Gustaf Estlander
Encyclopedia
Gustaf Axel Estlander (Sept.18, 1876 - December 1, 1930) was one of the most successful Scandinavia
n yacht
designers of the early 20th century. He was born and educated in Finland
, later set up a yacht yard in Germany, and spent his final years in Sweden
. As a sporty youth, Estlander in 1894 sailed from Finland to Sweden in a canoe. He was an accomplished skater, winning the 1898 European Speed Skating Championships for Men
in Helsinki, Finland.
In 1898, Gustaf Estlander graduated as an architect from the Helsinki Polytechnic Institute (currently Aalto University
). He founded the architectural firm of Estlander & Settergren, which in 1903-1915 designed a score of large apartment buildings in the booming capital city of Helsinki. These imposing buildings were created in the national romantic style. Some of them have lately been declared national heritages.
When Estlander turned full-time yacht designer in 1914, he had already drawn 60 sailboats. He gained a reputation for light, radical boats, such as the double-hulled Flamingo of 1899. He made his international breakthrough in 1917 at the helm of his 22 sq.m. Skerry Cruiser
Colibri, trouncing all competitors at the Sandhamn regatta in Sweden. He quickly gained a large number of design commissions from clients in northern Europe.
In the post-war years of 1921-23, he was chief designer and owner of the Pabst yard near Berlin, Germany. His 22, 30 and 40 sq.m. skerry cruisers were successful on the inland lakes of northern Germany. His own enormous 150 sq.m. skerry cruiser Singoalla reached 14.1 knots on a race from Kiel to Travemünde on the Baltic Sea, according to Uffa Fox
, the well-known author on yacht design. Moving on to Sweden, Estlander obtained Swedish citizenship to be eligible for designing a Swedish entry for the 6mR Scandinavian Gold Cup
. His creation May Be won the Gold Cup in the USA in 1927 for Swedish shipping tycoon Sven Salén. His Gold Cup winners include the later Swedish entries Ingegerd and Ian.
In the 1920s, Gustaf Estlander reached international fame as a yacht designer, obtaining six-metre commissions from as far away as Cuba and Singapore. In total, more than 1000 yachts were built according to his drawings. Of these, 21 were six metre yachts and 8 were eight metre yachts. His 8mR design Cheerio represented Finland at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games
in Kiel, Germany. Estlander had himself participated in the 1912 Olympic regatta in Nynäshamn, Sweden, gaining a 4th place skippering his Fife-designed 8mR yacht Örn. Gustaf Estlander died at the height of his career, at only 54 years of age.
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
designers of the early 20th century. He was born and educated in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, later set up a yacht yard in Germany, and spent his final years in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. As a sporty youth, Estlander in 1894 sailed from Finland to Sweden in a canoe. He was an accomplished skater, winning the 1898 European Speed Skating Championships for Men
European Speed Skating Championships for Men
The International Skating Union has organised the European Speed Skating Championships for Men since 1893. Unofficial Championships were held in the years 1891-1892.-History:-Distances used:...
in Helsinki, Finland.
In 1898, Gustaf Estlander graduated as an architect from the Helsinki Polytechnic Institute (currently Aalto University
Aalto University
Aalto University is a Finnish university established on January 1, 2010, by the merger of the Helsinki University of Technology, the Helsinki School of Economics, and the University of Art and Design Helsinki....
). He founded the architectural firm of Estlander & Settergren, which in 1903-1915 designed a score of large apartment buildings in the booming capital city of Helsinki. These imposing buildings were created in the national romantic style. Some of them have lately been declared national heritages.
When Estlander turned full-time yacht designer in 1914, he had already drawn 60 sailboats. He gained a reputation for light, radical boats, such as the double-hulled Flamingo of 1899. He made his international breakthrough in 1917 at the helm of his 22 sq.m. Skerry Cruiser
Skerry Cruiser
thumbSquare Metre Yachts, also known as Skerry Cruisers are types of yachts, usually wooden, which are constructed according to Square Metre Rule. Originating from Sweden, they were historically most popular at Baltic Sea, though some classes also saw popularity in other European countries and USA...
Colibri, trouncing all competitors at the Sandhamn regatta in Sweden. He quickly gained a large number of design commissions from clients in northern Europe.
In the post-war years of 1921-23, he was chief designer and owner of the Pabst yard near Berlin, Germany. His 22, 30 and 40 sq.m. skerry cruisers were successful on the inland lakes of northern Germany. His own enormous 150 sq.m. skerry cruiser Singoalla reached 14.1 knots on a race from Kiel to Travemünde on the Baltic Sea, according to Uffa Fox
Uffa Fox
Uffa Fox CBE was an English boat designer and sailing enthusiast.-Life:Uffa Fox was born on the Isle of Wight and was raised in East Cowes. He lived for a while in Puckaster on the Isle of Wight.-Work:...
, the well-known author on yacht design. Moving on to Sweden, Estlander obtained Swedish citizenship to be eligible for designing a Swedish entry for the 6mR Scandinavian Gold Cup
Scandinavian Gold Cup
Scandinavian Gold Cup is a sailing race held annually for 5.5 metre yachts. It is a nation race, meaning that each participant nation can send only one boat/team. Despite its name, it has been an international competition almost through its entire history, and participating is not limited to...
. His creation May Be won the Gold Cup in the USA in 1927 for Swedish shipping tycoon Sven Salén. His Gold Cup winners include the later Swedish entries Ingegerd and Ian.
In the 1920s, Gustaf Estlander reached international fame as a yacht designer, obtaining six-metre commissions from as far away as Cuba and Singapore. In total, more than 1000 yachts were built according to his drawings. Of these, 21 were six metre yachts and 8 were eight metre yachts. His 8mR design Cheerio represented Finland at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
in Kiel, Germany. Estlander had himself participated in the 1912 Olympic regatta in Nynäshamn, Sweden, gaining a 4th place skippering his Fife-designed 8mR yacht Örn. Gustaf Estlander died at the height of his career, at only 54 years of age.