Nautor’s Swan shared the interview with Roy Capasso, CEO ClubSwan Yachts Srl and Regional director Semea & Americas Nautor's Swan.
Roy Capasso
Roy, your experience in the motor yacht segment goes back 25 years now, plus six years in the sailing yachts sector. Can we have your opinion on the two worlds?
Sailing and power yacht owners share the same love and passion for the sea, but in different ways… I think this is an important point to start with.
We are talking about two completely distinct ways of going to sea, due first of all to a different knowledge of the products and their use, but also in terms of vocabulary. The words you use when talking about sailing are completely different to those used in motor yachting, and when I joined Nautor, it felt like I was starting again from scratch! The passage from motor to sailing was a big challenge in my career. It was difficult but very fulfilling.
Until ten years ago, the two sectors were completely separated. It was uncommon to find a power yacht owner switching to sail, and vice-versa. Sailing was conceived more as a lifestyle pursuit, enjoying the journey more than the destination. Owning a poweryacht was more considered as a synonym for comfort at the destination rather than the feeling of enjoying the ride.
Today the situation is changing, with more clients passing from one to the other, to enjoy a different experience.
Swan European Regatta
Roy, now that you have a complete overview of the Marine clients, those preferring sailing and those motoring. Can you please give us your opinion about it.
From my experience with typical Swan owners, “sailors” tend to be fully involved from day one. They go a bundle on the process of design, construction and customization solutions, not only for the interiors, but also for deck and sail plan specifications, manufacturing their own dream boat.
To match this, Nautor Swan’s strategy in terms of products, goes from full racers, with the ClubSwan yachts range, to the more bluewater cruiser and performance yachts, from the Swan Line up to the Swan Maxi. We offer a product that can answer almost every Owners’ requirements and give the full tailor-made experience.
The power yacht customers, on the other hand, are looking more for performance, comfort while at anchor, volume and storage – also for toys to enjoy their days at sea. The inclination is to recreate their home on the water – a kind of a "floating villa".
Lately both worlds are closely regarding each other to borrow solutions and ideas to use across sectors. The theme of sustainability and green sailing, for example, is one of these.
Sailing is by definition a very sustainable way to go to sea, but the first hybrid solutions were implemented on motoryachts. Now both sail and power are taking advantage of the developments made in this field and implementing them across the range, not only on yachts up to 24m.
The sailing yacht sector is now adopting more comfortable options in terms of volumes, accommodation and innovative solutions to enjoy a perfect stay at sea. Think about the opening transom acting as a beach club that we have on the Swan 55 and on the Swan Maxi, borrowed from motor yacht “cousins”.
When Nautor Swan launched the motor yacht division, which was the strategy?
The motor yacht division was born from the passion that Leonardo Ferragamo has for the marine world, and the Swan Shadow, the first motor yacht by Nautor, was meant to broaden the range of vessels we offer to our customers, perfectly aligned with the core elements of our DNA: Performance, Quality, Elegance, and Reliability. With the continuous interaction we have with our owners and discussion about the experience of sailing, we decided that it was time for a ‘chase boat’ to provide an added dimension to Swan yacht ownership. This was the starting point. By making a further analysis of the competitors we understood that most of the products currently on the market are limited to just a single specific usage of the boat. The Motor Yacht division by Swan aims to fill the void of a true multipurpose yacht range and aims to provide models that meet all owners’ needs, giving the opportunity to choose and change on demand the accessories that define their use.
Swan ShadowWhen designing the Swan Shadow and then the Swan OverShadow, what aspects of the sailing world have been taken into consideration and used as a source of inspiration?
Nautor’s Design DNA is built on a strong heritage and the motor yacht division has to meet the expectations of a clientele accustomed to luxury and performance sailing yachts. The design of Shadow and OverShadow incorporates features that customers might generally expect to see in larger full-custom or semi-custom yachts. Together with Jarkko Jamsén, our designer, we studied the main design features of ClubSwan Yachts, and incorporated them into our power boat range. We wanted to create something sporty and fun, without compromising on the elegance that customers expect from a yacht branded Swan.
Now on top of the experience you gained, what is your feeling about the market trends in the next five years?
These days there is a great attention and commitment towards the world around us. There is a tendency to study and develop efficient hulls allowing reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Many shipyards are introducing new hybrid and electric models with eco-friendly materials onboard, offering a luxury object with an ethical provenance.
The green approach complements the trend to have a user-friendly boat, to be easily managed when cruising and especially docking.
