The new ClubSwan 50 is at the cutting edge of contemporary yacht design. The brief was clear and simple: an extremely fast boat that would also be easy to take to the limit, convertible into a sports cruiser with limited crew, with captivating looks and the natural elegance of a Swan. It had to be both competitive in class racing and conceived as a One Design. Naval architecture has been developed by Juan Kouyoumdjian, the Argentinean designer who also penned the winning Volvo 70 Groupama 4, Ericsson 4, ABN Amro 1 and the maxi Rambler 88.
The hull is modern and performance oriented with full sections forward and a beamy transom, reverse bow, reverse sheer, pronounced chines, concave aft sections and reduced freeboard. Appendages are in the same philosophy, with a carbon blade keel with lead torpedo and twin rudders for maximum control at high speeds. Construction is light but structurally robust in full pre-preg carbon as are the mast, boom and fixed bowsprit.
The sail plan is also latest generation: the mast has been positioned slightly aft of centre with a longer J - ideal for powerful asymmetric spinnakers that can be either full or fractionally rigged. The square top mainsail has a full shape thanks to running backstays: a perfect combination for the racing circuit. But the sail plan has also been designed with easy sailing in mind. A few touches transform the ClubSwan 50 into a docile cruiser, perfect for a couple. In moderate winds the running backstays can be stowed at the mast, whilst in stronger breezes the double reefed mainsail passes easily in front of the backstays that can be fixed in position and need no adjustment. The furling Genoa is easily handled in any condition, whilst in strong winds the generous J allows for a convenient staysail to be set.
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