Building on an established and collaborative working relationship, Germán Frers and his son Mani Frers have entered into a design office partnership focused on production yachts.
The partnership brings together decades of experience and strengthens a common philosophy in support of a segment of the marine industry where both designers have strong and enduring relationships.
Although Germán and Mani have led separate practices for some years, they have regularly collaborated on projects and discussed ideas. The formalisation of this cooperation serves to create a solid framework for the continued development of successful production ranges across a number of leading yacht brands, and the partnership is already engaged in a number of early-stage design studies, applying shared principles to the next generation of yachts.
Alongside the partnership, both Germán and Mani will continue to lead their independent practices, working with private clients on custom sailing yachts, superyachts, and advanced engineering projects. For Mani, this includes the 85- metre New World sloop currently under construction at Royal Huisman, alongside a portfolio of other projects.
“This collaboration is focused on production yacht design,” says Mani. “It allows us to work together in an area where long-term planning and development are essential, while each of us continues our independent work with the same focus and commitment as always.”
Germán Frers agrees. “I am fortunate to be able to be selective about the projects I take on,” he says, “focussing on those where I can bring together the best of everything I have learned so far. Working more closely with Mani deepens a dialogue that is already stimulating and demanding, and opens new possibilities where experience and perspective build on each other.”
For more than 40 years, Germán has been responsible for the naval architecture of some of the world’s most admired production sailing yachts, including long-standing collaborations with Hallberg-Rassy, Nautor Swan, and more recently Sirena Yachts.
These relationships are built on trust, consistency, and an understanding of what defines the very best yachts: elegance, poise, seaworthiness, and performance.
These ideals are shared by both Germán and Mani, and any Frers-designed yacht can be recognised by how it feels at sea. Balance at the helm, confidence-inspiring motion, and the ability to combine performance with comfort underway. These qualities are not stylistic choices, but the result of principles developed and refined over decades, and applied consistently across generations of Frers. They define a sailing experience that has become closely associated with leading production yachts, and this consistency has enabled ranges to evolve over time without losing their identity, even as models, technologies, and expectations change.
The chief goal of the production partnership is ensure that the Frers philosophy continues to evolve with clarity and purpose. It will have added benefit of reinforcing long-standing relationships with builders, create new opportunities for future development, and preserve creative independence for the principals.
We are proud to announce that BeCool, the first hull of the Nautor Swan 128 series and a design of Germán Frers, has been awarded the World Superyacht Award in the Sailing Yachts 30m to 39.9m category at the 2026 World Superyacht Awards ceremony held in Venice, Italy.
Against what the chairman of judges described as “a difficult class to judge,” BeCool sailed ahead of the competition, recognised for her outstanding performance metrics and the quality of her naval architecture. “The rig was really impressive,” remarked one judge, a fitting tribute to a vessel carrying 900 square metres of sail, optimised through advanced CFD analysis for a hull form that delivers exceptional balance, low resistance, and superior performance across a wide range of conditions.
The telescopic keel, the largest of its kind, allows a draught range of 4.4 to 6.7 metres, enabling both shallow-water anchoring and deep-draught passage-making. Twin carbon fibre rudders and a twin-rudder arrangement complete a package conceived from the keel up for fast, exhilarating, and manageable cruising.
This recognition belongs to the entire team: the owner, whose vision shaped every decision; Nautor Swan, whose craftsmanship brought the design to life; and our partners Micheletti + Partners and Misa Poggi. For the Germán Frers studio, it is a reaffirmation of what drives our work, vessels that are as fast as they are beautiful.
About Boat International and the World Superyacht Awards
Boat International is the global authority in superyachting, with over four decades of editorial coverage of the world’s finest yachts, designers, and shipyards. Its World Superyacht Awards are held annually and represent the highest honour in the industry. A distinguished panel of experts, experienced owners, captains, designers, and naval architects, evaluates all yachts delivered in the prior year across criteria including design innovation, build quality, performance, and onboard experience. Winners receive the Neptune trophy, one of the most respected distinctions in maritime design worldwide.
The 2026 ceremony took place in Venice in association with The Italian Sea Group and Acquera Club.
Nautor Swan has unveiled the all-new Swan 73. Designed by Germán Frers, the Swan 73 embodies the balance of performance, elegance, and seaworthiness that has defined generations of Swan yachts, conceived for owners seeking both refined cruising comfort and rewarding sailing performance.
Positioned just below the maxi yacht segment, the Swan 73 delivers the comfort and presence of a larger vessel while maintaining the direct sailing feel and operational versatility central to the Swan philosophy.
