Classic Boat: 6 cult Swan signatures that made sailing history

Having passed the 45th episode of this series devoted to celebrating the most iconic ‘Classic’ hulls, it is time to look at a world-famous shipyard, Nautor Swan. Specifically, however, we will not necessarily look at what are its ‘best boats,’ but rather, we will look at the iconic hulls, those boats that, throughout the brand’s history, have been able to leave a very important mark, whether that be for the shipyard itself or for the history of sailing… Here, then, are six milestones signed Nautor Swan

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Classic Boat: 6 cult Swan signatures that made sailing history

The panorama concerning the Classic Boats -that is, production boats over 25 years old and launched since 1967-. is a vast and ever-expanding context, composed of hulls of all shapes and sizes and, perhaps, not as easily “navigable” as one would often like. In light of this, in addition to the Classic Boat Club and to our information sections, we have created a series of articles, aimed at exploring some exceptional hulls, projects fundamental to the evolution of boating (you can find each article, 45+, at the bottom of this one). In this specific case, as announced, it is the turn to look at 6 milestones signed by the iconic Scandinavian shipyard, Nautor Swan.

SWAN 36

specifications: 10.89 x 2.96 m; 1967; Sparkman & Stephens

Let’s start with the basics, with the first Swan ever. In 1966 the shipyard was born, and in 1967 the first hull was launched: it was the Swan 36, of course, designed by the New York firm Sparkman & Stephens. In short, it is the boat from which everything will be born. A classic sloop of the late 1960s, narrow at the beam and with major leaps, the Swan 36 is simply a cult, rightly celebrated and counted among the great sailing classics.

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– Learn more about the Swan 36 and its market value

SWAN 55

specifications: 16.65 x 4.33 m; 1970; Sparkman & Stephens

In 1970, after the success of the 36′ and 43′, Sparkman & Stephens signed the third hull for Nautor Swan, the Swan 55. At 16.65 meters long, it will be the Swan for the elite and for the offshore and, above all, it will be the hull that will inspire the legend. It is precisely on the feedback that emerged from this that another masterpiece, the Swan 65, will be conceived. But the Swan 55 is also much more than mere inspiration; it is a hull devoted to offshore sailing, a true bluewater. Exceptional demonstration, among the 16 built, is today’s Gandalf, or rather the former Tauranga, that same 55′ with which Erik Pascoli participated in the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race (moreover, alongside the Guia of Falk and the CS & RB by Malingri). A flawless boat, it still stands today as a true classic.

– Learn more about the Swan 55 and its market value

SWAN 48

specifications: 14.6 x 4.15 m; 1971; Sparkman & Stephens

The sixth design to emerge from the S&S-Nautor pairing, the Swan 48 is, in its own way, perhaps the hull that most enters this list on ‘a posteriori’ merits. Produced in 46 examples, it was an outstanding design from the start, excellent performer as indeed she was. But what made its mark was the small but significant revolution it knew how to introduce: goodbye deckhouse, it was the first Swan to feature that anvil flush deck that later became the yard’s trademark.

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– Learn more about the Swan 48 and its market value

SWAN 65

specifications: 19.68 x 4.96 m; 1972; Sparkman & Stephens

Out of the experiences of the 55′ and on the ‘new look’ of the 48′ was born the Swan that perhaps reached the highest in what is the Olympus of sailing. It is the Swan 65, a most elegant, extremely high-performance boat with an unbeatable pedigree: produced in no less than 41 examples, mainly ketch-rigged, she was yet another masterpiece of Sparkman & Stephens, proving to be not only is excellent for cruising, but also capable of sailing in any condition, in any sea.

In 1973. the Sayula II, a 65′ series won the first Whitbread Round the World Race. In the second edition, as many as 3 65s were on the starting line; King’s Legend, Disque d’Or and ACD Accutrac, finished 2nd, 4th and 5th respectively… Quite simply, it remains a legendary hull.

– Learn more about the Swan 65 and its market value

SWAN 39/391

specs: 12.17 x 3.79 m; 1978; Ron Holland

In the late 1970s, in that transition that would see Swan move from Sparkman & Stephens to German Frers, a third and great architect was the yard’s designer-Ron Holland. In 1978 these signed one of the great designs of this phase, the Swan 39, later revived updated as 391 and produced in a total of 52 examples. This will be Holland’s first Swan and, more importantly, the first post-S&S Swan. Elegant lines, a very clean deck and a perfect marriage of classic Holland lines with Swan stylings characterize the design, resulting in an often underrated but admirably crafted Cruiser Racer.

– Learn more about the Swan 39 and its market value

SWAN 51

specifications: 15.62 x 4.47 m; 1980; German Frers

After Sparkman & Stephens, after the brief interval with Holland, a new giant lands at Nautor. He is German Frers, and he immediately signs a legendary debut hull: the Swan 51, from which the 1000th hull launched by the shipyard will also be born… This would be enough to make it an iconic boat, but the Swan 51 is also an unmistakable design, distinguished by elegance and excellent performance and placings. Produced in 36 examples, 10 years after her first launch in 1991, she was still proving competitive, winning the 1991 IOR championship…a debut with flying colors

– Learn more about the Swan 51 and its market value

Nasce il Registro Ufficiale delle Classic Boat di Valore Storico: ecco cosa sapere

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