Southern Wind has launched SW96 sailing yacht Sorceress, the first unit in the new miniseries of cruiser racers.
The aim of designers Farr Yacht Design and Nauta Design, when conceiving this project, was to incorporate a modicum of race boat features into high performance cruisers keeping an aesthetic, a high level of comfort and achieving the design briefs of our clients.
Sorceress was commissioned by a passionate yachtsman who already owned an 80’ custom carbon yacht and is a keen racer. This owner was looking for a larger performance yacht to use in both coastal and transoceanic races and for bluewater cruises.
SW96 Sorceress has lightship displacement of 57 tons for excellent speed in light winds. Special performance features of this cruiser racer include a pre-preg and Nomex deck, lifting keel and twin rudder configuration. The hull has full waterlines and straight end diagonals, a wide, low transom and full forward sections. The yacht’s deck hardware is optimized for both short hand performance cruising and offshore racing.
The interior layout features a large saloon above the engine room which is accessible through a full height control room. The owner’s cabin forward and three en suite guest cabins amidships offer privacy for all on board. A second unit of this miniseries is currently under construction and will be launched in January 2018.
Immediately after her launch, Sorceress began extensive sea trials in Cape Town in preparation for her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean Sea. Here she will make her debut in September at the 2017 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. The yacht will also be on display as a World Premiere at the 2017 edition of the Monaco Yacht Show.
The previous launches of the Southern African shipyard include 27.5m sailing yacht Allsmoke that hit the water in November 2016.