SWALLOW YACHTS 32

Small boat specialist Swallow Yachts is venturing above 30ft for a sailing boat for the first time with the new Swallow 32, and it’s also returning to its roots with woodepoxy construction.

Aimed at sailors who may have owned larger yachts before but want to downsize, Swallow Yachts owner Matt Newland explained that he ‘wanted to build a boat that was fun and easy to sail, simple to maintain and had timeless looks with as low an environmental impact as possible.’

He believes that while there are plenty of boats on the market that would fulfill this brief, very few have lifting keels or are road-transportable. As ever, Matt has applied his engineering expertise to create a pretty boat packed with innovative ideas and the potential for a lively performance. For example, the keel hinge is engineered above the waterline to eliminate electrolysis and avoid the possibility of leaks. Propulsion is from a petrol outboard (electric is also an option), which is housed in a low coaming at the aft end of the cockpit. When sailing the engine lifts up and ‘bomb doors’ ensure a smooth hull profile – a setup that is designed to reduce drag, weight and complexity. Through-hulls have been kept to a minimum, as have electrical and electronic systems, reducing cost and simplifying maintenance.