Post-it note underpins Nautor Swan’s quality

After 3,000 miles from Pietarsaari, Finland, via two customer service hubs in Badalona, near Barcelona, and Carlino, Italy, Nautor Swan’s latest offering, the Swan 80, arrived with a list of issues – but one so short that it was written on a Post-it note.

Federico Michetti, Nautor Swan Southern Europe commercial director, says this small list proves the boat’s quality is unbelievable.

“It’s a very important test. You know? The first miles of the boat in rough seas,” he says. “It is absolutely a beauty, and represents the real status quo of where we are.”

The Swan 80 set out in mid-June to sail to the Med, before debuting at Cannes Yachting Festival.

Sanlorenzo injects energy

2026 is a special year for Nautor Swan, with more than 2,500 boats sailing around the world; it’s the company’s 60th anniversary, and for the last two of those, Nautor Swan has been in the Sanlorenzo Group.

“That’s been a blast so far,” grins Michetti. The group “brings us a lot of energy and expertise. Mr Massimo Perotti [executive chairman and CEO] is absolutely the most amazing visionary I ever met in my life.”

Even though Michetti describes Perotti as a “power boat lover”, he says that the “most powerful man in the industry” realised Swan was a great brand. “And I have so much respect for his vision to try to make Swan better without changing a comma of what Nautor Swan is.”

Hot prospects in a tight market

In terms of clients, Michetti says that there is interest, and some very hot prospects have “come back three times in a day” at Cannes Yachting Festival.

“The show has been good”, however “, obviously, as the industry, we are suffering a very tight market.

“We feel that it is slowly getting better, but it’s been pretty hard.

“But we are very in good shape, and again, Sanlorenzo owning us has been a game changer,” as the company offers “the confidence of a bigger shoulder.”

Within that, Nautor Swan has started producing stock boats, with a few models available. “This is completely brand new,” says Michetti.

Development of the Nautor Swan fleet

Nautor Swan is really focused on what the market needs and thus looks to a “very natural development of the fleet.” The Swan 80 is the smallest maxi in a line which already encompasses the 128, 120, 108, 98 and 88.

Across the Swan range, Michetti notes suppliers like Harken (winches), Southern Spar, Allspar or Axxon for rigs, and Seldén. “In Nautor, we have the best suppliers. Honestly. Everything on a Swan reaches perfection and reaches [a] very high standard of quality.”

CEO Gianguido Girotti recently told MIN that the evolution of the Swan portfolio will be measured rather than radical, with plans to broaden while preserving the principles that distinguish the brand.

The Swan 58 has been one of the company’s best sellers, and Michetti says the Swan 78 proved to be “a very good boat for us. We sold like 12 boats. But we were keen to have a more modern approach.” With this in mind, a brand-new 73 will also be joining the fleet.

First look: Swan 80 designed around specifics

The Swan 80 shares the design team behind the Swan 88, Swan 108 and Swan 128, with Germán Frers responsible for naval architecture, Lucio Micheletti for exterior design and Misa Poggi for the interiors.

For a large crewed sailing yacht, the layout is focused on combining usable guest areas with clear working spaces for the crew, while retaining the functional features standard to Swan’s sailing yachts. And it’s stylish.

The deck has been kept clean and flat, with the layout designed to minimise changes in level and potential trip hazards.

Its design means that the helm, sailing systems and winches, and cockpit are clearly delineated so that guests remain clear of the crew working – and vice versa. (It’s designed for sailing with a crew of two, with provision for three, e.g., for charters, if required.

Two C-shaped sofas provide seating around tables that can be folded and lowered. The tables are manual, with an optional electric version. When lowered, mattresses can be placed on top to create large sunbeds. The sofa backrests can also be removed to create another flat area for sunbathing.

The aft cockpit includes a flat sunbathing area and a large platform that stores the dinghy inside. The platform lowers to provide access to the swim area, with a telescopic ladder or steps.

Four guest cabins

Below deck, the boat has four guest cabins and one crew cabin (full details of the configurations are available on Nautor Swan’s website).

The master cabin is positioned forward and has a large en suite toilet and shower. The orientation of the bed and the position of the door are designed to prevent a direct view into the bed when the door is open, giving the cabin a more private appearance.

The VIP guest cabin has a double bed, toilet and en suite shower.

Two further guest cabins are configured with twin beds as standard. A Pullman berth can be specified as an option, providing additional sleeping capacity for families with small children.

Storage is provided throughout the cabins, and phone chargers are located beside the beds.

Saloon and natural light

The saloon has a dining area to starboard and a more relaxed seating area to port.

The seating can be converted into a day bed by moving the backrests outboard, allowing someone to lie down while sailing while retaining a view through the hull windows.

Onboard this vessel, the interior’s oak. The oak can be supplied in different finishes, including the lighter white-stained finish shown on the boat, a darker finish intended to resemble older teak, or walnut as an alternative interior option.

Designed for life at sea

While functional features are part of the standard approach across Swan’s yachts, the styling can vary.

The maxi interior has proper handrails, while the fiddles throughout the interior are stylish and functional. Rounded corners are also used.

The loose chairs are secured with straps to hold them when underway.

Galley and crew area

The crew area is arranged for two people, with a cabin containing two bunk beds, as well as a crew toilet and shower.

There is also a navigation table/crew mess and a galley equipped with a Miele induction stove, electric oven, microwave, full-sized dishwasher, fridge, freezer and coffee maker.

A washer and dryer are integrated into the crew entrance area.

Storage in the galley can be accessed from both sides to make it easier for crew to take items out (for example, glasses) without having to walk into the chef’s space.

Built in Finland

The Swan 80, its furniture and interior, are built in Finland.

The size of the boat and the amount of equipment on board mean that it uses a significant amount of electricity. With conventional propulsion and batteries, diesel power is still needed.