Visitors to this week’s London Boat at Earls Court have been pouring on to the Nautor Swan stand in Hall 2 to see for the first time, the new German Frers-designed Nautor Swan 45. This thoroughbred racer/cruiser from the Swan yard has already made a big hit in the UK since it arrived just two months ago in Hamble.

In typical Swan style, her elegant lines, combined with a quality finish has resulted in boat that will undoubtedly be seen on the race circuit for many years to come.

Speaking to experiened racing yachtsman Ian Finlay who’s been sailing the yacht over the winter this new boat is nothing but sheer fun and is pleasure to sail. “I’ve spent years racing on all sorts of yachts, but this new boat is so well sorted, it would be difficult to find another to match its performance.” In the recent winter series at Hamble River Sailing Club, Finlay recounted one race in winds averaging 25-30 when the boat was flying downwind 13-15 knots.

But despite her racing qualities with her fast underwater planing hull, her well sorted carbon rig and top of the range Harken, Spinlock and Lewmar fittings, don’t be fooled in to thinking she’s a pure out-and-out racer. She’s equally suited to cruising with six comfortable berths including and forward master en-suite. For the racing owner, there’s a different layout option which includes 12 berths, some of which are pipe cots.

The teak-clad interior gives a warm feel and the main cabin with its dining area, galley, nav station and locker space is surprisingly spacious.

On deck, a lot of thought has gone in to the fittings layout design the interesting Harken mainsheet traveller system. Although it’s been seen on other boats, the control lines from the traveller system exit either side of the wheel rather than directly from the traveller itself, primarily to avoid rope snarl-ups. Another idea is the easy to use one-line reefing system, which should make life easier for the short-handed cruising yachtsman.

And the price? ‘264,000 plus vat excluding sails and instruments. Expect to pay an extra ‘100,000 for a suit of sails and navigational equipment.

For more details, contact Nautor Swan at enquiries@swanyachts.co.uk or telephone 44 (0) 23 8045 4880.