45 years ago, the original Swan 65, designed by Sparkman & Stephens, launched as the largest production boat on the market and won the first Whitbread Round the World Race, becoming a legend. The new 2019 Swan 65, designed by Germán Frers, maintains the legacy with modern enhancements, offering double the volume of its predecessor. This new model continues the tradition of combining luxurious cruising with competitive racing capabilities, attracting significant attention even before its debut.
Design and Exterior
The Swan 65, part of a new generation of Swans, shares design elements with the larger Swan 78. The yacht features clean, powerful lines with a beamy hull, emphasizing stability and performance. The telescopic keel, reducing draft from 4.2 to 2.8 meters, exemplifies advanced engineering, providing flexibility and ease of navigation in various waters. Built by APM in Italy, this keel also appears on high-end yachts like the Baltic 67 and Solaris 64, highlighting the Swan 65’s top-tier construction.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
Designed for owner management, the Swan 65 boasts a clean deck layout with all lines led underdeck to two winches on each side, allowing for efficient single-handed sailing. Optional features include a captive winch system and a bridge deck, which can create a more protected cockpit area. The mast is positioned aft, optimizing space and allowing for longitudinal genoa tracks and a self-tacking jib rail on the coach roof. The expansive, uncluttered deck includes a large sail locker, which can also serve as a crew cabin.
Interior and Living Spaces
The interior of the Swan 65 is a testament to luxurious, social living spaces. The slightly raised saloon offers excellent visibility through large coach roof windows, creating a bright and inviting environment. The transverse galley located forward enhances the open-plan feel, seamlessly connecting the saloon and galley areas. The boat offers flexibility in configuration, with numerous options for the nav station and central living spaces.
The yacht provides the choice of a forward or aft owner’s cabin, each offering exceptional comfort and privacy. The forward cabin configuration features a spacious saloon extending 5.5 meters from the companionway, ideal for social gatherings. The aft owner’s cabin option includes the addition of a bridge deck in the cockpit, appealing to families or those needing additional protection in the cockpit area.
Performance and Engineering
Designed as a cruiser-racer, the Swan 65 combines long-distance voyaging capabilities with the potential to win races. The yacht’s advanced engineering, including state-of-the-art keel design and efficient sail handling systems, ensures excellent performance and ease of use. The placement of the generator and other systems below the saloon floor optimizes weight distribution and maintains a low center of gravity, enhancing stability and sailing performance.
Conclusion
The new Swan 65 by Nautor’s Swan continues the legacy of its iconic predecessor, offering modern advancements in design, performance, and luxury. With its beautifully finished interiors, advanced engineering, and flexible configurations, the Swan 65 is poised to be a favorite among cruising enthusiasts and racers alike. This yacht embodies the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a luxurious and capable vessel for long-distance cruising or competitive sailing.
