Sven Yrvind
At 86, Sven Yrvind is still pushing the limits of small-boat design. Discover the philosophy and technical grit behind his 'Exlex' series.
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While the modern yachting industry races toward ever-larger hulls and more complex systems, Sven Yrvind is sailing in the opposite direction. At over 86 years old, the legendary Swedish designer, builder, and solo sailor remains the world’s most fervent advocate for the "small is safe" philosophy. From his humble workshop in Västervik, Yrvind is currently perfecting his latest masterpiece, Exlex—a 6.27-meter "mountain bike of the oceans" designed for an ambitious voyage from Sweden to Dunedin, New Zealand. His story is not just one of maritime endurance, but a lifelong pursuit of happiness through radical simplicity. Source: yrvind.com
Key Takeaways
- The Philosophy: Radical micro-cruising. Sven believes that as a boat gets smaller, its relative strength increases, making it safer for high-latitude voyages.
- The Innovation: A pioneer of sandwich construction using thick Divinycell foam and epoxy, creating unsinkable, highly insulated "sealed capsules."
- The Legacy: Rounded Cape Horn in a 5.9-meter boat in the dead of winter (1980) and continues to inspire a new generation of minimalist sailors.
⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name/Type | Exlex (2021-2025 version) / Sailing Canoe Cruiser |
| Hull Design | Full-displacement, double-ender |
| Construction | 30-50mm Divinycell Sandwich / Epoxy |
| Length (LOA) | 6.27 meters |
| Beam | 1.40 meters |
| Rig Type | 3-masted Lugger |
| Ballast | Water Ballast (approx. 350L drinking water) |
| Notable Milestone | Over 1,800 daily YouTube videos documenting the build |
Meet the Sailor and the Vision
Sven Yrvind: The Self-Taught Polymath
Born Sven Lundin, Yrvind’s journey began in 1962 when he left Sweden in a 15-foot converted Blekingseka. Dyslexic and often at odds with traditional education, he taught himself advanced mathematics and engineering to understand the fundamental physics of hull design. His career has been a series of radical experiments: from sailing a converted 13-foot rowing boat to England to rounding Cape Horn in the winter of 1980 aboard his iconic 5.9-meter Bris II. Yrvind’s core tenet is that "a bigger boat does not bring happiness; happiness is an inside thing." Source: Biographical Notes - yrvind.com
The Boat: Exlex - The Outlaw
The name Exlex (meaning "outlaw" in Latin) perfectly captures Yrvind’s defiance of standard maritime regulations. His latest iteration is a 6.27-meter displacement hull built with extreme structural integrity. The hull features an exceptionally thick sandwich core—up to 50mm of Divinycell foam—which provides both immense strength and enough buoyancy to remain unsinkable even if fully swamped. Rather than a lead keel, Yrvind utilizes his 350-liter drinking water supply as ballast, replacing consumed water with seawater to maintain stability. The boat is designed to capsize and right itself immediately, acting more like a life-raft capsule than a traditional yacht. Source: Technical Specs - yrvind.com
Voyages, Destinations, and High Latitudes
Yrvind is famous for choosing the path of most resistance. His rounding of Cape Horn in June 1980—the southern hemisphere's winter—remains one of the most remarkable feats in small-boat history. Today, his focus is on the long-haul passage to Dunedin, New Zealand. This route requires a vessel capable of navigating the Southern Ocean's massive swells and unpredictable gales. His design choices, including a shallow draft and retractable centerboards, allow him to reach remote anchorages and beach the vessel in emergencies. Source: 'One Year Summary' - yrvind.com
Life Aboard: Technical Grit and Simplicity
Advanced Sandwich Construction
Building an Exlex is an exercise in meticulous patience. Sven documents his process daily, showing the application of NM Epoxy and the complex geometry of his lugger rig. His workshop is a testament to DIY ingenuity, where military-grade high-density foam meets hand-carved components. The result is a hull with a high prismatic coefficient, maximizing speed for its short waterline while ensuring the vessel can handle breaking seas without structural failure. Source: YouTube - Build Process Updates
The YouTube Journey: A Video Every Day
Since August 2021, Sven has committed to posting a video every single day on his YouTube channel. This unparalleled level of transparency has created a global community of "Yrvind-watchers" who follow every epoxy pour and mathematical calculation. His production style is raw and educational, often pausing to explain the underlying physics of his design choices or his daily habits for maintaining mental and physical health at sea. Source: SVENYRVINDEXLEX Channel Info
Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching
- Fixing the Locking Mechanism – A deep dive into Sven's custom-engineered hardware and problem-solving.
- The Backup Anchor – Detailed insights into the safety systems required for solo high-latitude cruising.
- Faith, Hope and Charity: My Anchor is My Hope – A poignant look at the philosophical foundation of Sven's maritime life.
Channels Similar to Sven Yrvind
- Allison & James: For those who appreciate the 'no-frills,' small-boat approach to exploring high-latitude frontiers.
