SW108 Kalantis launches under the moon
by Southern Wind Yachts 26 Nov 21:16 UTC
A moonlight christening for the highly anticipated third yacht of the SW108 project. Following the success of her two predecessors, SW108-03 Kalantis introduces a new, distinctive flair © Southern Wind Shipyards
SW108 Kalantis reflects the strong personality of her experienced owner: a young and passionate sailor determined to excel on the regatta circuit while enjoying fast and comfortable cruising around the world, as SW CEO Marco Alberti explains: "The brief of the owner was very clear and ambitious: to enjoy full comfort while exploring remote parts of the world, and, at the same time, to compete on the race courses with real intention.
This duality pushed us even more to refine our solutions for versatility and performance aiming for the Perfect Balance. Kalantis not only extends the boundaries of the SW108 platform but also shows how far Smart Custom can go when guided by a clear and forward-looking vision."
This yacht represents another successful example of the Farr Yacht Design & Nauta Design collaboration and is a striking addition to the Southern Wind fleet.
Built in full carbon, with a carbon hull, deck, and bulkheads, high-modulus mast and boom, lifting keel (4-6.2 m), and a wide array of titanium hardware, Kalantis is a true sailing machine that expresses the perfect blend of strength, agility and speed.
True to the Southern Wind Smart Custom philosophy, the yacht features a deck tailored to elevate life onboard. A key feature that makes her stand out is the innovative Seaside Lounge, an innovative transom and aft deck arrangement that opens to reveal a beach club with effortless connection to the sea.
Below the seaside lounge, the lazarette is dedicated to the storage of toys and water sports equipment. The foredeck has been customized with a recess to store a custom 5.2m carbon tender that transforms into an additional lounging area. This solution optimizes storage and allows the yacht to carry a larger tender, ensuring that she is best equipped for extended voyages and adventures anywhere in the world.
Sean Cumming, the Southern Wind project manager in charge of 108-03, adds:
"At Southern Wind, we love challenges and when the Owner told us his design brief, we worked hard to achieve his high expectations to create a yacht that will make a lasting impression on any passionate sailor."
Kalantis's deck layout is both fresh and instantly recognizable, defined by clean geometries and the signature Southern Wind GT look - reinterpreted here in a stunning new feature. The owner desired as much natural light as possible in the interior without compromising the sleek exterior profile.
This vision comes to life with a newly designed coachroof featuring a central skylight that flares outboard on the forward end of the coachroof, allowing a forward view from the saloon. The large skylight combined with the angled coachroof side lights and 2 saloon hull windows of 1 sqm each, greatly enhances the experience of light and space below deck while maximizing the panoramic view.
Down below, Kalantis features a four-guest cabin interior that accommodates up to 8 guests. The owner's suite is located forward with an additional three guest cabins amidship. The forward VIP cabin, named Petit Salon by the owners, is a versatile space that can transform into a studio, a single cabin, or a double bunk cabin, depending on the requirements.
This arrangement creates a generous L-shaped social area that incorporates both the dining and living spaces of the saloon, while a comfortable TV lounge is positioned forward on the starboard side.
True to the owner's vision of flexibility, every interior space is multifunctional, blending comfort and pleasure with practicality for life at sea.
The christening ceremony was blessed by the words of Matthew Satchwell, Kalantis' owner's representative: "Every time I visit this yard, I'm reminded this is more than a shipyard, it's a family. You see it in the way people talk to each other, the way teams support one another, and the pride in every detail. As a proud South African, I have to say when our people come together, something special happens. That Mzansi spirit, heart, hard work, pride and grit, can turn the impossible into something remarkable."
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the owner and his team for their passionate involvement throughout the design and construction process.
We look forward to seeing Kalantis under sail soon, a performance explorer yacht destined to turn heads and capture imagination wherever she goes.