Southern Wind has never been a shipyard that plays it safe. With a track record of pushing boundaries in semi-custom performance yachts, the Cape Town-based builder is making waves once again with its latest and largest model to date—the SW123.
Scheduled for launch in February 2027, the SW123 is built for serious sailors—those who demand performance, bluewater capability, and luxurious comfort. Designed by Farr Yacht Design and Nauta Design, this yacht isn’t just about size. It’s about balance: agility and power, luxury and efficiency, racing speed and cruising range.
For New Zealand sailors, this isn’t just another superyacht—it’s a yacht that could be perfectly at home in Kiwi waters. With long-range capability for bluewater adventure, performance hull dynamics for offshore racing, and shallow-draft flexibility for cruising some of New Zealand’s most stunning but hard-to-reach anchorages, the SW123 is a compelling proposition.
Why this design? Solving the performance-cruiser challenge
Designing a yacht at this level isn’t about following trends—it’s about solving problems. The SW123 tackles one of the biggest challenges in modern yacht design: how to deliver a superyacht-level experience while maintaining true sailing performance.
Many large yachts sacrifice agility for luxury, but the SW123 refuses to compromise. It’s built to be the lightest performance cruiser in its class, ensuring it retains the thrill of real sailing while providing the space and comfort expected of a world-class cruiser.
“The SW123 is based on a versatile design platform that can be adapted to suit an owner’s vision and intended usage—whether for long-range bluewater cruising, regatta racing, or chartering.” — Kevin Wallis, Southern Wind’s Australia and New Zealand Ambassador
This balance of speed and comfort is a huge draw for Kiwi sailors. Whether heading offshore for Auckland to Fiji race campaigns, exploring Fiordland’s remote anchorages, or simply enjoying a summer of cruising in the Bay of Islands, the SW123 delivers flexibility in a way few superyachts can match.
Smart Custom: Designed for performance, built for versatility
The SW123 is more than a one-size-fits-all yacht. Southern Wind’s Smart Custom approach allows owners to fine-tune key features to match their sailing style. Whether the focus is on competitive sailing, adventure cruising, or high-end chartering, the SW123 can be tailored to suit.
- Deck configurations: Choose between GT (cruising-oriented) or X-Crossover (performance-focused) layouts.
- Keel options: Select from a telescopic keel (3.85m–5.9m draft), lifting keel, or fixed keel, balancing stability, performance, and access to shallow waters.
- Interior layouts: A fully customisable layout allows for four guest cabins and the option to convert spaces into a studio, gym, sauna, or additional sleeping quarters.
At 37.46m LOA with an 8.18m beam, the yacht has been carefully sculpted to deliver both power and efficiency. The twin-rudder configuration ensures precise handling, even at speed, while the expansive aft sections create additional deck space and volume below.
“The generously wide aft sections and transom of the SW123 allow for more internal volume and deck area. This generous width is carefully balanced with extra volume in the forward sections to ensure the yacht remains in control with a level fore-and-aft trim when sailing at typical upwind heel angles.” — Jim Schmicker, Farr Yacht Design
For New Zealand conditions, this means a yacht that can handle offshore passage-making with confidence, stay stable and balanced in challenging seas, and deliver the kind of exhilarating sailing experience that Kiwi yachtsmen demand.
Luxury meets functionality: Life onboard the SW123
Performance isn’t everything—especially on long voyages. Southern Wind understands that a yacht of this calibre needs to feel like a home at sea, whether crossing the Pacific or enjoying a weekend escape.
The SW123’s interior blends practicality with high-end luxury. The main saloon is a spacious, open-plan area, offering a mix of relaxation and social space. Four guest cabins provide privacy and flexibility, while the crew area is carefully designed for seamless service, ensuring a smooth-running yacht.
A standout feature is the transformable transom, available in two configurations:
- Twin-fold transom system – Converts into a beach club and tender/toy garage, housing a 5.35m Castoldi Jet Tender 17 or Williams Sportjet 540.
- Seaside Lounge transom design – Expands the beach club area with a large swim platform, creating an unmatched connection to the sea.
Whether anchored in the remote coves of Great Barrier Island, moored off Waiheke for a weekend getaway, or preparing for an ocean crossing, the SW123’s layout is designed to adapt.
Sustainable yachting: Future-proof propulsion
Southern Wind has also taken steps toward more sustainable cruising, offering two propulsion choices:
- IMO Tier III-compliant diesel propulsion – Meeting the latest emissions standards
- Serial hybrid power and propulsion system – Integrating high-voltage energy storage for greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact
With New Zealand’s focus on sustainability and an increasing push for cleaner, more efficient propulsion, the SW123’s hybrid option is a forward-thinking choice for owners who want to future-proof their yacht.
Built for New Zealand sailors—ready for the world
For Kiwi yachtsmen looking for the ultimate balance of performance and comfort, the SW123 is a game-changer. Its versatile design, cutting-edge technology, and long-range cruising capability make it equally suited to New Zealand’s challenging offshore waters and idyllic cruising grounds.
The SW123 isn’t just another luxury yacht—it’s a serious sailor’s superyacht, built to go further, sail faster, and deliver a true connection to the ocean. The first SW123 is already under construction and scheduled for launch in February 2027. With its launch, it’s set to redefine what’s possible in performance cruising.
