Aardvarc is a 2009 Arcona 400, built by Arcona Yachts AB as part of the Swedish yard’s highly regarded performance-cruising range. The Arcona 400 was conceived as a genuine cruiser-racer rather than a cruising yacht with sporting pretensions, combining a light, stiff structure, deep high-aspect keel, powerful sail plan and refined underwater profile with a proper cruising interior and systems installation.Aardvarc is a particularly comprehensively equipped example. Her current inventory shows considerable investment in the areas that matter, including North 3D Endurance sails new in 2024, complete standing rigging replacement in 2019, a Yanmar SD60 saildrive fitted in 2024, 460Ah LiFePO4 domestic battery system, extensively renewed Victron charging and distribution equipment, solar charging, Raymarine Axiom Pro navigation, Quantum 2 Doppler radar, AIS700, updated autopilot controls, Coppercoat and substantial safety equipment.The Arcona 400 itself has an established pedigree. More than 160 were built between its launch in 2001 and the end of production in 2014. The design won Sailboat of the Show in 2001 and was overall winner of the Gotland Runt in 2008. Arcona describes the 400 as equally intended for competitive sailing, family cruising and longer-distance passage making.History & BuildModel: Arcona 400Name: AardvarcType: Sailing yacht / performance cruiser-racerBuilder: Arcona Yachts ABBuilder’s registered address: Gustavsbergs Hamn, SE-134 40 Gustavsberg, SwedenPlace of build: Kuressaare, EstoniaDate of build recorded on Builder’s Certificate: November 2009Builder’s Certificate signed: 20 January 2010Construction: Glass-fibre compositeHull colour: WhiteOriginal commissioning/build order recorded by ArconaHull Identification Number recorded on Builder’s CertificateEngine identification recorded on Builder’s CertificateCE design philosophy: Category A – OceanConstructionHull & DeckVacuum-infused composite hull and deck constructionMultiaxial glass-fibre reinforcementDivinycell foam coreSolid laminate reinforcement around keel, rudder and through-hull fittingsSolid deck laminate locally beneath deck hardware and fittingsWhite GRP hullOpen transom configurationIntegrated bathing platformStructural bulkheads bonded directly to hull and deckMarine plywood structural bulkheadsInterior structure laminated into hull rather than relying upon a moulded structural inner linerA major structural feature of the Arcona 400 is its hot-dip galvanised steel chassis, designed to absorb and distribute loads from the keel, mast and rig into the hull structure. The chassis extends fore and aft of the keel and is connected to the principal structural bulkheads.KeelStandard draft keelDraft: 2.10mApproximately 2.5-tonne keel weightLead bulbCast iron/steel finFin glassed and fairedKeel secured through hull to structural steel chassis12 x 20mm stainless steel keel bolts in the original designLow centre of gravity performance keel configurationArcona Keel-Pro grounding-protection system incorporated into original design specificationRudder & SteeringHigh-aspect balanced spade rudderHand-laminated multiaxial glass-fibre rudder blade80mm aluminium rudder stock in the original specificationSelf-aligning rudder bearingsWheel steeringIntegrated GRP steering pedestalStainless steel steering wheelChain and wire steering transmission to quadrantSteering friction brakeEmergency tiller includedPrincipal DimensionsLength overall: 11.98m / 39ft 4inLength waterline: 10.50m / 34ft 5inBeam: 3.82m / 12ft 6inDraft: 2.10m / 6ft 11inDisplacement recorded on Builder’s Certificate: 7.0 tonnesKeel/ballast weight: approximately 2.5 tonnesMast height above water: approximately 18.90m / 62ftCE Category: A – OceanPublished Arcona stability data: STIX 37Published AVS: 124°Engine & PropulsionYanmar 3JH5EThree-cylinder marine diesel engine39hpFresh-water cooledEngine identification recorded on original Builder’s CertificateEngine instrumentation and alarm systemYanmar SD60 saildrive fitted 2024Flexofold two-blade folding propellerAmbassador rope cutterEngine installation designed for straightforward service accessChargingBalmar 80A alternatorBalmar smart alternator regulatorEngine charging integrated into upgraded domestic charging systemDC-DC domestic battery chargingElectrical SystemAardvarc has received