RAGAMUFFIN 100, Sail No: SYD100, Bow No: 100, Owner: Syd Fischer, Skipper: Syd Fischer, Design: Elliott 100, LOA (m): 30.48, State: VIC off Cape Raoul

The Nautor’s Swan strategy related to its ClubSwan yachts has always been to create a high performance line within the family of Swans, in order that they would be able to compete at the top level of the professional racing circuit. With the success of the ClubSwan 36, 50 and 125 models, the range is renowned as the highest performing, most innovative and most technologically advanced segment of the company. And yet, there was an opportunity to complete the ClubSwan line with a new model. “The ClubSwan 80 project was born for two reasons: One, because clearly our line deserves a new yacht of this kind and second, because in the Maxi reality we see the possibility and the space for a high-performance yacht that will fill a regatta system that is now lacking something like this,” says Enrico Chieffi, Nautor Group Vice President.

The ClubSwan 80 is being built with the strategic partner Persico Marine, based in Nembro, an international shipyard renowned worldwide for its expertise in building high performance yachts. THE BRIEF The ClubSwan 80 has been conceived to be a very fast and high-performance yacht, completely in line with her sisters, based on the concept of One Design yachts. “The idea is to create a class of identical yachts, so this is something very unique in the world of maxis,” adds Chieffi. All the boats are specifically designed to sail in short racing, participating in the traditional events of the maxi circuit and specialized in light to medium winds (VMG sailing). “Why this? Because these events are mainly sailing in these conditions and we want a very competitive boat as such,” Chieffi continues.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The new model features a canting keel of 4.75m, which is proving to be a great compromise between having a very fast, deep keel while also allowing the yacht to enter into harbors and ports without any limitation.

The ClubSwan 80 has twin rudders, as usually adopted in its new shape as designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian (as happened for ClubSwan 36), and a canard. More specifically, a rotating canard has been adopted for sailing in short racing in light/medium winds (VMG), but also to grant a big flexibility in the tactical situation that are very common in the tight fleet racing.

The very long, retractable bowsprit, together with the very light displacement related to the canting keel, makes the yacht a real monster downwind, providing an enormous amount of fun while sailing.

THE INTERIORS The yacht comes with a minimal, stylish interior with the aim to combine the very high performance with a degree of comfort inside. A more luxurious version with a full set of options is also possible, being fully aware it may affect sailing performance.

THE CIRCUIT OF EVENTS Racing has been in Swan’s DNA since the very beginning and the brand’s thrilling regattas are the most eagerly awaited events by our owners. ClubSwan has always been associated with racing events, especially One Design, which provides is particularly enjoyable, with a rational and cost effective proposition, both for the management of the racing program and the original investment in the yacht.

The winning formula – with the owners at the helm as the established principle, and the boats all of the same type – is keeping the competition friendly and with a gentleman-like spirit. Since 2002, when the Swan 45 was first launched, Swan started on this route and today its One Design circuit of events is one of the most successful in the world, with a consistent number of yachts participating..

Completing the offer, there is the “must attend” Rolex Swan Cup, on even years, in the beautiful setting of Porto Cervo. One of the most important rules, as for all OD racing regattas, is the owner driver, where the owner of the yacht must helm the boat; this allows passionate owners to sail at a very high level while still being manageable and in a friendly environment.

The program drafted for the ClubSwan 80 Class will have five events a year, with 25 days of racing, one winner, and a dedicated world championship that will be a standalone event. “The hull number 001 is under construction at the moment, and our goal is to have three ClubSwan 80 boats in the water racing at the Rolex Maxi Worlds in Porto Cervo in 2022.