Seatius Yacht News & Events

Seatius yacht by Southern Wind 

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Seatius yacht interior

Seatius yacht by Southern Wind interior

Southern Wind SW96/02 exterior rendering

Southern Wind SW96/02 interior rendering

Seatius name plate

Seatius

Construction is now underway on the fifth unit of the popular 31.41-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind</a> SW96 sailing yacht series. The hull and deck of the SW96 are currently being laminated, with an expected launch date scheduled for late 2023.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/234209/image/large-b76e3600e58d75f0453942da75237b1b.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/234209">The fifth SW96 smart custom yacht will be delivered for a repeat <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind</a> client, confirming the shipyard’s ability to realise an owner’s wishes. The carbon fibre performance yacht is recognisable for her sleek hull lines, and will join her sister ships, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sorceress31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2017">Sorceress</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8463" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ammonite31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2020">Ammonite</a> who are already at sea. The fourth hull of the series is currently in-build. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/234210/image/large-b24a427c56a40f9d17bcc8a631918799.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/234210">The SW96 model provides a strong versatile base with a range of possibilities for owners to customise and personalise. Her sleek hull lines are penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/152" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Farr Yacht Design (Company)">Farr Yacht Design</a>, while her exterior and interior design is being handled by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nauta Yachts S.r.l. (Company)">Nauta Yacht Design</a>. The highly adaptable and multi-purpose design is equally capable as a long-range performance cruiser, competitive racer or the ideal yacht for the charter market.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/234213/image/large-76f7729febf606973a7f35cee9765656.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/234213">The SW96/05 is one of two SW96’s currently under construction, with this model having special emphasis on regatta optimisation. The SW96/04 will also be launched later this year and includes a sporty ‘GT’ deck design, square top mainsail, single level cockpit floor and a huge tender garage accommodating a 4.5-metre dinghy. The SW96/04 will also be the first Southern Wind yacht to be fitted with a diesel electric hybrid propulsion system.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/234212/image/large-34299e3f980c14ae039be41509204c95.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/234212">The hull and deck of the SW06/05 are built in sandwich with a foam core and infused carbon skins for lighter weight and improved sound insulation. To enhance her performance further she has been fitted with a high modulus carbon mast and boom as well as an EC6+ carbon rigging.The SW96/05 features a raised saloon configuration that blends seamlessly with her sleek coachroof. This allows for more light to enter the room through panoramic windows and hull portlights. Her decks are finished in natural teak and she also features a two cockpit arrangement.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/234211/image/large-7c068fe83b59c3f2559801ac3f55d076.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/234211">The interior of the SW96/05 is centred around the full-beam main saloon with an additional TV lounge area located forward to starboard. The owner’s suite is located forward with the remaining guest staterooms located forward to port and amidship to port. The SW96/05 is also able to accommodate a crew of four across two cabins.The SW96/05 has been built in accordance with the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1457" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RINA (Company)">RINA</a> Charter Class regulations and is expected to be delivered at the end of 2023.

Fifth 31m Southern Wind SW96 sailing yacht in-build

Construction is now underway on the fifth unit of the popular Southern Wind SW96 sailing yacht series.

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/188258/image/large-c8343cf0def1ed52df911bc42d52f841.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/188258">The 31.4-metre sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a> was built in 2018 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind</a> in South Africa for an experienced owner and shareholder of the brand. As the second unit in the yard’s SW96 line, the yacht’s name is taken from the Latin word ‘citius’, meaning faster. <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/seatius" target="_blank">Seatius</a>’ studied hull lines come from <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/farr-yacht-design" target="_blank">Farr Yacht Design</a> while the interiors were masterfully drawn by <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/nauta" target="_blank">Nauta Design</a>, perfectly translating the owners’ taste with the help of the interior designer Jeroen Machielsen from <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/studio-hermanides" target="_blank">Studio Hermanides</a> for the decoration. Get a closer look inside <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/50615" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Inside Southern Wind’s world-cruising SW96 Seatius (2019-11-05 13:30:00 +0100)">here</a>.&nbsp;

Southern wind sailing yacht Seatius in St Barths

Southern Wind's SW96 sailing yacht Seatius seen in St. Barths as the yacht prepares for a day out on the water. 

