No doubt the fair-weather window had something to do with it. The latter half of May saw two notable high-profile launches following weeks of chaotic wind and rain along the coast.
Eye-catching Fortissimo, the sixth edition of Southern Wind’s SWS96 series, launched in Cape Town on May 21. The yacht features naval architecture by Farr Yacht Design, with a full carbon hull and deck, twin rudders, high-modulus rigging, and a lifting keel with a draft range of 3.4m to 5.5m.
“The launch of Fortissimo confirms the enduring success of the SW96 project,” said Southern Wind CEO Marco Alberti. “With each new yacht, we continue to evolve the platform while responding to the specific visions of the owners. Fortissimo stands out for her strong performance focus, combined with the comfort and refinement that define our approach to long-distance cruising.
Phoenix Marine are also celebrating the launch of the Xquisite X5E Plus Hull 33. “On a beautiful clear autumn day in Cape Town, she touched the water for the first time – another proud milestone for the team behind her build,” the yard says in a social media update. “She’s now in the commissioning phase, with plenty more to come as we prepare her for the next stage of her journey, as she prepares for her first crossing.”
“Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing another exceptional vessel to life. Balance catamarans also welcomed another Balance to their ever-expanding fleet, this time a Balance 502, courtesy of Balance’s Cape Town joint venture partner, Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing” Watch: Catamaran Launch – Balance 502 – Dreamer