South African shipyard Southern Wind has announced that the sixth unit in its SW96 sailing yacht series has hit the water in Cape Town, now officially christened Fortissimo.
The 29.8-metre build was commissioned by an experienced sailor with a regatta racing background, who sought a vessel optimised for competitive performance, combined with "the comfort and elegance required for extended cruising". The owner's brief focused on refining the design's performance potential, while also introducing technical and aesthetic choices for an ambitious race-oriented approach.
As with previous models, exterior and interiors are owed to Nauta Design, while Farr Yacht Design is responsible for the naval architecture - though the new unit stands out from sisterships such as Liberty and Nyumba, thanks to her striking forest green metallic hull.
“Fortissimo comes from sheet music," her owner shared at the launch. "I am not a musician, but it means play fast, play strong and that’s how I feel about this boat. Especially when it comes to racing, I believe strength is critical, and this yacht represents that. I can’t wait to cruise it! I can’t wait to race it!”
Built for consistent performance across an array of sea and weather conditions, Fortissimo features a full carbon hull and deck, twin rudders, high-modulus rigging and a lifting keel ranging from 3.4 to 5.5 metres. She also incorporates several solutions to enhance sailing efficiency, including a new J4/baby stay system with halyard lock and hydraulic tensioner. Elsewhere, the deck layout includes a third set of winches in the aft cockpit, chosen to "facilitate more complex manoeuvres when racing", the yard explained.
Southern Wind technical manager, Yann Dabbadie, added: “The additional running backstay winches signal an unambiguous racing intent, transforming this blue water cruiser into a powerful statement of offshore performance.”
Fortissimo's deck layout, equipment and onboard systems have been tailored for transatlantic use, as her owner plans to sail extensively between the Mediterranean, Caribbean and North America. The new build is also fitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, which ensures compliance with IMO Tier III regulations and allows her to operate in environmentally regulated areas while reducing emissions.
Her raised saloon configuration benefits from panoramic windows, allowing for brighter interiors – including in the television and relaxation area forward of the main saloon – with extensive views of the surrounding environment. Accommodation is for six guests across three cabins (one of which is situated aft of the saloon), with a forward owner's cabin featuring a dressing area, lounge seating and a "discreet vanity". Crew quarters are located aft, with two en-suite cabins, a galley and a crew mess.
Though images remain private, Fortissimo's interior is said by the yard to offer a "contemporary interpretation of Southern Wind’s signature style". Subtle carbon-look accents have been chosen to echo the yacht's racing nature, complemented by rich textures, leather surfaces and soft fabrics for a tactile yet refined atmosphere.
Southern Wind CEO Marco Alberti concluded: “The launch of Fortissimo confirms the enduring success of the SW96 project. With each new yacht, we continued to evolve the platform while responding to the specific visions of the owners. Fortissimo stands out for her strong performance focus, combined with the comfort and refinement that define our approach to long-distance cruising. New technical choices together with contemporary design, Fortissimo embodies the Southern Wind ‘Perfect Balance’ ethos.”
Following delivery, Fortissimo will sail in the Western Mediterranean for the summer season before making her regatta debut at the Ibiza JoySail in September. After this, her owner has planned an "active programme combining racing and cruising", according to the yard, with plans to spend time in the Caribbean and participate in international regattas in the Mediterranean and the Americas.
According to exclusive data from BOATPro, Southern Wind currently has five new builds under construction. The shipyard celebrated the delivery of the third unit from its 35.5-metre SW108 sailing yacht series, Kalantis, earlier this year.
Read More/Third 36m Southern Wind SW108 sailing yacht Kalantis delivered