"You can look at the question of designing a boat as being for one factor a selection of characteristics, which I think can be helped by the computer. And the other factor is simply the .... sweetness of her lines and shape, whether it's a good shape or a bad shape. This is far less accessible to any kind of computation."

OLIN STEPHENS

The original inquiry for this new design was from friends of mine looking for a cruising yacht large enough to accommodate themselves, their two young children and another family. They had considerable experience of cruising different parts of the world in a 53’ yacht, including rounding Cape Horn.

The most obvious option for this family was to purchase a used boat of at least 60’ length overall, and they considered it possible to handle yachts up to 70’ with a family crew. An old Swan 65 was one of the options. However, this would require the rig and sail-handling systems to be renewed, apart from renewing or repairing all other installations. It was subject to discussion whether such a costly reconditioning could be regarded as an investment.

During our discussions, I made a design study to show that a new, smaller yacht was a viable option both in terms of interior space, ease of handling, performance - and even cost! Not initial cost, but long-term cost considering the life expectancy of all systems, cost of upgrading, upkeep and resale value.

As we saw it, this design would come out as a winner in all respects. Unfortunately, although my friends found it an almost irresistible proposition, the initial cost of a first-class yacht of this size was finally deemed too high.

The two most important criteria for this design were comfort and sailing performance.

Comfort

Comfort in a sailing yacht depends on things like ease of handling and basic reliability. But the interior layout is the central aspect of a yacht intended for long-term cruising, and the ambience of this yacht’s interior is exceptional for her size. Still, without resorting to a high freeboard or a centre cockpit.

The owner’s cabin spans the beam of the yacht, nearly five metres. There is a queen-size double, a generous settee, good stowage lockers, an office or a second berth and a private en-suite bathroom.

The galley is huge by any standard, roomy enough to allow two or three people to prepare a meal together, and situated at the very heart of the yacht, between the entrance and main cabin.

There is room for two at the navigation station. The dining table seats eight. Opposite, there is a cosy reading corner with two armchairs. Two more cabins forward share a bathroom - the doors can be laid out in a number of ways. In addition, there are two sea-berths which can be curtained off to give some privacy.

Performance

The other basic requirement of the design, sailing performance, is achieved not only by creating a fast yacht, but also a stiff one, with a responsive helm and an easy motion.

To achieve these goals, this 56’ design has a simple structure and low centre of gravity. But apart from this, she has an utterly clean, state-of-the-art hull shape and a most refined bulbed keel.

Take a look, for example, at a Swan 65, now almost 30 years old: The Swan is nine feet longer and a couple of inches narrower. With her narrow ends, the Swan has far less interior volume than the proposed 56’ yacht.

So being both shorter and roomier, doesn’t this mean that the new proposal is in fact a little chubby?

Certainly not. The underwater shape of the new 56’ is in fact so much more slender than the 65’ Swan that they do not show any resemblance. The new yacht has two-thirds the displacement of the Swan and a foot less waterline beam. Look for instance at the entry angle, the angle between the port and starboard side of the waterline at
the bow, so important for a yacht’s ability to slice through waves without losing pace, and without pitching: 46 degrees for the Swan, 34 degrees for the new design.

Apart from this, the new boat has a longer waterline and better speed potential. So despite being very much shorter and lighter, she is more comfortable below and will outperform the Swan in all conditions.
Due to her keel position further aft, the new design will also track better than the Swan.

I feel that this design is unique in combining advanced concepts, specially tailored for a cruising yacht, with classic, purposeful looks. And in creating a harmonious unity of it. There is no doubt in my mind that she would make an unusually successful yacht.

SPECIFICATIONS

Dimensions:
L.O.A. 17,12 m 56’2”’
L.W.L. 15,05 m
Beam, maximum 5,05 m
Beam, waterline 4,18 m
Draft 2,30 m
Displacement 22 000 kg
Ballast 8 000 kg
Sail area (100% fore triangle) 145-155 sq.m

Ratios:
D / L 182
SA / D 18,7-20
SA / WA 2,25-2,41
Entry angle 17 degrees
LYS 1,52