Southern Wind sailing yacht Seatius in St. Barths

Launched at the tip of the African continent at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind Shipyard</a> in 2018, sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a> is the South African builder’s second unit in its growing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/47271" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind sailing yacht Sorceress delivered to owner (2017-06-07 10:45:00 +0200)">SW96</a> line of high-performance world cruisers. Since then, she has racked up an impressive logbook from cruising up the African coast to crossing the Atlantic to reach New York in spectacular fashion. Here we take a look inside this exciting addition to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">SWS</a> fleet. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/104244/image/large-948ec252b524a6cbd5f2d391a8ef7968.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104244">Taken from the Latin word ‘citius’, meaning faster, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a> is built to do exactly that and with her aggressive blacked-out styling she stands out from her other Southern Wind sisters with a sporty and dynamic exterior style. Created together with long-time design partners <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nauta Yachts S.r.l. (Company)">Nauta Design</a> and the owner’s interior designer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Hermanides (Company)">Studio Hermanides</a>, the team has delivered a unique product by bringing their own set of skills to the table that makes <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a> a one-of-a-kind bluewater cruiser. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/104239/image/large-45f11b5cacd4d17867dd81d6ab0b1258.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104239"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/104245/image/large-29c698044e654bf902d73ae85f6ea5f4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104245">Intended for world cruising with a small crew together with the owner, the yacht’s layout, handling systems and maintenance needs have all been kept as simple as possible to keep the focus on the pleasures of sailing and family living on board. Traditional teak has been ditched for synthetic decks, for example, that look like the real thing but contributes to significant weight and maintenance reductions.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/104246/image/large-bf5ae42ebd33c932f71c5362875a48b7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104246"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/104247/image/large-5b85417bd939707630ecc52c3204e39b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104247"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a>’ studied hull lines come from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/152" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Farr Yacht Design (Company)">Farr Yacht Design</a> who managed to implement a lifting keel system that improves stability at sea and offers access to bays and marinas that once were out of reach thanks to a lifting centreboard that raises from a draft of 5.5 metres to 3.4 metres. For the ultimate steering experience, a twin-rudder configuration was selected while the fixed bowsprit facilitates a flexible sail plan for a variety of conditions. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/104248/image/large-6acc7456211dc757858a8e0410f2ba4f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104248">Seatius interiors were masterfully drawn by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nauta Yachts S.r.l. (Company)">Nauta Design</a>, perfectly translating the owners’ taste with the help of the interior designer Jeroen Machielsen from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Hermanides (Company)">Studio Hermanides</a> for the decoration. The award-winning interior allows <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a>’ owner to take all the comforts of home on his travels in a sophisticated and comfortable package made for day-to-day living. Large skylights in the deckhouse naturally illuminate the main saloon and accentuate the contrasting colour scheme along with the pops of colour from the selection of artwork that capture the owner’s personal style. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/104232/image/large-b2ffd9f5948b93db5817da08c171e765.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104232"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/104235/image/large-e62633ab63af09dafa9b308108b40c5e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104235">The comfortable owner’s cabin forward in the bow section comes from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind’s</a> most popular cabin arrangement which features two additional guest suites amidships with crew quarters located in the aft section of the vessel beneath the cockpit.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/104233/image/large-891f432826f8f5e67a280466b8a7621a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104233"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/104236/image/large-dc284c4f287f3d3af8d7f412ee08f938.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104236">

Inside the SW96 sailing yacht Seatius

A look inside Southern Wind's second SW96 sailing yacht, Seatius - the world-cruising performance yacht from the South African shipyard. 

