Our Story
Southern Wind Shipyard was founded in Cape Town in 1991 by the engineer Willy Persico, an Italian charismatic entrepreneur who made the shipyard an international success story that continues today, after he sadly passed away in 2018.
This continuity comes thanks to the fact that Persico passed his baton to his closest collaborators and to a team of new shareholders, all sailors and yachtsmen, with a clear vision and fresh outlook. Among them, the Spanish Juan Ignacio Entrecanales, Executive Vice President at ACCIONA, a global group that develops and manages sustainable infrastructure solutions, especially in renewable energy. Epitome of a Southern Wind owner, he built three yachts with us.
The story begins. Willy Persico chooses South Africa to build his own yacht assisted by Antonio Minniti, interior designer
The yard when purchased by Willy Persico in 1991
Fibreglass and vinylester wet lay-up, male plug for the hull and female mould for the deck
SW72 mini-series: the beginning of the collaboration with Farr Yacht Design and Antonio Minniti.
10 yachts launched in 10 years
Epoxy resin has much better mechanical properties than vinylester
SW95 and SW93 mini-series: the beginning of the collaboration with Nauta Design
The use of carbon fibre allows for stiffer and lighter yachts
The use of the pre-preg in the lamination of rudder stocks and other components allows for even lighter construction
Launch of the SW80 mini-series
TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 210
The use of infusion in the lamination process makes for the best fibre/resin ratio, reducing weight and granting more rigid and resistant constructions
SW100 mini-series: the mini-series that made SWS the leading builder of 100’ yachts.
13 yachts launched in 6 years
One-off SW72 by Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design and Antonio Minniti
This revolutionary hull construction process allowed workers to laminate on an almost horizontal rather than on an upright surface for better quality infusions in less time
The use of carbon in the construction of some interior components such as countertops and floor bearers allowed for lighter and state-of-the-art interiors
Launch of the SW94 mini-series
One-off SW110, Southern Wind’s flagship by Farr Yacht Design and Nauta Design
Launch of the SW102DS mini-series
Launch of the SW82 mini-series
Winner of the 2015 edition of the World Superyacht Awards for her “quality and value”
This Reichel/Pugh 90’ is a custom-built project with deck and interior bulkheads built in pre-preg Carbon and Nomex honeycomb, for weight optimization and stiffer construction
Launch of the One-off custom project SW-RP90 by Reichel Pugh Yacht Design and Nauta Design
Launch of the SW96 mini-series
Launch of the SW105 mini-series
Willy Persico passes the helm to a group of shareholders and his trusted team of managers
SWCAT is a high-end 90′ performance sailing catamaran that widens our offering of composite superyachts.
Launch of the One-off custom project RP-NAUTA100 by Reichel Pugh Yacht Design and Nauta Design.
Outstanding performance, innovative design and advanced technology: these are the ingredients that go to making the SW108 Hybrid a proper smart custom yacht.
SW105 Taniwha awarded for her “Outstanding exterior Design”
Launch of SW96 Nyumba, the first electric-hybrid sailboat in the Southern Wind fleet.
Stemming from the DNA of Southern Wind, the new SW100X will combine all the knowledge and experience gained from the construction of nearly 40 performance sailing yachts in the 90-110 feet range.
Launch of the SW108 Hybrid Smart Custom project
Since its foundation, SWS has specialized in the production of semi-custom high performance superyachts. Each of the projects launched over the shipyard’s history has given rise to successful mini-series each of which has contributed in its own way to consolidating SWS solid reputation.
Investment in research, product development and the latest construction techniques has been of paramount importance to SWS’s technological innovation over the years. As a result, the shipyard is entirely selfsufficient in all aspects of yacht manufacturing, from lamination and steelwork to carpentry, painting and interior assembly.
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Services
Charter
A charter with a Southern Wind allows you to live an ultimate cruising experience. Discover our Charter fleet.
Brokerage
Our Brokerage team has been responsible for most of the purchases of SWS yachts for sale. Browse our Brokerage fleet.
Customer Care
