Swan 88 expands Maxi offerings

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The Swan 88 has a hull by German Frers and a sub-24m load line

Nautor’s Swan has revealed details of its new Swan 88, which is scheduled to debut in 2023 and have the production capacity for up to two units a year. Including features never seen on the brand’s models including a multi-level beach club, the 88 is the new entry model to the Maxi Swan Yachts line, which also features the 98 launched in mid-2020 and the 120, set to debut in 2021.

Designed by German Frers, the Swan 88 has an overall length of 28.27m (92ft 9in), a hull length of 26.54m (87ft 1in), waterline length of 24.99m (82ft 0in) and a beam of 6.72m (22ft 1in). Importantly, the yacht has a sub-24m load line length, which reduces costs and increases charter appeal.

Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Group, said: “The Swan 88 has been conceived to be the entry size to the Swan maxi world, compliant to MCA rules. We wanted to build a superyacht with an efficient platform in terms of management costs and ease of obtaining charter certifications.”

The stern area is two steps down from the rest of the cockpit

In the cockpit, modular benches can be arranged in various set-ups such as lounging and full dining. The manoeuvring area, with the winches and steering pedestals, is moved slightly forward to allow space at the stern for a completely new beach area where guests can recline or lie down, with access to the water as well as the large tender garage.

The area forward of the mast can be used for sunbathing or as a sunset lounge, with a large sail locker and anchor locker below the deck.

Appendages are optimised for cruising, with a standard moderate draft of 4m and options for shallow-draft, telescopic and performance keels. The twin rudders offer multiple advantages including a shallower draft and improved balance while sailing. The Swan 88 is designed to provide a soft, comfortable ride, with an optimised heeling angle of no more than 20 degrees.

The mast’s location in the middle of the yacht provides a good balance between the foretriangle and the mainsail, with the opportunity to fraction the triangle in four different stays – gennaker, code zero, jib and staysail – due to the long J measure. The staysail can be provided with a self-tacking track, and the mast and boom are constructed in carbon as standard.

Swan has created a new beach club, with a two-piece foldout transom door

Frers, 79, who has been designing for Swan since the 1980s, said: “The Swan 88 is an evolution of the previous models, but before designing the hull, we did a complete study of the balance, performance, position of the rig and shape of the sails.”

Lucio Micheletti collaborated on the exterior design, while Misa Poggi has designed the interior, following her work on the Swan 98.

Poggi said: “When you walk onto a boat, you should walk into a very comfortable, harmonious and magical place. This magic comes from the balance created between volume, geometries, architecture and materials.”

The beach club is one of the yacht’s most innovative features

The guest cockpit stairs lead down to the saloon and dining area. Forward to starboard is the VIP cabin (or a TV lounge), the owner’s suite is in the bow, while aft of the stairs are two guest cabins with the option of pullman berths.

The aft section is separated into two separate areas. The first is a half-crew, half-guest area, with a big galley and a dinette, which can be used as a crew mess or by guests, such as for breakfast or as a comfortable, protected place for children while sailing. Further aft is a dedicated crew area that’s accessed via the cockpit and has two twin bunk cabins, separate showers and space for appliances.

Alternative layout arrangements and range of mood concepts are available. Vanni Galgani, Product Line Leader, said: “Working on this project has been really inspiring for us. We reckon it will be a contemporary classic and a best seller in Swan history.”

Swan recently sold the fourth hull of the Swan 98, which is the first 98 to have an owner-forward layout and will be launched in spring 2022. The first two hulls were launched this year and the third is scheduled for the second quarter of 2021. Nautor’s Swan has built more than 100 yachts above 24m.