BOAT TOUR & REVIEW Swan 48- A Modern Version of a Classic Monohull

[@brettgraham1966]

Really don’t understand why you say a wider flatter transom is worse downwind? Virtually all of the racing monohulls have this to enable better planing downwind. To me narrower transoms are better upwind but a lot more rolly downwind. Really keen to get your thoughts on why you say a narrower transom is better downwind.

[@bernardlanguillier7970]

Exactly. All the Class 40 and Imoca boats have super wide flat transoms and they are clearly optimized for downwind sailing.

[@martinlutken8427]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but many will disagree about the other arguments: Wide sterns and double rudders (subject to much less load than the big single-rudders) provide safety, stability and speed, not just volume. Today we also have the knowledge and materials to build these structures stiff & solid. Also, remember that the original designs from the 70's and 80's were type formed by the IOR rule, not by what made them the best possible sailboat regardless of rules. They were actually quite terrible downwind, which is why you've seen so many great Rick Tomlinson photos from this periode where boats broach and jybe totally out of control......

[@phillycheesetake]

Twin rudders are not redundant, they're mutually-fatal. Wide cockpits are not safer than narrow cockpits. In fact, the maximum distance you can fall and strike the boat before going into the water is greater as the cockpit widens. You can fall the equivalent of a flight of stairs on many aft-beam boats, and still not be clear of the leeward gunnel.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

​@@phillycheesetake wide eye

[@gbsailing9436]

To be honest Nick I think your concerns are unfounded. Swan would have done performance tests between the two models. AND I think the more modern hull kinda seeks to emulate the more modern skiff design (with the squatter square chines to the rear and a flatter hull) which will be faster 'point to point' which is a thing you say you always crave sailing internationally! SO the spreaders are aft raking!?!? From a sheer Physics point of view that means greater stability in the rig (THINK OF THE LEGS OF A TRIANGLE- greater spread more stable), more control over the rig when making adjustments (especially since it's HARD WIRED - literally). I see this as a win win overall. At 48ft, it still suffers from a lack of room as you say with the 'master' in the forepeak. A 55' might be ideal allowing the master to be in the rear and more space around the engine! Care to comment on my comments...🤣👍😇🧐🤔 Love your work as always. When are we getting an update about RR2 build?

[@rustie4242]

You keep saying it's a race boat when it is nothing like a race boat. It is a performance cruising boat at best, comfy club racing more likely. the beam carried aft makes them fast off the wind. But you don't sail dead downwind in fractional rigged boats, you sail the apparent wind angles and enjoy the speed.

[@ianphillips3225]

Exactly. This bloke rates himself a touch too much.

[@stevenrance5320]

Excellent review. I think that your comments on the current thinking on hull and spreader design have merit. Every yacht is a compromise based on the owners requirements but for offshore trade wind sailing a wide flat transom and swept spreaders are too much of a compromise for me. We searched for along time for a blue water passage maker and reached a similar conclusion to yours. We chose a fully refitted HR46 with modern upgrades. A beautiful and safe 200 mile a day passage maker. The refit was completed by the previous owner and included a brand new vacuum glued teak deck. The only thing we would change? You guessed it - the teak deck. We would have much preferred faux teak. As you say, there is no longer a place for teak decks on modern yachts.

[@jefferypriest9057]

I absolutely agree with both your praise and criticisms the original was beautiful- only wish they could have been lighter

[@mikemendes7598]

I grew up in the UK in the 70's and our family owned several cruisers from 27' - 35'. We drooled over the Swan's at boat shows for their amazing finish quality, and stunning good looks. Like an Aston Martin, they looked from every angle, especially fully canvassed, hauling ass on a race course. We could only dream of owning one. There's a lot more competition now, and I don't think they are quite so leading edge, design wise, as they used to be. They obviously still have workers that know immaculate wood working!

[@blegi1245]

The leading edge stuff is in the ClubSwan line. Or are c foils in a production boat not leading edge enough for you?

