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Nautor’s Storied Swan Yachts Set the Industry Standard—Here’s How They’re Made

From first sketch to final sail..

Danielle Cutler

Danielle Cutler's Most Recent Stories

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The Swan 78

Last year marked 20 years that the Finnish sailing-yacht builder Nautor’s Swan has operated under the ownership of Leonardo Ferragamo, passionate sailor and son of designer Salvatore Ferragamo, who bought the yard with a group of investors in 1998. Pekka Koskenkylä started OY Nautor AB in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland, by building a design by the noted naval-architecture firm Sparkman & Stephens: the 36-foot racing Swan 36 featuring a fiberglass hull. Nautor launched the first Swan 36 , Tarantella, in 1967. (The storied sailboat was moored at the yard’s docks on a recent visit.)

By 1968, British sailor Dave Johnson was winning races and garnering acclaim for the new shipyard, which to the present day has built more than 2,000 vessels between 36 and 131 feet, from performance cruisers to serious racers. New models include the Swan 78 shown here—which debuted just last year—as well as the ClubSwan 36, Swan 65, Swan 98, ClubSwan 125 and Swan 120, the last being the latest. All are designed and handcrafted at the renowned—and recently renovated and expanded—Boatbuilding Technology Center (BTC) facility in Pietarsaari.

Witness a Nautor racing yacht under sail at any of the races and regattas in the Swan brand’s ever-increasing lineup.

A Racing Resource

Sketching out the next model  Photo: Courtesy of Nautor

Germán Frers, who has designed Swan sailing yachts for 20-plus years, works with the rest of the Buenos Aires–based Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering team, shuttling among Argentina, Italy, and Finland. As we said goodbye at the airport last summer in Helsinki after a freezing-cold sea-trial in the Baltic Sea aboard the first Swan 78, which he designed, I asked where he was off to next. He replied, “Roma! For the regatta!”

The Swan 65’s deck  Photo: Courtesy of Nautor

You can see the size of this yacht in relation to the craftsmen standing on the wooden framework of the plug of the deck. Like the rest of the models in this series of yachts, the midsize Swan 65 is an oceangoing blue-water yacht that was conceived as either a family-crewed boat or one managed by a professional crew to be used as a racing, cruising or casual-use vessel.

Safety First

A Swan 78 foam-cored glass fiber hull  Photo: Courtesy of Nautor

The hull of this Swan 78 sailing yacht is made of foam-cored glass fiber, reinforced with epoxy as well as carbon-fiber unidirectional reinforcements. It stands at the ready in the shed for Nautor’s boatbuilders to start placing insulation, laying cable and fitting out the yacht. Nautor’s Swan vessels are known for their solid seafaring and safety record.

Go, Go Gadget

Sculpting the deck  Photo: Courtesy of Nautor

A robotic milling machine extends the reach and precision of the human arm to sculpt the plug of the yacht’s deck.

Easy Does It

Placing the furniture  Photo: Courtesy of Nautor

Craftsmen carefully hoist and place the hand-built furniture into the hull, which already has the system’s wiring and plumbing installed. Nautor employs a “teak hunter” who handpicks the wood that will be used for veneers, which are stitched onto the plywood, foam-core furniture.

Danielle Cutler started covering yachts, marinas, and the yachting industry in 2005. Besides writing and editing yacht content for Robb Report, Danielle has worked for Yachts International and the…

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Never an Ugly Duckling, Always a Swan

By: Pat Reynolds Sailboats

When we were considering the next boat to spotlight in the Cruising Boat Spotlight series we thought we should do a Nautor’s Swan because they are so iconic, attractive, well-made and the dream of many a sailor. As we discussed which model should be the choice for the article, we realized that with Swan, it’s not really about a particular model; it’s the fact that it’s a Swan. These boats aren’t like Catalina’s, where you automatically think of the 27, 30 or 42; or Columbia’s, where the 50 or 26 spring to mind. Swans are more like Mercedes Benz. It’s the brand over the model – if you drive a Benz, it’s understood you have at least a certain standard of excellence going on… the same is true of a Swan owner.

Nautor’s Swan was the brainchild of Pekka Koskenkyla who produced the first boat in his homeland of Finland because he decided it was cheaper to build his own boat with the qualities he liked than to buy off the lot. In 1966 most of the boats were wood, but Koskenkyla decided to build his creation out of this new-fangled fiberglass material that was coming on the scene. This weird itchy cloth that transformed into a smooth, solid, very shapeable form was said to be much lighter and more durable than wood – requiring far less maintenance as well. Pekka had an eye for sexy aesthetics and somehow convinced the Sparkman & Stephens team to design the boat. Sparkman & Stephens is legendary now and were extremely well respected then. They produced the Swan 36 that was solid, elegant and as fast a production boat as there was.

Swan 36 – Tarantella

In the ensuing years Swan got their footing and built an array of boats in varying styles and lengths, but in 1974 they created what many believe to be the finest cruiser/racer ever built, the Swan 38. If we had chosen to talk about just one Swan, this would have been it. It was based on the 43-foot version that was also beautiful and fast, but there was something about the 38 that resonated with sailors and continues to be a sought after classic sailboat that turns heads everywhere they pop up. The 38 is a robust bluewater boat with what would become the trademark distinguished all teak decks that resonate stateliness and craftsmanship. It had elegant lines where the aerodynamic coach roof seems to just emerge from the planked deck dovetailing into the cockpit and stern in the most organic of ways. Swan built 116 of these boats, more than any other model. The beauty and grace of the 38 was the beginning of what Swan would become known and recognized for and what they would continually do through the decades. Although they broke ties with Sparkman & Stephens in the mid 80s, they moved forward with other designers who had the same discerning tastes for design and quality. There have been four designers in the forty-year run, all of which have shared a similar aesthetic taste and attention to detail.

The company would go on to create over 60 different production sailboat designs including superyachts like the Nautor’s Swan 95 and Nautor’s Swan 115, which are truly and objectively some of the most incredible sailboats ever created. Today they are split into two divisions – Swan Yachts that produces their high performance cruising boats like the well-known Swan 54 and 60, and ClubSwan Yachts that makes one-design boats and mega-yachts that are literally the stuff of fantasy. The latest boats to come from the legendary Finnish yard are the ClubSwan 50 and ClubSwan 125. Yachting World magazine called the more accessible 50: “The most extreme production yacht we’ve ever seen.”

Nautor’s Swan Club 50

The design of the ClubSwan boats is under the direction of Juan Kouyoumdjian who is probably most well known for designing all of the winning Volvo boats when they were Volvo 70s. He has also been part of gold medal Olympic campaigns and was the designer for Artemis Racing in the 2013 America’s Cup.

It’s hard to find another production boat company like Nautor that has been so reliable and respected over such a long span of time and they do not appear to be slowing down in any way.

More Information: nautorswan.com

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Yachting World

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Swan 65 test: The triumphant return of a true sailing icon

• Toby Hodges
• June 20, 2019

Can a yacht be all things to all sailors? Give it the illustrious Swan 65 badge and maybe it can

We tested the Swan 65 in 11-18 knots off Barcelona. Photo: Klaus Andrews

If it hadn’t been for the original Swan 65, Nautor’s Swan might never have become the famous name it is today. Sayula II ’s victory in the first ever Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973/1974 cemented the Finnish boatbuilder’s exalted reputation.

