOJAR in first-class condition. The wooden boat had become the family's lifestyle and great hobby summer and winter."

In 2012, when BOJAR left Norway for a new life on the south coast of England, Norwegian yachting historian Fredrik Denneche wrote, "... we can only hope that she has found new owners who are as capable of taking care of the boat as the Eriksen family, and that BOJAR will continue to be a living advertisement for Johan Anker and Norwegian boatbuilding!"

She certainly has. One can't become owner/ caretaker of a gorgeous yacht like BOJAR without unconditional respect for her provenance, history, beauty, and care, and she has received this in spades from two UK owners since 2012. She was principally a Solent classic racer for Andrew Pearson; her impressive record is listed below. And in current West Country ownership, BOJAR has enjoyed the nice mix of cruising and racing she was designed for and still offers with gusto.

©2025 Iain McAllister/ Sandeman Yacht Company Ltd.

Under her current owner, BOJAR’s rig has been returned to a more original set-up with Dacron sails, a roller-furled staysail, and yankee. Her standing rigging was completely renewed and, with her new sails she has been re-rated for racing at Cowes Classics, Cross Channel Classics, Round the Island Race and most recently Falmouth Classics and BCYC for 2025. In the past five seasons BOJAR has rarely been bested; she has won all but one of the regattas entered. Her role of honour now includes two 1sts in the Classic Yachts Division in Round The Island Race (in the two races entered), 1st and 2nd in Division 1 at two Cowes Classics Weeks, and 1st in all the races entered in the 2024 Channel Classics Regatta. She is very pretty viewed from aft and that is the view others see most of!

In previous south coas of England ownership, BOJAR participated in the annual Cowes BYYC/ Panerai and Classic Week regattas showing impressive form, which led to an invitation to the RYS Bicentenary in 2015. This event saw BOJAR racing against STORMY WEATHER, DORADE, ARGYLL AND TOMAHAWK as well as 20 of the local English based classics including CETAWAYO, INFANTA, OPPOSITION AND WHOOPER. Fleet and class racing at these regattas saw BOJAR achieve some impressive results against more modern designs both inshore and in the offshore conditions experienced in the Round the Island classic regatta races. These racing successes proved the success of sail plan tweaks and IRC rating optimisation that never compromised the originality or integrity of the 1937 build.

Solent Race Summary Stats 2012-2018
- 2018 : 1st place in 8/14 ( 57%) races, 1st or 2nd places in 11/14 (84%) races
- 2012 to 2018 : 1st place in 13/48 (27%) races and in top 3 places in 25/48 (52%) races
Round the Island Classic Yacht races 2012-2016
- 1st in class in RYS Bicentennary Regatta 2015
- 3 x 3rd places in the three Panerai RTI events held between 2012 and 2016

BOJAR was built by Anker & Jensen of Asker, one of the most prestigious yards in Scandinavia using materials and applying craftsmanship of the very highest quality.
- Oregon pine 30 mm planking on composite hot dip galvanized steel frames
- Hot dip galvanised bolt fastenings to the steel frames, floors and stringers
- Hot dip galvanised plate floors at steel frames (1996)
- Oak floors between pairs of elm timbers (1996)
- 2 x Elm timbers between the steel frames
- Bronze and stainless steel screw fastened to the timbers
- Oak wood keel and stem
- Oak sternpost (1996)
- Lead ballast keel c.8.3 tonnes; 15 x bronze keelbolts
- Elm beam shelves and bilge stringers
- Stainless steel chainplates
- Teak laid deck on Bruynzeel marine ply and planed original Oregon pine deck
- Mahogany deck beams
- Traditional bronze fittings
- Faired smooth topsides painted with Awlgrip

GENERAL
- Teak laid deck on softwood substrate
- Varnished mahogany kingplanks and covering boards
- Varnished mahogany capped toerail and taffrail
- Bronze stanchion sockets running fwd each side

FROM AFT
- 2 x Closed mooring fairleads on taffrail
- Bronze ensign staff socket
- Dorade vent and box
- Standing backstay chainplates port & starboard
- Bronze mooring cleats port & starboard
- Bronze padeyes for lifelines and mainsheet
- Leathered mainsheet blocks
- Wood tiller
- Anker style 2 x hinged lazerette hatch
- Yanmar engine panel and Garmin GPS within
- Kobelt bronze throttle
- Bronze cleat port & starboard

