Nautor Swan 56 R

VANISH is 3-owner, 3.36m draft Regatta version of the Nautor Swan 56 from 1999. Extensively refitted and upgraded in recent seasons, so now ready for her adventures.

FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:

Delivered in the summer of 1999 for a experienced serial yachtsman, VANISH 2 is hull no.7 of the German Frers-designed Swan 56 from Nautor and Finland and one of the Swan 56R (Regatta) variants, benefitting from a deeper draft keel than the regular cruising versions. VANISH 2 also features a number of unique factory-installed improvements including twin helm pedestals (the only Swan 56R to have this), Offshore Spars carbon rig and a hybrid cruising interior with owner’s cabin forward and two twin guest cabins aft, accessible to the helm cockpit by their own companionway.

Now in only her third ownership since new, VANISH 2 now ashore. Prior to this, she has benefitted from a comprehensive program or refit and upgrades including a major 2020 refit where her decks and rigging were replaced and her engine fully overhauled.

Ideally configured for both cruising and competitive racing, she can be switched between modes quickly and easily and comes complete with a full inventory for both purposes. Around the race course, she continues to be highly competitive with almost an almost unbroken record of podium finishes in the annual Barcolana and Barcolana Maxi races.

Her specification highlights include:
• Regatta variant with 3.36m draft lead keel
• 3-cabins, 2-heads interior layout plus forepeak crew cabin, finished in Nautor teak with foam-cored soleboards, Napa leather upholstery and protective wall, floor and upholstery covers for racing
• Twin helm pedestals
• Offshore Spars carbon fibre mast and boom
• Removable genoa furler
• Lewmar Racing winch package with pedestal grinder and electric main halyard winch
• Olimpic Sails carbon membrane sails
• North Sails gennakers and symmetric spinnaker
• Yanmar 96hp diesel engine with shaft drive and Gori 3-bladed folding propeller
• Garmin instrument package with chart plotters, radar, mast repeaters and autopilot
• Icom VHF with AIS
• Icom SSB radio
• 24vDC domestic electrics with AGM service batteries
• Inverter
• Sealand vacuum flush heads with holding tank
• Force 10 gas stove
• Fridge and freezer with dual Iceberg 220vAC and Frigoboat 24vDC compressors
• Eberspacher diesel-fired cabin heating
• 24vDC ventilation fans
• Sprayhood
• Nomen folding mooring cleats
• Passarelle
• Full winter boat cover

RECENT REFIT HIGHLIGHTS:

2025
• New engine start battery

2025-2024
• VANISH 2 was laid up ashore unused with her full cover

2023
• New pipes and valves for Sealand vacuum flush heads
• New fire fighting systems installed
• Full engine service

2022
• Full engine service
• New 24vDC engine-mounted alternator
• Sealand vacuum flush heads overhauled with new gaskets fitted

2021
• Full engine service
• Interior revarnishing
• Installation of LED internal lighting

2020
• New 12mm teak decking
• Standing rigging replacement with new shrouds and diagonal rods
• Comprehensive engine overhaul including new turbocharger, injectors, water pump and crankshaft oil seals
• New Goiot deckhead hatches
• Repainting of mast and boom
• New folding Nomen mooring cleats
• New passarelle
• New navigation lights

2019
• Full engine service
• New AGM service batteries
• New engine inlet seacock and hose
• Overhaul backstay hydraulics
• Overhaul of autopilot ram

2018
• Full new Garmin instrument package with plotters, radar and autopilot
• New Icom VHF with DSC and AIS
• Full engine service
• New battery charger for 24vDC services
• Fuel tank cleaned
• Black water tank pump overhauled

PRESS REVIEW:

“Nautor's new Swan 56, available as either a cruiser/racer or regatta model, is a powerful and elegant statement from one of the world's premier sailboat builders. Designed by German Frers, the Swan 56 demonstrates Nautor's renewed commitment to performance, while maintaining the essentials of structural integrity, seakindliness, comfort and safety that have earned the company an enduring reputation among demanding sailors the world over…

…Swans have always been capable upwind boats and the 56 will be no exception. Her bow features the requisite small-entry angle for speed by waterline but she also has enough of a rake to assure a clean entry. There is sufficient forefoot area to reduce pounding in a chop. The wide stern has just a trace of counter to keep the trailing edge out of the water. However, the 56's forte, like most performance boats today, will be quick planing and blazing off-the-wind speed. Both versions of the 56 are based on the same hull shape, which carries the beam well aft, although the keel sections are different. The standard, loaded draft of the cruiser/racer is 9 feet, while the regatta's loaded draft is a shade more than 11 feet, which should keep even the most laid-back sailors on their toes. The interior, deck and sail plans also reflect the differences between the two…

…Swan's superb deck layouts have often been copied but rarely duplicated. The nearly flush teak deck with a wedge look and two cockpits are a Swan trademark. The aft steering cockpit features a scooped-out Destroyer wheel, a curved helmsman's seat and nicely angled foot supports…

… once you negotiate the ladder, there is little to dislike about the 56's interior. From the light Burmese teak veneers, to the elegant curved teak moldings, to the well-thought-out layout, the interior is stunning, in the classic, understated Scandinavian way…

…Bringing the boat up, we managed 6.8 knots without stalling at 30 to 35 degrees apparent. There was a modest bay chop, and I was impressed by the lack of any noticeable pounding up forward. There is no disputing that today's long waterlines are fast, sometimes dramatically so, yet often there is a trade-off in upwind motion. It seems Frers has found that elusive balance between speed and motion when sailing on the wind. We were anxious to crack off on a reach and put a wave under the quarter. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough of a sea running and we didn't have enough sail to get the boat on top of the water. Still, we clipped along at 7 and 8 knots consistently.

The Swan 56 lives up to its promise. It was intelligently conceived and beautifully finished. I have a suspicion that in a few years' time, we will be calling the 56 the latest Nautor Swan classic.”
Sailing Magazine – November 2008