a substantial modernisation of her domestic electrical and charging system.Domestic Battery SystemTitan UK 460Ah LiFePO4 domestic batteryLithium domestic installation described by the owner as newVictron fused distribution systemBattery monitoringIntegrated charging from:Shore powerEngine via DC-DC chargerSolar arrayEngine BatteryOptimax dedicated engine-start batterySeparate engine battery chargingNew dedicated mains charger for engine-start batteryShore PowerMains shore-power installationNew hull shore-power inlet/socketNew galvanic isolator230/240V onboard supplyInverter300W inverterMounted behind navigation-station panellingDedicated outlet below outboard shelfIntended for low-load equipment such as a laptop computerSolar Charging2 x Solara Premium M-Series S100 solar panelsSolar charging integrated into domestic battery charging systemVictron charging/monitoring architectureLightingPredominantly LED interior lightingSome navigation-light bulbs remain conventionalTankage & PlumbingFresh Water226-litre bespoke plastic freshwater tankTank fitted 202212V pressurised freshwater pumpHot and cold domestic waterDrinking-water filtration systemGUL Structured Matrix Technology drinking-water filterCartridge reference: 400009Hot WaterIsotemp hot-water calorifierEngine-heated230/240V immersion heating from shore powerWasteOriginal Arcona design provides a holding-tank sanitation systemShower sump and associated plumbing renewed as part of the current yacht’s plumbing updatesThrough-Hull FittingsHull fittings renewedSeacocks renewedMajority replaced with TruDesign composite seacocksAssociated internal plumbing renewedBilge Pumps2 x electric bilge pumpsAutomatic bilge water-level switches1 x manual bilge pumpShowersInternal shower adjacent to headsIsolation valvesShower sumpNew transom shower unitBelow-deck isolation valves for transom showerRig & SparsMast & BoomSelden aluminium mastKeel-steppedThree-spreader configurationOriginal mast section approximately 227 x 119mmApproximate mast length: 18.83mInternal halyard arrangementSelden aluminium boomInternal outhaulSingle-line mainsail reefingRod kicker / vang arrangementFurler headsail reefing systemSpinnaker equipmentDeck-mounted spinnaker-pole storageStanding RiggingComplete standing rigging renewed 2019:1×19 DYFORM / COMPAK stainless steel wireNew terminalsNew turnbucklesSwaged using Teknik Swedish swaging equipment/processRunning Rigging & Sail HandlingTwo spinnaker halyardsSpinnaker poleBoom reefing systemSpinnaker pole and boom reefing systems recently refurbishedCabin-roof rope clutches recently refurbished2 banks of 6 rope clutchesHalyard clutch components fitted with ceramic partsMainsail stack-pack systemMainsail coverHeadsail furling systemPublished Rig DimensionsI: 15.95mJ: 4.25mP: 15.35mE: 5.50mSail InventoryPrimary 2024 Sail WardrobeNorth 3D Endurance mainsail – new 2024North 3D Endurance jib – new 2024Additional SailsQuantum mainsail – original laminate sailQuantum jib – original laminate sailYankee jibAnchor riding sailAsymmetric spinnakerAssociated asymmetric spinnaker sheetsConventional symmetric spinnakerAssociated symmetric spinnaker sheetsAssociated spinnaker guysSail HandlingHeadsail furling/reefing systemSingle-line mainsail reefingStack-pack mainsail systemSpinnaker poleTwo spinnaker halyardsFor reference, Arcona’s published sail-plan figures for the model include a mainsail of approximately 49.8m², Genoa 3 of 34.0m², Genoa 1 of 50.4m², symmetric spinnaker of approximately 115m² and asymmetric of approximately 110m². These are model design figures rather than measured dimensions of Aardvarc’s present sails.Winch & Deck-Handling InventoryAardvarc’s current inventory records:1 x electric winch3 x manual winches2 x winch handlesRefurbished cabin-roof rope clutches2 x 6 clutch arrangementHalyards and control lines led aftSpinnaker handling equipmentDeck-mounted spinnaker poleThe original Arcona deck specification was based around Lewmar equipment, including Lewmar 48 self-tailing primary winches and Lewmar 40 halyard winches.Navigation & ElectronicsAardvarc carries a particularly comprehensive Raymarine navigation package.Multifunction DisplayRaymarine Axiom Pro 99-inch multifunction navigation displaySoftware reported up to dateAssociated cablingSeaTalk1 to SeaTalkNG converterCabling arranged to