The 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival was no easy place to stand out. And yet Nautor Swan found a way. Better known for its fleet of sailing yachts and regattas, the renowned Finnish builder entered the powerboat market in 2021 when it debuted a 43-foot chase boat called the Swan Shadow. That low-profile vessel, with understated Scandinavian lines penned by Finnish designer Jarkko Jamsen, displayed an impressive 63.3 mph top speed.
But that was really just an appetizer. The main course would be the 76-foot Swan Arrow, which was displayed at Cannes at the swing bridge leading from the harbor out to the Baie de Cannes. That made it visible to any boat heading out to the Med for a sea trial.
The yacht’s striking exterior represented Jamsen’s second effort for the powerboat line, and he did a fine job drawing a vessel that is both rugged and sleek. If you are seeing shades of Axopars here, you could be forgiven: Jamsen designs those, too. The arrowhead shape has long been used on Wally’s line, including the wallypower 58, and more recently on Pardo’s new GT75.
The boat in Cannes had a dark-navy hull with a bright-orange boot stripe that popped. The stylish look makes sense since it was built for Leonardo Ferragamo, Swan’s owner, and the son of fashion legend Salvatore Ferragamo.
The high style extends to the yacht’s interior, perhaps to the detriment of practicality. The mahogany on the boat—and there is a lot of mahogany on the boat—is solid. The lack of coring is a somewhat unusual choice that adds weight. The Swan displaces 43 tons, which is about the same as the Pardo GT75, but it could be more than you might expect for this style of motoryacht.
Low furniture in the salon is another eye-pleasing gambit that looks stylish, but simultaneously demands guests have their sea legs about them at all times, so they won’t trip when the boat is rolling. The same goes for the Arrow’s low gunwales when traversing the side decks—not ideal in big seas. I wouldn’t necessarily choose this as a family cruiser, but for a couple used to ocean cruising it could be a good choice as a fast stylish boat.
That being said, the interiors are aesthetically pleasing, with buttery soft leathers, dark woods, and flowing lines throughout. And sliding windows to port and starboard of the salon as well as a large sliding-glass door aft open the space to refreshing breezes.
A key feature of the boat is the cockpit, which has fold-down terraces to either side as well as a transformer and passerelle for easy access to either the docks or down into the ocean. This area is where the Arrow really distinguishes itself, turning the rear third of the boat into an open platform on the sea. The outdoor shower to port and multiple lounges upholstered in breezy blues rounded out what is effectively a miniature beach club. For privacy, foredeck also has a social area with a lounge and table.
Hull No. 1 in Cannes had the optional, upgraded triple 1,000-horsepower Volvo Penta IPS engine package. Swan says the Arrow can hit 46 mph with the hammer down, though we saw less than that on a our Med sea trial, as the boat was carrying three crew, brokers, and journalists. But we didn’t necessarily miss the speed.
The feeling under way is similar to being on a very fast sailboat. The windows and open rear area beneath the hardtop, plus the sheer amount of open space topsides, deliver a true connection to the sea. That’s an oft-hyped quality most boatbuilders strive for, but don’t always achieve. And it’s a feeling I suspect many of the Arrow’s future owners will appreciate completely.
