Sweden Yachts 38
Built 1983–1990 by Sweden Yachts (Sweden)
Is she right for you? Take the quiz
Own one? Start her custom manual
Looking at one? Sea-trial scorecard
About the Sweden Yachts 38
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1983–1990
- Builder
- Sweden Yachts (Sweden)
- Designer
- Peter Norlin
- Length
- 38.67 ft
- Waterline
- 31.17 ft
- Beam
- 12.67 ft
- Draft
- 7.4 ft
- Displacement
- 16,320 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Water heater
- AC + engine
- Number built
- 85
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel unknown
“stainless steel 100 (litre)” — broker listing (1988), devalk.nl · “1 x 100 ltrs. stainless steel fueltank” — broker listing (1986), devalk.nl · “Stainless Steel 1x 150 litres” — broker listing (1986), devalk.nl · “150.0 ltr (33.0 G) Total - 1 Tanks” — broker listing (1983), portsmouth.boatshed.comListings of four different boats split between 100 L and 150 L (one stainless tank). No builder figure found.
-
Water unknown
“Stainless Steel 2x 160 litres” — broker listing (1986), devalk.nl · “2 x 160 ltrs. fresh watertank” — broker listing (1986), devalk.nl · “stainless steel 320 (litre)” — broker listing (1988), devalk.nl · “320.0 ltr (70.4 G) Total - 2 Tanks” — broker listing (1983), portsmouth.boatshed.com · “320 liters (84 US gallons, 70 imperial gallons)” — search excerpt, yachtdatabase.comFour boats from two brokers and a spec database all give 320 L in two 160-L stainless tanks = 85 US gal. Only non-builder sources, but consistent.
-
Holding unknown
“207.0 ltr (45.5 G) Total - 1 Tanks” — broker listing (1983), portsmouth.boatshed.comOne listing only (a UK boat, probably a later fit; its figure is in imperial gallons). Two Dutch listings instead show a 75-L gray-water/sump tank, which isn't a holding tank.
-
Water heater AC + engine (Isotherm)
“Hot water system 220v + engine Isotherm boiler - 25 litres new (replacement; 25 L = 6.6 US gal)” — broker listing (1986), devalk.nlOne broker listing (a 1986 boat) shows a new 25 L (6.6 US gal) Isotherm calorifier, or hot-water tank, heated by 220 V and the engine. It is a replacement, so it says nothing about the original fit, and no builder specification was found.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
The builder's site lists a brochure and specification for the Sweden Yachts 38, but the files are no longer online, and nothing else was found.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
-
Steering unknown
No source could be read: the builder's brochure and specification files for the Sweden Yachts 38 are listed on its previous-models page but are no longer online.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on fuel tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Fin with spade rudder; wing keel option drew 6.6 ft. No model-specific problem sources were read.
Engines fitted
-
Volvo Penta 2003 — 28 hp, diesel, single
standard
Model reviews/databases give a 28 hp Volvo Penta (MD)2003 driving through a saildrive; about 85 hulls built 1983-1990.Sources: listingsport.com
-
Volvo Penta 2003T — 43 hp, diesel, single
factory option
Turbo version: a 1988 boat has its original 1988 2003T (43 hp); two 1986 boats also carry 2003Ts (one fitted in 2010 from a 1990 engine), so it was both a factory fit and a later swap.
-
Volvo Penta D1-30 — 28 hp, diesel, single
common repower
A 1985 boat listed in the Netherlands has a 2007 D1-30 (28 hp) replacement; only one example seen, so 'common' is not established.Sources: uwjachtmakelaar.nl
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Known problems for this model
No well-sourced problem reports found yet.
Engines & parts
Volvo Penta 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2003T parts: limited
Factory standard engine — you entered “Volvo Penta 2003”
Parts are available through Volvo Penta but owners consider them unique and overpriced (e.g., 2003T turbo, aluminum heat exchanger and oil cooler each quoted in the $1,700–3,000 range). Workarounds include converting the 2003T cooling system to aftermarket cupronickel heat exchanger and oil cooler, using the common aftermarket turbo, and cross-referencing some Perkins parts. Parts4Engines stocks aftermarket service parts.
