1956 Larsson & Brothers Custom 40

Something a little bit unusual.....
Build and Ownership
This beautiful yacht has been kept in Mylor Yacht Harbour by her current owner for over 20 years. Originally built by the Larsson brothers in Gävle in Sweden, they used double planked mahogony with oak below the water line. Launched in 1956, Lovisa is based on an early American ketch rigged design, with extra ballast and a lifting keel to navigate the European canals, she draws 3 foot with the plate up and 6 foot when fully deployed.
The Larsson brothers sailed her south, through the canals to the Mediterranean, and on to the Carribean before returning to Falmouth in 1959. She has stayed in northern Europe ever since.
Care and Maintenance
The current owner has been nothing short of fastidious in his ownership. Taking on a 5 year refit when he bought her, she was refreshed from stem to transom, one area at a time, during winter periods to allow sailing to resume each summer. All of the iron ribs have been replaced by laminated oak, the transom was replaced, the deck and sub deck ripped up and re laid and a new engine installed. In addition to these, Lovisa's brightwork has been refreshed annually and hull repainted as required. It is rare to find a yacht so well looked after.
Lovisa is now looking for a new custodian, to carry on with her ownership. The current owner has had recent contact with the Larsson brothers, and is keen to pass on his experience and knowledge.
Currently afloat in her marina berth in Mylor Yacht Harbour, please call for further information or to arrange a viewing.
Construction
Built and designed by Larsson brothers
Launched in 1956
Swing keel
Rudder - sternpost hung
Ketch rig
Carvel-planked with Honduras mahogany
First 5 hull planks in oak
Riveted on to laminated frames with alternate ribs, steamed into shape
Hull repainted in white 2026
Teak decking and sub frame renewed 2024/25
On Deck
Solid oak bow sprit - painted white
45 Lb CQR anchor with galvanised chain
Manual Simpson Lawrence windlass
Double bow roller
Opening foredeck hatch
Teak handrails to coach roof
Port lights and port holes in bronze
Butterfly skylight hatch to saloon
2 x dorade boxes with brass vents
2 x Bronze Wilmex sheet tracks
2 x Bronze Wilmex primary winches
2 x Bronze Wilmex mainsheet winches
2 x bronze Wilmex secondary winches
Access to forward and aft companionways via cockpit
Port and starboard deck locker storage
Stainless steel push pit
Stainless steel swim ladder
Outriggers for tender - Mahogony laminated
Rigging and Sails
Rigging
Ketch rigged
Standing rigging replaced 2026
Anodised aluminium main and mizzen masts, painted white
Anodised aluminium booms painted white
Double spreaders to both masts
Deck stepped spars
Self tacking stay sail with boom on Harken furler
Yankee to bow sprit on Harken furler
Fisherman staysail on furler
Spinnaker poleSails - all lightly used
Yankee - SKB sails
Staysail - SKB sails
Main sail - battened with lazy jacks and stack pack - SKB sails
Mizzen sail - battened with lazy jacks and stack pack - SKB sails
Fisherman staysail - SKB sails
Engineering & Electrical
Yanmar 4JH4E - 55 HP
Shaft drive to 3 bladed bronze propeller
Regularly serviced
2 x 110 a/h service batteries
1 x 120 a/h engine start battery
30 amp Victron Phoenix battery charger
Shore power connection
240v power with RCD
Isolator switching in companionway
Vetus water tank gagues
Navigation
Navigation lights - masthead tricolour and deck level port and starboard
Simrad AP20 autopilot head unit
Simrad CX44 chart plotter with radar
Plastimo contest compass
Icom M505 VHF with DSC
Simrad IS20 wind display
Simrad DS34 chart plotter at chart table
Interior
berths over 2 cabins and saloon
Solid fuel burner for heating
High gloss varnish interior with white gloss deck head
Navigation table
Lifting chart table with drawer and cupboard storage underneath
12 v control panel
Access aft to machinery space with RCD and batteries
Access to lifting keel mechanism
Heads
Electric flush techna toilet
Brass taps with hot and cold pressurised water
Ceramic sink
Galley
Single sink
Brass mixer tap with hot and cold pressurised water
Fiddled crockery storage
Cupboard storage underneath
Techimpex 2 burner gas hob with oven/grill
Saloon
Seating to port and starboard
Upholstery in green
Trotter boxes for berthing
Saloon table with folding sides
Multiple gas lamps
Forward Cabin
Offset double berth to starboard
Hanging storage to port
Upholstery in green
Slatted seating to port
Forward storage locker
Aft Cabin
Separate access through aft of cockpit
Step down into foot well
Double berth offset to starboard
Upholstery in green
Storage lockers aft