Finnish yard Nautor Swan has announced the launch of the second unit from its Swan 128 maxi yacht model, now officially christened Raijin. The 39-metre sailing yacht hit the water at the yard's facilities in Pietarsaari, Finland, following the first from the series BeCool, which was launched last year.
Named after the Japanese god of thunder, lightning and storms, Raijin introduces notable differences to her sistership, including interior customisations as well as adaptations to her energy management and propulsion system via Nautor Swan's Dual Energy Technology. The latter has been developed in collaboration with energy technology company Danfoss to optimise energy production and consumption, in addition to reducing fuel use and emissions.
As such, energy can be generated when under sail and stored for later use on electric propulsion and onboard systems – avoiding generator use at anchor. Raijin is also equipped with a main electric motor with a variable-pitch propeller, two 130 kW Cummins generators and a 30 kW Fisher Panda generator, which will be capable of generating up to 30–50 kW of power while sailing.
“We consider the Swan 128 the ultimate expression of our evolution,” said Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Swan. “She combines the purity of our design lines with comfortable interiors and a wide use of advanced technologies. This second hull features a Dual Energy Technology, reflecting our vision of sailing self-sufficiency, producing the energy needed on board and extending range without relying on diesel engines.”
The Swan 128 is the second-largest model in the shipyard's fleet (just behind the new 43.5-metre Alloy 44 series) and joins the 88, 98, 108 and 120 models. The styling for the series can be credited to Lucio Micheletti at Micheletti + Partners, who curated the sailing yacht's design to be slender, light and functional.
Misa Poggi returns for the interiors of hull two, alongside Antonie Bertherat and Heini Gustafsson of the shipyard’s interior team. While BeCool favoured teak interior styling, Raijin's design focuses on a "refined" palette centred around crown-cut oak with a matte finish. Warm white ash panels and natural rattan inserts stand alongside classic pinstripe upholstery and a sky blue and sunlit ochre colour palette.
In keeping with the performance cruiser philosophy of the shipyard and the Swan 128, the yacht features an optimised hull design, developed by German Frers, to allow performance across a wide range of speeds, while maintaining balance and control at varying heel angles. A double rudder system and a generous sail plan ensure responsiveness and easy handling.
Rajin will put her hull to the test in "just a few weeks", according to the yard, when she will sail to the Mediterranean. The new build is scheduled to make her debut at the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo in September.
According to BOATPro, Raijin is now the fourth-largest in the yard's fleet. Alongside hull two from the Swan 128 model, Nautor Swan currently has eight other new builds under construction, including the first yacht from its new Swan Alloy 44 sailing yacht series.
Read More/Nautor Swan begins construction on flagship Swan Alloy 44 sailing yacht