The history
The founder of Oy Nautor Ab, Pekka Koskenkylä's plan was to build the first 10m yacht using a fibre glass mould. His concept was a design capable of both cruising and racing. Series production was considered key to the success of the venture. Precise, logistical organisation was paramount at an early stage.
A meeting with Olin Stephens of Sparkman & Stephens initiated the enterprise. The first design, the Swan 36, was an instant success.
In 1968, Casse Tete II achieved seven wins out of seven at the Cowes Week regatta. The Swan 36 was closely followed by a 43 foot design.
The Swan 55 (introduced in 1970) saw Nautor enter the market sector in which they are now dominant. Safe, fast, liveable cruising yachts capable of high speed under sail. It is, however, the Swan 65 for which Nautor's early history is best remembered. This classic S&S design was, for almost a decade, the largest fibreglass yacht built worldwide. Its race pedigree and ocean crossing ability are legendary.
A production Swan 65 (Sayula II) won the first Whitbread Race in 1973/4 effortlessly. The second Whitbread in 77/78 saw the Swan 65 take 2nd, 4th and 5th.
In 1976 a change of naval architect was considered necessary. A new wave of yacht designers were achieving prominence. Nautor needed to stay ahead and called upon Ron Holland to initiate a new era and, with models such as the Swan 39, Nautor sustained its successful record at events such as the Admiral's Cup and its position as the leading production yacht manufacturer.
In 1979 German Frers was entrusted with designing a version of "Blizzard", the top race yacht of the year - the result, the Swan 51. In 1982 a Swan 51 became the 1000 Swan launched. Frers ushered in a new era for Swan. Whilst new lightweight, pure racers and one designs became fashionable, Nautor held true to its traditional virtues of seaworthy construction, practical yet luxurious interiors and undistorted hull lines. The Swan 46 first introduced in 1983 has become the quintessential Swan. 109 were built, with the last delivered to an American owner in 1997.
Over the years, Nautor has set standards of consistency unmatched by other manufacturers - only 3 designers in 32 years and only 4 managing directors - Pekka Koskenkylä, Jens Rudbäck, Olle Emmes and, now, Luciano Scaramuccia. During this time the building processes have been refined.
Since 1966, over 1700 Swans have been built and nearly all are still sailing.
The yard
The history
The tradition of innovation
Inside swan
A talent for design