Interview with J-Craft’s Johan Attvik at the 2011 MYS

By Paul Joseph

When the first J-Craft prototype, the Cabrio Cruiser, was completed in Gotland, Sweden, in 1999, it was the genesis of a new wave of luxury powerboats inspired by iconic names of the 1960s such as Riva and Chris-Craft.

Combining the aesthetics of the classic wooden powerboats with the performance and comforts of modern technology, their sleek and stylish design made them an instant hit with the boating public.

In the ensuing 13 years, the company has refined its original concept, working to preserve its proud Swedish heritage while taking the concept of the classic motor boat beyond the limits of tradition.

At the helm of the J-Craft revolution has been its founder, Johan Attvik. Superyachts.com sat down with Johan at the recent Monaco Yacht Show to discuss the company’s origins, inspirations and hopes for the future.

“J-craft is a project taken down to the med from the Scandinavian waters, he told Shari Liu, Superyacht.com’s luxury editor.

“I’ve developed a boat that suits the Mediterranean customers much better than was built before. We’ve been here with our new model for two-and-a-half years and we’ve been very successful.

J-Craft’s fleet of boats consists of the Torpedo and the Torpedo R – both 13-metres but the latter offering more speed. “A racier version”, as Johan described it.

Whilst the vessels can also be used as day boats, the majority of J-Craft’s customers are yacht owners who intend to use them as tenders or toys. So now that they have corned the market in luxury tenders, what next for J-Craft?

“We are looking at building a much larger J-Craft – the same style but a gentleman’s sport yacht,” he said.

“We’re Looking at 100-plus foot and there’s some nice drawings on the table at the moment, so I’ll come back to that.”

And with that tantalising confession Johan was off to deal with the next batch of hopeful purchasers, all keen to taste the luxury lifestyle imbued in J-Craft boats.
 

"We are looking at building a much larger J-Craft – the same style but a gentleman’s sport yacht"

Johan Attvik, founder of J-Craft

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"We are looking at building a much larger J-Craft – the same style but a gentleman’s sport yacht"

Johan Attvik, founder of J-Craft
By Paul Joseph