Nautor Swan 59, XANADU

Broker’s Comments

Nautor Swan 59 XANADU was originally conceived for the 1991/2 Europa Rally. She was then called GULLIVER and had a customised interior, a custom laminar flow bulb keel, larger engine, and a very full specification to enable her to sail offshore for extended passages around the world. GULLIVER won the rally – a true testament to the fast Frers design, but more so to Nautor’s quality of build, which enabled her to sail the world, trouble free.

Since her return she was used for local sailing, based in Italy. Various upgrades and modifications have been made to enable short-handed family sailing. The headstay is now hydraulic furled (and she had then a furling inner stay – now a removable stay). The primary winches are hydraulic powered.

In the winter 2000-2001 the yacht had a refit, including a new epoxy treatment to her underwater area, a full rig overhaul including some new standing rigging, painting of deck coaming areas, new upholstery, new toilets, and much other work.

She was sold early in 2004 to her second owner, who renamed her ALBA BLU.

She was then sold to her current owners in 2018 and became XANADU. She got a new teak deck in 2019. In 2021-22 she had a full refit of systems, navigation instruments, electrics, mechanics including a new engine, new generator, new watermaker, new bowthruster motor, new electrical panels, new air conditioning and heating, and more.

XANADU sails under Italian flag with VAT paid.

Owner’s Comments

I had decided to buy a Swan because of the Club Swan, the camaraderie of the owners and because I had a few friends already who owned Swans and had sailed then around the world. I had rented boats for over 30 years and knew the benefits of owning a Swan.

I wanted a boat where the owner was passionate about his boat and who was willing to make the handover very smooth. I found that in ALBABLU. While I dreamed about sailing around the world, I only used her in the Med and while I race sailing boats I do it on smaller boats for fun.

What I love most about XANADU is the fact that she is built to withstand heavy seas, and she has a classic line. She is very sturdy and reliable. I have invested in the boat more than €400K in upgrades and I have done that without sparing any expense.

I am selling the boat because I have become a pilot and can no longer use her as much as before.