Sail Number: SWE-31
Type: 6mR
Holm “Silvervingen Specifications:
LOA: 37.17′ / 11.33m – LWL: 23.45′ / 7.15m – Beam: 6.00′ / 1.83m – Draft: 5.34′ / 1.63m – Ballast: 6724.099 / 3050 – Displacement: 9149.184 / 4150 kg – Sail Area Original: 43 m2 – Hull material: Wood – Designer: Tore Holm – Built by: Helmer Gustavsson on Rotholmen – Year Built: 1939 – Current Name: Silver Blade – Original Owner: Nils Gäbel – Current Owner: Ägare Fredrik Lindqvist
Historical
The Metre Yard comments – Silvervingen (Silver Wing) was designed by the legendary Tore Holms, 4 times Olympic medallist and the designer of some of the most successful 6 Metres in the world. She was built in 1939 by Helmer Gustavsson who worked for Hangersetbsaryet and built Silveringen at his own boatshed at home.
On the launch of Silvervingen the Second World War broke out which meant that they were unable to tune her ready for racing and she was laid up. After WWII Tore Holm designed her a small cabin top and a basic cruising interior, like many 6s of this age they were fitted for cruising. She raced very successfully during the late 40’s and early 50’s as La Fleur, with name changes of Dorrit IV and Hexan in the late 50’s.
It was in 2004 that the current owner purchased a very tired Silvervingen and went about putting a plan together for her rebuild, the owner was to undertake a 7 year rebuilt programme and was extremely thorough.
The first, and most important, job was to raise her bow which had sunk some 70mm. The deck and beams were removed which allowed them to start raising the stem 5mm a month, this was a slow and very difficult job, but once she was level again, they went about replacing 70 broken ribs which had been damaged over the years and never replaced.
Many jobs were undertaken including; removing all cast iron frames and having them re galvanised and fitted back into the boat, keel removed and her main keel hog replaced along with the rudder stock, and new stainless steel keel bolts fitted. The deck was laid using two layers of 6mm ply and then finished with Oregon pine and mahogany trim around the edge and coaming sides.
In 2013 Silvervingen was ready to be launched and she was beyond immaculate condition, she is a real credit to her current owner who has put many hours of love into this restoration.
Silveringen was weighed just after her restoration at 4,110kg which included her full inventory and 3 removable bunks, her design weight was 4,100kg.
Since her relaunch Silvervingen has enjoyed very relaxed sailing with her current owner, she has had new sails built and has been meticulously maintained, every winter living in her purpose built shed.
Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):
Owner/Guardian: Nils Gäbel
Owner/Guardian: Ägare Fredrik Lindqvist