Southern Wind Yacht's fifth SW96 makes its maiden voyage from Cape Town to the Mediterranean.

Southern Wind Yacht announces that the fifth unit of the Sw96 project, launched last February, has set sail from Cape Town on her 7.500-mile maiden voyage to Europe.

"The final product fully met my expectations of building a high-performance yet elegant yacht," said the European owner. "Being at the helm for the first time in the splendid setting of Cape Town Bay was fantastic, the culmination of a long process in which all parties involved brought their professional skills as well as their enthusiasm and passion for this type of project to the table. I was very pleased with all the choices we made and I look forward to spending a lot of time sailing with my family in the Mediterranean this summer," said the experienced sailor on his second Southern Wind Yacht.

“The brief was closely aligned with our principles of building elegant, high-performance cruisers that are both practical and seaworthy. These principles were taken into account at every stage of the decision-making process. That's not to say aesthetics and the occasional whim didn't play a role. They certainly did. The Liberty wouldn't be a true South Wind without distinctive Italian styling,” commented project manager Niki Jennings.

Nauta Design designed both the interior and exterior of Liberty. "The fifth unit of the successful Sw96 project benefits from numerous updates to the style and deck details introduced over the years. For example, the new teak and coaming finishes are clearly recognizable when looking at the beautiful photos of Cape Town. Below deck, the bright and tranquil wood color palette lends the boat a contemporary elegance and a welcoming atmosphere," explained Massimo Gino, partner at Nauta. The fabrics and nuanced textures," Southern Wind Yacht states in its press release, "were created by Ebony Design, a Cape Town-based interior design studio responsible for the yacht's décor."

Graeme Robertson, the yacht's captain, overseeing the maiden voyage and closely involved in the construction process, also expressed his appreciation: "My experience as construction captain was brilliant. I truly enjoyed working with both the owner and the shipyard and contributing my perspective on a wide range of topics during the construction."

Liberty's sail propulsion was overseen by Mario Giattino, director of Doyle Italia, who, after recent sea trials in Cape Town, expressed satisfaction with their positive outcome. The yacht is the fifth 96-foot Southern Wind yacht on which Doyle Italia has worked: "The test results confirm the quality and effectiveness of our work, ensuring optimal performance and safe, efficient navigation," the manager stated.

The yacht's hull and deck are constructed of foam-core sandwich with infused carbon skins. Her lightship-like displacement of 62 tons and high rig ensure excellent speed and acceleration in lighter conditions, according to the shipyard. To enhance her performance, the yacht is equipped with a Hall Spars high-modulus carbon mast and boom, as well as EC6+ carbon rigging with a double backstay pre-configured to accommodate both a pinhead and square-top mainsail.

Liberty's naval architecture was designed by Farr Yacht Design; the boat has full waterlines with straight diagonals, a wide, low transom, and full bow sections. These, combined with the fixed bowsprit, lifting keel (3,4–5,5 meters), and twin rudder configuration, make her easy to sail and control in a wide range of conditions.

With her raised saloon deck configuration, Liberty features an elegant coachroof with panoramic windows that allow natural light to flood the spacious salon. The hull windows and portholes have been enlarged, and she is the first of the Sw96 series to feature Southern Wind's "double-fold" transom.

Liberty, according to the shipyard's press release, features a three-guest cabin with a large TV area forward of the saloon, and a larger owner's suite with ample closet space forward. The aft crew area includes two crew cabins with private heads, a navigation station, a galley, and a crew lounge with direct access to the technical and engine rooms.

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