1980
Launched 27 June 1980 at Pietarsaari, Finland as YELLOWDRAMA IV, registered in Caernavon and owned by Ken Cassir. Dick Kennedy skipper. Via UK channel and Cork to Sardinia for Swan World Cup (won Prix d’Elegance). Mallorca cruise. Crossed to Caribbean for winter based in Antigua
1981
Antigua Race Week. Returned to Hamble via Cork. To Balearics. Passage to Antigua for winter
1982
Antigua Race Week. Returned to Palma (Club de Mar) arrived May. Viewed by SM/PBM in August, surveyed by David Cannell and purchased in December from Ken Cassir
1983
Commissioned in May with John Marshall Turner skipper and later Sandy Thaxter. To Hamble, UK via Gibraltar. Installed Neco anchor winch. Swan Europeans, Cowes, Cowes Week and Fastnet race. To Palma for winter
1984
Puerto Banus for winter. Returned to Palma. To Cote d’Azur, based at La Napoule. To Gibraltar, where BMW/Fischer 5k Va generator installed. Swan Worlds, Sardinia. Cruised Corsica (LeBon charter). Passage to Antigua via Gibraltar and Canaries
1985
Winter in Caribbean, based in Antigua. Cruised Windward Islands and Grenadines. Antigua Race Week. Returned to Hamble, for summer. Hood roller-furler gear fitted. Swan Europeans (Cowes, late July). Channel race, St Malo race, Cowes week, Fastnet. St Katherine’s Dock, September. Crossed to Caribbean for winter
1986
Cruised Leeward Isles and British Virgin Isles. Antigua Race Week. Returned to Mediterranean for summer via Gibraltar. Replaced BMW generator. Simon Farmer and Claire joined in August (Antibes). Cruised Italy, Swan Worlds. Cruised to Corfu and Paxos. To Palma, Club de Mar, for winter
1987
Gibraltar, Shepherds (February/March). Returned to Solent for summer. Baltic cruise, visited Pietarsaari. Painted topsides, watermaker, SSB and new satnav fitted. Third complete BMW generator fitted. Swan European (Guernsey, July). RORC races, Fastnet. Crossed to Caribbean for winter, based in Antigua
1988
Cruised Caribbean (Grenadines, Venezuela). Crossed Mediterranean. BMW generator returned for refund and 6.5kW Onan fitted at Gun Wharf, Gibraltar. Swan Worlds, Sardinia, July. Passage to Rhodes. Crew change (August) to Mike Gilbert and Helen. Cruised Rhodes and Turkey, then through Corinth canal to Palma (Club de Mar) for winter. Decks sanded under guidance of Nautor employee
1989
To UK via Lagos, Portugal. May/June St Katherine’s Dock. RTYC cruise to St Vaast and Ouistram. Swan Europeans (Guernsey, mid July). RORC races – Cowes/Dinard, Channel, Fastnet (4th CHS). First west country cruise. Transatlantic crossing to Brasil via Fernando de Noronha. Based at Yate Clube Rio de Janeiro
1990
Cruising in Brasil to Buzios and Angra dos Reis. Carnival in Rio (February). Passage via Caribbean and Bermuda to USA. Forestay renewed. Newport, Manhattan (North Cove Yacht Basin), cruise to Martha’s Vineyars, then to Maine (August). Swan Atlantic regatta (Nantucket) in September. Mike and Helen left; Basil Diethelm delivered to Hamble
1991
Winter in Hamble. New prop shaft and Maxprop fitted. Robin Todd joined as skipper and CJ. New rod and wire rigging all round, except forestay. New extended boom (Lou Varney/Diverse Yachts). New coffee grinder replaced original. Swan Europeans (Guernsey) in June. RORC and Cowes week charter. September cruise to Western Isles and Outer Hebridies. Return to Hamble via Dublin. Jon Hirons joined as skipper and Jay; to Malta for winter
1992
Cruised eastern Mediterranean, Turkey (June). Through Corinth canal to Italy. Porto Cervo for Swan Worlds. La Nioulargue regatta (St Tropez, October), then to Palma (Club de Mar) for winter. Installed Autohelm autopilot, replacing Neco. Perkins engine overhaul
