Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

RBC Brewin Dolphin proudly supporting Afloat and Irish Boating

Swan Marks 60th Anniversary With New Yachts and Global Events

16th January 2026
Nautor Swan 60th anniversary celebrations with new yachts and global events
Nautor Swan 60th anniversary celebrations with new yachts and global events

Nautor Swan celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026 with new yachts and a global events programme. The Pietarsaari, Finland‑based brand says it is focusing on future innovation as well as heritage. Founded in 1966 by Pekka Koskenkylä, Nautor Swan’s first yacht was the Swan 36 Tarantella. It combined racing performance with cruising capability, a formula that defined the brand’s direction.

“I had to build the best boat in the world,” Koskenkylä said, aiming to merge racing and cruising in one design.

The company entered its seventh decade under the ownership of Italian shipyard Sanlorenzo. Sanlorenzo acquired a majority stake in 2024, succeeding previous owner and Swan enthusiast Leonardo Ferragamo.

“Swan and Sanlorenzo share common values,” said Sanlorenzo Chairman and CEO Massimo Perotti. He said new propulsion technologies and expanding global reach show the brand’s intent moving forward.

Ferragamo, now Chairman of Nautor Swan, said the brand has “assured longevity within the Sanlorenzo universe”. He said the company will “chart new horizons” while preserving its legacy. Swan’s design history includes landmark models such as the Swan 65 and the current flagship Swan 128. The brand has worked with designers from Sparkman & Stephens to Germán Frers.

In 2026, Swan plans several new launches. These include the Swan 80 for the Maxi range, set to debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival, and the return to the 70‑foot segment with the Swan 73. The company will also introduce a deep‑sea cruising line and the Swan Alloy 44, its first aluminium supermaxi yacht, it says.

The anniversary year will feature a formal global events programme. ClubSwan racing, regattas and gatherings will culminate at the Rolex Swan Cup in September with a record fleet of yachts and sailors.

“The story of Swan is built on the passion, vision and dedication of its owners, sailors, employees, designers and boatbuilders,” said Nautor Swan CEO Giovanni Pomati.

Other initiatives include the refit of the original Swan 36 Tarantella and her planned sail to the Mediterranean for the Rolex Swan Cup.

The year’s celebrations begin with a Swan Soirée on 18 January at boot Düsseldorf. The event will unveil the full anniversary programme.

Afloat.ie Team

About The Author

Afloat.ie Team

Email The Author

Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.

Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.

We've got a favour to ask

More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.

Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.

So you can see why we need to ask for your help.

If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

Direct Donation to Afloat button