Parts sources: Parts4Engines, Power Products Systems (genuine Volvo Penta parts)
Common problems (3)
-
Aluminum oil cooler and heat exchanger failures (2003T) cooling
The aluminum oil cooler and heat exchanger are the usual first failures, and genuine replacements are very expensive, so some owners convert to aftermarket coolers or repower.cruisersforum.com · facebook.com
-
Carboned exhaust elbow and turbo from low-load running exhaust
Long periods at low rpm carbon up the elbow and the 2003T turbo; the turbo can also be wrecked if it ingests the intake silencer foam.cruisersforum.com
-
Hard starting on older raw-water-cooled 2002s engine
Original raw-water-cooled 2002s are described as reliable but difficult to start.forums.ybw.com
Maker’s service schedule (10)
| Engine oil & filter change | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “100 HOURS (OR SEASONAL) ENGINE SERVICE” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Oil filter change (every second oil change) | 200 hrs or 2 yrs | “The oil filter should be changed after the first 20 hours of running, and thereafter at every second change of engine oi” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer 2001, 2002, 2003 (clean) | 1 yr | “The intake silencer should be cleaned each season.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer 2003T (replace) | 2 yrs | “On 2003T the intake silencer should be replaced once every two years.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Transmission fluid change | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “The oil in the drive should be changed after every 400 hours or at least once a season.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “CHECK/CHANGE THE IMPELLER” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “CHECK VALVE CLEARANCE Checking and adjusting the valve clearance should only be carried out by an authorized Volvo Penta” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Dismantle and clean the vacuum (siphon-break) valve | 1 yr | “To make sure that the vacuum valve functions properly it should be dismantled at least once every season.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Replace S-drive rubber seal (dealer) S-drive (saildrive) installations | 7 yrs | “The seal should be changed every seven years.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Replace rubber stuffing box (shaft seal) Shaft installations with a rubber stuffing box | 500 hrs or 5 yrs | “The rubber stuffing box must be replaced after 500 hours or 5 years.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
Service part numbers (7)
| Oil filter | Volvo Penta 22057107 Replaces 834337 |
“p.90 "2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T" block: Oil filter — 22057107” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta genuine oil filter to replace old model 834337. Fits … 2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T” — dealer, foxschandlery.com |
| Fuel filter | Volvo Penta 21492771 Replaces 829913, 3825133 |
“p.90 "2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T" block: Fuel filter — 21492771” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Brandstoffilter Volvo Penta 21492771 (vervangt 829913) … Volvo Penta 2001 … 2003T” — dealer, bakker-ijlst.nl |
| Raw-water impeller 2001, 2002, 2003 (not 2003T) |
Volvo Penta 21951342 Replaces 3586496, 875583 Also: Johnson 09-808B |
“p.90 "2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T" block: Impeller kit (2001, 2002, 2003) — 21951342” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Replaces: Johnson Impeller 09-808B / Jabsco Impeller 22405-0001 … 875583-7, 21951342. Used on Volvo Penta 2001, 2002, 20” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au |
| Raw-water impeller 2003T |
Volvo Penta 21951346 Replaces 3862281, 3855546, 3856039 |
“p.90 "2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T" block: Impeller kit (2003T) — 21951346” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta: 21951346, 3862281, 3855546, 3856039 / 2003T, MD22A, TMD22A, MD22B, TMD22B, D2-55, D2-75” — dealer, repowermarine.com |
| Thermostat raw-water (directly) cooled 2001 / 2002 / 2003 |
Volvo Penta 877355 Replaces 876691 |
“Volvo Penta 2001, 2002, 2003 thermostat kit – 877355 … Replaces: 876691” — dealer, ab-marineservice.com · “Thermostat Volvo Penta 2001 2002 2003 - 877355 … 2001 (Directly cooled) 2002 (Directly cooled)” — dealer, marinedustrie.com |
| Drive belt raw-water-cooled 2002 / 2003 / 2003T (alternator) |
Volvo Penta 966900 Replaces 958303 |
“Part Number: 966900 … Supersedes: 958303 … 2002 / 2002AG / 2002B / 2002BG … 2003T / 2003TB” — dealer, marisolmarine.com · “V Belt for Volvo Penta 2002, 2003 with Raw Water Cooling … Replace Volvo Penta: 966900, 958303” — dealer, repowermarine.com |
| Maintenance kit (oil filter, fuel filter, impeller with gaskets) | Volvo Penta 877194 | “p.89 Maintenance kits for diesel engines: 2001, 2002, 2003 — 877194” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Servicekit Volvo Penta 2001 2002 2003 - 877194” — dealer, marinedustrie.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Volvo Penta D1 / D2 series (D1-13 to D2-75) parts: good
Factory common repower engine — you entered “Volvo Penta D1-30”
Current-generation small Volvo diesels (Perkins-derived per owners). Glow plugs, injectors and filters can be bought cheaper via Perkins and aftermarket sources; stainless replacement exhaust elbows are sold aftermarket.
