A Proper Little Ship

The Rugged Astra.

- Dag Pike

We are all used to passagemakers where the focus is on the interior rather than the performance. Even from the outside these boats have to look the part, and the focus on performance in adverse conditions tends to take second place. With Astra, it is the reverse. For this passagemaker the focus is entirely on its seagoing abilities and reliability. In fact, I would put this 80-footer in the category of the ultimate passagemaker—a vessel capable of taking on the world’s toughest oceans and coming out on top.

It is not surprising, really, when you look at Astra’s heritage. She was built back in 1994 for the Swedish Lifeboat Society as an all-weather lifeboat complete with an icebreaking hull. She has to be one of the toughest boats of her size ever built, and what’s more, she looks the part. Sitting alongside in the marina when I first saw her, Astra looked the perfect match for rough seas with her traditional sheer lines and purposeful superstructure. No frills here, just a proper functional boat built for one of the toughest jobs in the world.

Design Characteristics