[JamTart]

Hello

I’m currently working on my first feature screenplay, in which my characters sail from the Northernmost coast of Norway up to the island of Svalbard in the post apocalypse.

While I am taking some slight liberties with things to allow a smoother narrative, I would still like to be as accurate as possible.

Can anyone recommend some small sailboats that would be suitable for a journey like this?

The journey will be happening in the summer, and since this apocalypse is the result of global warming, polar ice isn’t an issue. I’ve calculated the distance on Bednblue and it comes out at roughly 520NM depending on when you start from (I couldn’t use the exact location as it was too small a settlement to come up on the site). Ideally the journey should take a couple of days, but I can extend it if necessary.

The boat itself is manned by 3 characters, 2 with sailing experience in this region. There will also be a storm on the journey back that has to be survived.

I can write in explanations for how they get fuel and additional supplies, but ideally nothing that needs hyperspecific gear.

Thank you for any and all assistance.

Jamie

Topic

[Bruce_Sailboatdata]

Hi Jamie,

Interesting project. If you are looking for accuracy, it is not realistic to cover 520 nm in two days in a small sailboat unless you are you open to using a catamaran. The reason is, that would require sailing an average of about 11 kts/hour. Monohull keelboats have what’s called a “hull speed.” They cannot sail (or motor) through the water faster than approx. 1.34 x √LWL (in feet). Translated, a monohull would need a waterline of almost 70 feet to sail that fast.

With perfect conditions, wind strong enough to keep the boat at hull speed the entire time, without factoring in current, a monohull with a 30 ft waterline could cover the distance in about 3 days. So that would be your minimum time on a boat about 35 – 40′ length overall. Factoring in an adverse current and four days is probably more realistic.

There are a number of excellent Nordic builders (which would probably make the most sense). Including Arcona, FinnFlyer, FinnGulf. CR Yachts, Linjett, Malo, Marin, Maxi, Najad, NautorSwan, Ohlson, Sweden Yachts, X-yachts… I’m sure there are more.

Hope this helps.

[JamTart]

Thank you very much for the information, as well as the explanation. I will adjust my story accordingly.

[PaulK]

520 miles at sea is a serious enough distance to call for a serious boat.  For a trip like that in the post-apocalypse the seasoned sailors in the crew would probably want something like a Hallberg-Rassy 370 under them.  A bigger boat might be more comfortable, but with just three crew boats over 40 feet get difficult to handle. Equipment designed to allow two people to sail a 60′ boat can break, for example. What do they do then? Tired crew make mistakes, and problems snowball – despite Global Warming.

[lukemcar]

Hey Jamie,

Your screenplay concept sounds epic—and the kind of voyage you’re describing fits one particular boat perfectly: the Contessa 26.

I chose the Contessa 26 for my own “just in case” escape boat—post-apocalyptic vibes included. It’s small, yes, but it’s got one of the biggest reputations in the world of compact offshore cruisers. Built to handle serious conditions, it has successfully crossed oceans, weathered hurricanes, and even completed solo circumnavigations. So a 520NM trip to Svalbard? Absolutely in its wheelhouse.

A few reasons why it’s a great fit for your story:

• Built like a tank – Hand-laid fiberglass, no expiration date. Mine was built by J.J. Taylor in Canada, and the hull thickness is absurd compared to most modern boats.
• Seaworthy pedigree – Designed after the Nordic Folkboat, it’s got a long keel, high ballast ratio (~43%), and serious heavy-weather handling.
• Spartan but functional interior – Sleeps four, so your three characters and their gear could make the journey in tight but realistic quarters.
• Storm survival? Check. This boat has a low capsize screening number and has proven itself in the kind of rough conditions you mentioned.

Also, there’s something visually appealing and timeless about the Contessa’s lines—it’d look great on screen and give your film a layer of authenticity sailors will appreciate.

If I were scripting a small boat to survive a post-global-warming voyage through the Arctic, I’d write in a Contessa 26.

Let me know if you want links or specs.

—Luke

[Damsel]

Maybe anything designed by Olle Enderlein, like an OE36. He is a Baltic designer.  He designed many main line boats for Halberg Rassey, Swan, etc. But I would think something like an OE would be more interesting and less obvious from a creative standpoint point.  Depending on your narrative anything blue water capable from about 25 ft to 40 makes sence. To be realistic the weather should be varied with some boisterous and some slow going. Yachts of this size will average a little over 130nm per day in the real world. Somedays more, some days less. Depending on your vision for the future, a simple 1970s ish boat wich has no dependency on electronic technology would be good. Of coarse your characters would either need to know some traditional navigation or learn it along the way. You could use one of the weather apps to pull some actually summer 6 day forecasts to see what a wind pattern and currents might look like.

[Author]

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