TYPICAL ANKER & JENSEN DEEP AND COMFORTABLE COCKPIT
- Shaped benches port and starboard
- Lined, angled backrests
- Fold-up cockpit table aft
- Coamings swept and curved forward
- Teak framed grating sole
- Double inward opening companionway doors and sliding hatch
- 1 x Bronze Lewmar 50 self-tailing electric mainsheeet winch port aft
- 4 x Bronze manual self-tailing winches on pedestals outboard
- Stainless steel, bronze, teak and leather boom gallows

LOW PROFILE COMPANIONWAY HOUSE
- Sestrel-Moore gimballed steering compass to port

SIDE DECKS
- Running backstay bronze sheaves port and starboard
- Runner clutches and lead sheaves in lieu of previous Highfield levers
- 2 x Bronze yankee and staysail tracks and cars each side
- Bronze cleats

MID DECK
- Dorade vents one each side of fwd companionway house
- Gas bottle and deck storage box (2021)
- Large Butterfly skylight hatch over saloon; chromed sash protection
- 2 x Bronze foresail tracks each side
- Butterfly skylight hatch over forward accommodation chromed sash protection
- Spinnaker pole chocks port and starboard

MAST POSITION

FOREDECK
- Deadeye port in king plank
- Typical Anker & Jensen fore hatch with deadeye port
- Bronze mooring cleats each side
- Panama style fairleads each side
- Bow roller on stem

GROUND TACKLE
- Maxwell electric stainless steel windlass; foot pedal operation (2025)
- Light Danforth anchor, chain and rope stored under deck for racing
- Optional 20 kg Bruce anchor and 60 m galvanized 10 mm chain for cruising

GENERAL
- Accommodation for 6 in 4 cabin areas
- Companionway and 3 steps down over engine space
- Elegant varnished mahogany deck beams
- Contrasting white deck head and bulkheads
- Teak and mahogany interior joinery
- Lighting throughout cabin areas

GALLEY TO PORT
- Scrubbed wood counter top
- Stainless steel inset sink
- Mixer tap
- ENO 3-burner gimballed gas hob and oven
- Isotherm 3200 fridge
- Ample stowage outboard and under for utensils and crockery
- Deckhead light

LARGE CHART TABLE TO STARBOARD
- Navigation instruments above companionway
- Nav units and electrical panel
- Stowage under
- Chart reading light in deckhead
- Single pilot berth extending aft; stowage under
- 'Cabin' brass reading light

SALOON
- Settee berths to port and starboar
- Stowage outboard and below
- Bookshelves in alcoves outboard
- Substantial drop leaf table dining table for 8 people
- (table kept ashore for racing)
- Sideboards port and starboard forward; lockers outboard
- (port locker is a hanging locker)
- Skylight in deckhead; J.S. Highfield props/ closers
- Cabin heat via forced air from engine heat
- Ship's clock and barometer port forward
- Deckhead lamps

PASSAGE FORWARD OFFSET TO PORT

WC/ SHOWER COMPARTMENT TO STARBOARD
- Jabsco manual sea toilet with anti-siphon valve
- Custom varnished hardwood seat and lid
- Porcelain wash basin
- Locker stowage outboard
- Teak grating sole
- Sump pump

FORECABIN FORWARD OF MAST
- Single berth to port; stowage under
- Double berth to starboard; stowage under
- Reading lamps over

FO'C'SLE
- 2 x Single berths each side in Vee
- Substantial stowage below
- Chain locker and vents forward

RIG
"The mast is lavished with the utmost care and maintenance, and as such, it is in exceptional condition." - Rigger's report 2025