Inside Southern Wind’s world-cruising SW96 Seatius

Sailing yacht Ammonite, the third unit of the 31.41-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind</a> SW96 miniseries, is currently under construction at the Cape Town-based <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind</a> shipyard and is due for delivery during 2020. Built for an owner eager to experience the performance capabilities of the SW96 miniseries, Ammonite is the perfect blend of her two predecessors, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6337" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sorceress31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2017">Sorceress</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7359" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seatius31.41m (103'1&quot;)Southern Wind2018">Seatius</a>. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/91747/image/large-27bfbcd99e2ee73fbfe816e389f230b0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/91747">The carbon fibre sailing yacht Ammonite will feature exterior designs by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/152" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Farr Yacht Design (Company)">Farr Yacht Design</a> and deck and interior designs by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nauta Yachts S.r.l. (Company)">Nauta Design</a>. Detailings and electrical systems will be done in-house by the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind</a> shipyard. Unlike the first two units from the SW96 miniseries, Ammonite will have a tender garage able to accommodate a 3.95-metre tender and two side lazarettes. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/91744/image/large-ced400f4bb480e7a30e2d7070a665af8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/91744">Ammonite features a three-stateroom layout, including a large owner’s suite and a portside forward twin guest cabin, which can alternatively be converted into a double bunk cabin. Crew members are accommodated for in a large captain’s cabin with double bunk beds portside and a Pullman bunk crew cabin starboard. A corridor with minimal level changes between the cockpit and guest area assures smooth and safe circulation when cruising. The raised saloon configuration provides guests with excellent visibility through the coach room windows with the two lateral skylights and central hatch allowing abundant natural light in. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/91748/image/large-06272aa0267bfc15f4ddd9d78612c893.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/91748">Built to be a high-performance yacht, Ammonite features a twin rudder system, a lifting keel, a fixed bowsprit with integrated anchor arm, a carbon boom, a carbon high modulus mast and transversal jib tracks. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/91745/image/large-6814eae9d218426a1e9578e538e55378.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/91745">

Third Southern Wind SW96 sailing yacht Ammonite under construction

The third unit of the 31.41-metre Southern Wind SW96 miniseries, yacht Ammonite, is under construction as her 2020 delivery approaches. 

Southern Wind Shipyard has recently announced the signing of a contract for a new 30-metre sailing superyacht. Commissioned by an experienced yachtsman, the 100’ high-performance cruiser was designed and developed by Nauta Design in collaboration with Reichel Pugh Yacht Design and is currently under construction at the yard’s facilities in South Africa. &nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/44452/image/large-76630fd4d47a4dba14413b251febe666.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/44452"> Working closely with the owner on the design of the yacht since 2017, Mario Pedol of Nauta design explains a little behind the design philosophy of the RP-Nauta 100 project: “The owner is particularly keen on three aspects of the project. Functionality for safe and comfortable navigation, high performances to enjoy racing in the most renowned superyacht regattas, and sexy, appealing design to give the yacht a modern, aggressive and sporty look.” &nbsp; &nbsp;The full carbon racer-cruiser displaces 63 tons at full load and is being built with a lifting keel with a max draft of 6.1 metres. A sleek flush deck combines with a large sail area to complete the package. &nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/44451/image/large-2e61a9a3196e856c349dc0e3b7c3d034.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/44451">Southern Wind Shipyard’s new management and shareholders commented that the new project will benefit from the experience gained in the construction of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/48051" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="New SW105 superyacht delivered and named Satisfaction (2018-01-24 10:45:00 +0100)">SW105</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/48252" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind launches sailing superyacht Seatius (2018-03-15 12:30:00 +0100)">SW96</a>, and are looking forward to seeing this new project come to life. ”We are proud to be carrying on building reliable, comfortable and fast yachts and are happy to bring our renewed energy to the solid basis that Southern Wind is built on,” says Andrea Micheli, SWS Sales Director. The new management team at the yard joined Southern Wind earlier this summer following the sad passing of the yards’ founder and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/48511" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="In memoriam: Farewell to Willy Persico (2018-05-14 14:15:00 +0200)">CEO, Willy Persico</a>. &nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/37588/image/large-d89177ae598d344cd32eeda788263ca7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/37588">The superyacht is expected to hit the water in time for a Spring 2020 delivery. Southern Wind concludes: “An important addition to the yard’s current order book, this 30-metre high performance-oriented cruiser confirms Southern Wind Shipyard’s leading positioning in the construction of 90-120’ performance sailing yachts.” &nbsp;

