{{Short description|Scandinavian yacht designer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}} '''Knud Reimers''' (May 20, 1906 – 1987) was one of the most important Scandinavian yacht designers of the 20th century.

==Biography== Knud Hjelmberg Reimers was born in Århus, Denmark and educated as a shipwright in Germany at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft in the twenties, a yard building large sailing and motor yachts at the time. He worked as an apprentice at Abeking & Rasmussen in (Bremen-)Lemwerder under the supervision of [https://swedesail.de/en/yacht-designer-knud-hjelmberg-reimers/ Henry Rasmussen]. His first employment was in Stockholm at the design studio of the famous naval architect Gustaf Estlander. When Estlander suddenly died at the age of 54 in 1930, the 25-year-old Reimers bought his design practice. He promptly sold six 22m² Skerry cruisers to the Detroit Yacht Club. He later drew plans for the great 75m² Skerry cruiser ''Bacchant (II)'' that furthered his reputation as a designer of fast cruisers and racers.

Reimers most celebrated construction is the Tumlare which was designed in the early 1930s (1933 from a majority of sources; No. 1, 'Aibe' was built the next year for Bengt Kinde), and became a popular class worldwide. Examples are to be found all round the Baltic, in the UK, North America and Australia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tummelisa157.dinstudio.se/ |title=A web site for Tumlaren |work=tummelisa157.dinstudio.se |access-date=17 August 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213950/http://www.tummelisa157.dinstudio.se/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pia.hostoi.com/Knud_Reimers_2.html |title=(Archived copy) Knud_Reimers, p2 at pia.hostoi.com |work=hostoi.com |access-date=7 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215214801/http://www.pia.hostoi.com/Knud_Reimers_2.html |archivedate=15 December 2014}}</ref> After owning the Tumlare ''Zara'', Adlard Coles bought a 32' 'Large Tumlare' ''Cohoe'', with which he won the RORC's Transatlantic Race from Newport, Rhode Island of 1950.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/deepseasailing030367mbp/deepseasailing030367mbp_djvu.txt |title=Erroll Bruce: Deep Sea Sailing |work= archive.org |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref>

Reimers went on to design cruisers, offshore racers and numerous exclusive sailing and motor yachts. Reimers boats are available in numerous countries worldwide, and boats are occasionally still built to his designs. His drawing archives are at the Maritime Museum in Stockholm.<ref name=smma >{{cite web |url=http://www.sjohistoriska.se/en/Collections/Archives/ |title=Reimers records mentioned at page for Swedish maritime museum |work=sjohistoriska.se |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> Reimers also designed Motor yachts, e.g. ''Orwell'' Class, 25’, (Yachting World 1938)<ref name=nmmc>{{cite web |url=http://www.nmmc.co.uk |title=National Maritime Museum Cornwall |work=nmmc.co.uk |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> and ''Swedish Express'', 50’, (Yachting World 1938).<ref name=nmmc/>

Reimers was also a lecturer, and produced films of races like the Tall Ships Race, Bermuda Race, Fastnet Race and Atlantic Race. Knud Reimers argued that in offshore race sailing, the final test is to create boats that can travel at sea in any weather, and said (loosely translated): "The boat is the means to reach the treasure beyond the horizon".<ref>{{cite book |first=Sonja |last=Herlin |title=Blå Horisont |trans-title=Blue Horizon |publisher=Rabén och Sjögren |location=Stockholm |year=1983 |isbn= 9129561035}}</ref>

== List of Knud Reimers yacht designs== {{expand list|date=April 2015}} Reimers designed numerous yachts for the metre Rule and square Metre or Skerry cruiser rule classes; they are known variously by length in metres or (more often) feet, and also often by their square metre rating etc. which together with the re-use of several names may justify this table as an attempt towards clarifying the confusing variety of naming conventions.

