In Pictures: Southern Wind’s newest sloop Taniwha on sea trials

The 32.27-metre high performance sloop Taniwha, from South African shipyard, Southern Wind, has completed her first sailing sea trials since her launch in Cape Town in April. She is the fourth hull of the SW105 miniseries and has been designed as a yacht which can be used as both a bluewater cruiser and a high performance sailing sloop.Taniwha is a ‘Smart Custom’ yacht and Massimo Gino from Nauta Design who penned her exterior and interior design, commented, “Together with Southern Wind we named our new deck design “GT” as in Gran Turismo, inspired by terminology used in car design. We think it will be a successful new design concept because it rests on a solid base of concepts which are the expression of pure design.”Her naval architecture, which was penned by Farr Yacht Design, is characterised by a minimal coach roof which affords her a sleek exterior aesthetic and wide aft cockpit area. Her hull is made from full-carbon fibre, while her boom, mast and deck fittings are completed in titanium. Taniwha will accommodate as many as six guests between her staterooms, alongside a crew of five. In the coming weeks details will be released of her interior styling, as she is prepared for delivery.