There is, therefore, some historical weight in giving a new model the Swan 65 badge. While Nautor’s latest launch is not about to win a global race, it is designed in the spirit of that original S&S-designed 65, as a cruiser that can win races.

When Sayula II was built in 1972 it was easily the largest glassfibre yacht on the market – this despite Swan having produced its first yacht, a 36-footer, only a few years earlier. With 4m more waterline length, extra beam carried right aft and substantially greater freeboard, today’s Swan 65 has substantially greater volume than its predecessor. Yet, in a sign of the times, it is only a modest-sized model in Nautor’s current range, which now extends to twice its length.

A shallow but wide toerail, combined with generous freeboard, helps keep the decks relatively dry. Photo: Nico Martinez

This gulf in volume, hull and deck design reflects a change in demand from sailors, who were originally looking for seaworthy ocean racing yachts that could be cruised but now seek comfortable and spacious cruising yachts that can occasionally race.

The Swan 65 is designed by Frers to meet broad appeal and joins a growing list of new 60ft+ models aimed at being the largest size that can still be sailed by an owner. However, it offers greater versatility than most in that it should be equally suited to Mediterranean or ocean cruising, yet be capable of regatta racing, and has the option of a proper crew cabin in the accommodation.

Take the Dutch owners of this first boat, for example: experienced sailors who have owned a ClubSwan 45 and a Swan 601. Although they will compete in the Middle Sea Race, they primarily wanted a larger yacht for short-handed distance cruising and will use a part-time skipper to maintain the boat.

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Comparisons in shape, style and appeal can be drawn with the new Baltic 67 . The owners of this first Swan 65 opted for the same APM telescopic keel and Hall carbon rig with in-boom furling mainsail. But whereas the Baltic is largely built in carbon and has a price tag that reflects its semi-custom build, Nautor prefers a glassfibre hull for a cruising yacht of this size for better noise insulation.

The contemporary hull and deck design also shares similarities with the Baltic. Their sheer size – notably in beam and freeboard – is striking. The Swan 65’s sheerline rises distinctly forward to a bowsprit, which protrudes a lofty 2m above the waterline. The freeboard height allows for a low-profile coachroof above the semi-raised saloon, but it does present a boarding challenge.

Seven Swan 65s were sold off the plans alone, an indication of the Finnish/Italian company’s popularity since it made the crucial decision to separate its models into bluewater cruisers , 80ft+ maxis and ClubSwan racing yachts. Astonishingly, it has another five new designs in construction from 36-125ft.

Two powered winches for running rigging with compact tail stowage below. Photo: Nico Martinez

Sailing a Swan is always a privilege, but I felt especially lucky to have ideal testing conditions – it was a beautiful spring day, with a fresh Force 5 blowing, as we departed EMV Badolona, Swan’s new service and refit centre near Barcelona.

It was only the second time the sails had been hoisted and we had the opportunity to trial Cuordisole before it was handed over to its owners the following week. So the first hour or so was spent gingerly reaching off the breeze under full sail, not wishing to push anything too quickly.

11 knots of comfort

The hull shape is designed for low heel angles. Photo: Klaus Andrews

In 15-18 knots true wind we were swiftly and consistently averaging 10.5-11.5 knots at 100-110 ° true, with a comfortable 15 ° of heel. These figures are in line with what Frers and Swan predict: that this high, beamy hull shape should be stable and produce low heeling angles typically around 20 ° . The theory is this makes for a comfortable ship aboard which to spend long periods sailing at heel.

I was keen to put the theory into more dynamic practice, and once I knew the skipper was happy, I asked if we could heat things up a bit and spend some time close-hauled.

Wow! Despite the stability designed into the hull shape, when the Swan 65 does power-up and heel, you know about it! With the full sails pinned in and nearly 30 knots of apparent wind across the deck, we pushed it until we heeled to 30 ° . From high up on the windward helm, you become very aware of the cockpit beam, and much reliance is placed on the large foot braces.

The power in the mainsail is impressive. The test boat had a small square-top to its main – a full square-top option is offered for racing. Despite pressing the boat, there was no hint of it losing grip, however you soon learn to respect and trim the heel angle. Heel too much and you pay a price in both comfort and speed.

Depowering the main levelled the boat out and we watched the speed rise to over 9 knots at around 40 ° true. The owner’s choice of a captive mainsheet, controlled via joystick on each pedestal, made it quick and effortless to dial down the power.

The hull is beamier than usual with a higher freeboard, for stability and headroom. “When I started [designing] headroom needed to be 1.85m – now it’s up to 2.15m inside,” designer Germán Frers explained, while describing the Swan 65’s form stability.

“When it heels the centre of buoyancy moves higher and further outboard than deeper, narrower designs and this increases the righting arm. As you load the boat the stability increases with beam. The wider arm increases the GZ, which is why we don’t load the boat with ballast.”

The coachroof is low enough to allow unhindered forward visibility from both helms. Photo: Nico Martinez

Smooth speed

Frers was rationalising the particularly low ballast ratio of 24.1 on the Swan 65 and explaining how the stability of modern hull shapes can increase with load where the ballast ratio diminishes.

“Ballast ratio was used a lot with old shapes, where everything saved on the interior went into lead. Now they [the hulls] are very stable up to 120 ° . We didn’t want to increase the ballast because it becomes more jerky and is hard work.”

The motion certainly felt smooth through the waves, but keep it sailing at a civilised heel angle and it was the consistency of speed that proved telling. We had some long spells of two-sail reaching where the regularity of sitting at double-figure speeds impressed me.

When the breeze picked up to 18-22 knots true, average speed increased to 11.5 knots. If we could bear away and hold the apparent breeze enough to hop onto a cross wave, the log would surge up to over 13 knots.

Flush fitting deck hatches give clean lines and allow plenty of light below decks. Photo: Klaus Andrews

This is when the magic happened – not in an instant lightning bolt sort of way, but in a growing familiarity sense. The more time you spend on the wheel the more you enjoy it and the more you discover how this Swan likes to be sailed. It’s both a forgiving yacht and one that responds to and rewards trim.

The mast has been brought aft and pierces the coachroof, to allow for larger non-overlapping foresails and for powerful reaching sails to be set off the bowsprit. It’s a sail plan that looks and feels balanced.

Equally, twin rudders result in a light feel on the helm, but the blades are large and deep enough to communicate pressure increases and provide manoeuvrability in harbour. The result of the Frers team’s analysis concluded that a single rudder on this hull shape would need to be too deep. “Twin rudders are more efficient with less angle and diminished drag,” Germán Frers explained.

A dry, clean deck

Large foot braces even things up for Toby when the yacht is heeled

The high bow helps keep the decks dry, while the extension of the coachroof into long coamings aft gives the helmsman and trimmers a nice dry perch.

The standard cockpit layout has a central mainsheet plinth, between the two wheels; however, the Harken captive winch system this owner had opted for works effectively.

The electric winch is installed under the galley sole, with the sheet running up the mast, along the boom and down to a single point in the cockpit.

This helps keep a clear cockpit and works well for short-handed sailing as it provides joystick control of the system from each pedestal. The helmsman can also sit forward of the pedestal and steer and trim both sails if desired.

Two powered winches are neatly set into the coamings on each side for foresail trim and running rigging. Lines are all led aft, including the tack line, which has a side-mounted jammer that punctuates an otherwise clean side deck.