[@jillzolot1601]

At first I didn’t think I’d enjoy the reviews vs your sailing experiences and boat build. But what a welcome change from broker vids touting the boats they’re selling. Your keen eye and honesty mean I really learn something. Thanks. Can’t wait til you all set sail again! 😄 👍🏻⛵️

[@puertola7186]

,Damn it. It is really a great boat. All in all, I would go for an Euphoria 54 designed by German Frers (the same designer as in Swan 48, 54 etc) and a great build quality.

[@riddlerandsa8161]

Question: In my memory it was the racers that got the broad transoms first ,because people realized that the gains downwind (planing) outweighed the sacrifice upwind. (And there may have been changes in IOR rules and then IRC became more popular because the IOR became totally unmanageable etc) But THEN cruising boat builders realized that that shape actually created huge volumes aft that could be used to create better accommodation aft (and of course the cruising weight killed the planing, but that is beside the point). Do I remember this wrong?

[@btrotta]

I can understand your concerns about the swept spreaders, but they are there for a reason. Without the swept spreaders you would have to have running backstays to support the mast. Look closely at the pictures of the classic 48 and you'll note running backstays. They're great for controlling mainsail shape and eliminating pumping in the center of the mast. But runners are not short-handed cruising friendly. Without someone dedicated to the runners you run the risk of inverting the mast with each tack and gybe. Swan have switched to a split backstay with dual hydraulic pistons to hold up the back side of the mast, a much more cruiser-friendly arrangement.

[@TheBestGamingCritic]

When you started showing the bathroom I also thought, "that looks like a hotel". Pretty much agree with it all: the transom, the engine access, the forward berth (I was taught point your feet forward in case of collisions) and the pseudo nav station. This boat is a bit more like art to me. Well done N&T.

[@stevelawrie9115]

Beautiful but I totally agree. I have thought for a long time that teak is not necessary and pitiful that it's still used. There's plenty of other options to give much the same sort of feel.

[@jonunya3128]

iirc you can get a Kraken 50 for a few 100k less than the swan. I love the Swans and will never have to worry about owning one so it's a safe and sane sort of love.. the Kraken looks like a great boat.

[@sailingrubyrose]

Hahah a safe sort of love- that’s brilliant! I know just how you feel 😆

[@jeremiahblatz]

"Downwind" on a modern boat has the apparent wind just aft of the beam in moderate winds. The wide transom provides stability in those conditions. That said, obviously, that means you're going to have to work the boat a bit more actively, which may not be a thing you want to do. (In which case, get a boat with a pinched stern, obviously.)

[@josepla9797]

Swans typically get delivered to their racing venues by professional delivery crews. The owners join when on site to enjoy racing and partying. The older designs prioritized sailing above all else. Well built but cramped internally. This newer design is more balanced between racing and onboard enjoyment. However, there are very few boats that can compete against a Swan in blue water racing.

[@danieltoone5979]

I don't have enough experience with long range cruising to understand why the narrower transom would be better. I get that the narrow transom provides better interior volume, but I was also under the impression that it provided more form stability meaning less heeling, which I would consider to be a good thing for long range cruising. I thought that the main drawback would be higher wetted surface area so more drag, but I would easily trade more volume and less heel for more drag on a cruiser. Could you elaborate a little more on the drawbacks of the wide transom?

[@lisaoakley8032]

From what I understand, very wide sterns increase the risk of pitchpoling, and make it harder for a boat to right itself if it is completely capsized. I don't know if there is any data to substantiate this. Very wide sterns make the boat harder to handle safely in large following seas.

[@rickcrane839]

I see you enjoyed another day of beautiful English weather. ;)

[@ultrarekt5114]

I have sailed the new 48, a few months ago. The price I can't explain the price difference, it looks nice but seriously 2m Euro for a 48ft?

[@donaldbagwell7252]

Love your honest reviews Nick!

[@larslange5482]

Totally agree with you mate about the engine space, its like new cars today you cannot get a spanner in without lifting out the engine.

[@luisbelmonte1532]

Great vid, but let me add a note saying that the original 48 was the sparksman and Stephens design from the early 70s. An absolute gem of a boat too.

