1901 Beason Klassisk Segelyacht, Beduin, 1901, 55 fo, SEK 3.490.000

BEDUIN – built in 1901 in Copenhagen

A floating piece of cultural heritage. A boat with soul.
Beduin is not just a sailboat—she embodies 125 years of Nordic maritime history, preserved, restored, and sailed with respect for every original detail. For those seeking something far beyond the ordinary, here is a unique opportunity to become the next custodian of a living piece of cultural heritage.

Origins and Construction

Beduin was built in 1901 at the historic Copenhagen Shipyard (Köpenhavns Skips Varf). She was designed by C.H. Bonnesen on commission from shipbuilder E. Falk. She was designed according to the leading principles of the time for high-speed sailing yachts and was measured at KDY with a measurement rating of SL 11.3, the rule in effect at the time for racing.
The hull is built of solid oak, using a construction technique that later became world-famous through the royal ship Vasa—sturdy frames, naturally curved oak planks, and a structural philosophy that prioritized strength and longevity over shortcuts.

Early Years and Sailing in High Society

In 1912, Beduin left Denmark when she was purchased by engineer Oscar Botolfsen, a member of KSSS. During this period, she sailed extensively in Swedish waters and participated in the vibrant sailing culture surrounding the club’s activities.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Beduin was owned by several prominent figures in Swedish business and cultural life. Among them was publisher Erik Åkerlund, who christened her AfA-Lill, after the publishing house Åhlén & Åkerlund’s popular weekly magazine *Allt för Alla*. During those years, she was used both for ceremonial sailing trips and for a social project that was unusual at the time: giving boys from less affluent families the opportunity to experience an “enriching and festive maritime life” along Sweden’s coasts.
During the 1930s, she bore the name Sarita II; she was yawl-rigged and often seen in Sandhamn, where she became a well-known and admired sight in the guest harbor. The owner during this period was industrialist Fritiof Andreas Lindvall, heir to the Pommac fortune, known for his lively summer life and his keen interest in sailing.

Famous Names in Beduin’s Wake

Among her previous owners are figures with ties to Swedish culture and history—including Oscar Botolfsen, Jan Guillou’s maternal grandfather, as well as relatives of Carl Bildt. Beduin has always moved in circles where sailing, society, and history intersect.

A boat in the service of history

Beduin’s history also reflects some of Europe’s darker chapters. In recent years, she was used by an owner to rescue refugees from Poland, a testament to both her seaworthiness and courage. However, this period took its toll—maintenance was neglected, and she entered the 1970s in need of extensive repairs.

Tor Malm and the Major Restoration

In 1988, I, Tor Malm, purchased the Beduin. After an initial refurbishment, she was sailed extensively between 1989 and 1992, on both shorter and longer voyages around the Baltic Sea. It quickly became clear that previous renovations had been purely cosmetic—the real work lay below the waterline.

First Phase: 1993–1995

The stem, knee, and mast step, made of solid oak, were replaced
The forward keel bolts were replaced
The keel irons were replaced
A large number of planks were replaced
Approximately 2,000 new stainless-steel screws were installed
A new tiller was fabricated
New interior fittings were built in the forward salon
The Bedouin was launched in the spring of 1995 and sailed again with excellent results.

The Definitive Restoration, 1997–2004

After a wonderful sailing summer in 1997, the decision that had always been in the back of our minds was made:
Everything below the waterline would be replaced. The interior would be restored. The hull would be returned to exactly the condition it was in when built in 1901.
This entailed:
Complete disassembly below the waterline
New keel timbers, frames, and planking in oak
Materials sourced through a search for naturally curved oak trees
Analysis of original bolts by the Metal Research Institute at KTH to ensure the correct steel grade
Newly manufactured bolts, fittings, and components using traditional methods
Collaboration with blacksmiths, sawmills, crane trucks, and galvanizing companies

The work took seven years and was carried out without compromise.
In 2004, the Beduin was relaunched—now as a boat in its original design, built with modern tools but with a historical spirit.

Current Status

Today, the Beduin sails as a classic wooden yacht in its original design. She is complete, sturdy, and beautiful, lacking only:
a new bowsprit
a gaff rig

to be fully finished according to the original plans and the spirit of the era.

For the right person

Owning Beduin is not ownership in the usual sense.
It is a responsibility, an honor—and a privilege.

She is for you if you:
value craftsmanship over comfort
see history as an asset
want to sail something no one else has

Beduin is not looking for her next owner.
She is seeking her next steward.
⛵ If you’re seriously interested, I’d be happy to tell you more—Beduin’s story never really ends.