1993
St Katherine’s Dock (May). RORC races, Swan Europeans (Guernsey, June). Second west country cruise (late June). Fastnet. Third west country cruise. Fox’s, Ipswich, for winter and major refit (supervised by David Cannell) including new decks, resprayed topsides, extra jib track for blade no. 3, 240V fridge and holding tank for forward heads
1994
Winter at Fox’s. Peter Beaumont joined as skipper and Suzanne. Purchased new Avon Rover 380. Crossed to USA, based at Newport. To Nantucket for Swan week (early July). NYYC Sesquicentennial in Newport and NYYC cruise (July/August) then cruise to Maine. To Caribbean for winter, based in Antigua
1995
Cruise to St Martin. Crew change (March) in Antigua to Bill Zlobl and Pattie Manna. Recrossed to English Channel for Swan Europeans (Cowes, June – won Prix d’Elegance), RORC races and Fastnet. St Katherine’s Dock (September). Fox’s for winter. Installed Philips Forward Looking Sounder
1996
To Mediterranean, via Lago, Algarve, for cruising in Greece and Turkey (May/June0 and Itally (Taff charter, July). Early September to Porto Cervo for Swan Worlds. Zlobls left. Anthony de Winton delivered to Porto Sherry, Cadiz for wet winter
1997
Peter Stirling joined as skipper, and Julia in April. To UK, based in Hamble for summer. Cowes for Swan Europeans, RORC races and Fastnet. Brittany cruise. Crossed to Caribbean for winter based at St Martin
1998
Cruised Leeward and Windward, witnessed total eclipse near Antigua. March outboard stolen (Dominica); purchased Johnson 15 h.p. Returned to Hamble, fitted new 220V Cat pump and watermaker, then to Fox’s for winter. Stirling charger and booster fitted, also 175 amp alternator, Batman and renewed all batteries. Stirlings left and Simon Patterson joined as skipper and Geraldine Stewart for cruise to Holland, then to Cowes for winter in a shed. Veneering and varnishing undertaken by Adrian Stone. New forestay and 12-volt system fitted.
1999
Aaron Wilson joined as skipper, and Louise Butland in April. Based at Hamble for summer. April Cowes RORC races and Swan Europeans. Fastnet (won Spirit cup) witnessed total eclipse off Devon coast. Passage to Turkey, Egypt and through Suez Canal and Red Sea to Seychelles for winter
2000
Based at Victoria, Mahe (Sunsail base). Cruised the main islands. Return passage (delivery crew) to Turkey. Cruised Dodecanese islands, then to Genoa. Cruised Portofino coast. Late August Swan Worlds in Porto Cervo. Cruised Corsica to Genoa, then French Riviera. To Barcelona for winter
2001
Winter in Port Vell, Barcelona. April to Hamble. To Fox’s for port toe-rail replacement. June Swan Europeans in Cowes. To Baltic, based in Helsinki for July; cruised up canal to lake Saimaa, Savonlinna Opera Festival. Visited St Petersburg. Late August returned to Cowes for America’s Cup Jubilee. Winter afloat (shrink wrapped) in Cowes Yacht Haven
2002
Fitted Corian sink-tops and new panels in heads. Paul Shallcross and Sian Crossey joined as skipper and stewardess. Renewed all wire rigging (except baby stay) and replaced bottle screws. Fitted new Lewmar windlass. West country cruise to Crosshaven. July Ford Cork week. Cruising SW Ireland. Return to Moody’s. Crossed Atlantic to St Maarten as winter base
2003
Fitted new hot water tank. Refrigeration system rebuilt for R404A gas. New Mastervolt charger. Cruised Caribbean; Lesser Antilles, from Genadines to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. To Newport, Rhode Island for summer. Competed in Swan Atlantic regatta (28 July – 2 August) then cruides to Maine. Crossed to Barcelona for winter at Port Vell. Installed new FIAMM service batteries
