Behind the Scenes: Building BeCool, the First Swan 128

A 600-tonne Havator lattice boom crawler crane lifted the 39‑metre hull of the Swan 128 (BeCool) on 16 May 2025 after a tightly choreographed transport chain that moved moulds, plug components and a 57‑metre mast from Finland, New Zealand and Belgium to Jakobstad. Road escorts, heavy‑lift sea cargo bookings, multi‑crane staging and a digitally controlled post‑cure oven formed the critical path of a supply chain engineered for a single all‑carbon hull.

Build timeline and critical logistics

The Swan 128 program required orchestration across continents: plug production in Kållby, hull lamination and curing in Jakobstad, mast fabrication in New Zealand and boom finishing in Spain, with rigging produced in Sri Lanka. Key scheduling constraints included crane availability, road transport permits for oversized loads, sea freight routing for the mast (transported as deck cargo on a fruit ship), and weather windows in the Gulf of Bothnia for launch operations.

Primary suppliers and their roles

• Nautor Swan — project management, hull and deck assembly at BTC, final outfitting.
• Germán Frers — naval architecture and hull design.
• Lucio Micheletti — deck and coachroof styling; Misa Poggi — interior design.
• Gurit — engineered materials (carbon prepreg, Corecell core, epoxy resin).
• North Sails — sail plan: main, jib, fore triangle and spinnaker.
• Southern Spars — 57‑metre mast tube and 18‑metre furling boom.
• Future Fibres — rigging including AEROsix and ECsix elements.

Design, plug and mould (2022–23)

The Swan 128’s evolution began with owner‑driven revisions to a conceptual hull: initial plans expanded from 124 to 128 feet to accommodate owner requirements including a laundry room. Because the yacht is a full‑carbon Maxi Swan, a full‑size wooden plug was produced bottom‑up in Kållby and then finished to vacuum‑tight accuracy. A monolithic full‑carbon mould was infused over that plug — a capability limited to a few yards worldwide — enabling repeatable hull production for subsequent units.

Hull and deck manufacture (2023)

Hull and deck lamination used Sprint© carbon prepreg techniques with a Corecell sandwich core, followed by a two‑stage post‑cure cycle in a digitally controlled oven with temperatures up to 90°C. With carbon bulkheads, girders and structural members installed while the mould remained closed, the hull gained self‑supporting integrity before de‑moulding and final fairing.

Why full carbon matters

Full‑carbon construction offers strength‑to‑weight advantages: lighter displacement for sailing performance, higher stiffness for load distribution, and the possibility of larger sail plans with reduced structural penalty. For charter and yacht rental markets, these attributes translate to superior sailing speeds and fuel efficiency under power, enhancing appeal to discerning charterers.

Outfitting, rigging and systems (2024–25)

Outfitting commenced with tanks, batteries and complex piping and cabling runs. The carbon deck was trial‑fitted, then final joinery and woodwork installation occupied teams for months to optimize access and workflow. Southern Spars’ mast was routed through multiple carriers: New Zealand → Belgium → Jakobstad as specialized deck cargo. North Sails delivered a large, multi‑component sail wardrobe, and Future Fibres supplied high‑performance rigging.

• Power systems test and commissioning — Q1 2025
• Keel handling and installation — April 2025 (two‑crane lift onto higher supports)
• Sea trials in Gulf of Bothnia — after mast step and rigging completion

The Swan 128 uses an impressive telescopic keel with a draft range from 4.4 m to 6.7 m, supported by a ballast assembly approaching 35 tonnes — a major supplier milestone and a heavy‑lift constraint for both transport and on‑site handling.

Launch, trials and debut

Weather delayed an initial attempt, but the successful May 16, 2025 launch saw careful sling placement, a 180° crane rotation and lowering into a bespoke water pit. After mast stepping and engine trials, sea trials prioritized a calm offshore window for sail fitting and handling checks. BeCool later moved to Costa Smeralda for owner use, then to Monaco for a world premiere at the 34th Monaco Yacht Show and Les Voiles de Saint‑Tropez, followed by an Atlantic crossing to participate in the St Barths Bucket Regatta.

Operational and market implications for charter and rentals

Full‑carbon Maxi Swans like BeCool set benchmarks that ripple into the charter market: higher performance and refined interiors attract premium charters and superyacht clientele, while hybrid propulsion options on subsequent hulls introduce greener charter choices. For charter operators and platform marketplaces, logistics—crane access at marinas, berth depth for deep‑draft yachts, and transport routes for maintenance or mast stepping—become commercial differentiators.

GetBoat always keeps an eye on news related to sailing and seaside vacations, as we truly understand what it means to enjoy great leisure and love the ocean. The GetBoat service values freedom, energy, and the ability to choose your own course; it places no limits on a good life, allowing clients to find a vessel that suits their preferences, budget, and taste while providing transparency and detailed listings.

Highlights of the Swan 128 story include coordinated international supply chains, advanced composite manufacturing, oversized transport and lifting operations, and the way a single owner's brief can reshape a project timeline. Experiencing a new location is always a multifaceted process, where one learns about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colors its rhythm of life and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.com

Forecast: the Swan 128 program is more of a niche high‑end influence than a mass‑market disruptor, but its hybrid follow‑on and visibility at top regattas will nudge charter demand toward performance and sustainability. Start planning your next seaside adventure and make sure to book the best boat and yacht rentals with GetBoat before the opportunity sails away!

Summary: the BeCool project demonstrates how naval architecture (Germán Frers), carbon composite moulding, global supplier coordination (Southern Spars, North Sails, Future Fibres, Gurit) and heavy‑lift logistics converge to create a high‑performance yacht ready for global events and charter calendars. For anyone interested in yacht charter, sale, marina operations, or simply the romance of sailing, the Swan 128 case links design, transport, and on‑water experience. Platforms like GetBoat.com streamline access to boats, charters and captained experiences—making it easier to find the right yacht or boat for sun, sea and adventure across marinas, gulfs and clearwater bays for fishing, yachting and cruising.