Construction

Dark Horse is the final Swan 80 ever built, a yacht designed for performance, strength, and adventure. From the earliest design sketches to her first moments on the water, she was crafted with a focus on speed, agility, and seamless sailing.

Jakobstad, Finland

From Concept to Reality

The carbon fibre hull was carefully engineered for strength and weight reduction, ensuring speed and precision on the water. With foam-cored bulkheads and stiffeners, her structure balances durability with a lightweight build. Every detail, from her hydraulic winches to her twin composite helm wheels, was optimised for effortless handling.

Meanwhile, her interior took shape with hand-rubbed teak joinery and a carefully designed layout that offers both comfort and efficiency. Three guest cabins and dedicated crew quarters provide functional elegance, ensuring a refined experience at sea.

  • Blueprint of a sailboat with detailed sails and rigging.

    Dark Horse Drawings

    Refining every detail for speed, agility, and durability.

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Ready for the Water

With her Hall Spars carbon mast and V-boom installed, Dark Horse was prepared for rigorous sea trials. Her deep blue hull met the water for the first time, undergoing extensive testing to refine her balance, speed, and responsiveness.

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Enhancements for the Future

Dark Horse has been meticulously maintained by full-time crew since delivery, with comprehensive refits and upgrades completed in 2022/23. Recent improvements include new Future Fibres EC6 carbon standing rigging, full mast and boom refinishing, upgraded electronics, and complete servicing of all hydraulic and mechanical systems. The vessel has also undergone professional naval architecture studies to enhance performance characteristics.

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  • A temporary structure inside a larger tent, constructed with plastic sheeting and metal scaffolding. The structure includes air filtration panels and is secured with tape.

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  • Electrical control panel with circuit breakers, relays, and wiring

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  • Boat engine compartment with visible mechanical components and wiring

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Built For the Open Sea

Dark Horse was crafted to push boundaries, combining precision engineering with a passion for performance sailing.

Whether cutting through the waves in a regatta or cruising the open ocean, she remains a testament to the evolution of high-performance yacht design.