A compact locker below the side deck has the tough task of stowing all the tail ends, and there’s a dedicated liferaft locker below the forward part of the cockpit sole.

Cockpit benches are long and wide, but not especially deep. The owner of the test boat opted for a removable table to keep cockpit access clear, whereas a fixed table and/or the bridgedeck option might perhaps better suit family cruising.

An open transom combined with a beamy aft cockpit design is the current trend but one that prioritises coastal/Med sailing over ocean cruising. The Swan 65 has triple-height aft guardrails, but my concern is that, with no fixed mouldings across this aft section of cockpit, these rails would do little to stop rope tails or unsecured items being washed over the transom.

The side deck guardrails conform to requirements at 61cm, however higher rails here would give a greater sense of security for crew using the side decks at sea.

The transom garage holds a 2.8m inflated tender. Photo: Nico Martinez

The garage is accessed from the transom door, with a large deck hatch above, and is wide enough to stow a 2.8m inflated dinghy. The sail locker is even more cavernous, with standing headroom and a watertight bulkhead aft. It creates superb stowage for offwind sails and fenders, or provides the option of a crew cabin.

The slight problem we experienced with hoisting the main and an issue of air in the fuel – both understandable considering this was only the yacht’s second outing – merely demonstrated the occasional need for extra hands on a yacht this size.

Quality of finish

The design and engineering needed to create the multiple below decks options Nautor’s Swan offers is of the highest degree, matched only by the superb quality of finish. A focus with the Swan 65 was on designing this range of options to achieve one deck, one coachroof and one central section of boat. “If every boat is a new boat, you never get the quality,” reasoned Vanni Galgani, product line leader for Swan Yachts.

The semi-raised saloon allows for genset and large tanks to be installed below the sole

Galgani explained that Nautor’s Swan now tries to avoid any customisation on yachts less than 80ft, as it is time-consuming, costly, and bad for resale value. It prefers to provide pre-engineered solutions, which help centralise weight and optimise the systems layout. This also allows for a variety of accommodation solutions, which notably includes a forward or aft owner’s cabin.

The semi-raised saloon and transverse galley work particularly well. Their combined length of over 5m creates a great impression of space. I was below decks as we punched out through a sharp swell at the marina entrance, and appreciated the solid handholds on the roof and fiddles around the furniture and worktops. For a voluminous interior it still felt practical at heel.

The galley is a sociable, airy place to prepare, cook and serve food. It has long, fiddled worksurfaces with space for a variety of appliances. The dinette area to starboard can instead be used for more refrigeration space and a proper navstation.

As it is it works well as a multi-use seating area for eating, passage planning, relaxing or even sleeping. The table drops to fill the space in between the berths and has lee cloth fittings, so could make a useful snug for kids.

Large hull portlights and hatches provide ample natural light to a light, modern interior

The L-shaped sofa on the starboard side of the saloon is also long enough to be used as a pilot berth. The downside of the test boat layout was the lack of a proper navstation – the owners had instead opted for a compact chart table to starboard with a fold-out stool.

Practical features

The volume continues in the forward owner’s cabin where it is beamy enough to sleep head forward on an island berth, away from the noise of the engine, cockpit or dock when berthed stern-to. And there is still 6ft 3in headroom around the berth. The test boat had a walk-in wardrobe by the cabin entrance, which takes care of most stowage requirements.

All three cabins have smart en suites with good-sized separate showers and practical stowage. Headroom in the identical aft twin cabins is maintained aft to the berths, while outboard alcoves allow extra height, light and room by the hull portlights.

The port cabin has a door into the after part of the engine room, providing access to the watermaker and filters – which is handy, as only the lower half of the companionway steps lift, and the engine is mounted low down.

General stowage is mostly above sole height rather than in the bilges. The soleboards are all insulated with foam surrounds, have spacers, and lift with the aid of a sucker. Peek below and you’ll not only notice the meticulous layout of the wiring, plumbing and generous tanks, but find standard practical Swan features, like a foot pump to purge water from the fridge/freezers and wooden cones attached to each through-hull fitting.

Below the galley sole is a 0.5m long section of the APM keel – the only part of this telescopic stainless steel work of art that is visible. It’s an engineering feat, which costs big bucks but is increasingly offered by the big yards.

The difference 45 years makes in hull shapes. The 1973 Swan 65 Venator (left) berthed alongside the 2019 version

Our verdict

Will people talk about this model in 50 years time? It’s not about to win a round the world race and create a global phenomenon. But they might well talk about this era of Nautor’s Swan and how this Frers design sits at the heart of Nautor’s renaissance.

The Swan 65 grows on you – the longer you sail it the more you enjoy it. Cruising sailors don’t seek an adrenaline rush, they want an enduring relationship built on easy rewards and dependability. This is a powerful boat, which is easy to sail fast but will be most gratifying when trimmed to keep it on its preferred low heel angle. Take the wheel and it’s hard not to daydream about how pleasant those consistent speeds and heeling angles would feel on a tradewind ocean crossing .

It’s a versatile design that offers much potential: it has a deck suited to short-handed Mediterranean-style sailing; stowage, systems and tankage to promote ocean cruising (with or without crew); and optional keel and sailplans to configure it for racing.

The original Swan 65 might still be the choice for seaworthy ocean racing, but for cruising in sublime space and comfort its new counterpart wins every time.

Specification

LOA: 20.11m (65ft 12in) LWL: 18.38m (60ft 4in) Beam (Max): 5.62m (18ft 5in) Draught: 3.50m (11ft 6in) Telescopic keel: 2.80m-4.20m (9ft 2in-13ft 9in) Displacement (lightship): 27,250kg (60,075lb) Ballast: 6,570kg (14,484lb) Sail Area (100% foretriangle): 234.2m 2 (2,531ft 2 ) Berths: 6-7 Engine: Volvo Penta D3 150hp Water capacity: 1,000lt (220gal) Fuel capacity: 1,200lt (264gal) Sail Area/Displacement ratio: 26.3 Displacement/LWL ratio: 122 Price: €2.95m (ex VAT) Design: Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering

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40 Best Sailboats

• By Cruising World Editors
• Updated: May 24, 2024

Sailors are certainly passionate about their boats, and if you doubt that bold statement, try posting an article dubbed “ 40 Best Sailboats ” and see what happens.

Barely had the list gone live, when one reader responded, “Where do I begin? So many glaring omissions!” Like scores of others, he listed a number of sailboats and brands that we were too stupid to think of, but unlike some, he did sign off on a somewhat upbeat note: “If it weren’t for the presence of the Bermuda 40 in Cruising World’s list, I wouldn’t even have bothered to vote.”

By vote, he means that he, like hundreds of other readers, took the time to click through to an accompanying page where we asked you to help us reshuffle our alphabetical listing of noteworthy production sailboats so that we could rank them instead by popularity. So we ask you to keep in mind that this list of the best sailboats was created by our readers.

The quest to building this list all began with such a simple question, one that’s probably been posed at one time or another in any bar where sailors meet to raise a glass or two: If you had to pick, what’re the best sailboats ever built?

