SW96 Liberty embarks on her Maiden Voyage from Cape Town

Liberty, the fifth unit of the SW96 project, has set sail from Cape Town and started her 7500-mile maiden voyage to Europe.

The owner, a European yachtsman on his second Southern Wind Yacht, expresses his satisfaction after his initial sailing experience in Cape Town: “The final product has fully met my expectations of building a performing yet very stylish yacht. Being at the helm for the first time in the beautiful setting of Cape Town’s bay was fantastic, the culmination of a long process where all parties involved brought to the table their professional skills as well as their enthusiasm and passion for this kind of project. I was very pleased with all the choices that we made and I’m looking forward to sail her extensively with my family this summer in the Med".

Liberty epitomizes the type of project where Southern Wind excels. As Niki Jennings, the yard Project Manager for Liberty, explains:“The brief closely aligned to our own principles of building elegant performance cruisers that are practical and seaworthy. At every point of the decision making, these principles were considered. That is not to say that the aesthetics, and the occasional folly, did not play a role. They certainly did. Liberty would not be a true Southern Wind if she didn’t have the characteristic Italian style".

Once again, Nauta Design was responsible for both Liberty's interior and exterior design. Massimo Gino, Nauta partner, confirms: "The fifth unit of the lucky SW96 project benefits from many deck styling and detailing updates introduced over the years. For example, new teak and coaming finishing are clearly recognizable when looking at the beautiful pictures from Cape Town. Below deck, the bright and calm wood colour palette gives the boat a contemporary elegance and welcoming ambience". This feeling is enhanced by the soft fabrics and nuanced texture details introduced by Ebony Design, a Cape Town interior design firm, responsible for the yacht's decoration.

Graeme Robertson, the yacht's captain overseeing the Maiden Voyage, has been closely involved in the construction process, an experience he relishes: 

“My experience as a build captain has been brilliant. I've really enjoyed working with both the Owner and the Yard and contributing my perspective on a wide range of topics during the construction”.

Mario Giattino, Director of Doyle Italia, took care of ensuring optimal sail propulsion for Liberty. Following recent sea trials in Cape Town, Giattino remarks: “I am extremely pleased with the positive results of the sail tests conducted on Liberty, the fifth 96-footer by Southern Wind that we have had the privilege to work on. The test results confirm the quality and effectiveness of our work, ensuring optimal performance and safe, efficient navigation".

And now it’s time to set sail, fair winds Liberty!

The yacht’s hull and deck are built in sandwich with a foam core and infused carbon skins. Her lightship displacement of 62 tonnes and a tall rig grant excellent speed and acceleration in lighter condition. To enhance her performance soul, the yacht has a Hall Spars high-modulus carbon mast and carbon boom as well as EC6+ carbon rigging with double-backstay pre-configured to accommodate both pinhead and square top mainsail.

With Naval Architecture from Farr Yacht Design, SW96#05’s hull has full waterlines with straight end diagonals, a wide, low transom and full forward sections. These, together with a fixed bowsprit, a lifting keel (3.4-5.5m) and twin rudder configuration, make her easy to sail and control in a wide range of conditions.

Liberty has a Raised Saloon deck configuration, where a sleek coachroof with panoramic windows brightens the spacious saloon with natural light.  The dimensions of hull windows and port lights have been increased and she is the first in the SW96 series to feature the Southern Wind ‘twin fold’ transom.

The yacht features a three-guest cabin arrangement with a wide TV area forward of the saloon and a larger owner’s suite with ample closet space forward. The aft crew area includes two ensuite crew cabins, nav station, galley and crew mess with direct access to the technical and engine rooms.