New 30m custom superyacht under construction at Southern Wind 

Though the superyacht business is a relatively small industry, it is packed with international professionals from all walks of life, and it can certainly be easy to get lost in the sea of faces we're presented with at boat shows, yachting events and beyond. In this series of articles, we take a step back from rushed business meetings and hurried networking and sit down with professionals from across the wide spectrum of the superyacht business to learn more about who they are and what they do for the industry. This week, we get to know Mario Pedol, who together with Massimo Gino, founded and still runs the Italian brand <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nauta Yachts S.r.l. (Company)">Nauta Yachts</a>.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/35350/image/large-d8bf62bbf77b9eaf8e41fe3972db94a8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35350">From childhood, you have had a strong connection with the maritime world. You’ve also always been very ambitious, with your first Mini Tonner developed when still in University at 21 years old - the 3rd of which was sold to Pier Luigi Loro Piana. Tell us about that first step into the yachting industry.The Mini Tonner (Avventura 703) was my first adventure in the boating industry and, with 40 boats sold in two years, it was a success! The third unit in the series was sold to Pier Luigi Loro Piana. But our friendship really took off 10 years later when we designed for him the first version of My Song, the third Nauta 54’ (funny, actually, that he also ordered the third Avventura 703 and the third Nauta 54!<img src="/uploads/store/photo/35351/image/large-5bc15ed64fb552d8c769553066251132.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35351"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/35354/image/large-43110dc76298a8e48255670daaa21dd6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35354">The first project of Nauta: the Nauta 54 My Song (above); Mario Pedol and Pier Luigi Loro Piana at YCCS (below) During the build of the 54’ we really began sharing ideas about the aesthetics and, above all, the philosophy of sailing boats and sailing. We found a perfect balance point between function, aesthetics and performance, all three elements that are equally important. It is a cocktail that we have always worked with and shared through the years, applying it to the three custom versions of My Song that we created together starting from a plain sheet of white paper. The second My Song (70’) became the first unit in a mini-series but being the first in the series we were completely free to create right from the drawing board. All the way up to the latest <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5653" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="My Song39.6m (129'11&quot;)">40-metre version</a>, our sailing flagship has been very well received by boating experts and has won numerous awards, which makes us very proud.&nbsp;In 1978 you started a professional relationship with Oyster, emerging as the Italian dealer for the brand. You had a successful relationship with them for three years and sold a number of Oysters in Italy. What are your thoughts on the future of Oyster considering the announcement to go into administration and the consequent bailing out by Richard Hadida?&nbsp;I don’t know Richard Hadida personally so I don’t know his motivations or plans for the future, but I did work with Oyster’s founders in their early years and I was lucky enough to work with Richard Matthews, founder of Oyster Marine. I followed their success story and saw them making the correct choices towards building more cruising oriented yachts. I’m sure that there is room in the market for that type of yacht. I hope they can get a fresh start and enjoy success.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/17878/image/large-b232c80770a693579ca014037dfe9526.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/17878">You are a passionate sailor, and in the early 80s you took a year out and sailed back and forth from the Caribbean. Tell us about your personal experience doing that - why you love sailing - and how that experience has played into your career.