In no time, a dozen or more from a variety of sailboat manufacturers were on the table and the debate was on. And so, having fun with it, we decided to put the same question to a handful of CW ‘s friends: writers and sailors and designers and builders whose opinions we value. Their favorites poured in and soon an inkling of a list began to take shape. To corral things a bit and avoid going all the way back to Joshua Slocum and his venerable Spray —Hell, to Noah and his infamous Ark —we decided to focus our concentration on production monohull sailboats, which literally opened up the sport to anyone who wanted to get out on the water. And since CW is on the verge or turning 40, we decided that would be a nice round number at which to draw the line and usher in our coming ruby anniversary.

If you enjoy scrolling through this list, which includes all types of sailboats, then perhaps you would also be interested in browsing our list of the Best Cruising Sailboats . Check it out and, of course, feel free to add your favorite boat, too. Here at Cruising World , we like nothing better than talking about boats, and it turns out, so do you.

– LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES – Know the “Rules of the Road” that govern all boat traffic. Be courteous and never assume other boaters can see you. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

40. Moore 24

39. Pearson Vanguard

38. Dufour Arpege 30

37. Alerion Express 28

36. Mason 43/44

35. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43DS

34. Nor’Sea 27

33. Freedom 40

32. Beneteau Sense 50

31. Nonsuch 30

30. Swan 44

29. C&C Landfall 38

28. Gulfstar 50

27. Sabre 36

26. Pearson Triton

– CHECK THE FIT – Follow these guidelines to make sure your life jacket looks good, stays comfortable and works when you need it. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

25. Islander 36

24. Gozzard 36

23. Bristol 40

22. Tartan 34

21. Morgan Out Island 41

20. Hylas 49

19. Contessa 26

18. Whitby 42

17. Columbia 50

16. Morris 36

15. Hunter 356

13. Beneteau 423

12. Westsail 32

– CHECK THE WEATHER – The weather changes all the time. Always check the forecast and prepare for the worst case. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard

10. Alberg 30

9. Island Packet 38

8. Passport 40

7. Tayana 37

6. Peterson 44

5. Pacific Seacraft 37

4. Hallberg-Rassy 42

3. Catalina 30

2. Hinckley Bermuda 40

1. Valiant 40

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• Sailboat Guide

Swan 36 is a 35 ′ 8 ″ / 10.9 m monohull sailboat designed by Sparkman & Stephens and Olle Enderlein and built by Nautor (Swan sailboats) between 1967 and 1970.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

From BlueWaterBoats.org :

The Swan 36 is the boat that kicked it all off for the prestigious Finnish yacht maker Nautor’s Swan, a name recognized among sailors as makers of some of the best production boats built. Its founder, Pekka Koskenkylä, way back in 1966 approached the hallowed New York design firm Sparkman and Stephens while they were working on some design projects in Finland. Koskenkylä’s idea was to build a yacht in the 10 metre range that would be strong, seaworthy and fast enough to be suitable not only for cruising but racing as well. He wanted to utilize fiberglass molding techniques which were still in its relative infancy at the time.

The outcome of the agreement was Sparkman and Stephens design number 1710.51 which was a hull form already being used in boats being built by Cantieri Benello (Gaia Class), Cheoy Lee (Sigma 36, S&S Design #1710.8) and by Chantier Bertin in France. Where the Swan 36 design differed significantly was the use of a separate rudder from the keel, quite an innovation for its day and a configuration for which Sparkman and Stephens was having great success with in their Americas Cup designs (in 1967 and 1970 their separate rudder 12m boat -Intrepid_ went on to claim successive defense victories.)

With her departure from a full keel, the Swan 36 stands somewhere between the classic and a new generation of design thinking. She still retains moderately long overhangs and a deep bilge yet her hull has a pronounced tumblehome with a pointed diamond shaped plan profile which was becoming popular in RORC racing designs of that era. Her interior layout was simple and functional.

She was introduced in the spring of 1967 with the first Swan 36 delivered to British sailor Dave Johnson, whose racing successes around the UK generated a good reputation for Swan as a maker of performance racing yachts. Notably, in 1968, Casse Tete II won seven wins out of seven at the Cowes Week regatta. As the Swan 36 continued to impress on the racing circuit, owner feedback and wish for improvements propelled Swan to produce the Swan 37 in 1970, the same year the Swan 36 production ceased with a total production of 90 boats.

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Lot 99: Inside the first Nautor’s Swan 95S sailing yacht

Captain Lorenzo Giacomuzzi is reluctant to hoist the sails. We’re on passage from Villefranche to Monaco in the first of a new line of Swan 95s, and the winds are light. “We can get the sails out, but we’re not going to go anywhere,” he tells me. I know the skipper is anxious to get to Port Hercules by midday, but I haven’t flown all the way down from Hamburg simply to motor around in Lot 99 , one of the world’s sleekest, newest production superyachts from Finnish maestro Nautor’s Swan .

Five minutes later, we’re outpacing the true wind on a beat. The engine is off at last and the boat touches five knots of hull speed — not bad in four knots of limpid breeze. “She needs eight to 10 knots to get going properly,” Giacomuzzi persists.

To prove his point, he tells me the story of the shakedown cruise from the yard in Finland to Portugal, with the owner aboard. “The owner said, ‘let’s test the boat and see whether we can break something’. We were reaching along at 17 knots in up to 30 knots of wind. You feel nothing until you feel a ‘bang’, so I’d press a button and suddenly realise there were four or five tonnes of load in the rig.” But did they break anything? Giacomuzzi shakes his head. “It was cool, but not relaxing!”

More impressive, to my eyes, is the speed with which the captain converted the boat from motor to sail mode. The innovative lifting keel took a minute or so to ease down on its hydraulics, using a remote control in the saloon. Then the mainsail went up on a single push button, and the jib unfurled silently. It was a simple task for the skipper and his first mate — one that belied the hours of calibration and sea trials needed to match the furler speed to the halyard rate.

And herein lies the key to this beautiful €10 million expanse of carbon fibre wizardry and careful interior design: she is incredibly simple to handle. The owner, who upsized from a Swan 66, is a Dutchman who loves cruising, but can’t bear to go slowly.

So he hasn’t held back when it comes to features that improve performance (starting with the high-tech carbon fibre-foam sandwich hull and lifting keel), but he has balanced every performance decision against the need to remain offshore for weeks, far away from the shipyards and repair facilities of Europe.

“One of the main points of the owner’s brief from the start was to build a real cruising boat to go around the world, but with the look, feel and heart of a Swan,” says Giacomuzzi. “The owner actually enjoys the long ocean crossings.”

For this reason, he picked the raised saloon (S) version of the 95 off the drawing board. Naval architect Germán Frers also designed a “flush deck” (FD) version of the 95 intended for the race circuit, which carries around a tonne less weight (thanks to the smaller coachroof).

Frers has designed every cruising yacht for Swan since 1981, and his signature is everywhere: the near straight sheerline, plumb bow and reverse transom, and the long, elegant cockpit open at the transom. The deck design, he says, favours “simpler, cleaner, uncluttered arrangements and sun protection options”.

Everywhere on board are signs that the owner is a cruiser with a taste for speed, from the carbon detailing to the tender garage . “The furling boom, for instance, is one part of this logic,” explains Kristian Kjellman, Swan’s project manager for the 95. “The owner is himself a good sailor, and has friends who are good sailors. However, they didn’t want hassle with big sails and reefing, so they could keep the crew reduced.”

