SW100X Yacht Has Seaside Lounge, No Mere Swim Platform

When the same parties work together over about two decades, does complacency set in? Not with Southern Wind Shipyard, Farr Yacht Design, and Nauta Design. The trio began working on the new SW100X yacht many years ago, after creating her predecessor in the early 2000s. The extra time was a benefit, they say, because of how her amenities evolved.

In fact, the shipyard and studios felt the original SW100, whose first hull launched in 2015, was tough to beat. She was just as adept at crossing oceans as she was in topping podiums. A total of 13 deliveries ensued. Actually, models like the SW105 and SW108 Hybrid were direct descendants, too. So, the total is really 22. But, because the 105 and 108 are larger and quite different than the original 100, they wanted to go back to those roots, so to speak. The shipyard and studios kept the new successor in a concept stage longer than usual to refine her.

the SW100X yacht is an all seas cruiser with either a fixed or telescopic keel

The SW100X yacht does share some similarities with the SW100, of course. For example, a small (four-person) crew can manage sail-handling and other operations. Additionally, both guests’ ability to move around on deck and the crew’s needs to handle gear are well balanced. Furthermore, you’ll find Southern Wind’s classic four-stateroom design, with a lounge doubling as an office area or bar. Finally, she remains an ocean-tackling, fast cruiser and competitor.

The differences, however, come in both smart engineering and creature comforts. For the former, Nauta Design and Southern Wind placed the steering stations and winches in “wing islands,” a.k.a. patented cockpit coamings that are farther outboard. This extra beam improves the line of sight from the helms.

This also widens the usable space aft for creature comforts. The SW100X yacht shows off a Seaside Lounge (top), a.k.a. a beach-club-like area. The narrow hulls of sailing superyachts typically preclude having this lounge-like space. But Nauta Design and Southern Wind’s work affords 217 square feet (20.2 square meters) of flexible sunning and leisure areas mere steps from the swim platform, itself wider as well. It should come as no surprise that Southern Wind customers have been asking for bigger swim platforms and more versatility for aft decks. That includes stowage for toys, with the SW100X yacht capable of carrying a 14-foot (4.35-meter) transversally stored tender.

Southern Wind Shipyard is beginning the mold construction this spring. It won’t take long to build the first few yachts, since she offers a variety of choices the team already has planned out. That includes hybrid propulsion, similar to the SW108.

Hull number one, with 270-degree panoramic views from the saloon, can launch in early 2025.

Farr Yacht Design farrdesign.com

Nauta Design nautadesign.com

Southern Wind Shipyard sws-yachts.com