A talent for design

Twenty two years ago, Nautor called on Argentine naval architect German Frers to design a production version of his famous 51ft Admiral's Cup racer "Blizzard". Since then, his influence has spread throughout the range, from the Swan 36 to the superyacht status of the Swan 112. "Blizzard" was one of the hottest racing designs around: the Swan 51 shared the same performance pedigree and overall length, but it was also fitted with a lavish cruising interior and the hull sections were enlarged to accommodate the increase in displacement.
Frers' second design, the Swan 651, followed as a replacement for the 65 on which Nautor's strong reputation had been built. Sailing at the Whitbread Round the World Race, Swan 651 "Fazer Finland" in the 1985/86 race finished third overall in a fleet dominated by custom racers. "Fazer Finland" was used as a test bed, with a computer linked to the hull and rig, monitoring stress and loadings. Once processed, the data showed that the boat "could withstand a tougher pasting than the crew!".

The Swan 60 was the first of a new breed of fast designs from Frers. In 1994, "Highland Fling" came straight out of the factory to win five races in a row at Ford Cork Week before dominating that year's Cowes Week. The success of this design is reflected in all the models that followed.

Developing a new Swan model is a thorough process, involving input from the whole Nautor organisation.
German Frers is a vital link in this chain, as he explains: "Our work in drawing up the lines of a new yacht is based on the results of tank testing and comprehensive computer analysis using advanced programmes, refined from our racing and America's Cup experiences. We also work with a construction method that ensures a long life for the hull structure. The lines are developed on computers and the accuracy of these drawings allows Nautor to use them as ready-lofted lines not only to produce moulds, but to programme cutting machinery to shape even the complex contours of interior joinery".

German has been the exclusive designer of Swans since 1979 and the Frers offices in Italy and Argentina are responsible for the latest breed of Swans. He was joined few years ago by his eldest son German JR., who now manages the Frers design studio in Milan, concentrating on tank-testing and performance analysis.

The yard
The history
The tradition of innovation
Inside swan
A talent for design