VIVID BLUE MARINE

Swan 40 – A Sparkman & Stephens Classic, Reimagined

Few yachts manage to embody elegance, pedigree, and enduring performance quite like the Swan 40. Conceived during the golden era of yacht design and launched by Nautor in Finland in 1972, the Swan 40 is the product of Sparkman & Stephens at their peak: a yacht where beauty, balance, and seaworthiness come together in perfect proportion.

A Design for the Ages

The Swan 40 was introduced in 1970, and immediately struck a chord with yachtsmen worldwide. With her sweeping sheerline, fine entry, and distinctive overhangs, she looked every inch the thoroughbred. Yet her charm was not merely aesthetic. Sparkman & Stephens endowed her with a forgiving hull form, an easily driven underbody, and a well-balanced sail plan, making her equally adept on the regatta circuit as she was crossing oceans.

Over 50 examples were built between 1970 and 1972, each to the exacting standards that established Nautor as one of the world’s most prestigious yacht builders. The Swan 40’s reputation was quickly secured, and today she remains one of the most admired designs in the company’s illustrious history.

Scandinavian Craftsmanship

Step below and the craftsmanship of Nautor’s Finnish shipwrights is immediately apparent. Teak joinery of the highest quality frames a practical yet welcoming interior, with seamanlike berths, a secure galley, and a saloon designed as much for ocean passage-making as for elegant entertaining. It is this blend of comfort and function that has kept these yachts as desirable cruising companions for over half a century.

A Yacht Renewed

The example offered here, distinguished by her deep navy blue hull, has benefitted from a significant programme of refit and renewal, with recent investment totalling tens of thousands of pounds. Works have included the replacement of standing and running rigging and the installation of modern instrumentation, ensuring she is as technically accomplished as she is visually striking.

These upgrades, sympathetically integrated into the yacht’s classic lines, make her an enticing prospect for those who admire vintage yachts but demand reliability and safety in contemporary sailing.

The Swan Legacy

Owning a Swan is about more than possessing a yacht – it is an entry into a heritage of excellence. Sparkman & Stephens Swans in particular have achieved near-mythical status: their combination of seaworthiness, beauty, and uncompromising quality has inspired generations of sailors.

The Swan 40 sits at the heart of that legacy: large enough to cross oceans with confidence, yet of a size and simplicity that rewards short-handed sailing. She is, quite simply, a yacht that inspires trust as much as admiration.

A Rare Opportunity

As interest in classic performance yachts continues to grow, well-maintained examples of the Swan 40 are becoming increasingly sought-after. With her striking hull, recent refit, and impeccable pedigree, this 1972 Swan 40 represents a rare opportunity to acquire not merely a yacht, but a timeless piece of sailing history.

For those who value authenticity, craftsmanship, and enduring beauty, there are few yachts more rewarding than a Sparkman & Stephens Swan. This is a yacht to cherish for decades to come.