[@timsullivan1531]

Sailed on one of these a few years ago. It was a late 1990s model in the Caribbean and it was like a sauna. The companionways were really difficult to get in and out of. The boat sailed very well bit it was way too warm for those climates. Glad they’ve gone to a traditional companion way.

[@larryrichards9418]

What are your thoughts on a canoe stern? (i.e. pacific seacraft) Personally, I think it goes too far in the other direction from the modern wide stern, twin helm design. I think there has to be a decent compromise in between these two extremes. Personally, I like the Island Packet design with the sugar scoop stern. Easy access on and off the boat, but not a twin helm monster stern.

[@alejandrovanags4948]

Thanks for sharing.Agree

[@ArazQizilbash]

Swan is now taking firm steps towards becoming a Vulture.

[@SV-DEDICATED]

Love some RR boat tours.

[@jfh4270]

Gorgeous boat - a modern legend, and a dream boat for sure. Great insights on contrasting the new with the classic.

[@sailingrubyrose]

Thanks mate 😊

[@SYSirius]

Beautiful boat, good review. We agree on the teak.

[@sailingrubyrose]

Thanks Rob and Jouke 😊

[@frak357]

I understand your opinion on the hull difference between the newer vs older Swan's.I wonder how much of this issue is driven to mimic the hull designs from the IMOCA 60, Class 40, and Volvo 65 race designs to achieve higher speeds in all wind angles.Specifically to making "short-handed" sailer's passages shorter and away from bad weather. Hope to see you back adventuring on the water soon.

[@sheerluckholmes5468]

Fully agree with what you said, another yard that has gone that same hole is Amel, their yachts used to be coveted but now they look just like every other Bav Ben Jen out there.

[@beunhaas102]

I'm pretty sure there is a maintenance hatch in the engine bay at the very least at the port side and probably on the other site as well. Still not ideal in my opinion but it does make maintenance possible.

[@cthambrecht]

I agree on the teak.

[@joseerazevedo]

I'd like to see your points on the Amel 50. I perfectly agree with you on this Swan and I'd also add that on a long run staying that much exposed is not a good idea specially with the weather nowadays beyng so temperamental. Also, that hood is effective for the door and not much more. Even the person closest to it will get wet on a little rain. Swans are still some of the most beautiful and quality boats ever. But they've become "weekenders", I believe.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

Thanks uploader where did I see the ruby before and where is the Aston Martin comment gone ?

[@Enviroblast]

Be great to see SeaWind add a double to starboard aft cabin on 1370! Have you discussed this?

[@robertmills794]

Sad to see twin wheels and helms :( Your reviews are better than any others on these boats! These are dream boats for me,.. a reason to work harder.

[@Yash-ye1zq]

Any chance of doing vid on Kraken yachts and your thoughts on it

[@sailingrubyrose]

Always a chance 😊

[@Yash-ye1zq]

@@sailingrubyrose looking forward to it. Also used yachts is very good idea

[@Sailing360]

Nick great review as always - fantastic job. Totally agree on the teak. its time. Wait, forgot, did you mention the quality of the trim? I may have missed that part. That said. two things. 1. optical flow slow-motion frequently sucks and it create a LOT of artifacts that kinda flickers, work slower and shoot in camera ;-) (OR shoot 120 or 240 frames per second to do the effect in camera) 2. I do feel I like the new Rassys.

[@davidmyles2154]

I'd love to see a review of a Koody 425cc if you are going to start looking at the 2nd hand market as it is on my short list.

[@americanbornwalkaway9110]

Sweet Ride... I like the older Swans But I am Still in Love with Cats👍👍👍 THANKS for Sharing

[@dennismacdonald2003]

Nice boat hope you do a jongert

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

The Swan boat faces left why does it look rusty ?

[@svoceanrhythms1209]

I'd agree that modern monohull design has sacrificed weathering the ocean to interior comfort. Well, says the multimlloinaire, "At least we"ll be comfortable with our struggle".

