Figaro IV 12 N 6

Designed by Johan Anker – Built by Anker & Jensen, 1924 (International Second Rule)

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Figaro IV was designed by the celebrated Norwegian yacht designer Johan Anker and built by Anker & Jensen at Christiania (Oslo) in 1924 to the International Second Rule. She carried the Norwegian sail number 12 N 6 and was originally owned by Thomas Olsen of Oslo.

Her principal dimensions were 20.88 metres overall, 12.98 metres on the waterline, 3.73 metres in beam, and 2.26 metres in draft. Built entirely of wood to the meticulous standards of the Anker & Jensen yard, she represented the height of Norwegian craftsmanship in the interwar metre yacht tradition.

OWNERSHIP AND MODIFICATIONS

During her early years, Figaro IV raced actively in the Oslofjord and along the Norwegian coast under Olsen’s ownership. Like many Second Rule Twelves of her generation, she underwent later modifications as sailing fashions evolved.

By the late 1930s, she appears under the name Arrow, followed by Sylvana in the early 1950s and Solveig II from 1953 onward. Her recorded sail area was reduced from approximately 201 square metres to 161 square metres, suggesting that she was de-powered and adapted for cruising or handicap competition after her prime racing years.

CAREER AND CONTEXT

Figaro IV was one of several 12 Metres designed by Johan Anker during a prolific period that cemented his reputation as “the master of lines.” Her design exemplified the mature Norwegian Second Rule aesthetic — long overhangs, smooth fair sections, and finely balanced rigs that combined grace with power.

While detailed race records are limited, her presence among the Anker-designed Oslo fleet places her at the centre of the Scandinavian 12 Metre scene in the mid-1920s. The later name changes and rig reductions mirror the broader fate of many 12 Metres of her era, as they transitioned from championship racers to refined cruising yachts.

LATER YEARS AND LEGACY

By the mid-20th century, Figaro IV had largely disappeared from competition and eventually from the active registry, though her lines and construction remained well-documented in Norwegian archives. No confirmed record of her survival exists today. She disappeared from the Lloyd's Register in 1965.

Figaro IV stands as an elegant example of Johan Anker’s artistry — a yacht that combined innovation, craftsmanship, and aesthetic perfection. She represents the golden age of Norwegian yacht design and remains part of the enduring legacy that carried Scandinavian excellence into the international 12 Metre class.