The design continues a collaboration between Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering and Nautor Swan spanning more than four decades. Her hull lines are slender and efficient, with balanced proportions developed to ensure stability, responsiveness, and control across a broad range of conditions.
The sailplan has been optimized for both performance and ease of handling, supporting comfortable short-handed sailing as well as offshore passagemaking.
Twin helm stations and a refined deck layout provide excellent visibility and intuitive operation, while integrated deck systems contribute to clean aesthetics and efficient sail handling.
The all-new Hallberg-Rassy 370 has been nominated for the prestigious “Top Yacht 2026” award by Germany’s Segeln magazine. The nominated yachts will be evaluated by a professional jury during the Ancora Yachtfestival in Neustadt in Holstein, Germany, from 8 to 10 May 2026, with thorough examinations at dock, under sail, and under power.
Designed by Germán Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering, the Hallberg-Rassy 370 represents the latest step in the long-standing collaboration between Hallberg-Rassy and the Frers design office. Positioned between the Hallberg-Rassy 340 and 400, the 370 combines modern naval architecture with proven offshore capability.
The yacht features a modern and efficient hull design developed for balanced performance, stability, and easy handling. The 11.32-metre hull incorporates refined proportions, twin rudders, and a well-balanced underwater profile that delivers precise steering and control across a wide range of conditions. A lead bulb keel on a steel blade provides a low centre of gravity and strong righting moment, while the structural design ensures strength and durability for long-distance cruising.
The twin-rudder configuration and hull geometry have been optimised to provide predictable behaviour and good performance both upwind and downwind, reflecting the Frers design philosophy of combining performance, safety, and seaworthiness in an elegant package.
The nomination for “Top Yacht 2026” highlights the relevance of the Hallberg-Rassy 370 in today’s cruising yacht market and underlines the continued role of Germán Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering in shaping contemporary blue-water yacht design.
Each year, the British Yachting Awards celebrate everything that makes sailing special. From the finest equipment to remarkable achievements on the water, the awards reflect the breadth and depth of our sport. What makes them truly distinctive is their democratic nature: the winners are chosen exclusively by the readers. No panels, no outside influence, only the voices of sailors themselves.
The shortlists for the 2025 awards were published in Sailing Today’s November issue and featured an impressive mix of established brands, emerging marine companies, professional sailors, amateurs, and youth talent. With more than 17,000 votes cast, participation was once again strong, proving how engaged and passionate the sailing community remains. In many categories, the result came down to a very small margin, underlining that every single vote genuinely mattered.
Cruising Yacht of the Year
We are proud to share that the Hallberg-Rassy 370 has been named Cruising Yacht of the Year at the British Yachting Awards 2025. The award was decided by more than 9,000 readers of Sailing Today magazine in the UK, making it a clear and meaningful endorsement from the sailing public.
Sailing Today magazine commented:
“Hallberg-Rassy is rapidly becoming an institution. The 370 blends cruising comfort with surprisingly sprightly performance thanks to slippery Germán Frers designed lines.”
As designers, there is no greater recognition than knowing that sailors value the balance between comfort, performance, and seaworthiness. This award reflects a shared philosophy between yard and designer. Creating yachts that are safe, rewarding to sail, and built for long-term ownership.
The Very Latest Hallberg-Rassy
The Hallberg-Rassy 370 is an all-new design, she combines contemporary thinking with a timeless approach. The hull form is modern and efficient, while the sheerline and proportions remain classically elegant.
For her size, the 370 introduces an extensive list of features that set new standards in the cruising segment. She is conceived to offer true sailing pleasure, whether on long offshore passages or relaxed coastal cruising, with a design that rewards both experienced sailors and those growing into their ambitions.
This recognition from the British Yachting Awards confirms what we strive for in every project: yachts shaped by performance-driven design, refined by experience, and validated by the people who sail them.
Yesterday in Pietarsaari, the first new Swan 51 was officially launched, marking an exciting addition to the Nautor Swan fleet. This stunning new model will make its world premiere at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival.
The Swan 51 has been designed by German Frers, and notably shares the same overall length as his very first design for Nautor Swan—an iconic yacht that began the long and fruitful collaboration between the renowned naval architect and the Finnish boatbuilder. Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Swan, shared his thoughts: “The fifty-foot size has always held a central role in the sailing world. In fact, it’s the ideal size for sailing in almost any condition. Sometimes we forget just how much joy a fifteen-meter yacht can deliver. The new Swan 51 is easy to sail, offers great comfort with a spacious owner’s cabin and a VIP cabin, and is the perfect way to enter the magical world of Swan. With this model, you truly experience the excellence that only our brand can provide.”
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