SW108 "Kalantis": Christening in Cape Town - with moonlight and art on the yacht building

Launchings are preceded by christening ceremonies that are meticulously planned and held - often fuelled by a good dose of superstition. The first launch of the Southern Wind 108 "Kalantis" was no exception, and there was much fanfare in Cape Town harbour. But, for whatever reason, moonlight accompanied the actual act of transferring the ship to her native element. What's more, the keel bomb and parts of the fin were adorned with a hand-painted squid motif. It is quite possible that the naming of the 35.51 metre long carbon construction is based on a suitcase word: KAL-mar and At-ANTIS.

Top equipment for "Kalantis"

Almost exactly one year ago, the shipyard, which is under Italian management, launched the sister ship "Kiboko 4". The first construction number of the SW108, "Gelliceaux"caused a stir on the quays of Cape Town's Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with her launch in the summer of 2023. Southern Wind has always pursued lightweight construction; all supersailors from the Cape are sporty, and yet there are these subtle, freely configurable differences that show that owners want more. Like a rig made of high-modulus fibres, whereby carbon is the standard anyway. The high-modulus carbon fibres are even lighter, thinner and more expensive with the same tensile strength. The choice of fittings also gives an indication of ambitions, usually in the direction of regattas. Not every owner favours titanium from cleat to railing to headboard. The owner of "Kalantis" does.

Long journeys and fast regattas

It is not without reason that the shipyard categorises the highly customised new build as a performance explorer yacht. The titanium specialists from Rigging Projects also provided practical details for long-distance sailing: numerical coding of the reefing lines, coloured Dyneema chafe protection caps, tapered mooring lines and a special towing line configuration. According to Southern Wind, with the third SW108, the experienced owner brings a new, distinctive touch to the range that reflects his personality - a young, passionate sailor with clear goals: to be successful on regatta courses on the one hand and to travel around the world comfortably and quickly on the other.

The dual requirement presented the development team with particular challenges. Marco Alberti, CEO of Southern Wind, explains: "The specification was very clear and ambitious: to enjoy full comfort while exploring remote parts of the world and at the same time compete in regattas with real intent. This duality has spurred us on even more to refine our solutions for versatility and performance, aiming for the perfect balance."

Focused on performance

"Kalantis" is once again the result of a collaboration between Farr Yacht Design and Nauta Design. This time, the South African yacht builders produced the yacht entirely from carbon fibre; the hull, deck and bulkheads are designed in consultation with the client. The lift keel ranges from four to 6.2 metres deep as well as numerous titanium components. With a displacement of 74 tonnes, the latest SW108 is set to become a real sailing machine, which it did not yet prove to be during the transfer voyage to the Mediterranean.

As a special feature, Southern Wind emphasises the Seaside Lounge, an innovative stern and aft deck arrangement that can be opened up to create a beach club with direct access to the sea. The foredeck has been adapted with a recess to stow a custom-made 5.20 metre carbon dinghy. An additional lounge area can be installed in the hull.

Salon with four light sources

The deck is characterised by clear geometries and Southern Wind's characteristic GT look, yet there is a new feature. The owner wanted as much natural light as possible in the interior without compromising the sleek profile. A central skylight runs through the redesigned superstructure, extending across the full width of the roof at the front end. The saloon is additionally illuminated via the angled side windows and two hull windows, each measuring one square metre.

"Kalantis" four-cabin layout offers space for up to eight guests. The owner's suite is located forward, with three further guest cabins amidships. The forward VIP cabin, called the "Petit Salon" by the owner, is a versatile space that can be converted into a studio, single cabin or double bunk bed cabin as required. This arrangement creates a spacious L-shaped communal area, while a comfortable TV lounge is positioned forward on the starboard side.

Ceremonial "Kalantis" christening

During the naming ceremony, owner's representative Matthew Satchwell said: "Every time I visit Southern Wind Shipyard, I realise that it's more than a shipyard, it's a family. You can see it in the way people talk to each other, the way the teams support each other and in every detail. As a proud South African, I have to say that when our people come together, something special happens. That Mzansi spirit, heart, hard work, pride and determination can turn the impossible into something remarkable."

Technical data SW108 "Kalantis":

• Overall length: 35.51 m
• Width: 7.51 m
• Draught: 4-6.2 m
• Material: Full carbon fibre (hull, deck and bulkheads)
• Mast and boom: high-modulus carbon fibre
• Cabins: 4 guest cabins for up to 8 people
• Construction: Farr Yacht Design
• Exterior/interior: Nauta Design
• Shipyard: Southern Wind Shipyard, Cape Town