Nautor Swan Orders Alloy 50 Hull Alongside 44m Construction

Nautor Swan has ordered a hull, not announced an outside buyer

Massimo Perotti disclosed at the 2026 Monaco Yacht Show that Nautor Swan had ordered the hull of a new 50-metre Alloy sailing yacht from its Dutch construction partner. The decision moves the brand's large aluminium programme beyond the first Alloy 44, which is already under construction.

This distinction is central to reporting the milestone correctly. A shipyard committing to hull construction on its own account is not the same event as securing a signed new-build contract with a third-party customer. Perotti described the Alloy 50 as another project under way, but did not identify an external buyer who had commissioned it.

The 44 and 50 will be developed as alternatives

Perotti has explained that he ordered the first Alloy 44 for himself and is considering the relationship between that yacht and the 50-metre project. He indicated that if the 50 is sold, he would keep the 44, while a sale of the 44 could lead him to retain the larger yacht instead.

The strategy gives Nautor Swan two very large sailing projects to present to potential customers without waiting for each individual contract. It also places commercial importance on the eventual specifications and positioning of the two models, since an owner seeking performance and space at 50 metres may have different priorities from one choosing a 44-metre platform.

Aluminium construction is an important step for the brand

Nautor Swan has long been associated with high-performance sailing yachts, but the Alloy programme extends that identity into substantial metal-hulled superyachts. The hulls are being produced in the Netherlands, with final outfitting planned in Italy. The company had not confirmed every final assembly location at the time of the announcement.

Moving into larger aluminium yachts brings different construction, outfitting and project-management demands. Rig loads, sail-handling systems, guest accommodation, machinery and crew operations all have to work together on a vessel intended for serious passage-making.

A 60-metre ketch has been shown as a future possibility

Alongside the confirmed 50-metre hull order, Nautor Swan has presented renderings of a proposed Alloy 60. Chief executive Gianguido Girotti associates its ketch rig with practical handling and ocean-going behaviour on a yacht of greater length.

The rig configuration matters because increasing mast height and sail area can create new structural and operational requirements. Dividing sail area between two masts is one possible approach, but any final vessel specification would require full rig and naval-architecture development.

Three different stages of a project must be kept clear

The Alloy 44 is a vessel under construction, the Alloy 50 now has a reported hull-production commitment, and the Alloy 60 remains a design concept. Describing all three as sold or close to delivery would give prospective buyers a misleading view of the yard's order book.

Perotti's announcement confirms meaningful investment in the Alloy range while leaving the final ownership, detailed specifications and delivery programme for the newer yachts to be clarified. The next substantive updates should concern hull progress, outfitting arrangements and any confirmed customer contracts.