ARCONA 50
A WATERSHED DESIGN FOR THE TRADITIONAL SWEDISH BRAND, BUT DOES ARCONA’S FLAGSHIP HAVE THE X-FACTOR TO STAND OUT IN A CROWD?
Arcona – a Swedish yard with a sound reputation for producing traditional style cruiser-racers, designed by a little known Swede who had a gift of ensuring slippery hulls. If that sounds familiar, then be prepared for a redefinition, as pretty much all of that has changed with the launch of this new flagship 50.
Gone is the sweet, simple, stick-to-what-works idea. This is a big, contemporary new Arcona, one that sees the brand transition from its cruiser-racer heritage and classic interiors to a luxury performance sector. And it’s a stunner – inside and out, the 50 is a true showstopper.
It’s a bold move, but an understandable one. Long term designer Stefan Qviberg passed away in 2018, the same year when Arcona was bought by Najad and Orust Quality Yachts. Their owner then brought in former Olympic sailor Urban Lagnéus as CEO, a veteran manager who spent 18 years at Hallberg-Rassy. This new flagship is the first brand new design in that five year period and sees Arcona move much closer to the market trend.
However, that decision brings seriously stiff competition. Over the last decade or so I have often written about how many similar options there are for those looking for a quality fast cruiser in the 50ft sector.
Arguably, the launchpad for this trend was the Solaris 50 in 2015, for which the Italian yard brought out a replacement last year. Cantiere del Pardo has its equally sleek looking Grand Soleil 48P, then came the First 53, which aimed to offer such performance rewards and style for less cost. Nautor Swan has since renewed its thoroughbred 48 design, launched a new 55 and announced a new 51 for 2025.
And then there’s X-Yachts, perhaps Arcona’s closest rival, with its X4.9 , for which it now has a MkII version. All these models are, essentially, high end, aft cockpit, three-cabin performance cruisers.
Which brings us on to the elephant in the room. By moving to this market sector Arcona has pitched itself against these high profile fast cruiser brands, and one in particular. Some will say this 50 looks very similar to an X-Yacht – and deliberately so even, with the choice of its big name designer: X-Yachts co-founder and designer for 40 years, Niels J
