South African shipyard Southern Wind has released further details on its new flagship, the 37.5-metre yacht known as SW123.The first unit of SW123 is already under construction at the yard’s facilities in Cape Town, with launch scheduled for February 2027.
The build has been conceived as an “entirely new, customisable platform” and brings together longstanding collaborators Farr Yacht Design, responsible for the naval architecture, and an exterior and interior design courtesy of Nauta Design.
The SW123 has been billed as “the lightest performance cruiser in its range”, commissioned by passionate owners who discovered their love for sailing through charter experiences and therefore plan to make the yacht available to charter. Following on the success of the SW108 Smart Custom, the SW123 is available in different keel configurations, sail plans, deck configurations (GT, X-Crossover) and different interior styles and layouts.
The hull shape of the SW123 has been developed to accommodate a twin rudder configuration in conjunction with either a lifting or telescopic keel giving a manageable draught of 3.85 metres (keel raised). As Jim Schmicker of Farr Yacht Design explained, the wide aft sections and transom of the yacht allow for more internal volume and deck area. He said: “This generous width is carefully balanced with extra volume in the forward sections to ensure the yacht remains in control with a level fore-and-aft trim when sailing at typical upwind heel angle.”