Parts sources: MarineDustrie, AB Marine Service (exhaust elbow)
Common problems (3)
-
Exhaust elbow / manifold corrosion exhaust
The cast elbow rots and has a narrow water passage, which lets water back into the manifold and corrode it through where the two meet; an aftermarket stainless elbow is the usual fix.sailnet.com · myhanse.com
-
Fuel pump controller failure fuel
Contamination or failure of the fuel pump controller is listed as one of the most common D1 faults.marinedustrie.com
-
Overheating from corroded heat exchanger/manifold cooling
Corrosion holes in the combined heat exchanger/manifold cause overheating on D1 and D2 engines.myhanse.com · facebook.com
Maker’s service schedule (16)
| Engine oil & filter change D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 1 yr | “After that they should be changed every 500 operating hours or at least once a year.” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once a year, included in Extended Protection” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once a year, included in Extended Protection” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Check idling speed D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once a year, included in Extended Protection” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Clean the vacuum (siphon-break) valve D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once a year, included in Extended Protection” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Transmission fluid change D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year, included in Extended Protection” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Lubricate the propeller-shaft seal (reverse-gear installations) D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year, included in Extended Protection” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Check S-drive / reverse-gear corrosion protection (anodes) D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year, included in Extended Protection” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once every two years” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once every two years” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once every two years” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Injector test / service D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once every two years” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 2 yrs | “Every 500 operating hours or at least once every two years” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Check S-drive rubber seal (hull/drive); clean folding propeller D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 1 yr | “Least once a year, included in Extended Protection” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Replace propeller-shaft seal (reverse-gear installations, workshop) D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 500 hrs or 5 yrs | “Every 500 operating hours or at least every fifth year” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
| Replace S-drive rubber seal between drive and hull (workshop) D2-55 / D2-75 (2006 operator's manual 7747110) | 7 yrs | “Every seventh year” — manufacturer, noshoes-resoled.com |
Service part numbers (5)
| Oil filter D1-30, D2-40, D2-50, D2-55, D2-60, D2-75 |
Volvo Penta 3840525 | “p.90 "D1-30, D2-40" block: Oil filter — 3840525” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta D2-40 … [OIL FILTER] Part Number: 3840525” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
| Fuel filter | Volvo Penta 861477 | “p.90 "D1-13, D1-20" block: Fuel filter — 861477” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta D1-30 … [FUEL FILTER] Part Number: 861477” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com |
| Raw-water impeller D1-13, D1-20, D1-30, D2-40 |
Volvo Penta 22222936 | “p.90 "D1-13, D1-20" block: Impeller kit — 22222936” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “IMPELLER KIT … D2-40,D2-40B,D2-40F,D1-30,D1-30B,D1-30F,… D1-13,D1-13B,D1-13F,D1-20” — dealer, volvopentaparts.shop |
| Raw-water impeller D2-50, D2-55, D2-60, D2-75 |
Volvo Penta 21951346 Replaces 3862281, 3855546, 3856039 |
“p.90 "D2-50, D2-55, D2-60, D2-75" block: Impeller kit — 21951346” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta: 21951346, 3862281, 3855546, 3856039 / … D2-55, D2-75” — dealer, repowermarine.com |
| Thermostat D1-13 to D2-75 |
Volvo Penta 3842015 | “# Volvo Penta D1-30 … [THERMOSTAT] Part Number: 3842015” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com · “Genuine Volvo Penta Thermostat 3842015 D1-13, D1-20, D1-30 D2-40, D2-55, D2-60, D2-75” — dealer, repowermarine.com |
| Drive belt D1-13, D1-20, D1-30, D2-40 (alternator / coolant-pump multi-rib belt) |
Sources disagree: 21951188 / 21951188 / 21314684 | “Part Number: 21951188 … Supersedes: 3812159 … D1-13 (B and F variants) … D2-40” — dealer, marisolmarine.com · “Volvo Penta 21951188 Alternator belt D1-30 D1-30F D1-30B D2-40 D2-40B D2-40F” — dealer, dedieseldokter.nl |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Model sources (8)
sailboatdata.com · listingsport.com · devalk.nl · devalk.nl · devalk.nl · uwjachtmakelaar.nl · portsmouth.boatshed.com · devalk.nl
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.