In line with the 3Di sails, the high-aspect mast and boom by Hall Spars are carbon fibre, as well as the winch drums and the pedestals. You wouldn’t know it, under the expanse of teak decking that runs from the companionway to the transom, but there is a drop-down bathing platform that reveals a garage that can accommodate a 4.2 metre tender.

The 95 is billed as a semi-custom yacht, and it’s possible for the owner and their agents to get as involved in the specification as they wish. However, in reality, most of the choices are made in the usual areas of interior finish and configuration. All the same, this owner’s cruising brief has extended into some uncharted territory for Swan. His chief requirement was for separate external access from the master suite aft. “It posed a challenge for our designers,” admits Virginia De Carlo from Swan’s marketing team, “but the owner really values privacy.”

Lighting is the other area where the owner’s vision is most evident. “The client wanted to have simpler to understand switches — easy on and off. But he also wanted a lot of lights — indirect, spots, under the bed and so on — all with different scenarios for each area: say, watching television mode or evening dining,” says Kjellman.

This element emerged later in the design process, forcing the Swan team to redesign some of the electrical systems, using a large-buttoned, four-mood system from Lighting Design International. The digital switching technology behind the lighting is also used throughout the boat to turn other systems on and off.

If the technology is impressive, so is Lot 99 ’s social heart — the saloon, with its raised coachroof and wraparound windows. This space could really have suffered from the addition of a large box housing the hydraulics and the keel in its raised position, but the design team came up with a stylish solution. The box is elegantly curved at the edges, and clad in water buffalo leather, giving it an architectural quality as its acts to separate the dining area to port and the sofa space to starboard.

There’s a natural, understated Italian feel to the interior design . “The brief was to create a yacht interior with the comfort of a home, yet seaworthy,” De Carlo says. Upholstery in light herringbone fabric from Loro Piana, with joinery in European oak lightly stained with a colour called tundra titanium, was chosen to complement the leather.

The colour scheme runs throughout the boat, from the full-width owner’s suite aft, through the three guest cabins (two twins and bunks for the children) to the galley and crew quarters forward.

Back in Monaco, Captain Giacomuzzi skilfully backs the boat into a berth that barely offers enough beam for a fender. Lot 99 is soon made fast, but it feels like this all-purpose yacht is yearning to get away. She has the classic Swan lines that promise speed and faithful handling, but this conceals a slightly beamier, more comfortable interior for cruising. Go-anywhere sailing boats have never looked as good.

First published in the February 2018 edition of Boat International .

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Common Issues With Nautor's Swan Sailboats

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

August 30, 2022

Sometimes in the sailing world, there are boats that go through a lot of problems. For example, there are some common issues with Nautor’s Swan sailboats.

While not every boat is perfect, some issues can be overlooked. So what issues are common with Nautor’s Swan sailboats?

The structural integrity of older model Swan sailboats are the biggest concerns sailors face if they decide to purchase one. Other issues include high prices, lack of comfort on the inside, and a lot of these boats were meant for multiple people to handle on deck. These are considered racing boats.

The Swan 57 is famous for a lot of these issues and are still present today if you happen to find one. The problem is, people do not want to spend the money on them to fix the issues and some brokers will refuse to buy one.

According to sailing experts, issues with structural integrity is a major red flag for any boat no matter what the brand is. While this is present in older model Swan boats, you should always be on the lookout for your boat and check for cracks with routine maintenance.

Table of contents

‍ Biggest Issues with Nautor’s Swan Boats

Not all Nautor’s Swan boats turned out to be bad pieces of work. In fact, these are some of the most beautiful sailing racing yachts in the industry. These are classics, but a few did not make the cut in that regard.

Nautor’s Swan had to go a different direction in the 1980’s after they went through multiple disagreements and failed designs. The problems are likely here today in some of those older models because sailors do not want to spend the extra money to fix them.

Structural Integrity

Around 1977, Nautor began producing the Swan 57 with teak decks being an option to add. After a handful of models, they started noticing problems.

The structural support was not correct and the boat could not handle stress accordingly. The floors were either not designed properly (Sparkman & Stephens) or not put together correctly (Nautor), leaving sailors at risk while at sea .

Nautor and Sparkman & Stephens discussed what went wrong, but both parties blamed each other. This led to the downfall of their partnership, even after putting together plenty of quality sailboats before that.

High Prices

Depending on the brand of sailboats you are looking for, there is going to be a vast difference in prices. This also depends on the type of sailboat, the size, and what the boat is made out of.

Nautor’s Swan sailboats are known to be high in price since they are a sailing performance yacht. The problem is that many older versions of their models are expensive because they are more collectible than anything else.

Boat prices average to be $300,000 for some Nautor’s Swan models. However, the work that needs to go into them could greatly increase this price.

Lack of Comfort

While the newer Swan sailboats have a lot more luxury on the inside, the older models did not. A lot of sailors mistook these yachts as a nice family boat that went fast. Just because they are big does not mean that they were designed to be a houseboat.

These boats were meant for racing, so the interior is lacking in a lot of ways. With just a few bedrooms and a dining table, it really had bare bones when it comes to comfort here. Even though you could make some adjustments on board, keep in mind that this is another cost and time you have to put in to make it more comfortable.

Need a Crew

As mentioned, sailors were drawn to the beauty of these boats since there was nothing like it during that time. You could argue that a lot of impulse buys went into effect when a lot of sailors did not know what they were getting into. While the deck is appealing and the outline makes it easy to move around, it is taxing to do it all by yourself.

You need a crew to handle these boats, especially the Swan 57 . Trying to handle it by yourself is an impossible task, as you need to be somewhat athletic and need a hand or two.

Tips on Buying a Nautor’s Swan 57 Sailboat or Any of Them

Nautor is still an excellent company when it comes to the quality of their boats. The problems arise when you look at the older models that they still have on the market. You need to take serious caution if you plan on purchasing one of these.

In fact, some brokers have tried to talk sailors out of buying an older Swan to help them avoid issues. While you should always proceed with caution when buying a used sailboat, you need to take into consideration what the history of the boat is.

Your budget is going to be a driving force on what you can afford. The problem is, it does not stop at the initial purchase price for a Swan 57.

You will need to have the ability to work on this boat yourself or hire someone to do the maintenance for you. Even if you find a cheap one for $100,000, you should expect to throw another $50,000 to $100,000 just to make it work.

First Few Hulls

If you happen to get your hands on one of the earliest models of the Swan 57, you need to seriously consider avoiding it. These are guaranteed to have structural issues if they have not been previously corrected.

These boats in particular tainted the reputation of this brand for many years. It is indeed a story they wish they could forget.

Out of the 49 that they built of the Swan 57, there are likely a few out there that were not sent back to the yard to be repaired. If it is indeed an original, it is more for looks than a sailboat.

Another issue that stands out is the teak deck, if it has one. If it does not, then you can simply look at the current quality of the deck and see what to do with it.

Replacing the teak deck is going to be quite an expensive task. If they have to be replaced, you are looking at anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000.

For a boat that might be worth double that cost, you have to really consider if it is worth putting in the extra time and money. Most of these boats had the decks replaced, but some did not make it back to do so.

Location of Generator

The location of the generator is nowhere near the biggest issue in comparison to the structure of the boat. However, it is important to point out minor issues and how it affects the quality of your time on the boat.