Also, with the spread of the pandemic and the need for remote working, owners have become fond of having a floating home where they can conduct their daily activities – both professional and personal. A yacht represents the perfect means of escape and exploration but also serves as a place to work and live, assuring total privacy, comfort, and protection.
The communications systems onboard will become more technically advanced with lower costs, enhancing the potential for conducting business as well as enhancing leisure time onboard.
Design-wise, priorities will move towards increased hull volumes for both comfort and more storage space. Opening sterns in order to facilitate more enjoyment and the feeling of being closer to the water, modular spaces for more flexibility of use onboard, usage of glass for natural light – these are just few of the ‘must-haves’ in the upcoming models.
Nautor’s Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts.
Credits: Nautor’s Swan
German yacht builder YYachts has launched the Y6, a 20-meter sailing yacht designed for single-handed or short-handed operation. The carbon-epoxy constructed vessel combines customizable layouts with performance-focused engineering for autonomous cruising.The Y6 offers owners configuration options including three or four cabins, an office space, crew quarters, or a customized owner's suite. Interior materials include oak, walnut, and mahogany, with clients permitted to employ external designers. All sailing controls are accessible from the helm station, with an optional Y on Watch system providing remote technical support.An electric propulsion system is available alongside conventional options. The lightweight composite construction maintains performance in light winds while preventing interior odors, according to the builder."The Y6 is for those who want to sail independently, but without any compromise in design, comfort or performance," said YYachts founder Michael Schmidt.The yacht targets the 60-65 foot market segment, though pricing and delivery timelines remain undisclosed. The model joins YYachts' portfolio of minimalist sailing yachts, continuing the brand's emphasis on customizable, performance-oriented designs.No specific performance data or range estimates were provided for the new model. The Y6 represents the company's latest response to demand for owner-operated luxury sailing vessels.YYachts is a German shipyard that builds carbon sailing yachts between 70 and 100 feet in length. The portfolio consists of the Y7, Y8 and Y9 models; the Custom Division implements completely individual designs.Credits: YYachts
May 14, 2025
VisionF Yachts has unveiled interior details of its VISIONF 101, a 30.7-meter aluminum power catamaran currently under construction at the Turkish shipyard. The vessel, scheduled for launch in autumn 2025, represents the builder's largest project to date and will be the first aluminum catamaran of its size built to RINA Commercial Class standards.The VISIONF 101 features a shallow 1.45-meter draft designed for coastal cruising and access to secluded bays. Accommodation includes four guest cabins, with the owner's suite spanning 29.5 square meters across half of the starboard hull. The layout provides an 18-square-meter bedroom, 6.5-square-meter dressing room, and 5-square-meter ensuite bathroom. Three additional guest cabins continue the neutral-toned interior design scheme.Main saloonThe catamaran offers 132 square meters of flybridge space and a 103-square-meter main saloon. Crew accommodation consists of three cabins for five staff members. A 76-square-meter foredeck features an integrated cinema system, while the superstructure incorporates curved glass elements to maximize natural light.Main saloonPower comes from four Volvo Penta IPS 1350 engines producing a combined 4,000 hp, enabling a top speed of 17 knots. The roof utilizes Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyester construction to reduce weight.Owner cabinVisionF Yachts currently has eight models in production, including electric and aluminum catamarans ranging from 14 to 47 meters. The company has not disclosed pricing or ownership details for the VISIONF 101 project. The RINA Commercial Class certification indicates potential charter use, though operational plans remain unconfirmed.The vessel's design emphasizes maneuverability in both open water and coastal conditions, with the shipyard describing it as combining "comfort, luxury and refined aesthetics" for extended cruising. VisionF Yachts in Turkey was set up by Coşkun Bayraktar in Istanbul in 2019, but despite the shipyard’s relative youth it is a brand that is going places in the power catamaran world. In November 2020, VisionF Yachts debuted its first vessel, the VisionF 80. Credits: VisionF Yachts
May 14, 2025
