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Frers Design and Nautor Swan celebrated for hybrid sailing innovation and performance

April 10, 2025 – Singapore — The Swan 88 Hybrid Yacht DreamCatcher has won Best Sailing Yacht Under 20m at the Yacht Style Awards 2025. The award highlights its innovative design, hybrid technology, and outstanding sailing performance.

The announcement was made at the prestigious Yacht Style Awards ceremony at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, during the Singapore Yachting Festival.

This new 88-foot hybrid sailing yacht from Nautor Swan, developed in collaboration with German Frers naval Architecture and Engineering, represents a significant evolution in performance cruising. The Swan 88 features a meticulously engineered hull, optimized rig positioning, and refined sail geometry—delivering balance, speed, and control under all conditions.

The DreamCatcher’s cutting-edge hybrid system enables power generation and storage while sailing, allowing the yacht to remain entirely self-sufficient at sea—a breakthrough in sustainable yacht design that also earned it the Boat International Eco Award earlier this year.

Frers Design has been a long-time partner of Nautor Swan, and the Swan 88 continues this legacy of innovation and craftsmanship. Drawing from decades of experience and continuous R&D, the design team focused on advancing both the technical and aesthetic aspects of the yacht while ensuring a seamless and powerful sailing experience.

“The Swan 88 reflects our ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries in performance and sustainability,” said Frers. “We are proud to collaborate with Nautor Swan in delivering yachts that set new standards.”

Read more about the Swan 88 hybrid sailing yacht

Swan 88 Award: Hybrid sailing yacht by Nautor Swan features energy regeneration and self-sufficient operation

We’re pleased to share that the Swan 88 DreamCatcher, a hybrid sailing yacht by Nautor Swan, has been honored with the Boat International Eco Award. This recognition highlights the brand’s continued innovation in sustainable sailing technology.

Designed to generate and store energy while underway, DreamCatcher is capable of producing enough renewable power under sail to support both hotel and sailing systems, allowing the yacht to operate entirely self-sufficiently. This breakthrough reinforces Nautor Swan’s commitment to extending sustainable solutions across its full range of performance sailing yachts.

Read more about Swan 88 DreamCatcher and its sustainable innovations

9/12/2024

The Hallberg-Rassy 69 is the winner of Bluewater Cruiser of the Year award in the British Yachting Awards 2024, voted by the readers of Sailing Today magazine in the UK.

The magazine writes: “This Germán Frers designed giant blends comfort and performance into a seductive package”

“Hallberg Rassy is not only a boatbuilder but a Swedish institution and its new 69 is a huge addition to the fleet. As with all the latest Hallbergs, the German Frers designed 69 features twin rudders and a huge powerful rig, making for a boat high on both performance and Scandinavian creature comforts.”
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About Hallberg Rassy 69

Dragonfly – Photo: Christian-Eckardt

On 3 December 2024, 142m Dragonfly, formerly known as Project ALIBABA, left the Lürssen shipyard. DRAGONFLY is a striking custom yacht with a forceful yet elegant exterior styling by Germán Frers. The interior and exterior social spaces were curated by Nauta Design.

“One of the many hallmarks of any Lürssen yacht is the mastery of technical challenges. DRAGONFLY is no exception,” says Managing Partner, Peter Lürssen. “She is a large, powerful yacht that can cruise efficiently anywhere in the world, fitted with a highly efficient Diesel-Electric Hybrid Propulsion Concept developed by Lürssen’s in-house engineering specialists.”

DRAGONFLY has approximately 9,500 GT of interior volume, and key amenities include a glass-bottom pool on the main deck, a cinema, a spa, and a water sports centre. She also has a dedicated deck for business, home to a large office, a gym, a games room, and a helicopter hangar.

Photo: Klaus Jordan

“The goal was to produce a well-balanced design that emphasises timeless appeal over transient trends,” says Germán Frers, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Designer at Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering. “DRAGONFLY is a sophisticated yacht that not only fulfils but exceeds expectations, balancing luxury with practicality that ensures lasting appeal.”

A unique innovation of DRAGONFLY is the bespoke double-folding platform system at the stern. This innovative system allows the deck above to fold into the platform, creating a spacious and versatile beach club area with direct access to the water.

“It has been an exciting four years of creative work designing this outstanding combination of atmospheres and unique lifestyle,” says Mario Pedol, President of Nauta Design. “DRAGONFLY offers incredible perspectives and breath-taking outside views – all with a subtle balance of refined elegance.”

Engineered for peak efficiency, DRAGONFLY is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system and an electric Azimuth Pod Drive. This system comprises twin diesel engines that drive two controllable pitch propellers through individual gearboxes, fitted with PTI/PTO units for electric propulsion or to generate electrical energy to operate the vessel.

“The Y.CO Project Coordination Team and our Technical Partners are proud to have played a role in realising this iconic project—an extraordinary showcase of design, innovation, and craftsmanship—from concept to delivery,” says Charlie Birkett Co- founder and CEO at Y.CO. “We are happy to welcome DRAGONFLY into the Y.CO Yacht Management Fleet.”

142m Dragonfly is the fourth yacht delivered by Lürssen in 2024, marking an exceptional year for the shipyard. With an impressive total length of 485 metres, the

latest deliveries include LUMINANCE (138.8m), KISMET (122m), and HAVEN (82m). DRAGONFLY further underscores Lürssen’s commitment to unparalleled craftsmanship, cutting-edge design, and client satisfaction.

“A big thank you goes to everybody involved. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Germán Frers, Nauta Design and Y.C.O. for their outstanding collaboration throughout this build.”

Peter Lürssen

Managing Partner