- Sailing Project Atticus: If you enjoy the deep technical details of refitting and restoring vessels for long-range cruising.
- Sailing Uma: For viewers who admire DIY innovation and the pursuit of a simpler, more sustainable life at sea.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sven Yrvind
How old is Sven Yrvind?
As of 2026, Sven Yrvind is over 86 years old and continues to actively design, build, and plan solo maritime expeditions.
What kind of boat is Exlex?
Exlex is a custom-designed micro-cruiser (approx. 6.27m) featuring thick Divinycell sandwich construction, water ballast, and a 3-masted lugger rig. It is designed to be a self-righting, unsinkable survival capsule.
Why does Sven Yrvind sail such small boats?
Yrvind follows the square-cube law, which states that as a structure gets smaller, it becomes proportionally stronger. He believes small boats are inherently safer and easier to maintain for solo sailing.
Has Sven Yrvind ever rounded Cape Horn?
Yes, Sven rounded Cape Horn in June 1980 (during the southern winter) in his 5.9-meter boat, Bris II, a legendary achievement in the world of solo sailing.
Where is Sven Yrvind currently?
Sven is currently based in Västervik, Sweden, where he is completing the build of his latest Exlex vessel for a future voyage to New Zealand.
Sven Yrvind Journey and Videos Locations
Sven Yrvind Latest Episode
Support Sven Yrvind
At WeBoating.com, we profoundly acknowledge the unwavering dedication that Sven Yrvind invests in crafting each and every video or voyage. Their passion for delivering exceptional ocean content shines through every frame, and it's a labor of love that deserves your attention.
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Watch Sven Yrvind's Latest Videos
Catch up on the most recent updates. Browse the complete video archive and Follow the journey.
Showing 1-24 of 1949 results
One Daggerboard, Two Bilgeboards and One Rudder.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.6 meter 18 feet 4 inches long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard...
Starting the Interior – 1/5 Scale Model.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.6 meter 18 feet 4 inches long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard...
Why I Added 40 cm.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.6 meter 18 feet 4 inches long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard...
Shaping the 1/5 Scale Model.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.6 meter 18 feet 4 inches long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard...
The Model Is Planked – It Was Easy.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.2 meter 17 feet long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am p...
Here Is the Next Iteration.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.2 meter 17 feet long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am p...
3 Compartment Interior Arrangement — Below Deck.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.2 meter 17 feet long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am p...
A Dyslexic Yacht Designer.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.2 meter 17 feet long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am p...
Overview – A Clean Slate.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 5 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.2 meter 17 feet long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am p...
Ganbaru in the Southern Ocean.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5.2 meter 17 feet long. Her beam is 1.45 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am p...
A Hanging Oar – A New Approach.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5 meter 16 feet long. Her beam is 1.3 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am plan...
Half Square, Half Circle – Less Weight, Less Draft.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5 meter 16 feet long. Her beam is 1.3 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am plan...
Ventilation – Air Gets In, Water Stays Out – A New Approach.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5 meter 16 feet long. Her beam is 1.3 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am plan...
Orcas, Storms and Backup – A New Rudder Approach.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 5 meter 16 feet long plywood construction. Her beam is 1.3 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow ...
First Steps on the Budget Boat.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is 5 meter, 16 feet long. Her beam is 1.3 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow centerboard. I am pla...
Marie Helps Me with CAD.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 5 meter 16 feet long plywood construction. Her beam is 1.3 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bow ...
Plan B — A Good Thing. Let Me Explain.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am building a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 4.6 meter 15 feet long plywood construction. Her beam is 1.4 meter. She is a three masted lugger with a total sail area of 9 square meter. She has a bo...
Plan B — B as in Budget.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am designing a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 5.2 meter long sandwich construction built with 30 mm Divinycell, polyester fiber and NM epoxy. Her beam is 1.4 meter. She is a three masted lugger wit...
She Floats — Barely.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am designing a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 5.2 meter long sandwich construction built with 30 mm Divinycell, polyester fiber and NM epoxy. Her beam is 1.4 meter. She is a three masted lugger wit...
Launch Imminent.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am designing a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 5.2 meter long sandwich construction built with 30 mm Divinycell, polyester fiber and NM epoxy. Her beam is 1.4 meter. She is a three masted lugger wit...
The boat is on the trailer.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am designing a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 5.2 meter long sandwich construction built with 30 mm Divinycell, polyester fiber and NM epoxy. Her beam is 1.4 meter. She is a three masted lugger wit...
2 Masts down, ready for the trailer.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am designing a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 5.2 meter long sandwich construction built with 30 mm Divinycell, polyester fiber and NM epoxy. Her beam is 1.4 meter. She is a three masted lugger wit...
Back to Work.
This Youtube channel is about me Sven Yrvind. I am87 year and 4 months old dyslectic solo sailor. I am designing a high-latitude cruiser. She is a 5.2 meter long sandwich construction built with 30 mm Divinycell, polyester fiber and NM epoxy. Her beam is 1.4 meter. She is a three masted lugger wit...