In Saint-Tropez, on June 11, the emblematic shipyard Nautor's Swan took advantage of the Rolex Giraglia to present its new one design. This is the fourth one-design - after the 42, 45 and 50 - for the Finnish manufacturer.
If the format of this new yacht - compact, simple and radical - surprises the connoisseurs, the collaboration of Juan Yacht Design is not really a surprise since the Franco-Argentine architect has been collaborating with Nautor for three years.
But the first sketches are exciting! The model and the 3D views show a hull with very tense lines, an inverted bow, a bulbous keel and above all a foil...
An exciting concept
Philippe Ouhlen, who is in charge of the project within the Juan Yacht Design team, was given carte blanche by Nautor's Swan CEO Leonardo Ferragamo to design this new one-design. " The idea was to go further than the Swan 50, to surf on the spirit of the next America's Cup boats, while offering a healthy and accessible boat. In the small racing boats, I distinguish three categories: the classics, the recent euros but ultimately quite conservative, and finally the concept boats like the Melges 40 or the Figaro 3. It is of course in this last family that the CS 36 falls." The transportable argument does not lack appeal, but limits the size, according to Philippe, to 30 feet.
Accessible but subtle
The ClubSwan 36 was designed to sail with 6 crew members. Rather wide (3.60 m for 11 m length), well ballasted (1,400 kg at 2.75 m under the surface for a total displacement of 2,500 kg), this one-design has nothing of an unmanageable steed from 15 knots of wind. With its two rudders, it will even be easy to control.
In an effort to simplify and reduce costs, the site and architects turned away from all-carbon construction:" useless to gain only 45 kg and especially to be exposed to punching effects in case of impacts" says Philippe. Likewise, to simplify things, the designers limited themselves to just four sails: a mainsail, two jibs and a spinnaker. On the other hand, the carbon mast can be worked on at will with its runners.
A unique and mobile foil
One foil, not two! This part remains movable in a box so that it can go out completely on one edge or half on both edges. And since this foil is curved, you can play with its angle with the water surface. When fully extended to leeward, the asymmetrical plane acts as a daggerboard with a negative drift effect. In the middle position, the foil offers a double lift effect. Add the heel component and you can see that the adjustment of the appendage will be a real brain-teaser for the best thinkers of the crew
For a new audience
Swan, it's the Rolls of the seas Launching a small Swan is to allow new skippers to discover the brand and the prestigious regatta circuit that is attached to it. And the asking price, which is inevitably lower than that of the larger racing machines, could motivate a rapid development of the class. Count all the same 385 000 euros HT.
The CS 36 was designed to sail with 6 crew members. " A priori one owner helmsman, two amateurs and three pros" philippe predicts. The deck plan is rather confusing: no more deckhouse but a flush deck with a pronounced movement - a bit like the good old J 24 - and a clear cockpit bordered by abseiling lines.
Inside? Nothing or almost nothing... four bunks to rest and share a coffee. The panache of a Star combined with the latest technological and architectural developments euros A concept that seems to be catching on as 8 boats are about to be ordered. " Our goal, with Nautor's Swan, is to deliver 20 boats per year says Philippe. But we could well build many more!"
