FORTISSIMO

A yacht to dream of for Lars-Olof Norlin.

And may be for you?

A yacht to dream of

When one of the best reputated naval architects in Sweden designs a yacht - his dreamyacht - it naturally turns out to be something special. Lars-Olof Norlin had it in mind for more than twenty years. Then he started to put his ideas on to paper and kept on sketching and studying the project for another ten years. 1978 he turned his dreams into reality. The Fortissimo number one was launched in July.

Who is Lars-Olof Norlin?

With a Masters degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technologi in Stockholm as well as theoretical and practical studies with the Swedish Naval Academy, he has the full background to determine how a yacht shall be designed to achieve the expected caracteristics. He is thus known for high and even qualities on his designs. He is the father to many well known sailing yachts e g the Allegro type yachts, which were built at his own factory for more than ten years. Now he is the owner of Fortissimo number one.

Why a new design when there already exists so many types of quality sailing yachts?

Lars-Olof Norlin answers:

Several types of yachts do indeed almost fulfill my demands on how an ideal yacht shall look and behave. But in every case there was always something missing. And during the years I always longed for designing a yacht that will comply firstly with my own and my families wishes. Our own yacht. Fortissimo is the answer.

What demands does Lars-Olof Norlin raise on the yacht of his dreams?

He answers so:

- She shall sail well

Several years work with anaLYSes has shown that a yacht with a transomhanged rudder and a heavy ballastkeel is a very well sailing yacht in comparison to its length and displacement. A large, easy reefable sailarea gives fine sailling in light as well as in heavy wind. High ballastpercentage gives god stability and thus fast sailing, also when its blowing hard.

-She shall function well in the archipelago

Fortissimo's long stem, the cutaway forward keel and small draught makes it possible to lie at the shores in the natural harbours in the Swedish skerries and elsewhere. It is easy to get onboard due to the arrangement with a footstep forward of the forestay and the open pulpit.

- The yacht is designed for longrange cruising

Mainly is she meant for comfortable cruising along the coastline and in the archipelago. The season will also include some racing and shorter passages across open sea. And if one day Iwould consider a real longrange cruising will the Fortissimo also make that possible. Such a cruise is a dream for me as for many others.

- The seakindness has to be good.

Soft and comfortable movements in a rough sea is essential. The long ballastkeel and a V-shaped bow gives the Fortissimo these characteristics.

- She shall be strong enough to avoid damages if she run aground.

Even at full speed.

A long keel is the best type of construction to withstand a severe blow when hitting a rough bottom. A cast iron ballast attached under the hull with strong stainless steel bolts (16 pcs) will protect the yacht from damages. Fortissimo has this type of keel.

- She shall be absolutely safe.

Therefore she has to be built to highest quality.

Then only the handlaid glassfiber construction is good enough. This method gives a laminate of even thickness and of high glasscontent. A strong but light construction is achieved with a singleskin hull, stabilized by longitudinal frames between stiff plywood bulkheads. Deck and superstructure of sandwich with PVC core. The fastening of the chainplates for the stays and shrouds is very strong. All material and all equipment is of very high quality.

- The yacht shall be comfortable.

Inside the Fortissimo has a large pantry, bathroom with head and shower facilities. Six wide, twometer's berths (the U-sofa is convertible to a double berth). A navigation table, two hanging lockers as well as shelves and other stowages. Standing height of 185 cm all the way under the superstructure. In the bow a box for anchor/sails.

The cockpit is as long as 2,15 m. Thanks to well designed height of the superstructure and the cockpit seats the Fortissimo offers uninterrupted sight forward for the helmsman. A suitable distance between the seats gives good foothold when the yacht is heeling. The coamings are high enough to offer a comfortable support for your back, but will also allow a safe and easy passage onto the skidproof deck.

Singlehand sailing is possible even if your back is not especially strong.

Selftacking (and reefable) jib. The halyards, reef- and trimlines are all carried to the cockpit.

The mainsheet and jibsheet winches are close to the helmsman. The expander reefing arrangement on the boom makes it possible to reef the mainsail within 30 seconds.

Maybe the Fortissimo will fulfill your dreams too?

She is fast in all weather, light on the tiller and with good steering stability. Thanks to the large rudder and the shape of the bow she has a very small turning radius (especially valuable in narrow harbours). She is sailing well also under the main sail alone.

Call us on the phone so we can decide when you can see her in reality. Welcome!

ALLEGRO MARIN AB