December 5, 2005 In July, two of the most famous names in yacht racing formed a partnership to create a new international one-design racing class –the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) and world renowned yacht manufacturer Nautor's Swan announced a new 42 foot racing yacht specifically formulated to create a worldwide one-design racing class founded around a light and extremely fast yacht. The yacht will be competitive at international sailing regattas within open divisions including IRC, and will also provide owners with a comfortable cruising experience. The yacht was born from a strong desire by a group of experienced sailors to create a truly Corinthian class that promotes high level/high performance competition within an owner-driver and amateur-sailing framework and is also focused on containing costs. With strict limitations on equipment and sail inventory, the Swan 42 is designed to prevent the “arms race” of owners trying to out-do each other. The immediate success of the idea has been spectacular - since its announcement just four months ago, 32 of the NYYC Swan 42 boats have been sold and many other international yacht clubs are committed to the project. This coming Saturday (December 10), the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) will be making a presentation at American Yacht Club in Rye, NY, on the new NYYC Swan 42. The event is open to anyone interested in the Swan 42.
Described by NYYC Commodore George R Hinman Jr as “the right yacht, at the right time”, the salient details of the new 42 footer are as follows:
- It will be a Corinthian, one-design cruiser/racer; It will be competitive as a one-design but also under IRC; The 42 footer -- designed by Frers and built by Nautor's Swan -- will be capable of cruising and racing locally as well as offshore; The Swan 42 will have strict limitations on sail inventory, sail replacement, crew numbers and professionals to keep the cost of racing down and re-sale value high; It will be a powerful, state-of-the-art yacht, showing a high-aspect-ratio rig and T-keel; The LOA is 42.6', the LWL is 37.07', beam 11.97', sail area 1,175 sq. ft. and displacement is under 13,986 lbs., of which 48 percent is ballast; It will feature two steering wheels, providing a better steering ratio and better feel; Two accommodation plans are offered: a two- or three-cabin version;
The New York Yacht Club and class officials, along with representatives of Nautor’s Swan will be on hand to discuss the origin of the class and the principles behind it, the class rules, details on the design and construction, information on plans for expanding the class, and the projected event schedule. Sailors interested in learning more about this exciting class are invited to attend the event at the American Yacht Club at 1430 on Saturday December 10th. Please RSVP to Jack Gierhart if you intend to attend.