Oftentimes, previous owners have installed the generator aft and is noisy to the staterooms for guests. If you can find one that has it installed midway through the boat around the galley, this would be more ideal. While the sound is never going to go away, at least your guests will thank you for not having it right outside their rooms.

Centerboard Models

While there are not many of these out there, the centerboard models are even rarer than the first builds. This is the shoalest draft they offered, coming in just above six and half feet with the board up.

A lot of sailors wanted the shoal draft so they could explore shallow waters. The other models’ drafts were just over nine feet. This prevented a lot of sailors from navigating where they wanted, which was a shame since this boat in particular was much easier to steer than other boats.

Condition of Engine

The original engine to the Swan 57 was a 73 HP Perkins, which was a quality option at the time to power this racer boat. If the engine is still there, you should have a professional look it over since it is over 30 years old.

If the engine has been replaced, it still does not hurt to have someone inspect it. Over the 30 years that this boat has been in existence, you would have to rely on previous owners and hope that they did the proper routine maintenance on it. It is bad enough that the structural integrity is in question, so a second opinion here would be a good bet.

Sails and Mast

Whether you find the ketch or sloop varieties of the Swan 57, you should check the condition of both the sails and the mast. This is especially important if they are original to the boat since the structural integrity had issues.

If the boat could not support the structure, then the mast could definitely have some issues too. This means you definitely need a second or third opinion on a boat like this.

Various Upgrades

As if this boat did not have enough problems, you have to factor in any upgrades electrically to make this work. This could be adding marine radios, navigational systems, and basic lighting.

Since the galley and living spaces are lacking what they need, you would likely have to make adjustments to make it liveable. This would make the costs higher for an already risky purchase.

History of Nautor’s Swan Sailboats

Pekka Koskenkyla was the founder of Nautor back in 1966 when he had a passion for building high performance sailing yachts in Pietarsaari, Finland. The interesting part is that these boats were being built in a place that sees below freezing temperatures for several months out of the year.

Koskenkyla needed the help of Sparkman & Stephens to build his dream of high performance sailing yachts. The first yacht they put together was known as Tarantella, which turned out to be a great success and one of the earliest fiberglass boats.

This boat paved the way for their continued success since they found a way to make the boats lighter and steer better. From then on, Koskenkyla named his company Swan for its ties to being elegant and strong. It is also a fairly understood word among English, Scandinavian, and German languages.

Sparkman & Stephens went on to design the next 1,000 Swan yachts that were sold from the yard. These included the timeless Swan 38 and Swan 47 models. Other Swan models they successfully built include:

In 1977, the company would take a negative turn of events. The company began building the Swan 57, which is where Nautor and Sparkman & Stephens had their falling out in the partnership.

There were arguments about the design and the build, which both sides blamed each other for the mistakes. The floor had framing issues that seemed to be difficult to fix. A lot could be argued for each side, but everyone can agree that this was a failed project.

From 1966 all the way to the Swan 57 in 1977, Sparkman & Stephens were the only boat builders for Nautor. After they went through a lot of heated discussions, they agreed to finish the 49 models of the Swan 57 and they never worked together again.

Nautor had the help from another quality boat builder Ron Holland from 1978 to 1981 to continue production of other boats. He helped design five boats and 300 units total. Some of these were famous installments from the Nautor brand, such as the Swan 37, Swan 39 and the Swan 42.

After that, they found German Frers and have collaborated with him since that time to today. He has been responsible for the quality and integrity of the Nautor brand and has pushed the limits for years.

Frers has helped Nautor save their face when they needed it the most. With his unique perspective on a handful of designs, he has helped them reach new heights than ever before.

First Look at a Swan 57

Olin Stephens was the man behind this boat’s design, whether you want to blame him for the mishaps or not. It was a weird coincidence that this particular boat had issues when all of the previous ones had minor or none at all. However, he still designed one of the most elegant yachts at that time and it still has beauty no matter how badly it performed.

The Swan 57 showcased the classic rocket ship feel on the stern, low freeboard, good sheerline, wide decks, and a raked bow. If it is in good condition, these are some of the sexier yachts from that time that would light up any museum or marina in the right condition.

If a sailor did not know the history of these boats, they likely would jump on a deal like this. In most cases, brokers have been upfront about these boats and what they are capable of doing.

Over 30 years since the boat was introduced, the Swan 57 would likely still be one of the more attractive yachts in a marina. This boat is a different breed of class and is not your typical cutter, making it a unique design in history.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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• Latest Yacht for Sale: Nautor Swan 391, HALF MOON

Nautor Swan 40, WILLOWIND

Nautor Swan, Nautor Swan 40 Year Built 1971 / US$100,000

Broker's Comments

I have known WILLOWIND and her wonderful family since 1981. She was actually the first Swan I ever went sailing on. I can fully understand why her owners love this boat so much, and I have witnessed their dedication to her and her maintenance schedule. Nautor’s Swan was always involved in any decision made for modifications, with much back and forth before proceeding with the project. When she spent summers in Newport, the boat was always heading off on an adventure, and the launch drivers always admired the patience of the parents with three teenage daughters living on a 40’!

WILLOWIND was an enthusiastic regatta participant, and truly deserved the Elegance Trophy – there was no need to even have a discussion by the judges.

WILLOWIND has lived in Ft. Lauderdale on a dock at the owner’s home for many years, and he loves nothing more than going out back and tinkering on his boat. She is a classic Swan; her gorgeous hull lines provoke comments in any harbor.

Owner's Comments

We believe WILLOWIND represents one of the finest, if not the finest, Nautor Swan 40 in existence. Customized at Nautor’s original building, the main saloon/galley/nav. bulkhead is cut away to provide an open area unlike most sisterships. The forward cabin presents a double berth using original joiner work done by Hinckley. Teak cabinetry has been added below with a dressing seat off to starboard. She was launched April 4, 1971 in Finland and brought by the present owner April 4, 1979. She has cruised extensively on the East Coast of the United States and the Bahamas. We lived on-board with our three daughters for many summers in Newport harbor. She has been selectively raced successfully including Swan Regattas. Along with her racing trophies, WILLOWIND won the coveted Prix De Elegance trophy in 1983 and has been runner up twice in succeeding Swan regattas.

WILLOWIND is recommended to the connoisseur of vintage or historical Swans. She has been maintained by the present owner for over 40 years to Nautor’s standards. All upgrades and modifications were done under the approval of Lars Strom from Nautor, who was in charge of their R&D for years. For the first 20 years, she summered in Newport and was stored inside during the winter months or under an aluminum framed cover.

WILLOWIND is a superb boat, no question.

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Yacht Details

• Builder: Nautor Swan
• Model: Nautor Swan 40
• Yacht Name: WILLOWIND
• Hull Designer: Sparkman & Stephens
• Year Built: 1971
• LOA: 40’ / 12.19m
• LWL: 28’6” / 8.69m
• Beam: 10’10” / 3.30m
• Min Draft / Max Draft: 6’8” / 2.04m
• Displacement: 8,346kg / 18,400lb
• Ballast Weight: 4,128kg / 9,100lb
• Berths: 7 berths in 3 cabin(s) / 1 head/WC(s)
• Engine Count: 1 Perkins 4-108 (35hp) Diesel
• Country: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
• Asking Price: US$100,000

Contact Details

Jennifer Stewart Berthon USA Tel: (401) 846 8404 E-Mail: je**************@be********.com

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Nautor Swan continues the expansion of its motor yacht division with Swan OverShadow , the 13+ metre power yacht redefining the concept of enjoying life at sea. The elegance and style of Nautor Swan’s has been perfectly reinterpreted by Jarkko Jämsén, resident Swan Shadow designer, focusing on the main elements in the Finnish brand’s DNA: quality, innovation, performance and reliability.

