Swan 115 Information, Review, Specs

Built by Nautor's Swan, a name synonymous with exquisite build quality and timeless design, the Swan 115 represents the pinnacle of modern yacht engineering. From its origins in the rugged Finnish archipelago, Nautor's Swan has consistently delivered vessels renowned for their unwavering commitment to excellence and visionary collaborations with leading naval architects.

History and Design

The journey of the Swan 115 began in 2015, marking a new generation of maxi yachts for Nautor's Swan. As the principal naval architect for Nautor since 1983, Germán Frers was instrumental in shaping the vision for the 115. His design philosophy for this model aimed to create a yacht that was both a formidable competitor on the racecourse and a supremely comfortable platform for extended cruising. The Swan 115 was designed with a focus on blending tradition with innovation, utilizing advanced materials and construction techniques.

During this era, Nautor's Swan, under Frers' influence, emphasized prepreg carbon fiber construction for performance while maintaining the brand's hallmark of supreme comfort and quality. The design offers versatility, with the model being built in both flush deck (FD) and semi-raised saloon (S) versions, allowing for customization to suit owner preferences for racing or cruising configurations. The first hull, Solleone, a Swan 115 S Version, was delivered in the summer of 2015, showcasing the meticulous design and luxurious styling executed by Nautor's in-house team.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Swan 115 is engineered for exhilarating sailing performance, a hallmark of Germán Frers' designs for Nautor's Swan. With a length overall of just over 115 feet and a waterline length of nearly 108 feet, this yacht boasts impressive speed potential. The design incorporates features such as a lifting keel option, which provides versatility and enhances performance across various sailing conditions.

Interpreting its performance ratios further illuminates its capabilities:

• Sail Area to Displacement (SA/Disp): With a calculated SA/Disp ratio of approximately 29.6, the Swan 115 is clearly a high-performance vessel. This exceptionally high ratio suggests outstanding light-air performance, allowing the yacht to generate significant speed even in marginal breeze.
• Ballast to Displacement (Bal/Disp): A ballast-to-displacement ratio of about 0.3458 indicates a well-balanced design offering good stability. While providing sufficient stiffness to stand up to a strong breeze, this ratio also contributes to a comfortable motion, essential for a luxury cruiser.
• Displacement to Length (D/L): The D/L ratio of approximately 72.83 is remarkably low for a yacht of this size. This signifies a very light displacement relative to its length, characteristic of a performance-oriented design, contributing to its agile handling and speed potential.

Anecdotal reports suggest that despite its imposing size, the Swan 115 handles with a surprising ease akin to a much smaller yacht, with some owners noting its handling to be comparable to a 60-footer. This responsiveness is attributed to the meticulous design by Frers, who ensures a balanced sail plan and efficient hull form. The carbon fiber construction further contributes to its lightweight yet robust nature, enhancing both speed and stability.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Swan 115 is designed to offer luxurious and comfortable accommodations befitting a superyacht. While specific headroom details are not provided in the structured data, the expansive dimensions of a 115-foot vessel naturally allow for generous interior volume. The in-house styling team at Nautor's Swan, often in collaboration with external designers like deVosdeVries, works closely with owners to customize layouts to their specific preferences.

Typically, the Swan 115 offers a sophisticated arrangement that includes a lavish master suite, often located aft, providing privacy and spaciousness. In addition to the owner's cabin, there are usually three large guest cabins, accommodating up to nine charter guests in total. These cabins are appointed with high-quality materials and finishes, reflecting Nautor's Swan's reputation for luxury. A dedicated crew area is also integral to the design, providing comfortable living quarters for a captain and a team of four to six professionals, ensuring seamless operation and service.

The interior layout often features an elegant saloon, a well-equipped galley, and multiple seating areas designed for both entertaining and relaxation. Finish quality is exceptionally high, utilizing premium wood trims, fine fabrics, and state-of-the-art fixtures. Ventilation and natural light are prioritized through thoughtfully placed hatches and portlights, creating a bright and airy atmosphere throughout the living spaces. Storage is ample, designed to accommodate the needs of extended voyages and a discerning clientele.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Swan 115 consistently praise its unique combination of performance and luxury, highlighting its capabilities as both a formidable racer and a supremely comfortable cruiser. The yacht's ability to cover significant distances efficiently and comfortably has been noted, with one owner traversing half of the 3,500 miles logged in the first Swan 115, Solleone, under sail. This demonstrates the yacht's genuine bluewater cruising credentials.

The design by Germán Frers and the build quality by Nautor's Swan are frequently commended, with owners appreciating the harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality. The responsiveness and ease of handling, even for a yacht of its size, are often cited as major strengths, enhancing the overall sailing experience. Owners also value the customizability offered by Nautor's Swan, allowing for personalized interior layouts and configurations to meet individual preferences.

While there are generally no widespread "common problems" associated with such bespoke, high-end vessels, some general considerations common to all Nautor's Swan yachts include the importance of meticulous maintenance to preserve their value and performance. Given the limited production run of only four hulls, specific collective weaknesses are not extensively documented in the public domain. However, the commitment to quality and comprehensive service provided by Nautor's Swan Global Service ensures that owners receive ongoing support for their prized vessels.