[@SVImpavidus]

Nick go and look at Patrick Lanes latest video. Flat transom and open cockpit. Just crossed the Atlantic. Watch learning by doing’s latest. Open flat transom. It not an issue with modern designs. You don’t get pooped down wind. Sail safe. Ant.

[@robertrantane6867]

I like your reviews. I like upwind capability in sailboats. I'm confused by this review and the HR 40 review. When you sailed past ~120° on RR1 I recall ( I believe) wing on wing (double headsails) with a lowered main was your preferred sail setup. Infact most mono sailors appear to do the same (no one likes to jbe the main). So why are the spreaders a problem. Neither of these boats are designed to bury a rail when sailed upwind as I understand the new hull configurations, 15° (to 20°) maximum heel and then reef to keep the boat driving is the current practice. Seems the new designs are intended to maximize overall boat speed and comfort. Again I like your reviews and I'm looking forward to the next one, new or used (reviews of classics under sail would be great). Thanks

[@sailingrubyrose]

Hi Robert! Good questions. With RR (our Southerly 38), we generally sailed goose-wing down wind using the main and the jib poled out, although if it was lighter winds (less than 20knots apparent) and we were on a long passage we'd often get the Parasailor out. So we did use the main and yes, we did get wear on the main sail where it rubbed against the spreaders, which we did cover in baggywrinkles. The reason for this set up was simply because we didn't have a cutter rig or a stay sail, so two headsails (ie, our jib and code zero) poled out was a bit more fiddly and apparently causes more rolling downwind because the wind can't escape between the two sails (this is what we were told during the ARC seminars, we haven't put it to the test). The easiest option for us is always main and jib poled out 'goosewing' in which case the swept back spreaders is a headache. However it's not a deal breaker for us, rather just an observation and since we did only 2 ocean crossings with RR (the second of which rarely had downwind sailing conditions anyway!) it's probably a compromise we'd happily make again for the right boat. And yes, we'd love to get a chance to do some test sails and YES to doing one on a classic boat! That would be super fun.

[@briancochran8356]

Wow! Beautiful yacht, but just a LITTLE out of my price range.

[@columkenn]

On studying photos of both models I do agree the older 48 looks alot prettier at sea. However I would still choose the newer model

[@WilliamAArnett]

I would like to hear your thoughts on the Swan 58.

[@braxtonyoung]

Savage

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Give me an S&S Swan 57 any day.

[@jefferypriest9057]

❤

[@user-zo6xg8bx4l]

You didn't comment about how this boat would be in the tropics. It looks like it would be hot, hot, hot to me. But, I could be wrong. Thanks for the great review!! Your reviews are the best I have seen recently. :-)

[@Cptnbond]

Nick, I guess the people who have the money likely prioritize this volume and have it as a floating vacation home or similar and will spend most of the time in a luxurious marina with some excellent restaurants. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that if you can afford it, but I guess not everybody's cup of tea. Cheers.

[@sailingrubyrose]

Not a problem we’re ever going to have 😉 it’s a stunning boat that’s for sure

[@williamdykes2750]

If I could buy this boat I’d sail it exactly as you just described. Day sail from lux marina to lux marina and look good doing it. Engine access would not be my problem. Since I’m dreaming, I’d also want my private F-16 to zorch around too.

[@lisaoakley8032]

Not a fan of racing, and not a fan of 'Swan'. I suppose that the main interest in this high priced boat are sailors who prioritize racing. I don't find the exterior or the interior anything exceptional. At the Annapolis show last year, I believe there was a Swan(maybe another year), which did not gather much attention. I find the Passport, Outbound, and older Hylas boats to have superior interiors. I am not a fan of the very narrow main ports(windows) in the saloon. Not a fan of the wide, wide, stern, but it seems that the 'jury is still out' on the pros and cons. Nick's opinion is certainly more cogent than those who have not crossed oceans. Unfortunately, the march of the catamarans is growing, and the variety in the monohull catagory is dwindling.

[@JustinmaguireIII]

Would love to see you review the amel 50

[@paulmcshane4916]

my dream boat: a perfect cruising yacht

[@Merrimac2]

Sorry,, but I think you are wrong with regards to a flat transom inducing roll when going downwind, in my experience it is the other way round.

