Nautor Swan, one of the most iconic sailing brands, marks its historic 60th anniversary.
Nautor Swan will mark its 60th anniversary in 2026 not by looking back, but by setting its course firmly toward the future. More than a milestone, the year ahead represents a defining moment for the world’s most revered sailing brand. One shaped by renewed ambition, bold innovation and a clear vision for the next generation of performance sailing. Founded about 345 km south of the Arctic Circle by Pekka Koskenkylä in 1966, Nautor Swan’s very first yacht, the Swan 36 Tarantella, quickly established a philosophy that would redefine modern yachting. Combining racing pedigree with cruising capability, precision engineering with elegance. An enduring legacy driven by a clear belief: that beauty and excellence are not static, but constantly evolving.
Tradition, νision and a new era with Sanlorenzo
“I had to build the best boat in the world,” recalled Koskenkylä, “and I wanted to combine a racing boat with a cruising boat.” As Swan enters its seventh decade, it does so under the proud custodianship of Sanlorenzo, bringing fresh investment, technological ambition and long-term vision while preserving the values that define the brand. The result is a sailing institution that honours its DNA while accelerating toward the future. “Swan and Sanlorenzo share common values” said Massimo Perotti, Chairman and CEO of Sanlorenzo, who acquired a majority stake in Nautor Swan in 2024, taking over from Leonardo Ferragamo, himself a passionate Swan owner who controlled the company from 1998.
“With a new generation of yachts, the introduction of advanced propulsion technologies and an expanding global community of owners and sailors, Swan’s 60th anniversary becomes a statement of intent. It’s proof that the brand’s most defining moments lie ahead, where tradition meets progress and the future of sailing is written under full sail” Perotti noted.“With 60 years of history, this beloved and highly respected brand is now assured longevity within the Sanlorenzo universe,” added Chairman of Nautor Swan, Leonardo Ferragamo. “This will enable it to chart new horizons, evolving while never losing its legacy.”
Innovation and Ambition
Innovation has always been Swan’s true inheritance. From the early Sparkman & Stephens designs to the contemporary masterpieces of Germán Frers, the brand has continually pushed the boundaries of yacht design and engineering. Landmark yachts such as the Swan 65, winner of the inaugural Whitbread Round the World Race, through to today’s flagship Swan 128, reflect a relentless pursuit of performance, refinement and possibility.
In 2026, that spirit accelerates. The anniversary year will mark the launch of the Swan 80, the gateway model to the Swan Maxi range, set to debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival, along with a series of significant new concepts unveiled, including the highly anticipated return to the 70-foot segment with the Swan 73, the emergence of an all-new deep-sea cruising yacht line, and Swan Alloy 44, the brand’s first aluminium supermaxi, merging innovative construction with a distinctive and enduring design identity. True to its ethos, Swan’s 60th anniversary will be shaped not only by products, but by its global community. A formalised programme of ClubSwan racing, regattas and international events will culminate in the Rolex Swan Cup in September, where a record fleet of yachts, owners and sailors will gather to celebrate the brand’s past, present and future together.
Heritage, community and global events shape the celebration
Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Swan, added: “The story of Swan is built on the passion, vision and dedication of its owners, sailors, employees, designers and boatbuilders. United as part of the ClubSwan family, we honour our heritage while looking forward, ready to write the next chapter of Swan’s remarkable journey.”Additional initiatives throughout 2026 will highlight the legacy, innovation and community that define Nautor Swan, including the refit of the original Swan 36 Tarantella and her voyage to the Mediterranean to take part in the Rolex Swan Cup.
The Swan Soirée at boot Düsseldorf on 18 January will officially commence the anniversary celebrations, unveiling the year-long programme and setting the tone for a bold new era for sailing’s most iconic of names.
