New boats: Nautor ignites third rocket

Fridtjof Gunkel

· 04.09.2020

Photo: Nautor

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The Finnish shipyard wants to shake up the maxi yacht scene with a ClubSwan 80. The boat is set to become a new standardised class

Following the success of the ClubSwan 50, the launch of the innovative ClubSwan 36 and the approaching completion of the record-breaking ClubSwan 125, the shipyard owned by the Italian Ferragamo family is announcing the next stage of development in its ambitious one-class programme. Vice President Enrico Chieffi: "We want to introduce a new concept to the world of maxi yachts and revitalise the active participation of owners. To this end, we have created the new ClubSwan 80 and brought together the best minds in the yachting industry." These include Argentinian Juan Kouyoumdjian, who is already responsible for the design of the previous ClubSwan models, structural specialist Giovanni Belgrano and Team Nauta for the interior design.

Tilt keel and C-foils ensure extreme stability

The rudders are double and the stern is oddly shaped

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Photo: Nautor

Remarkably, the racer, which is made entirely of carbon fibre, is not produced by Nautor in Finland but, like the external 36, in this case by Persico. The Italian composites specialists are one of the world's five leading high-end manufacturers and have extensive expertise in the construction of precisely standardised, low-tolerance yachts thanks to the production of the standard class for the Volvo Ocean Race (Volvo Ocean Racer 65).

Like the ClubSwan 36, the ClubSwan 80 will have half-round foils to increase stability and a canting keel. Other features include the strongly inclined and far aft flexible carbon rig, double rudders, the retractable gennaker pole, retractable shaft system and a system that allows the space sheet sails to be lowered into the boat through the fore hatch in just a few seconds, just like on a dinghy with a trumpet.

The ClubSwan 80 is to be steered by the owner and further revitalise the idea of "gentlemen's sport", which Swan is already trying to embody with the ClubSwan 50. The 80 will be suitable for short up and downs as well as coastal courses and also long distances. The boats will be present at international regattas as well as at specially created events and will be integrated into the brand's extensive and self-organised regatta calendar. The new boat will debut with three units in the 2022 Maxi Rolex Cup. Nautor has announced that the ClubSwan 80 will not be the end of the story; a 60-plus-footer is already being planned.

What else Nautor's Swan builds and has built:

Forerunner of the first Swan: "Buschemai" with long overhangs and boxy superstructure

The number 0 shows its narrow, long tail

The first real Swan, a 36: "Tarantella" in the Finnish snow

Whitbread winner: Swan 64 "Sayula". The ketch was very large by the standards of the time

Swan 65 "Peak": Today, this model is a true GRP classic

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Photo: YACHT / K. Andrews

Huge cockpit and yet manageable with a small crew

Negative stem and long bowsprit provide downwind power and a long waterline

If the foils are to function optimally, it is important to adhere precisely to the optimum heeling angles

Fast rake: The mast can be trimmed readily

Two rudders, two foils and a fixed keel whose fin, according to the shipyard, only serves to hold the bomb

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Photo: Werft

Almost timeless and harmonious lines characterise the new smallest driving swan.

Double wheels, a wide rear and the open cockpit are concessions to modernity

The Windex perspective shows the boat width remaining the same aftwards

A dedicated sail load is available in the bow area

The opulent forward cabin with large island bed and private wet area

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Nautor's new model also performs well in wind and waves

The steep stem and a fixed bowsprit with anchor bracket characterise the front section

All operating controls converge at the two wheels

The empty deck pleases the eye and barefoot travellers

The rolling boom with Reckmann technology works perfectly

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Photo: YACHT/K. Andrews

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Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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New boats: Nautor ignites third rocket

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Fridtjof Gunkel

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