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Class or ''Boat Name'' !! LOA Ft !! Beam Ft !! Builders Name !! Number Built !! Notes |- | 1933 || Tumlare || {{convert|27|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} || Various || "At least 200"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6505|title=Tumlaren sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com|work=sailboatdata.com|access-date=7 July 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023817/http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=6505|url-status=dead}}</ref> "Some 600"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tumlare.org.uk/history.html |title=Tumlare Owners Group |work=tumlare.org.uk |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classicboatclasses.co.uk/#/tumlaren/4563508404 |title=Classic Boat Classes |work=classicboatclasses.co.uk |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> 20m<sup>2</sup> |- | 1934 || Scharenkreuzer 30SQM || {{convert|40|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|7|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || Various || || <ref name=30er>{{cite web |url=http://www.30er.com/yachtregister/index.html?fuseaction=suche&suchwort=Knud+H.+Reimers&suchen=suchen |title=Knud H.Reimers in yachtregister |website=30er.com |quote=dead link, 8 July 2016- see Archived copy |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808040803/http://www.30er.com/yachtregister/index.html?fuseaction=suche&suchwort=Knud+H.+Reimers&suchen=suchen |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | 1934 || Hocco || {{convert|27|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} || || || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.voilesdantan.org/index.php/saint-bonaventure-hocco-1934 |title=Saint Bonaventure - Hocco (1934) - Atelier des Voiles d'Antan du Léman (AVAL) |date=5 October 2010 |work=voilesdantan.org |access-date=7 July 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> 28m<sup>2</sup> on a Tumlare Hull for sailing on lake Geneva |- | 1934 || 5½ S9 ''Blåsut'' || {{convert|35|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|6|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} || Williams, Motala || || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://s9.maxlinder.se |title=Page for S9 Blåsut, Nordisk Kryssare 5½ |date= |website=s9.maxlinder.se |access-date=2025-02-10}}</ref> Nordisk Kryssare 5½ S9 Blåsut<ref>1934 -'Eolo' (afterly 'Maracaibo'), for the Argentinian yachtsman Mr. Sierburg. This boat was entirely built with 'Viraró' (a South American Wood) by 'Astillero Rio de La Plata' (Germán Frers) [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071522/http://www.sjohistoriska.se/sv/Fordjupning/MarketStore/Ritning/?msobjid=0005669&Origin=SM (dead link, 8 July 2016) Page in Swedish Maritime Museum, sjohistoriska.se]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sjohistoriska.se/sv/Kusten-runt/Fartyg--batar/K-markning-av-fritidsbatar/K-markta-fritidsbatar/Blasut/ |title=Page for Blasut at Swedish Maritime museum |date= |website=sjohistoriska.se |access-date=9 July 2016 }}</ref> Similar 5.5m Nordic Cruiser here<ref>{{cite web |url=http://digitaltmuseum.se/011024783313?page=4&sort_by=date&query=ritning&producer=reimers,%20knud&advanced_search=1&from_year=1934&to_year=1934&pos=91 |title=5.5m Nordic Cruiser drawing by Reimers |date= |website=digitaltmuseum.se |access-date=12 July 2016}}</ref> |- | 1936 || ''Bacchant (II)'' || {{convert|62|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|9|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} || || || <ref name="krsw">{{cite web |last=Braschos |first=Erdmann |date=28 May 2025 |title=Yacht Designer Knud Reimers |url=https://swedesail.de/en/yacht-designer-knud-hjelmberg-reimers/ |access-date=7 July 2016 |work=swedesail.de/en/}}</ref> (cf 1937 ‘Bacchante’ 42’6" given at ASQMA;<ref name=asqma>{{cite web |url=http://www.asqma.com |title=Australian square metre association |work=asqma.com |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> cf also NMM in Cornwall<ref name=nmmc/>);( "75m<sup>2</sup>" <ref name=swedesail>{{cite web |url=http://www.Swedesail.de |title=Willkommen - Swedesail |first=Erdmann |last=Braschos |work=swedesail.de |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref>) -original Bacchant was an Estlander 30m<sup>2</sup> design, 1928 |- | 1937 || Stortumlare ("Large Tumlare") aka Albatross<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woodenboat.com.au/register/listing.asp?boatid=14477 |title=Celeste - Wooden Boat |work=woodenboat.com.au |access-date=7 July 2016 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307111354/http://woodenboat.com.au/register/listing.asp?boatid=14477 |url-status=dead }}</ref> || {{convert|32|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|7|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} (2.3m given at<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ihamn.se/bat/stortumlare|title=Stortumlare fakta om båt iHamn.se|work=ihamn.se|access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref>) || – || No. 11 built 1939<ref>{{cite web |title=Albatross « Sail Yacht Society |url=https://sailyachtsociety.se/jakterna/havs-och-kurstkryssare/albatross/ |website=sailyachtsociety.se |access-date=10 February 2025}}</ref> || Numerous Examples on the web; 30m<sup>2</sup><ref>{{cite web |url=http://digitaltmuseum.se/011024736799?sort_by=date&query=ritning&producer=reimers,%20knud&advanced_search=1&from_year=1934&to_year=1934&pos=6 |title=Stortumlare drawing by Reimers |date= |website=digitaltmuseum.se |access-date=12 July 2016}}</ref> |- |1937||''Havsornen''||{{convert|52|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}}||{{convert|11|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}}||Holms Batvarv||||Seems to have been designed jointly by Reimers and Tore Holm<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billionaire.com/yachts-for-sale-and-charter/sales/3058/havsornen |title=Page for ''Havsornen'' |date= |website=billionaire.com |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> -Built in Holms' yard and often attributed solely to him |- | 1939 || ''Siska'' || {{convert|50|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|8|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} || – || || Knud Reimers 40m<sup>2</sup> boat modified for the Sydney-Hobart Race <ref name=swedesail /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asqma.com/yacht%20profiles/Siska.html |title=Page for Siska at Australian square metre association |work=asqma.com |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> |- | 1941 Onwards || Scharenkreuzer S22 || {{convert|37|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|7|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sk22.se/p/jaktregister.html |title=22 Klubben - www.sk22.se: Jaktregister |work=sk22.se |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> – || || 36’ given in<ref name=nmmc/> 22m<sup>2</sup> |- | 1948 || ''Agneta'' || {{convert|82|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|13|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} || || || Yawl<ref