2004
To Corfu via Palermo then Adriatic and Croatia. Cruised Venice, Istria, Dalmatian Islands (rented Vrnik fortress, near Korcula). Dinghy and outboard briefly inverted in ‘Bora’ then lost – recovered next morning 7 miles offshore. October returned to Fox’s yard, Ipswich. Paul and Sian left
2005
Repainted topsides, rebuilt rudder, mast surveyed, checked keel bolts and found OK. Late March Steve Plews and Helen joined.To Inverness, cruising Caledonian canal to Mull; joined RTYC cruise at Tobermory; to Islay. Returned to base at Moody’s. Round Island Race. Late June Swan Europeans. Trafalgar Spithead fleet review. Rebuilt bowplate after discovering stem head crack. September St Katherine’s Dock. Cleared Moody’s shed. Passage to Msida creek, Malta for winter
2006
Steve and Helen on furlough from pre-Christmas to early March, when Helen resigned; Alfred Liaback and chef Karl Enriquez joined the crew for the summer. Purchased new Avon Rover 340 Air dingy. Passage to Athens; based at Porto Rafti. Cruised Cyclades early June to end July, with visits to Crete and returns to Athens. Dragged anchor in Sikinos and damaged rudder; repaired at Halkitis Urania Boatyard, Perama-Pireus. Passage to Porto Cervo for Swan Worlds, mid-September (racing sails driven across France in glider trailer with Toyota landcruiser). Returned to East Cowes marina for winter. Steve Plews left late November
2007
Perkins cylinder head overhauled by RHP. Forestay replaced and new Reckmann R2000 rooler furler installed. Varnish refreshed by Claire Eastgate. Mid-May Blake and Clarissa Richter joined. Early July Swan Europeans at Cowes. New Freedom inverter/charger installed. This was unsatisfactory and a Mastervolt unit was installed in its place. August cruised to St Vaast and RYTC Deauville rally. Returned to Hamble Yacht Services base leaving in October for winter in Portimao. Crew took 2.5 months furlough
2008
May to Guernsey for Swan Rendezvous. Palermo for Sicily cruises along the northern coast, Lipari islands and straits of Messina. Amalfi for cruises to Capri and Ischia before crossing to Sardinia for Swan Worlds at Porto Cervo in September. Passage via Palma to Villamoura/Portimao and Gran Canaria. Crossed Atlantic to arrive in St Maarten on 19 December
2009
New windlass. Cruised Anguilla, Saba, St Eustatius, St Barts, St Kitts and Nevis. March raced in St Maarten Heineken regatta. Passage via BVI to Cayman Islands to compete in the ‘round Cayman’ race then overnight to Caya Largo and cruised Cuban islands to Isla Juventud. To Charleston via Key West, New York, Plymouth. Cruised to Greenwich, Fisher Island, Cuttyhunk, Woods Hole and through the canal to Plymouth. August – September to Booths Bay Harbour and cruised Maine ending in Boston. 12 September left for Azores and Cowes. Chocked in Medina yard for winter. Blake and Clarissa departed 30 October
2010
April Sebastien Decroix and Ameline Perrot-Audet joined in April. New cooker installed. Late May Guernsey for Swan Rendezvous. To Baltic via Cruxhavn and Kiel Canal; visited Copenhagen, Stockholm, Swedish archipelago, Sanhamn, Aland Islands, Marehamn and Turku. September to London, St Katherine’s Dock, them Lymington. Installed new Type 1 life raft and 2 Raymarine C90W 9” widescreen chart plotters. To Portimao, Algarve for winter. Crew began 2.5 month furlough in mid-December
2011
Late April to Greek Cyclades Islands via Malta. June – August based in Paros, anchored in Noussa bay. Mid-August to Delos and Mykenos. September to Malta. 23 October Rolex Middle Sea Race. To Lymington Berthon for winter. 20th December crew began furlough