The Swan OverShadow is based on the high-performing hull of the Swan Shadow, which is particularly efficient and seaworthy, and features an inboard engine and two alternative layout configurations upper and below deck.

The flush deck offers great liveability with an external wet bar / galley, and an over 2-metre-long sunbed. A very generous dining area deploys around the sofas for a convivial vibe. The ample space on the deck has been made possible by positioning the sunbed further aft over the inboard engines. This also frees up the stern area, providing a more functional aft deck for the driver to manoeuvre, making the boat easier to handle.

The stern platform has the same functionality as in the Swan Shadow, with three positions: central position for driving, upper position serving as a passarelle, and below water level position for easier access to the water when swimming or doing watersports.

The brand-new Swan OverShadow features a high and wide windshield, offering more protection in the cockpit and ensuring more safety and comfort for the driver and co-pilot while cruising at higher speeds.

Two alternative layout options available

the generous sofa offers more seating and creates an easier social setting around the dinette

Long Wetbar

the longer wetbar unit transforms the boat into a weekender with a comfortable cooking and pantry solution

AFT PLATFORM

Multi-use functionality.

The Outboard Version

In addition to the inboard version launched in 2023, this new outboard model expands the range to cater to the demands of different markets, such as the US one.

Offering enhanced flexibility and performance, the Swan OverShadow maintains the signature elegance and DNA of Nautor Swan. Equipped with three Mercury V10 engines of the latest generation, this yacht incorporates innovative features that enhance its electrical system.

The full, closed bow of the design creates more space in front below deck, where OverShadow features two alternative layouts: a double or a twin bed configuration. The double offers more comfort when spending a weekend away, while the twin configuration offers more floor space, creating a seating area. Both layouts feature a larger and more spacious head than their predecessor.

Two alternative layout options available for front cabin:

the twin layout sleeps two while offering more floorspace and seating inside the front cabin

the double bed offers more comfort for weekendgetaways and more storage underneath the bed

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Photo gallery.

Read the full article here...

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Swan motors on, sails up

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DO NOT MISS THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF YACHTING

Visit your swan yacht at cannes yachting festival 2024 and salone nautico in genoa.

Swan Shadow and Swan Arrow will be on display in Cannes from September 10 th to 15 th and in Genoa from September 19 th to 24 th

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Sailing giant nautor swan 75-foot motor yacht arrow to debut at cannes.

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An overhead view of the 75-foot Nautor Swan power yacht, Arrow, at the August launch from the ... [+] Sanlorenzo shipyard in the Gulf of La Spezia.

The star of the show in sailing yachts since the mid 1960s, Nautor Swan is set to debut their newest power yacht, Arrow, at the Cannes Yachting Festival , September 10-15, 2024. Launched August 28, 2024 at the Sanlorenzo La Spezia shipyard, this elegant, sporty, functional sister cygnet is destined to mature at light speed after her global reveal.

Designed by Nautor Swan power division designer Jarkko Jamsén, with interiors by Ioanna Marinopoulou and Axel de Beaufort, Arrow features a contemporary design with wide open spaces that invite longer, more leisurely cruise experiences. Initially intended to be categorized as a chase boat, Arrow proved her prowess as a stand alone day boat in part due to a rapidly increasing fan base.

A rendering of the extensive beach club of the Nautor Swan power yacht Arrow, designed by Jarkko ... [+] Jamsén.

The first ever Nautor Swan powerboat launched was the Swan Shadow, followed by an inboard version, the Swan OverShadow, which debuted at Cannes in 2023. As Nautor Group President Leonardo Ferragamo noted, "When it was launched the result was overwhelming as it became a boat of its own, creating its specific niche in our waters and becoming a great day boat." That passion exhibited by the team and shared by the market led to the Swan Arrow, a 75-foot motor yacht displaying the totemic Swan DNA.

Arrow By The Numbers

The Nautor Swan Arrow is built in advanced composites using a mix infused with GRP and carbon. The walkaround design emulates that of a superyacht, but in a more nimble, highly usable format, using less fuel in a more intimate atmosphere. Focused on interaction with the sea, side opening platforms creates a 548 square foot (50 square meter) beach area that floats just above sea level. Convenient fold-down steps take guests right down to the water.

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Rendering of the Nautor Swan motor yacht Arrow with beach club decks opened to welcome the sun.

A protected cockpit with an opening roof and pivoting sliding glass doors permits a broad panoramic view. The space refreshes with an al fresco vibe when open, maintaining a cozy feel when enclosed. Designed for comfort, Arrow is versatile in helping guests to enjoy time on board regardless of weather.

Her displacement hull measures 76 feet (23.20 meters) with a 22 foot (6.90 meter) beam and a 6 foot 3 inch (1.90 meter) draft. Her maximum speed is 30 knots in the standard arrangement using two Volvo 1350 D13 Penta IPS engines, or 40 knots with the optional arrangement employing three of the same.

The Nautor Swan motor yacht Arrow at Sanlorenzo shipyard La Spezia launch.

Arrow accommodates six to eight guests and two crew. Descending the stairs, guests looking to port find a dedicated galley that serves the aft master cabin. Reaching across the full beam, the master cabin space boasts a walk-in closet, ensuite bath, and stylish materials typical of Nautor Swan heritage.

Amidships, a VIP cabin and twin cabin, both en suite, deliver private guest spaces. An alternative layout offers two large double cabins with a lounge embracing a starboard salon, L-shaped sofa, and dining area. Away from guest areas, crew space for two is located further forward.

Stern view of the Nautor Swan motor yacht Arrow as she prepares to splash at Sanlorenzo's La Spezia ... [+] shipyard.

Roy Capasso, Motoryacht Commercial Director and Regional Director SEMEA and Americas, summarized, "When starting the Swan Arrow project we began with attentively listening to our clients and a detailed analysis of the market. The results, together with the creativity of our designer and the expertise of a qualified team have allowed us to introduce a new concept with some features missing in motoryachts of this size, answering the needs of their owners."

On The Horizon

Bow shot showing the exterior design of Jarkko Jamsén on Nautor Swan's newest power yacht, Arrow, at ... [+] the La Spezia launch in August.

Founded in 1966, Nautor Swan is universally recognized for its performance Maxi yachts and Club Swan Racing yachts, as well as leisure sailing yachts, all built with an elegant, high quality style emphasizing innovation, reliability, and performance. The addition of a power division at Nautor Swan embellishes the brand with a broad appeal, bridging the gap that once separated power versus sail preferences with one brand.

An agreement between Sanlorenzo and Swan for the acquisition of Nautor Swan Group was announced August 1, 2024, but the continuity of the brand is assured through the leadership of Nautor Swan, helmed by Leonardo Ferragamo, retaining the office of President, Massimo Perotti as CEO, and Giovanni Pomati as co-CEO.

Rendering of the 75-foot Nautor Swan motor yacht Arrow, to debut at this year's Cannes Yachting ... [+] Festival.

