Club Swan 50, the revolution is here

Finland – With fifty years’ heritage in performance yacht production, Nautor’s Swan has always offered high performance racing yachts to complement its classic range of cruising Swans. Iconic yachts such as the Swan 39, the Swan 441 Racing version, and the Swan 60 Regatta all made their mark on the regatta circuit. Today the yard uses its new ClubSwan models to test the most modern trends in design, materials and solutions, refining technologies that will benefit Nautor’s cruising models. For example, the Swan 45 and ClubSwan 42, both successful one designs that are still winning in top level races. With the ClubSwan 50, Nautor has pushed the limits further, developing a yacht that represents a small revolution in performance and pure sailing pleasure.

The ClubSwan 50, was conceived to officially celebrate Nautor’s 50th Anniversary and represents an innovative concept with a Class programme that will see the introduction of a new leading event: The Nations Trophy.

Design
The new ClubSwan 50 is at the cutting edge of contemporary yacht design. The brief was clear and simple: an extremely fast boat that would also be easy to take to the limit, convertible into a sports cruiser with limited crew, with captivating looks and the natural elegance of a Swan. It had to be both competitive in class racing and conceived as a One Design. In one word, this yacht had to be cool. Naval architecture has been developed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, the Argentinean designer who also penned the winning Volvo 70 Groupama 4, Ericsson 4, ABN Amro 1 and the maxi Rambler 88.

Hull
The hull is modern and performance oriented with full sections forward and a beamy transom, reverse bow, reverse sheer, pronounced chines, concave aft sections and reduced freeboard. Appendages are in the same philosophy, with a carbon blade keel with lead torpedo and twin rudders for maximum control at high speeds. Construction is light but structurally robust in full pre-preg carbon as are the mast, boom and fixed bowsprit.

Sail plan
The sail plan is also latest generation: the mast has been positioned slightly aft of centre with a longer J – ideal for powerful asymmetric spinnakers that can be either full or fractionally rigged. The square top mainsail has a full shape thanks to running backstays: a perfect combination for the racing circuit. But the sail plan has also been designed with easy sailing in mind.

A few touches transform the ClubSwan 50 into a docile cruiser, perfect for a couple. In moderate winds the running backstays can be stowed at the mast, whilst in stronger breezes the double reefed mainsail passes easily in front of the backstays that can be fixed in position and need no adjustment. The furling Genoa is easily handled in any condition, whilst in strong winds the generous J allows for a convenient staysail to be

Deck
Efficiency with a moderate racing crew and ease of use for a cruising couple: the deck layout has been planned to be ideal in both cases, another revolution offered by the ClubSwan 50. The transverse jib tracks on the coachroof allow pure performance upwind angles and the six standard Harken STR winches make sail handling during racing fluid and efficient. In an instant the same layout can be adapted for single handing: the four winches around the helms – powered electrically as an option – can be used to control every function on board, and thanks to the furling foresails it is easy to achieve top performance with a reduced crew, gybing without running backstays and tacking at the touch of a button.

The optional cushions with rigid backrests convert the cockpit into a comfortable lounging area. The generous storage space with large lazarette aft and sail locker forward plus options such as anchoring system transform the ClubSwan 50 into a luxury performance weekend cruising yacht.

Interiors in collaboration with Poltrona Frau
Though inspired by a racing pedigree, Swans have always been celebrated for their style, design and the absolute quality of materials. Like any other Swan, the ClubSwan 50 fea­tures interiors that have been designed to offer the very best. The ClubSwan 50, however, is a truly special yacht, where lightweight construction and resistance to wear and tear under racing conditions are important criteria.

Luxury materials rarely stand up well to intense racing use. This is why at Nautor we have studied specific solutions that will combine the refined elegance of a cruiser with the rug­gedness and weight saving required of a pure racer. To this end we have sought a part­nership with a company that is a leader in premium leather upholstery: Poltrona Frau. Man­ufactured from extremely lightweight structures, mainly in carbon fibre, the interiors of the ClubSwan 50 are finished with premium materials: carbon fibre itself, alternated with white lacquer and natural teak, embellished throughout by leather surfaces and details, treated to provide not only the best technical reliability but also the luxurious fragrance of leather.

The saloon offers spaces typical of larger yachts, with eye-catching twin sofas and an open view forward. A special feature has been made of the bridge support for the mast that is deck stepped, thus creating an open plan saloon, allowing unhindered movement below. The large owner’s cabin features an island double berth with plenty of locker space made from lightweight, removable components. The heads are separate: one for the WC and one for the shower and both feature washbasins. Further aft, the full galley is starboard and the double guest cabin is port.

Converting the layout for racing is easy: the forward berth can be removed to make room for sails, the custom leather hanging lockers are removed and the backs of the sofas raised to create four crew berths. An irresistible atmosphere, the best expression of luxury sport.

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