Founded in 1966 by Pekka Koskenkylä in Pietarsaari, Finland, Nautor AB (Nautor’s Swan), these renowned sailboats were first designed by Sparkman & Stephens, who helped launch the company’s first 775 yachts.
Nautor’s Swan is now one of the world’s most recognized manufacturers of high-tech, high-performance cruising yachts and racing yachts. Known for its light fiberglass hulls and lux interiors, Nautor’s Swan yachts were regular winners on the racing circuit.
Their sailing yachts range from 36 to 139 feet in length and have reinforced fiberglass hulls where the focus on quality and saving weight is a priority.
What makes a Nautor’s Swan yacht special?
One reason is the company’s commitment to the concept that every stage of the build process – from design to testing – takes place on-site. Having all the manufacturing activities located in one place gives Nautor’s Swan complete control over the quality, which also improves organization, logistics and efficiency.
#1 Manufacturer of High-Performing Racing Yachts
As early as 1968, the concept started to pay off. The brand-new Swan 36 was sailing circles around its competitors in regattas in the British Isles. It was then that Nautor’s Swan began establishing its reputation as the #1 manufacturer of high-performance racing yachts.
In the late 70s, known designer Ron Holland took over and helped build the next six models, of which 283 were launched and sold. The following era saw designer German Frers, who continues to design for the brand. Fast forward a few years and it was a Swan 65 that claimed victory in the first-ever Whitbread Round the World Race. Renowned Argentinian yacht designer German Frers joined Finnish Nautor’s Swan in the ‘80s and proceeded to design more than 700 Swan yachts. In 1998, Leonardo Ferragamo, a passionate sailor and famous fashion designer, bought Nautor’s Swan with a group of investors.
In keeping with the founder’s fully integrated in-house building philosophy, Nautor’s Swan started a two-year major expansion project in 2017. Upon completion, it was christened the Boatbuilding Technology Center. The BTC is a state-of-the-art, 107,000 sq. ft. facility that features a new joinery, high-tech lamination operations with an oven for post-curing, halls for painting, grinding and polishing as well as areas for warehousing and logistics.
Nautor’s Swan’s First One-Design Racer: Combining Innovation with Sustainable Technology
By 2019, Nautor’s Swan reached another milestone when it introduced the ClubSwan 36 – the company’s first one-design racer that combines innovation and style with sustainable technology. Eco-sailors worldwide appreciate the yacht’s emission-free electric drive and lithium batteries with BMWi technology.
Today, with more than 2,000 Swans built and Ferragamo at the helm, Swan yachts epitomize ultimate luxury and quality in the sailing industry and underscore the founder’s pledge to build “the very best.”
Shipyard Stats:
- Founder: Pekka Koskenkylä
- Size: 36 to 139 feet
- Type: Sailing Yachts (racing, cruising)
- Models: ClubSwan (36-125 ft.), Swan (48-78 ft.), MaxiSwan (98-139 ft.)
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