QUEST
OCEAN ADVENTURES
From the tropical waters of the Caribbean to the icy reaches of the Arctic
The Building of Quest – Interview with Captain Goeran Persson
The Beginning
• What inspired you to build your own sailboat?
I couldn’t find what I was looking for, an expedition yacht for diving and exploring, so I decided to design and build it myself. I also couldn’t afford to buy what I had in mind. Little did I know it would cost me a million dollars and take 15 years instead of the 3 I had originally planned. You could say I’m a bit of an optimist. I started designing 1995, and sailed away 2011.
• Did you have a clear vision of what Quest would become from the start?
Yes — I envisioned an expedition yacht capable of sailing anywhere in the world, built for diving and exploring.
The dock yard, Öresundsvarvet
• Why did you choose to build her in the industrial harbour in Malmö, Sweden? What was it like living there?
It was the most practical place to build her. I didn’t exactly live there — I worked from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, and slept six hours a day in a caravan. I spent 15 years there during my shore leave. I worked on commercial ships for three months at a time, then returned to Malmö to build Quest three months at a time. Being alone in the industrial harbour allowed me to focus without distractions.
Quest at the dock, and the caravan in the background
Järnkajen, industrial harbour, Malmö, Sweden
The Process
• What were the biggest challenges you faced during the 15 years of building?
The price of whisky went up 15% — just kidding!
The real challenge was staying focused, especially when more fun or easier distractions came along. But I enjoyed almost every minute of the day when I built her.
• Were there any moments you felt like giving up? What kept you going?
I never considered giving up. But I did feel lost at times, wondering what I had got myself into. Still, the thought of quitting never occurred to me.
• What skills did you already have, and what did you have to learn along the way?
I’m a practical person. I had a clear vision of what the boat should look like, both in functionality and aesthetics, thanks to a lifetime at sea. It took me two months to design just the wheelhouse, and about a year and a half to complete the entire design. The rest was a matter of mindset and learning as I went.
The workshop - one of three of the containers
The Engine room
The Vision
• Why was it important for you to build her the way you did — strong, spacious, and self-sufficient?
A big priority was the wheelhouse — it needed to be navigable in all weather and offer comfort. I also prioritized having a proper engine room with easy access to mechanical systems, unlike most production yachts of this size. I began by designing the interior layout with a focus on practical functionality — ensuring every space served a clear purpose. Once that foundation was in place, I turned my attention to aesthetics, shaping the structure with balanced, harmonious lines. The wheelhouse, for instance, initially resembled a simple box with straight sides, but through careful refinement and subtle angular adjustments, it evolved into a design with visual coherence.
• What makes Quest different from other sailing boats?
She’s practical and purpose-built. She’s not just for sailing or for working — she’s a balanced blend of both. Everything has been thought out from a hands-on, real-world perspective. Quest was built to be functional, safe, and liveable for long expeditions.
Here, the insulation goes in on Quest, ensuring she's ready for both the Arctic and tropical heat
The Personal Side
• What did those 15 years teach you about yourself?
Not to force things — to invite solutions and trust my intuition. I already had a strong self-discipline, but developed a very strong connection with my inner compass.When I was at my mental limit, I’d buy a bottle of whisky, sit on the dock, and cry — not from self-pity, but sheer exhaustion. Then I’d crawl into the caravan, sleep six hours, and wake up ready for another full day. I kept on going for 15 years. A friend once sent me a fax with a cartoon of a stork trying to swallow a frog, and the frog choking the stork with the caption: "Never, ever give up." I taped it to my caravan wall and smiled at it every night before falling asleep.
• How does it feel sailing a boat you built with your own hands?
Gratitude.
Looking Back
• Do you have any favourite memories from the build?
So many. Every time I completed a project, I felt one step closer. A standout moment was of course, taking Quest to Gothenburg to rig and step the mast — that felt huge.
• What do you think people don’t realize about what it takes to build a boat like Quest?
Everything and nothing. Unless you’ve done it yourself, it’s impossible to fully comprehend.
• If you could tell your younger self one thing when starting the build, what would it be?
Follow your heart and your intuition. Trust them — they will guide you.
The Legacy
• What does Quest mean to you now?
No regrets. Thanks to Quest, I’m living the life I always wanted.
• What do you hope guests experience when they come aboard?
To feel alive. To live in sync with nature, with the wind in their faces. To explore and be present in the moment.
• Describe the feeling when you finally left the industrial harbour, after 15 years, sailing off to the Arctic — and later, the Caribbean?
Gratitude. A feeling you can’t buy for any money in the world.
• What's your vision for Quest in the near future?
To do what I’m doing at the moment, sharing the paradise of San Blas with people between Cartagena and Panama. Also, the high latitudes and the Arctic is calling again. So in 2027 we are heading back to the Arctic and Svalbard, but we will return to the Caribbean and San Blas. Having the best of two worlds, some time in the amazing Arctic, and some time in the island paradise of San Blas.
Last picture in Sweden, taken by Hilda, before Goeran sailed away 11 June 2011 with the next destination Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Arctic