Masthead cutter rig
- Original wood mast with three sets of spreaders
- Epoxy coated mast rings with halyard cleats
- 3 x Bronze manual self-tailing winches on mast
- Spreader light
- 2 x pairs HD Spinlock jammers
- Clear UV self-adhesive chafe patches at all mast strop blocks
- Bronze boom fittings
- Twin carbon spinnaker poles
- Jockey pole (and wooden staysail pole if desired for cruising)
Standing rigging
- Anker & Jensen leathered strop attachment round mast
- 1 x 19 Stainless steel 6 - 10 mm standing rigging (2021)
- 7 mm hamma Pro topmast cap shrouds
- 7 mm hamma Pro standing backstay
- Selden Furlex 405S staysail furler (2022)
- Dynema 7 mm Max SK78 Dynema sleeved runners via Spinlock cleats
Running rigging
- Dyneema cored hi-spec quality Marlow ropes (2021)

SAILS
Racing sail wardrobe designed by Doyle UK
Stratis Technora cloth
- Mainsail 775 sq ft/ 72 sq m, 2 reefing points (2015)
- Light No 1 jib 300 sq ft/ 28 sq m 6-12 knots (2016)
- Full size No 2 jib 280 sq ft/ 26 sq m 12-18 knots (2016)
- No 3 jib 258 sq ft/ 24 sq m 18-24 knots (2015)
- No 4 jib 197 sq ft sq ft/ 18.3 sq m 24+ knots (2015)
- A2 Asymmetric spinnaker 1,679 sq ft/ 156 sq m (2015)
- A4 Asymmetric spinnaker 1,571 sq ft/ 146 sq m (2016)
- S2 Spinnaker 1,292 sq ft/ 120 sq m (2016)
- Code zero 1,033 sq ft/ 96 sq m (2015)
- Spinnaker staysail (2016)
- Doyles Cable-less maxi code zero; KFI Karver furler system (2018)

Dacron sail wardrobe by Sanders Sails (2021-2023)
- Mainsail (2021)
- Furling staysail (2022)
- Yankee (2023)

Cruising sail wardrobe - assorted sails including:
- Cotton Ratsey & Lapthorn spinnaker (1932)

CANVASWORK
- Custom 3-part deck and topsides cover for use afloat and ashore (2021)
- Mooring “tent” (2021)
- Hatch and sail covers (2021)
- Sprayhood and frame

MECHANICAL
- Yanmar 4JH4E 54 hp diesel engine (2006)
- ZF 25 A Hurth hydraulic gear box transmission
- Enhanced single direct propeller shaft (2018)
- Lip seal type stern gland
- Darglow Featherstream 3-blade folding prop (2018)

ELECTRICAL
- Mastervolt 230 V charger 30 A
- Shore power with RCD breaker unit
- Mastervolt Masterlink BTM 1 battery monitor
- Solara solar panel with regulator box
- 2 x Varta LFD 140 Ah 12 V sealed lead-acid domestic batteries (2022)
- 1 x Varta Blue E43 72 Ah 680 A 12 V engine start battery (2022)

TANKAGE AND ASSOCIATED
Water
- 230 L / c50 Gal aluminium tank
- Electric freshwater system with filter
- Electric saltwater for galley
- Isotherm hot water calorifier/ immersion tank 30 L / 6½ Gal
Fuel
- 240 L / c53 Gal in 2 x diesel tanks port and starboard at saloon
Waste
- 35 L / c8 Gal holding tank
Gas
- 1 x Mid size gas cylinder in vented box on deck
- Truma gas remote switch
Other
- Ardic 1012 heater – water to air
- Dickinson Diesel heater

NAVIGATION
- Sestrel-Moore gimballed steering compass
- Raymarine Axion Pro 12 chartplotter
- Tacktick wind instrument wireless mast head interfaced
- Garmin 527xs chart plotter multi display in helm lazarette
- Simrad IS 15 speed/depth interfaced to Garmin
- Raymarine AIS 650 Class B transceiver
- Raymarine Maxi display speed/depth in main cockpit
- Autopilot electro hydraulic renewed (2023)

COMMUNICATIONS
- Raymarine VHF Radio

- MOB system with integrated DSC
- 15 x life jackets
- 2 x Horseshoe lifebuoys
- Ocean Safety serviced 8-person liferaft
- EPIRB
- Navigation lights
- Stainless steel stanchions, S/S guard lines, harness lifelines
- 2 x Electric and 1 x manual bilge pumps
- LPG alarm
- Fire fighting [TBA]

- Fenders
- Mooring warps