Nautor Swan's first hybrid sailing yacht has been launched in Pietarsaari, Finland. Christened DreamCatcher, the 26.5-metre will make her worldwide debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
The model was first revealed in December 2021 at a virtual press conference hosted by yard chief executive Giovanni Pomati.
"[Swan 88] is an entry size to the world of Maxi," Pomati said at the time. "We wanted to build a superyacht with an efficient platform, in terms of management costs [and] easiness to get the charters certifications."
Described as a "no-compromise cruiser with a racer soul", the Swan 88 has a draught of four metres, with options for a shallow-draught, telescopic and performance keel. The yacht is also designed for comfort with a maximum heeling angle of 20 degrees and sports "feminine exterior lines" penned by veteran Swan designer German Frers.
Accommodation is for 10 guests, including an owner’s cabin located forward and four guest en suite cabins. The crew area supports four crew members. While interior details are yet to be revealed, they have been styled by Misa Poggi.
Key features include a deck split into four distinctive areas, with the first three located aft and a fourth sitting forward. Aft, the guest cockpit features a new coachroof design with an integrated sprayhood, Bimini and modular benches that can be arranged in flexible configurations – from lounging to formal dining.
The manoeuvring area with the yacht’s winches is centrally positioned, while a new beach club area sits at the stern with access to the water and a large tender garage. The fourth area is described as a “sunset lounge” and sits forward of the mast.
"The Swan 88 marks an important milestone for the shipyard's production." added Pomati. "This important new model, of which we will launch the second unit in a few days, represents Swan's 360-degree essence, the DNA that for 58 years has made our boats recognizable worldwide, and we are very proud of it."
According to BOATPro, Nautor Swan has four yachts currently under construction. This includes the Swan 128, the shipyard's second-largest model to date.
Read More/Swan 128: Nautor Swan begins construction on second-largest project to date