2012
Antifouled and polished hull, then launched 13 April. Installed Jabsco electric heads in Lymington. To Guernsey in June for ‘Swan rendez-vous’ (2nd in class). To Galway, Ireland in early July to greet Volvo ‘Round the World’ finishers. Cruised Arran Islands and west coast to Donegal. To western islands of Scotland (Arisaig) in early August. Cruised to Outer Hebrides (west outside Barra!). Returned south to Brest for Roger’s 12 day Brittany cruise to La Trinitee, then to Lymington. To Cowes Yacht Haven for winter. Seb and Ameline stood down in mid-November
2013
Niko Reinke and Cynthia Nowack joined in late May and fitted out for Swan Europeans at Cowes in mid-July. Cruised in Channel. To Lymington Yacht Haven where a new water maker (Spectra Cape Horn Extreme 53 litres/hr) was installed. Repainted boom, poles and transom. To Lagos, Algarve, for the winter. Crew on furlough
2014
Crew rejoined 1 March. Purchased new dingy (Zodiac Cadet 340s). Left early May for Palma. Delivery via Sardinia to Sicily ad Aeolian Islands. Grounding off Sardinia; limped to Malta where repairs were carried out. Relaunched and delivered back to Lymington; then across to Cowes Yacht Haven for another winter on the hard. Niko and Cynthia left the boat in November
2015
Sebastian Decroix re-joined boat on 12 May. Launched, moved to Lymington as summer base. Ameline rejoined for Swan Europeans, Cowes 4-11 July. RYS Classic ‘reverse’ Round Island race, 29 July. Camilla Asdan joined as stewardess for summer. Cruise to St Malo, via Sark. To southern Brittany, based at Nates. Returned to Lymington, then a week at St Katherine’s Dock before moving to Fox’s Ipswich, for winter refit. Main work: second new teak deck (prebonded), stripping bottom, mast removal for inspection, new standing rigging throughout, refurbishment of propeller + shaft, complete repaint
2016
Refit complete as planned. Boat relaunched 11 May; sea trials 31 May. To Lymington, where Sophie Raynaud joined on 16th June as contract stewardess. Relocated to Lagos, Algarve in late June. Installed new service batteries and fridge/freezer compressor. New Yamaha 15 FMHS 2-stroke outboard motor. Installed LED lighting. Moved to Lanzarote in early November to prepare for Atlantic crossing. Departed Arrecife on 20 November, arrived at English Harbour, Antigua on 7 December. RB Christmas/New Year cruise to Barbuda, Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe
2017
Based in English Harbour, Antigua. January cruise to Barbuda. St Kitts and St Barts (bought new MasterVolt 60A battery charger). February, competed in RORC Caribbean 600 (5th in class of 17 and 25th overall of 82!). Cruise to Montserrat, Iles des Saintes and Guadeloupe. Late April passage Antigua to Charleston SC, USA. Then Beaufort NC (installed new EchoPilot FLS). To New York City early June: anchored in Hudson River off 79th St Boat-Basin. Short cruise via Statue of Liberty, East River, Oyster Bay to summer base at Belle Haven YC, Greenwich. July: brief stay at Sewanakha Corinthian YC and cruise along Connecticut Coast to Thimble Islands, Old Seabrook and Shelter Island. August: via Newport to Portland, Maine, then extensive cruising and lobster consumption in Penobscot Bay area (Boothbay, Monhegan Island, Camden, Castine, Buck’s Harbor, Stonington, Blue Hills, Mount Desert Island, Isleboro’, Vinalhaven) and return to Camden and then Portland. October: crossing to Lymington, via Horta, Azores. November: lifted out at Berthon for winter, and crew stood down.