Motor Sailer — Cruising: France · Italy

Black Swan

A living legend of the seas — a 40-metre Camper & Nicholsons masterpiece built in 1899, now offering eight guests an extraordinary voyage through maritime history and timeless luxury.

8 guests4 cabins40m6 crew

From €49,980 / week

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Her Story

More than a century and a quarter since her keel was first laid, Black Swan remains one of the most extraordinary vessels to grace the Mediterranean — a testament to enduring craftsmanship, maritime heritage, and the quiet confidence of true elegance. Built in 1899 by the storied English shipyard Camper & Nicholsons to a design by Charles E. Nicholson himself, she was conceived in an era when yachts were not manufactured but composed, each detail a considered act of artistry.

Spanning 40.20 metres (131 feet 11 inches) in length, with a beam of 6.20 metres and a draft of 4.10 metres, Black Swan carries the proportions and presence of a grand classic — her twin masts rising with quiet authority above a hull that has weathered history and emerged more distinguished for it. Under sail she moves with an unhurried grace, cruising comfortably at 6 knots and reaching a top speed of 10 knots, embracing the ancient rhythms of the sea rather than racing against them.

The comprehensive overhaul undertaken in 2002 by the celebrated Studio Faggioni brought Black Swan fully into the modern luxury era, reconciling her Victorian origins with the expectations of the contemporary charter guest. Since then, she has undergone continuous investment — visiting shipyards regularly through to 2018 — to ensure that every system, every finish, and every comfort meets the highest standards of the day. She operates under the MYBA Charter Contract and the ECPY Transport Agreement, based from the South of France.

Under the command of Captain Vincent and a dedicated crew of five, Black Swan has graced the most iconic classic sailing gatherings and regattas of the Mediterranean circuit, turning heads at every quayside and anchorage. She is a vessel that belongs not to any single decade but to the entire sweep of yachting history — and she is, as her crew will tell you with quiet pride, very far from finished.

The Onboard Experience

A Deck Alive with Heritage

Where teak, bronze, and open horizons compose the perfect day at sea.

Step aboard Black Swan and the deck immediately commands attention. Wide, unhurried, and finished in smooth teak that invites barefoot exploration, it offers a sense of space rare even among larger modern yachts. Midship, a refined and beautifully appointed dining area nestles against the deckhouse, offering guests uninterrupted views in every direction regardless of where they are seated — an arrangement that transforms every meal into an occasion framed by sea and sky. On the opposite side of the deckhouse, a generous open deck area can be configured at will: a lounging retreat in the afternoon, a companionable gathering space in the evening, or simply a platform from which to witness the Mediterranean light at its most theatrical. The two soaring masts complete the picture, elevating the gaze and deepening that singular sensation of sailing aboard a prized piece of living maritime history.

For those wishing to take to the water, Black Swan offers a thoughtful selection of equipment and toys. Water sports enthusiasts will find two paddleboards and a wakeboard ready to deploy, while two JOBE underwater scooters add an element of adventure beneath the surface. An inflatable swimming platform measuring 4 by 2 metres provides a generous base for swimming and sunbathing directly off the vessel. A comprehensive snorkelling kit — including diving masks sized for both adults and children, an assortment of diving suits, and fins — ensures the Mediterranean's underwater world is always within reach. Helmets and life jackets of various sizes complete the safety provisions. Two tenders serve the yacht: a 4.20-metre crew tender powered by a 50 HP engine, and a separate 4.20-metre guest tender with a 25 HP engine available to those holding the appropriate licence.

Guest Accommodation

Quarters of Another Era

An intimate world of Oregon pine, solid oak, and unhurried refinement.

Black Swan accommodates eight guests across four private cabins, each one a sanctuary of heritage materials and considered craftsmanship. The interior atmosphere is immediate and unmistakable: Oregon pine and solid oak line the walls and ceilings, complemented by aged leathers, lustrous varnishes, and polished bronzes — an environment that transports guests to a more considered era of seafaring the moment they step below. Common areas comprise a gracious saloon from which the horizon is observed at leisure, and a formal dining table that serves as the social heart connecting the crew quarters forward with the guest accommodation aft.

The owner's cabin occupies the full beam of the hull at the stern, making the most of Black Swan's generous 6.20-metre width. It offers a proper sleeping area, a charming private bathroom, and a dedicated office space with ample storage — a cabin that functions as a true floating stateroom. Two double cabins face each other amidships aft, each with its own ensuite bathroom, providing guests with privacy and comfort in equal measure. Forward of the main saloon — in a thoughtful arrangement that integrates seamlessly with the vessel's layout — a fourth double cabin with ensuite facilities is also offered to guests, positioned alongside the galley and chart table. All cabins are appointed in keeping with the vessel's heritage character, where every fitting and every finish speaks to the craft of a century past, elevated by the refinements of the modern era.

4 Cabins·8 Guests

Cruising Regions

The Waters She Calls Home

From France to Italy — every voyage, a new chapter.

Black Swan charts a course through France and Italy, offering an extraordinary range of coastlines, cultures, and hidden anchorages. Each region brings its own character — from secluded coves to storied harbours — woven together by the timeless rhythm of the sea.

France

Glamour on the Côte d’Azur

The French Riviera was made for a vessel like Black Swan. Based in the South of France, she commands the Côte d'Azur with the effortless authority of a grande dame returning to familiar waters. From the gilded marinas of Cannes and the glamour of Saint-Tropez to the quieter coves of Cassis and the storied harbour of Antibes — where the great classic yachts have always gathered — Black Swan moves through these legendary landscapes as though she owns them. Her twin masts draw eyes at every quayside; her teak deck and gleaming varnishes earn the admiration of even the most well-travelled onlookers.

Corsica offers a different register entirely — wilder, more elemental, and all the more rewarding for it. Black Swan navigates the island's dramatic northern coast with ease, anchoring in the crystalline bays of the Golfe de Porto and the protected waters of the Scandola nature reserve. The contrast between the island's rugged interior and the impossibly clear sea below creates a backdrop that could only be experienced properly from the deck of a sailing yacht — unhurried, under canvas, with the Mediterranean breeze filling the sails and the day stretching generously ahead.

Cruising Grounds

Côte d’AzurCorsica

May to October

Highlights

Saint-TropezCannes CroisetteCap FerratMonacoBonifacio CliffsCalvi CitadelScandola ReserveLavezzi Islands

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Gallery

Her Moments Caught in Light

41 images from life on board — every angle, every hour, every unforgettable detail.

Charter Adviser

Your Personal Concierge

Every question answered, every detail at your fingertips.

Curious about Black Swan? From cabin layouts and water toys to pricing and the finest cruising routes — ask anything, and when you're ready, we'll connect you with our charter team.