name= krsw /> |- | 1940 || ''Squall'' || {{convert|25|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|5|ft|75|in|m|abbr=on}} || || || Yawl<ref name= krsw /> |- | 1955 || Udell one design || {{convert|36|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || Raymond Creekmore || 11 in North America<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.squareskerryyachts.net/udell/welcome-to-square-skerry-cruisers-of-north-america/ |title=Page on N. American Udells |website=www.squareskerryyachts.net |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref>|| <ref name=sailboatdata>{{cite web |url=http://sailboatdata.com/view_designer.asp?designer_id=51 |title=page for Reimers' designs at |website=www.sailboatdata.com |access-date=9 July 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Note: a one design sub-class of the 22m<sup>2</sup> class <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.22squaremeters.com/html/boat_list.HTM |title=Boat List |work=22squaremeters.com |access-date=7 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303211206/http://www.22squaremeters.com/html/boat_list.HTM|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> named after Clare Udell<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.labyrinthina.com/rebirth-of-a-classic.html |title=Some Udell history |website=labyrinthina.com |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> Chicago YC<ref>{{cite web |url=http://classicsailboats.org|title=Classic Sailboats - Keeping The Legends Alive|work=classicsailboats.org|access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> 1953 |- | 1955<ref name=nmmc/> || C(h)ameleon Class || {{convert|29|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || Various || '2 dozen built for 1956' || <ref name=jibslist>{{cite web |url=http://jibslist.com/BoatlistDes.aspx?Design_Id=599&Fullname=Reimers,%20Knud |title=Knud Reimers page |website=jibslist.com |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810151550/http://jibslist.com/BoatlistDes.aspx?Design_Id=599&Fullname=Reimers%2C%20Knud |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jibslist.com/Specifications.aspx?boatid=15543&boatname=CHAMELEON+CLASS&builder_id=1904&frompage=BoatListBld.aspx |title=Specifications for Chameleon Class |website=jibslist.com |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-date=10 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810151550/http://www.jibslist.com/Specifications.aspx?boatid=15543&boatname=CHAMELEON+CLASS&builder_id=1904&frompage=BoatListBld.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> cf forum on classicboat.co.uk |- | 1960 || :sv:Bacchant IV || {{convert|35|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|9|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || Vasteras Fiberplast || ca. 100 || <ref name=sailboatdata/> Bacchant III a one design yawl |- | 1964 || ''Bijou'' || {{convert|40|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|7|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || e.g. I. Beck & Sohne, Bodensee || || classic 30 m<sup>2</sup><ref name= krsw /> built in southern Germany. cf Bijou II in N America<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.woodenboat.com/bijou-ii|title=Bijou II|work=woodenboat.com|access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> |- | 1964 || sv:Fingal 27 || {{convert|27|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} 28’ given in<ref name=mgse>{{cite web |url=http://www.maringuiden.se|title=Maringuiden|work=maringuiden.se|access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> || {{convert|7|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} || Fisksatra Varv || ca. 200 || Supplied in kit form and fitted out to a variety of interior designs<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sailguide.com/batfakta/501 |title=Fingal - Sailguide.comm|work=sailguide.com |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> |- | 1972 || S 30 cf also S30-93 || {{convert|41|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} (40’/12.3m in <ref name=asqma/>(???)) || {{convert|8|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} || AB Fisksatra varv, Sweden; Crown Yacht, Sweden || '305' according to <ref name= mgse/> -111, built between ‘30s and ‘90s, are listed at <ref name=30er/> || 30 sqm The project name was originally Gota 30 which was later changed to O 30 and finally to S 30. Types A30 and S30;<ref name=30er/> Sometimes Swede 41/ S30: aka Skerry41 30m<sup>2</sup>/ 41ft Loa |- | 1975 || :sv:Swede 55 || {{convert|52|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} 53’<ref name=nmmc/> || {{convert|10|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || Crown Yacht, Sweden || 35<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=1849|title=Swede 55 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com|work=sailboatdata.com|access-date=7 July 2016|archive-date=14 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314031957/http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=1849|url-status=dead}}</ref> || designed at request of some of Stockholms Royal Swedish Yacht Club members<ref>{{cite web |last=Braschos |first=Erdmann |date=17 January 2017 |title=Swede 55 Introduction |url=https://swedesail.de/en/square-metre-boat-cruising-variant-swede-55-introduction/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |work=swedesail.de/en/ |df=dmy-all}}</ref> 55m<sup>2</sup> aka SWEDE 52 (52' 6" loa) |- | 1982 || Jubilee S40<ref name=sailboatdata/> || {{convert|47|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|8|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} || Tufa Marin.<ref>{{cite web |last=Braschos |first=Erdmann |date=11 December 2023 |title=Jubilee S40 |url=https://swedesail.de/en/square-metre-boat-cruising-variant-jubilee-s40/ |access-date=11 December 2023 |work=Swedesail}}</ref>|| 9 || designed to celebrate Remiers' 50th anniversary as a yacht designer, 4 boats in Germany and 5 in Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |author=Braschos |first=Erdmann |date=11 November 2023 |title=Page on Jubilee S40 |url=https://swedesail.de/en/square-metre-boat-cruising-variant-jubilee-s40/ |url-status= |archive-date= |access-date=30 May 2025 |website=Swedesail |lang=}}</ref> 40m<sup>2</sup> |- | 1986<ref name= mgse/> || SK 30/40 || {{convert|40|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || {{convert|7|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} || Jansson & Zarin || 7<ref name= mgse/> || 30m<sup>2</sup>/ 40&nbsp;ft Loa |- | 1993 (posth.) || S30-93 || {{convert|41|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} (40’/12.3m in <ref name=asqma/>(???)) || {{convert|8|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}} || AB Fisksatra varv, Sweden; Crown Yacht, Sweden || '305' according to<ref name= mgse/> -111, built between ‘30s and ‘90s, are listed at <ref name=30er/> || 1993 updated version of S30, with increased sail area by extending the boom and increasing the foretriangle: at this stage the original was termed 'S30 classic'<ref name=asqma/> -see also :sv:S 30 |}