&nbsp;That was a very important experience for me because of my Oyster dealership, Oyster Marine Agency, suddenly wasn’t competitive because the value of the Pound spiked against the Italian Lira, pricing Oyster yachts out of the Italian market. So I decided to sail my Oyster to the Caribbean and to live aboard for a year. This turned out to be a fundamental experience for my future career as a yacht designer because there’s nothing more important than sailing and living aboard a 37’ yacht for understanding what is really fundamental and what you always have to keep in mind when you’re designing. In its own small way, the 1977 Holman &amp; Pye designed Oyster 37’ that I owned already had that aforementioned special cocktail of three ingredients: aesthetics, function and performance.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/35352/image/large-b8b62fa24f623664f8443f4a10e65ddd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35352">Mario Pedol's 37' Oyster The sailing yacht market has been in decline for a while, with fewer and fewer new sailing yachts emerging year by year. Where do you see areas of improvement for the sailing industry?&nbsp;I’m happy to say that in the sailing market sector we work in - yachts from 10 to 40-metres - we’re still growing. We have been either producing more designs or have seen a larger total length of yachts produced every year. There has been a decline in the numbers of series yachts produced in the worst years from 2008-2012, but in our studio, we haven’t seen a decline in the number of 20 to 40-metre custom and semi-custom projects that we sold. In fact, we have grown.&nbsp;I think that it’s fundamental to stay innovative and to never be happy with what’s already on the market, what already looks familiar. But you still have to keep in mind the right balance of aesthetics, function and performance… The crisis years weeded out and filtered a lot of what was on the market and also stimulated us to be more innovative and to think outside the box, something that’s important to us when we’re designing both sailing and motor yachts.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/20977/image/large-5e79265ada97e6881c7e6a27af4ab35d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20977"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/17872/image/large-66a5c0799febc00bbcfc0b6b5f62faa7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/17872">The Baltic 115&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5655" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nikata35.0m (114'10&quot;)">Nikata&nbsp;</a> What’s on your drawing boards right now, and what can we expect to see in the future?Our most recent sailing yacht projects are the Southern Wind 96’ (with two hulls launched in the past year and a third under construction) and the Southern Wind 105’ (the first hull is launched, two more are under construction). Then there are the Mills-Nauta 75’ for Maxi Dolphin and the second hull in the Advanced 80 series. Both of these projects will be launched this summer.&nbsp;We’re also working on a new 100’ custom, with very aggressive and modern lines and we’re doing the interiors of a custom 100’ catamaran. We’re also doing the new interiors of G2 (ex Cinderella IV), redesigned by Nauta in occasion of the refit, and we’re working on a new 42-metre. monohull for a famous European shipyard. You’ll see that in the fall at the boat shows! <img src="/uploads/store/photo/28795/image/large-8cf614595fd3b360ea4fe532f7bcf81b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/28795">The Southern Wind 105'&nbsp;Seatius&nbsp;at her launch in Cape Town Still on the drawing board for prospect clients, we have a 130’ and a 145’, both blue water sailing yachts that are high performance and in composite construction, with Gran Turismo performance characteristics. Sort of like modern Range Rovers- step on the pedal and they fly! &nbsp;We also have several interesting motor yacht projects underway, but we can’t talk about them just yet…&nbsp;

