The ClubSwan 80 is set to make a big splash in the world of high-performance one-design racing when it makes its competitive debut at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Designed to be competitive at the top level of professional regatta racing, the ClubSwan 80 clearly has the Swan racing DNA, with features like twin rudders, canting keel, rotating canard, and retractable bowsprit. Plus, the interior can be repurposed for fast sports cruising, making this yacht a true all-rounder.
The ClubSwan 80 is a momentous achievement in developing the Nautor Swan range, and it rounds out the ClubSwan Yachts one-design range, which consists of the hi-tech ClubSwan 36, the innovative ClubSwan 50, and the super-Maxi ClubSwan 125. As a key component of the ClubSwan Racing concept that Nautor Group President Leonardo Ferragamo originally envisioned, the ClubSwan 80 was brought to life by the combined effort, talent, and imagination of Giovanni Pomati and Enrico Chieffi, Nautor Group's CEO and Senior Advisor respectively, yacht designer Juan Kouyoumdjian, yacht builder Marcello Persico, the CEO of Persico Marine, and interior designer Mario Pedol of Nauta Design.
A one-design racing dream come true: Since 1998, Leonardo Ferragamo has been a strong advocate of one-design racing alongside handicap racing. He has also commissioned a range of one-design yachts that reflect Nautor Swan's commitment to quality, elegance, and reliability. In 2019, the technologically advanced and foil-assisted ClubSwan 36 was launched, and in 2021, the super-Maxi ClubSwan 125— Nautor Swan’s largest yacht to date—will make her debut. The ClubSwan 80 neatly fills in the gap between the 50 and 125.
"While the performance-cruisers in the Swan Yachts line remain at the very heart of what Nautor Swan is and always has been about, ClubSwan is bringing a new generation to sailing attracted by the fun and level racing that is possible with one design.
The ClubSwan 80 was designed to be a speedy, high-performance yacht that would offer one-design racing at the pinnacle of the sport. This yacht has been optimized for racing on short inshore racecourses and in light to medium wind strengths. The canting keel has a draft of 4.75m, which is a great compromise between the performance advantage of a deep keel and the ability to access harbors and ports. The rotating canard improves upwind performance in light winds and tacking ability in the tight tactical situations common in fleet racing.
“The performance is built-in, and you can't buy more within the one-design plan,” adds Chieffi. “What can be added is additional comfort when and if desired for sports cruising.”
The ClubSwan 80, like the ClubSwan 36, has twin rudders that give drivers complete control on the racetrack. The yacht's speed and power comes from the canting keel and rotating canard, working together with the high-modulus carbon mast and boom. This allows for 440m2 of upwind sail area, resulting in boat speeds of 12 to 13 knots when close-hauled. With the large retractable carbon bowsprit, the yacht can fully use asymmetric spinnakers. The retractable drive system reduces drag, and the internal spinnaker retrieval system makes it easier for the crew to retrieve the spinnaker at the bottom mark.
“We are all very excited by the arrival of a new member of the ClubSwan yacht family,” said Juan K, as he is widely known.
Photos: ClubSwan Racing - Studio Borlenghi.