The Arrow is not the only Swan with a scheduled debut at the Cannes Show. The Swan Maxi 88 sailing yacht will make her debut, along with the Club Swan 43 . The Swan 88, designed by Germàn Frers with interiors by Misa Poggi, is expected to earn as many admiring looks as the Arrow. The Club Swan 43, designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, is intended to serve as a racing and cruising crossover enhanced by top of industry technology for competitive one-design sailing and a comfortable cruising environment.

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27 Aug Rolex Swan Cup is always more than just a regatta

All sports have events in their calendars that transcend the sport itself, that embrace a sense of community which links participants in a shared experience, along with those who witness and support it.

Yacht racing of course has its contenders for this transcendental crown, and the Rolex Swan Cup has been successfully stating its own claim for the honour every two years since 1980 — and will do so again at its 22nd edition from September 15-21 in Porto Cervo with more than 100 examples of the Nautor Swan range already entered.

The regatta will also mark a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the partnership between Rolex, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) and Nautor Swan. To commemorate these first 40 years together a photographic exhibition will be held in Piazza Azzurra tracing the values which underpin this iconic regatta and have united Rolex, YCCS and Nautor Swan for four decades. It will be a journey of emotions and memories, celebrating the past with a clear view to the future.

“Our partnership with Rolex and the YCCS has been a long and successful celebration of shared values and constant innovation that has established a landmark in the world of sailing and sport,” said Nautor Group President Leonardo Ferragamo . “It has been and is an example of gentlemanly yet real competition, elegance and friendship. I am happy to welcome so many passionate sailors to this exciting new edition!”

A gathering of friends

Sardinia’s friendly and exclusive Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has long been described as the Swan fleet’s spiritual home, and it fully deserves the title with its seemingly effortless delivery of elegance, sophistication and efficiency — rather like a Swan yacht it might be said.

Combine this with the magnificent sailing area around Sardinia’s spectacular and scenic northern coasts, and it is easy to appreciate the firm foundations supporting this long-standing collaboration.

Within such a secure setting the camaraderie between Swan owners and sailors has blossomed, with the spirit imbued in the iconic brand extending out into friendly competition on the water, and then refreshed ashore as old and new friends share and celebrate the Swan experience.

The 2024 edition will once again welcome members of the Swan family from all over the planet, with models from the extensive range spanning from the smallest — and most recent addition — the ClubSwan 28 to one of the Maxis, the 27.7m Swan 90 Freya .

Her owner Donald Macpherson celebrated winning the Maxi class in 2022 with words that went directly to the heart of the event: “It was an incredible week, and all the boats and competitors were really fantastic. Success in sailing, the Rolex Swan Cup, Porto Cervo, the YCCS, there is nothing better.”

It is a view fully shared at the lower end of the LOA range. Giulio Gatti , the owner of Anya Race one of the new CS28s, as well as a Swan 48 Anya , said: “Being part of the Swan racing world has been a marvellous experience, and the Rolex Swan Cup is a jewel in the crown for the whole Swan world, which is a club and a family. As one of the first owners of the new ClubSwan 28s I cannot wait until we take to the water in Sardinia again.”

Out on the racecourse

With the emphasis firmly set on friendly and fair racing, the Rolex Swan Cup has introduced a few imaginative changes in 2024 to enhance the experience.

Overall the fleet is divided into two groups with Group 1 hosting the Rating classes, split into three divisions: Maxi, Swan and Sparkman & Stephens, each further divided into classes. In one of the new changes, the fleet will not only be divided by size, as in the past, but also depending on how racing orientated each entry is. The idea here is to maximise the fun for all, aiming to avoid having a full-on racing machine amid a class of Corinthian if competitive entries, and vice versa.

Meanwhile Group 2 will feature the more racing focused Swan One Design models with classes including the ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 36 and ClubSwan 28. In addition the Swan One Design Grand Prix class has been created to cater for other Swan OD classes like the Swan 45 and ClubSwan 42.

The final innovation to this year’s event is that racing will now take place over five consecutive days — 17 to 21 September — with no lay-day, so finishing on a Saturday giving owners and crews a more convenient journey home.

This change is of particular benefit to those travelling long distances to attend, none more so than Mr Watanabe, who will be racing onboard Swan 68 Defiance : “My relationship with Mr. Ferragamo started when my company Riviera became the exclusive dealer in Japan of the Swan brand.

“I am looking forward to meeting and communicating with many people who share the Swan spirit and values, not only through the racing, but also through attending owner’s meetings and Rolex parties in Porto Cervo.

“I want to absorb the passion and spirit of yachting that I see, hear, and feel at the venue, as well as observe and learn about the operation of the event, and use this knowledge for the first Swan race event in Asia, which we will hold in Japan in the near future.”

The Rating entries in Group 1 will be able to enjoy the spectacular Costa Smeralda coastline on daily coastal races, while the One-Design family will take on a mix of windward-leeward races and two coastal race days.

It is a combination that has delighted a new member of the ClubSwan 36 fleet, Ghada G. Barsoum, who has chartered Lady Ghada for the season: “I am in love with  Lady Ghada . I am incredibly proud to represent my country, Egypt, and to be a woman at the helm. This drives me to push my limits and take on new challenges with a fantastic crew. A few months ago, I could never have imagined myself steering such a fast and performing boat, and now, thanks to ClubSwan Racing, I can enjoy the excitement of surfing and skimming the waves.”

And back on shore

The social side ashore has always been an integral part of the Swan experience, and the Rolex Swan Cup takes it to an exceptional level — aided by the sophisticated surroundings of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

Adjoining The YCCS Clubhouse, the Piazza Azzurra square is at the heart of events, most particularly for the after-race refreshments where tales can be told and congratulations — or sympathies— offered in an always convivial atmosphere.

The YCCS Clubhouse itself will provide the inspiring setting for both the Welcome Cocktail on the Monday and Owners’ Dinner on the Thursday, with the YCCS Regatta Village hosting the celebratory Final Prize Giving. Friday’s Rolex Dinner Party will undoubtedly be a highlight of the week at a venue yet to be revealed.

Thanks go to

ClubSwan Racing, as organiser of the season-long The Swan One Design Nations League series, which includes Rolex Swan Cup, would like to highlight the essential support provided by their main partners Rolex, Randstad, Porsche, Henri Lloyd, Ferragamo and Banor.

Marking a special commitment, the Randstad Sailing Team will be racing onboard the Swan 82 Kallima for the 2024 Rolex Swan Cup. “Sailing stands for leadership, communication skills, trust, and flexibility,” says Angela Tenerelli, Marketing & Communication Director of Randstad Italia . “Competing in the Rolex Swan Cup 2024 allows us to showcase these values and offer selected companies the opportunity to experience sailing firsthand.”

A prestigious crew will be racing aboard Kallima – Randstad Sailing Team , including the legendary Paul Cayard, globally renowned sailor Tommaso Chieffi, and multiple world champion and Head of Swan OD Sport Activities, Federico Michetti.

Regatta Schedule:

• Inspection, Registration & Measurements
• Practice Race for OD Classes
• Islands Race
• Final Prize Giving

The Nations League is made possible thanks to its main partners, Rolex, Randstad, Porsche Italia and Banor, as well as technical sponsors Quantum Sails, North Sails, Doyle Sails, Garmin, Sailmon, B&G, Gottifredi Maffioli, AON, Ethimo, and Ferrari Trento.

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