5 Questions with… Nauta’s Mario Pedol 

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Guglielmo ‘Willy’ Persico, the Italian entrepreneur and founder of Southern Wind, who passed away at his home in Genoa this weekend, aged 79.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/34740/image/large-32213634b4d13bf9e7baccd38215db1b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/34740">Persico was chairman of Cantieri Navali Rodriguez when he decided to build a sailing yacht for himself. He built the 72-foot Aga Jari, designed by Ron Holland, at the Cen Marine shipyard in Cape Town in South Africa. In 1991, he acquired the facility and founded Southern Wind.&nbsp;In the early days, the yard employed 30 people and produced just one model: a 72-footer designed by Bruce Farr. Today, it has some 300 employees and builds five performance cruiser models between 82 and 115 feet, in addition to custom projects. So far this year Southern Wind has launched two yachts: the first SW105 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6864" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Satisfaction 34.59m (113'6&quot;)">Satisfaction</a> and the SW96 Seatius, both designed by Farr Yacht Design and Nauta Design for the general concept. With over 40 yachts on the water, the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/23402/image/large-b1e54c167645870d106b25d42dc7dc74.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/23402">From the beginning, Persico aimed to build semi-custom, composite sailing yachts based on the most advanced technologies combined with traditional boatbuilding skills. In 1998, the yard increased production from one to two units per year and introduced the SW95.&nbsp;Particular attention was paid to the carbon fibre/Kevlar lamination process and in 2006 it was among the first to adopt vacuum infusion. Investing in resources such as moulds, tools and procedures meant savings in time and cost and a superior final product in terms of quality, finish and weight.Throughout its history, Southern Wind has focussed on quality instead of quantity and the growth of the brand has been gradual with production limited to three units a year. “Ever since I started my career as a yacht builder, my philosophy has to been to proceed by taking small incremental steps, resisting compromises in terms of quality and avoiding unnecessary financial risks,” Persico said. (Read our interview with Persico <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/46720" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Insight: How Southern Wind Shipyard has found the perfect vantage point (2016-12-16 09:30:00 +0100)">here</a>).&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/16962/image/large-efe07fb43d60f8b2f240faa680c1e813.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/16962">This approach meant the company was able to weather the financial crisis in 2008 and emerge stronger than before. In particular, it proved adept at building high-quality series yachts with ample opportunity for customisation demanded by discerning owners looking for a unique product.&nbsp;Real blue water cruising means long ocean passages and the ultimate test of every Southern Wind yacht comes with its maiden voyage sailing from the tip of South Africa to the Mediterranean – a distance of more than 5,000 nautical miles.&nbsp;Willy Persico was a highly respected and well-loved figure in the superyacht industry. He will be sorely missed and we wish Southern Wind all the best in his absence. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In memoriam: Farewell to Willy Persico

South African shipyard Southern Wind has announced the launch of the second vessel in their miniseries of high-performance cruiser races: the 31.41-metre Seatius. Following her sistership Sorceress which was delivered last summer, some key differences between the two yachts include optimisation of Seatius for high-performance bluewater cruising rather than racing.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/28795/image/large-8cf614595fd3b360ea4fe532f7bcf81b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/28795"> As with Sorceress, Southern Wind once again worked with Nauta Yachts and Farr Yacht Design on this SW96 project, with Nauta taking the lead on the design of the exterior and interior while Farr Yacht Design developed the naval architecture of the project to meet the cruising needs of the owner. Both parties were involved from the beginning in helping Southern Wind create the concept of this market-pleasing offering.&nbsp;Seatius’ deck hardware has longitudinal jib tracks and hydraulic cars along with other 'easy sailing' features. A corridor with minimal level changes connects the manoeuvring cockpit to the guest area for easy and safe circulation when cruising. The interior features a three-guest cabin layout with a spacious and enjoyable TV and living area. The owner’s cabin forward offers wide volumes and ample storage. The crew area aft has a double captain’s cabin, two crew cabins and a spacious galley that opens onto the crew mess. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/28796/image/large-325a16c7f1b18adfc4fc938e3323251f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/28796">The owner and his wife were present at the launching ceremony, where just before breaking a bottle of champagne on the yacht’s bow they gave a speech thanking the shipyard for making their superyacht dreams a reality: “After years of dreaming and planning, we are finally launching Seatius. I wish to thank all the lovely people involved for their terrific job; I’ve never seen such a beautiful yacht in all my life. I’m very happy and proud that we will sail her all over the globe.” Cruising around the world on Seatius will be with a relatively small crew upon delivery in April, starting with a 7,000 nm maiden voyage departing Cape Town. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/26070/image/large-5ce3a64c33324105e762a0b2622eccdd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/26070">