Southern Wind is proud to announce the delivery of Sorceress

After undergoing intensive seatrials, SW96 Sorceress has just left Cape Town for her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean Sea. Sorceress was commissioned by a passionate yachtsman who already owned an 80’ custom carbon yacht and is a keen racer.

“SW96 #01 represents the first unit in the brand new SW96 min-series,” says Willy Persico, founder and CEO of Southern Wind Shipyard. “Her owner was looking for a yacht to use in both coastal and transoceanic races and for bluewater cruises. He wanted a very low displacement and all the comforts typical of a cruising yacht.”
 
SW96 Sorceress has lightship displacement of 56.700 kg for excellent speed in light winds and a manageable rig size. Jim Schmicker, vice president of Farr Yacht Design, responsible for the project’s naval architecture, proudly explains: “The goal was to achieve an entirely new level of design, incorporating features of the highest performance yachts such as wide transoms, twin rudders and ample sail area and stability, melded with the well-known characteristics of our previous Southern Wind designs like easy handling, excellent balance, comfortable ride and a solid feeling of seaworthiness.”

“The SW96 has been engineered completely on FEA (Finite Element Analysis) to achieve the best results in terms of rigidity and performance”, says Marco Alberti, the shipyard's General Manager. “Strong of the experience gained in building the SW RP90 custom, all the aspects of the construction have been strictly monitored for weight saving: her Pre-Preg and Nomex deck and superstructure are some examples.”
 
Sorceress features a lifting keel (up to 5,4 m) and twin rudder configuration that grant excellent sail carrying capabilities, as Jim Schmicker explains. “A single rudder limited to a draft of 3.4m would have significantly compromised performance and handling. Twin rudders and a draft of 2.05m complement both the lifting keel and the wider hull style.”
 
As stated by the yacht naval architect, SW96 represents a significant step forward from previous designs in both the visual aspects of style and in measurable levels of performance: “The final hull shape balances a visually stunning style with numerous technical achievements including low drag, minimal longitudinal trim with heel, excellent hydro-aero interaction, nimble and responsive steering and minimized slamming. The SW96 performs beautifully, handles well and rides comfortably throughout the typical heel range with easily achieved performance targets.”

The deck hardware is optimized for both shorthand performance cruising and offshore racing: a fixed bowsprit with an integrated anchor arm and fitting for gennaker tack line and furling code 0 allows for flexibility and practical anchoring and sailing manoeuvers. The transversal jib tracks ensure fast trimming while racing and more precise sail handling. The mainsail sheet system with Cariboni Magic Trim leaves the deck clean for easy movement on board. A wide “customized” recessed dodger in the aft cockpit offers maximum protection when sailing in extreme conditions.

The interior layout features a large saloon above the engine room which is accessible through a full height control room. The owner’s cabin forward with en-suite private desk and “office area” and three guests cabins amidships offer privacy for all on board.
 
“The SW96 makes the best use of all the General Arrangement advantages that come with a Raised Saloon coachroof such as a large, open space saloon with sweeping views through the hull portlights and has a very sporty deck layout and look. The SW96’s lifting keel with high stroke of 2,10 mt is so well integrated into the interior arrangement that you barely notice it. From an engineering standpoint, the system distributions point and the pre-engine room area are both close and easily accessible from the crew quarters, a very convenient feature during long distance cruises as it keeps all crew areas well separate from the guest areas,” says Massimo Gino, from Nauta Design, responsible for the yacht deck and interior design.

The yacht will make her debut at the 2017 edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (Porto Cervo, September) and will be displayed as a world première at the forthcoming Monaco Yacht Show. Sorcesess’ owner will sail his brand new SW96 #01 on her maiden voyage together with a professional crew and friends.

The owner of SW96 #02 is eager for the delivery of his new yacht, scheduled for January 2018. After having tested the first hull he remarked that Sorceress “sails like a dinghy.”