===Further notes regarding designs=== ''Sensa'' is given as a 5m class; 6m designs are mentioned; a number of individual boats to Reimers' designs are listed on the Australian square metre association website,<ref name= asqma/> e.g. ''Wings'' 44’, 1938/ ''Joyous''- plans 1958/ ''Lady in Red'': similarly, Jibslist<ref name=jibslist/> mentions the 41' ''Gota'' (original project name for the S30) and the 42'8" ''Scharenkreuzer 40S''.

===Further notes regarding specific boats=== ''Landfall / Flicka'' – in April 1937, Reimers ordered the first 4 Albatross to be built by Oscar Schelin, Kungsors Batvarv, Sweden. They were finished in March, 1938. #4 was named Landfall by the buyer and shipped to Texas.<ref>Oct. 1982, personal letter from Reimers</ref>{{better |date=February 2025}} As of February, 2017, this remarkable boat is 79 years old, has had 10 owners and four names; she is (2017) being restored as ''Flicka'' in Port Hadlock, Washington.

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

{{Authority control (arts)|country=SV}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reimers, Knudl}} Category:Swedish yacht designers Category:Danish yacht designers Category:1906 births Category:1987 deaths Category:20th-century Swedish architects Category:Danish expatriate artists in Germany Category:Danish expatriates in Sweden