The yacht’s restoration was based around the same concept as when she was conceived. When Erik Åkerlund decided to have Princess Svanevit built to participate in the Royal Swedish Yacht Club’s (KSSS) upcoming 100th anniversary in 1930 he said: “I wanted to give Swedish designers and boatbuilders an opportunity to demonstrate their high level of craftsmanship and to help the KSSS attract foreign Twelves to their event. So Sweden must also be able to provide one.” When her current owners acquired her, the intention was not necessarily to restore her back to grand prix racing condition but to ensure the continued existence of what was seen as an important piece of Swedish yachting history.
Back in 1930 Åkerlund approached no fewer than three of the elite names in the world of Swedish design and boatbuilding to help him. Firstly, there was naval architect Gustav Estlander whose designs dominated racing in the various classes at the time. Importantly he already had experience designing competitive yachts to the complicated International Rule although none of them had been 12-Ms. The second logical choice was Tore Holm who was equally successful as a designer of race-winning yachts, and also brought his vast experience as a sailor and helmsman to the project. The third person was Carl Plym, who, since 1925, had been the shipyard manager of one of the world’s most prominent boatbuilding yards: Stockholms Båtbyggeri Aktiebolag – commonly known as the Neglingevarvet.
The yard, known for its quality and reliability,, a 22SqM archipelago cruiser, and 10 26ft (8m) commuter boats designed by Carl Plym for the Stockholm Exhibition, also scheduled for 1930. But they happily accepted the challenge to build .