[@sailingrubyrose]

Always happy to hear alternative views my friend. Our experience comes from 2 Atlantic crossings in a flat transomed boat and 7 years living on board a flat transomed boat with 25,000nm sailed. Admittedly as yet I haven’t sailed any other flat transited boats that extensively, but I will respectfully suggest that in a following sea, a flat transom causes roll

[@Gulfcamel]

Nice video 👌 📹 👍

[@sailingrubyrose]

Thank you so much 😀

[@stephenfulford222]

Again - your concern about a flat transom hull shape downwind is way off. They are much more stable than the designs of the '70s & '80s. The twin rudders make them a joy to helm downwind.

[@jlow2159]

You are totally wrong, these boats drain water better than center counsels and they are fast

[@leolambert5676]

My wife and I agree with you about the deck. Too much work for no enjoyment. At $1.6m if you take the teak deck off do you save $1m?

[@GingerNinja68]

Pedigree, heritage what ever you term it if you lose your design language you’ll lose the customers. Love the video BTW.

[@stephenbmorton]

What is happening to the monohull sailboats is all too common in SUV 4x4 world as well. Land Rover was such a great vehicle with a world-famous pedigree for crossing continents and vast spans of uninhabited lands safely. It seems the new Defenders are soccer-mom vehicles with bells and whistles. Sure they have electronic traction control and a computer that senses when your wheels are spinning and will transfer power, yadda yadda yadda. The drive doesn't have to do any work. It's all done for them. My point being it sounds like Swan's new demographic are the wealthy weekend warriors with more money than sense. I completely understand, and agree, with your points about the square stern in a following sea and sail chaffing on a down-wind leg. I guess if you can pay $1.6M for a 48-foot boat, going through sails every couple of years isn't that big of a deal. Just my opinion. Love the comments and your take on sailing.

[@DriftaholiC]

Used boats! Especially cheaper boats 50-150K. Or any boats you think are all-stars of their time and why they are so good, regardless of price.

[@ventricity]

They are not sacrificing performance for this hull shape compared to a narrower one, that´s a myth and not a fact

[@sailingrubyrose]

Yes they are. This is not one of those answers that can be non binary. The hulls profile, the keel profile, the stern shape, the bow shape all sacrifice performance to either increase internal volume or save manufacturing costs . So it’s not a myth it’s naval architecture and hull design .

[@marccohen5477]

I totally agree with all your points. This boat was not designed to be a world cruiser. It was designed as a club racer for the rich. They do not race downwind. Jibbing back and forth is faster at all but with strong wind conditions.

[@nooneanybodyknows1321]

I miss your sweet wife. Any chance she might stick her head in and say hello? Maybe give us an update on her and what she's up to. Good boat review. I'm not in the market. Even if I were, 1.6 M is beyond my reach. It sure wouldn't have a teak deck. Thanks, Nick.

[@marcelonazario5070]

👍🦖👽🦎☝️

[@andyjwagner]

… you traded a monohull for a cat specifically to get internal volume.

[@WihGlah]

Hmmm. Seems overpriced tbh. They have squeezed a lot into it though. I do like the internal volume, but I would choose a cat before it though. Definitely skip the teek.

[@rexdagostino6954]

Another excellent presentation. Continues to show how the market for hull design has changed over the last 10 years...not necesarily for the best.

[@brownnoise357]

Ugh. Sorry but I stopped watching at the Draft at 8ft. Useless for a Cruiser, and even worse than a Dehler "shallow" Draft of 7ft 1". What is wring with these People. 🤔😕 eta, bloody twin rudders too ? Yech. 😕

[@thomastaylor6991]

I'm not a wealthy man yet this boat is not outside of my means. That being said,you couldn't run fast enough to give me two of these tur piles. Forty eight feet and it's a big deal to have a separate shower? For two million USD it needs to have two separate showers with live in b_______ers.

[@KingMinosxxvi]

holly rip off batman

[@georgekerr8804]

I am not interested in boat reviews. They were interesting when you were deciding.