support installation/use at navigation and helm stationsRadarRaymarine Quantum 2 Doppler radar18-inch radomeDoppler target processingMounted on gimballed Scanstrut installationSeaTalkHS connectivityAssociated radar cablingAISRaymarine AIS700Class B AIS transceiverTransmit and receive capabilityIntegrated VHF antenna splitterAutopilotRaymarine SPX-10 SmartPilotLinear-drive autopilotRaymarine p70s autopilot controller – newp70s controller positioned at helm stationRemote autopilot controlSailing Instruments3 x Raymarine ST60+ instruments1 x Raymarine ST70 instrumentWind speedWind directionGPS dataBoat speedDepth sounderNew speed/temperature sensor fitted 2026Raymarine i70s multifunction display at helmNMEA / Wireless DataW2K-1 NMEA-to-Wi-Fi converterAllows compatible navigation/instrument data to be viewed through mobile applications and wireless devicesCompassesContest 130 compassCompanionway mountedSilva steering compassHelm mountedBespoke compass tableRadar ReflectorEchomax dual-channel radar reflector – newGimballed installationMounted above radarCommunicationsICOM M505 marine VHFFixed VHF installationRaymarine AIS700 with integrated VHF splitterW2K-1 wireless NMEA data interfaceSound SignalsRemovable electric foghornConfigured for automatic operation through VHF radioHand-held gas foghornDeck & CockpitOpen-transom performance-cruising deck arrangementLarge working cockpitWheel steeringStainless steel wheelTeak cockpit tableSprayhood arrangementBimini frame and coverBimini cockpit extensionLarge cockpit lockersDedicated rope/halyard stowageStainless steel pulpitTwin pushpit arrangementStainless steel guardrailsDouble lifelinesMooring cleatsSpring cleatsStainless steel stern bathing ladderTransom showerEmergency tillerFendersMooring warpsWooden passerelle included if requiredDeck ConstructionComposite sandwich deckLocal solid-laminate reinforcement beneath deck fittingsConcealed/organised halyard and control-line routing characteristic of the Arcona 400 deck layoutGround TacklePrimary AnchorRocna 20kg anchor60m x 8mm anchor chainElectric anchor windlassWindlass remote controlDeck-mounted windlass switchesSecondary / Stern AnchoringAnkarolina 56/25 spooled tape anchor linePushpit mounted12kg folding Danforth-type anchorAssociated anchor chainDanforth anchor stored in port stern lockerAccommodationThe Arcona 400 interior was built in selected Khaya/mahogany, finished in satin varnish, with extensive solid timber framing and cabinetry. Structural and interior components are integrated into the yacht rather than concealed behind a large moulded inner liner.SaloonFull standing headroom, approximately 1.96m in the standard designLarge U-shaped port saloon setteeStarboard setteeCentral dining tableDrop-leaf table arrangementBottle storageExtensive storage behind seat backsBookshelvesCupboardsReading lightsOverhead lightingMahogany interior joineryRemovable floor panels providing access to bilge and systemsTeak-style/varnished timber cabin soleNavigation StationDedicated navigation stationLarge chart tableChart storageDrawersNavigation lightElectronics installation area300W inverter installed behind panellingDedicated low-load inverter socket beneath outboard shelfVentilation & Natural LightThe Arcona 400 design incorporates multiple opening portlights, coachroof windows and deck hatches, with additional ventilation through Dorade-style vents in the saloon.GalleyU-shaped galleyCentrally positioned adjacent to saloon and companionwayENO Gascogne gas cookerGimballed cooker installationGas hobOvenTwin stainless steel sinksPressurised freshwater supplyHot and cold waterFiltered drinking waterRefrigerated storageLarge preparation/work surfacesProvision storagePlate, cup and glass cupboardsLower utensil storageCutlery drawersWaste-bin storage beneath sinkCutting/preparation board arrangementGas SystemDedicated gas locker in port stern locker2 x gas cylindersOne operational cylinderOne spare cylinderGas alarm systemHeads & ShowerDedicated heads compartmentMarine toiletHolding-tank systemRecessed washbasinHot and cold waterSeparate/adjacent shower arrangementShower isolation valvesShower sumpShower evacuation systemMirrorStorage cupboardWet-clothing storageDeck hatch/ventilationInternal plumbing substantially renewedMajority of seacocks replaced with TruDesign fittings