The ClubSwan line will be expanded in 2021 with the introduction of the first ClubSwan 80, designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian. The first ClubSwan 125 is also in build and the two new models will complement the ClubSwan 50 and 36, launched by Nautor’s Swan in 2016 and 2019 respectively.
Enrico Chieffi, Vice President of the Nautor Group, said: “The ClubSwan 80 project was born for two reasons. First, because clearly our line deserves a new yacht of this kind. Second, we see a space in the maxi world for a high-performance yacht that will fill a regatta system now lacking something like this.”
For the construction of the ClubSwan 80, Nautor’s Swan is working with Persico Marine, based in Nembro in northern Italy, an international shipyard renowned worldwide for its expertise in building high-performance yachts.
“Hull one is under construction and our goal is to have three ClubSwan 80 boats in the water racing at the Rolex Maxi Worlds in Porto Cervo in 2022. The idea is to create a class of identical yachts, unique in the world of maxis,” Chieffi said.
“We expect a lot of traction out of this. We see this as an exciting new challenge. A class of this size and of this magnitude has never been achieved and realised by anyone in the past, but we believe it’s time to do it.”
The ClubSwan 80 has been designed as a very fast, high-performance yacht in line with her sisters, based on the concept of one-design yachts. The model is designed to sail in short races, participate in the traditional maxi regattas and specialise in light to medium winds (VMG sailing).
The new model features a canting keel of 4.75m, twin rudders and a canard. More specifically, a rotating canard has been adopted for sailing in short racing in light/medium winds (VMG) and to grant flexibility in tactical situations, common in tight fleet racing.
The long, retractable bowsprit, together with the light displacement related to the canting keel, is expected to produce great speeds downwind.
The yacht has a minimal, stylish interior with the aim of combining high performance with a degree of comfort inside. A more luxurious version with a full set of options is also available, although potentially compromising sailing performance.
“You can buy comfort, but you can’t buy performance,” Chieffi said. “This is very important for the concept of the one-design class, so the base yacht is the fastest and lightest boat you can get.”
Since 2002, when the Swan 45 was first launched, Swan has managed its own one-design circuit of events based on the owner-driver concept.