Please select your home edition
Edition




Ready, steady, go! SW96 Liberty embarks on her Maiden Voyage from Cape Town to the Mediterranean Sea

by Southern Wind Shipyards 22 Apr 2024 04:19 PDT
SW96 Liberty © Southern Wind

Following her launch in February, 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!

About SW96#05 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.

Related Articles

SW108 Kiboko 4 wins Sailing Superyacht of the Year
At the 20th edition of the Boat International World Superyacht Awards Southern Wind Australia and New Zealand is thrilled to announce that the SW108 Kiboko 4has been awarded both the "Sailing Yacht" category win and the prestigious title of "Sailing Yacht of the Year" at the Boat International World Superyacht Awards. Posted today at 3:36 pm
SW108 #02 Kiboko 4 christened in Cape Town
A new milestone for Southern Wind yachts In the presence of her proud owners, the Southern Wind team, and distinguished guests, SW108 #02 Kiboko 4 was launched last week on a sunny and windy Cape Town. Posted on 27 Nov 2024
Southern Wind Rendezvous 2024 is a success
Looking back on five days of fun with a smile and a farewell As the XVIII edition of the SW Rendezvous draws to a close, it's time to cheer the winners-that is everyone- and look back fondly on five days of pure pleasure. Posted on 10 Jun 2024
Southern Wind Rendezvous 2024 opens
An important part of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta A fleet of seven Southern Wind yachts is ready to roll at the XVIII edition of the Southern Wind Rendezvous, held within the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, one of the most exclusive and highly anticipated events of the Mediterranean regatta season. Posted on 4 Jun 2024
Southern Wind Rendezvous 2023 overall
Light breeze, fond goodbyes: The Rendezvous Crew says arrivederci and see you soon Light breeze, fond goodbyes: The Rendezvous Crew says arrivederci and see you soon. Posted on 10 Jun 2023
Southern Wind Rendezvous 2023 Day 3
Sailing, fun, and a shape of Southern Wind's future The third day of racing of the 2023 Southern Wind Rendezvous kicked off with the fleet doing a staggered start that began with SW78 Ocean Horse and ended with the brand new SW105 Sørvind. Posted on 9 Jun 2023
Southern Wind Rendezvous 2023 Day 1
Perfect day 1 with outstanding performance by Sørvind Day one of the Southern Wind Rendezvous started with light breeze, so the participating yachts anchored in the azure waters off Pevero to take advantage of the beautiful weather. Posted on 7 Jun 2023