The Azimut|Benetti Group has named Andrea Antichi as General Manager of its Azimut division, effective May 12, 2025. Antichi, who reports directly to CEO Marco Valle, will oversee strategic direction and operational objectives, including ongoing enhancements to the division's production facilities.A mechanical engineer, Antichi previously served as Chief Manufacturing Officer at Ferrari, where he worked for 19 years. His earlier experience includes technical roles at Piaggio and research in computational biomechanics at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institutes.Andrea AntichiMarco Valle stated: "Andrea's appointment is an important part of the current phase of evolution of the Azimut division, which commits to building the foundation of an ambitious vision for the coming years: accelerating industrial development with an increasingly structured approach, while continuing to innovate constantly."Antichi succeeds Daniele Romiti, who led the division since 2022. During his tenure, Romiti advanced sustainability initiatives, including energy self-generation systems and circular economy practices at Azimut’s production sites.Antichi remarked: "After nineteen years at Ferrari, a symbol of Italian automotive excellence in the world, I have chosen to come aboard the excellence of the yachting sector."The appointment reflects Azimut’s strategy of integrating nautical expertise with cross-industry leadership. The Avigliana facility, now capable of producing yachts up to 26 meters, remains central to the division’s industrial development. No further operational changes were announced.Azimut Yachts is an Azimut Benetti Group brand. With its Atlantis, Magellano Flybridge, S, Verve and Grande collections, Azimut offers the widest range of 10 to 40 meters.Credits: Azimut Yachts
May 14, 2025
Dynamiq has released new exterior images of its 52-meter GTT 170 superyacht, currently under construction at its Antalya shipyard in Turkey. The aluminum-hulled vessel, designed for shallow-water cruising with a 2-meter draft, targets owners in the U.S. and Middle East markets, with delivery scheduled for the 2027 Mediterranean season.The GTT 170 features naval architecture by Vripack, combining a top speed of 19 knots with IMO Tier III-compliant MAN V12 1,066 kW engines and an integrated battery pack. The stabilization system includes four electric fins and a Hull Vane aft foil to reduce pitch motion.Accommodation comprises five guest staterooms and an owner's suite, with a two-level beach club featuring a pool, bar, and spa with fold-out terraces. The sun deck includes an outdoor cinema and lounge areas.Dobroserdov Design developed the exterior, while Claudio Pironi & Partners created minimalist interiors using teak and natural marble. The yacht is being built at Dynamiq's Antalya facility with European subcontractors and Turkish craftsmen.Hull #2 is available for €29 million. The GTT 170's shallow draft enables access to Caribbean destinations like the Exumas and St. Barths, with 500 GT volume optimized for sub-50-meter length. No hybrid propulsion option was specified for this hull.Dynamiq was founded in 2014 by experienced yacht broker and designer Sergei Dobroserdov. Dynamiq is the first company in the superyacht industry to introduce an online configurator, allowing the yacht to be easily and transparently customized down to the last detail. Dynamiq unveiled its first launch at the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show.Credits: Dynamiq
May 13, 2025
Denison Yachting has entered an exclusive global partnership with French shipyard JFA Yachts to represent its Long Island brand of sail and power catamarans. The agreement focuses initially on models ranging from 70 to 100 feet.JFA's aluminum-hulled Long Island catamarans are designed for transoceanic cruising, with engineering by Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group and interiors by Darnet Design. The yachts emphasize lightweight construction, customizable layouts, and systems optimized for long-range performance. A Long Island 85 has recently sold, with a new Long Island 87 model scheduled for delivery later this year.Long Island 87David Johnson, Denison broker and U.S. brand representative, stated: "Alongside my colleague Simon in Europe, I'm proud to promote a shipyard that leads the world in building aluminum-hulled sailing and power catamarans—vessels purpose-built for owners seeking to explore the most remote parts of the world in total comfort."Simon Turner, overseeing European and global sales, added: "These exceptional, round-the-world-capable catamarans deliver an unmatched level of performance, luxury, and safety that is unparalleled anywhere else."Long Island 86 PowerJFA Yachts CEO Frédéric Jaouen noted: "We pride ourselves on attentively listening to our clients’ needs, exercising discretion, and developing trusted relationships. The savoir-faire of our team has earned JFA Yachts a reputation as one of the most respected shipyards in the world."The partnership expands Denison's portfolio of specialized cruising catamarans while providing JFA with global distribution channels. No specific sales targets or production figures were disclosed.Long Island 87 SailWith a rich family history dating back to 1948, Denison Yachting is a leader in the industry, providing comprehensive yachting services worldwide. With over 20 waterfront offices and a team of 90+ licensed brokers, Denison offers superyacht sales, yacht charter, crew placement, and new construction services. Their extensive experience and passion for yachting ensure a long-term perspective and commitment to excellence.French shipbuilder JFA Yachts was founded in 1993 by Frédéric Jaouen. JFA Yachts builds mono- and multihull power and sailing superyachts from 24 to 50 meters in length. Credits: Denison Yachting
May 13, 2025