Swan 98 Launches New Maxi Era for Nautor’s Swan

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Be Cool, the first Swan 98, sails in Finland following her launch

The first Swan 98, Be Cool, will make its competitive debut at this year’s Rolex Swan Cup, which will be hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Italy’s Porto Cervo from September 6-13, the week after YCCS hosts the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (Aug 30-Sep 5).

Be Cool is also set to compete in Les Voiles De Saint Tropez (Sep 26-Oct 10) in southern France. The first Swan 98 was launched in July at Swan’s state-of-the-art superyacht facility in Pietarsaari, Finland.

Nautor’s Swan plans to launch the second hull – which will eventually be used in the Caribbean – in September and a third next April or May, according to CEO Giovanni Pomati.

Nautor’s Swan has built over 100 yachts from 80-131ft. The Swan 98 by veteran Argentine designer German Frers launches a new era of Maxi Swan Yachts that also includes the Swan 120, with the first hull set to launch in the second quarter of 2021. The Finnish shipyard is also developing an 88ft model.

Be Cool will compete at September’s Rolex Swan Cup

Big builds at the yard also include a ClubSwan 125, a racing yacht designed by Argentine Juan Kouyoumdjian, who has designed the current range of ClubSwan racing yachts.

The 30m Swan 98 features an interior by acclaimed Genovese architect Misa Poggi that offers two layouts – owner aft with walk-in wardrobe or owner forward. There are also three ensuite guest cabins comprising a double and two twins, as well as two twin crew cabins, also ensuite.

The four interior themes comprise three by Poggi – Timeless Classical White, Traditional Navy and Wine Cowes – and Spirit of Finland developed by Swan.

Two more Swan 98s are under construction in Pietarsaari

Poggi said: “The fundamental principles are exactitude and method, as well as the unchanging habit of involving craftsmanship, and the use of real, natural and traditional materials. All this contributes to creating aesthetic value which goes beyond fashion and trends, interpreting a client’s dreams and requirements, and meeting their need for personalisation.”

The hull and deck are built using epoxy Sprint pre-preg carbon fibre interior and exterior skins on a core of M-grade Corecell foam. The hull carries almost all of her beam aft, which delivers excellent stability when heeled and creates generous volume in the interior.

The transom folds down hydraulically to create a teak-decked swim platform and reveal a garage for a tender of 4m. Options include a telescopic keel, which, together with the standard twin rudders, reduces draught from 4.9 to 3.2m.

The Swan 98 (pictured) will be joined by the Swan 120 next year

The spacious open foredeck provides space for sail handling while cruising and a sun deck while at anchor. Aft of the coachroof is a large leisure cockpit completely clear of lines that allows owner and guests to relax underway, sheltered by a sprayhood that disappears into a coachroof recess when not in use.

At anchor, this cockpit becomes a social lounge space with versatile deck sofas and converts again to become an elegant dining area, shaded by an optional bimini. Aft of this is a clear deck space that serves as a sun-lounging area, sheltered by coamings, at anchor, and a line handling space for manoeuvres when sailing.

Further aft is a second companionway, which provides easy deck access from below for the owner or crew, depending on which interior layout is chosen. Then there are the twin helm positions, from which the skipper can manage all the sail handling as the Swan 98 offers genuine push-button sailing.

For those wishing to compete, there is a comprehensive racing package that includes a square-top mainsail with running backstays. The package also includes a double-length bowsprit for fast reaching with powerful masthead gennakers.