Nautor Swan 68, DEFIANCE

Broker’s Comments

DEFIANCE is Swan 68-002, she was completed in June 1992. Under her first American owner, she was named LA GOULUE. Sold in the USA in 1997, she got a Dutch owner who renamed her DEFIANCE. Under both owners she raced with some success at events such as Antigua Race Week 1995, the Nioulargue in St Tropez, the Newport-Bermuda Race 1996, and winning the 2000 Swan Cup – as well as general cruising.

In 2002, she sold to an Italian owner and was mostly based in Northeast Italy near Venice. She saw light summer use and good care. In December 2020 she was purchased by the present Italian owner – an experienced sailor and avid Swan owner – he has owned two different Swan 48, a Swan 56 and now the 68. He now looks to downsize again.

DEFIANCE has given the owner and his family wonderful times and life experiences.

Owner’s Comments

I started sailing with my father when I was 8 years old, now I am 69… With him, we had 11 yachts (sailing and motorboats). Since 1994, I had a Grand Soleil 42 and then a Grand Soleil 46. After which I entered the Swan world – that I had long awaited and dreamed of since the 1970s with my father.

My first Swan was a 48 designed by German Frers, then another Swan 48 by Frers, which was a higher specification racing example and with which we won the 2004 Swan Cup. Then I bought a Swan 56, with which I did my first ocean crossing in 2008. When I started sailing outside of the Mediterranean, I discovered a “new world” and have visited many great places and met many people. This encouraged me, so in 2021 I bought Swan 68 DEFIANCE. I had first sailed on her in 2016 and was so impressed I was determined that one day she would be mine.

In total, I have done seven ocean crossings, with long periods passed on the East Coast between Boston, Newport, Long Island and New York. My family has always followed me except on the long crossings, which I have done with friends.

My greatest satisfaction is that as a skipper responsible for human lives and yachts, I have never had any problems. I spend a lot of time on board for maintenance and to prepare the yacht so that we can sail safely. I know the technology of the 1990’s Swans very well.

With DEFIANCE, I have made four ocean crossings and sailed in the Newport to Bermuda race. She is a fantastic yacht, from the best 68ft yacht series ever built. I consider the Swan yachts built in the 1990s (the 48, 56, 60, 68 and 77) the best yachts ever produced by Nautor, because they combine excellent construction with modernity.

DEFIANCE was the yacht of my dreams, and I truly love everything about her. She is comfortable, spacious, fast, very resistant, excellent construction, systems and equipment are easy to maintain and to operate. She is ideal for family use, fast and with an engine that doesn´t consume much.

However, I am now looking for another slightly smaller Nautor Swan for easier handling, possibly a 60.

Between May and July 2025, the following works and services have been made to DEFIANCE:

• Teak deck repairs.
• New engine battery.
• Some varnishing inside and outside.
• Refit Condaria air conditioning.
• General check of the tender.
• General check of the windlass with greasing and new control button.
• Autopilot Simrad AP 48 2025 with new Simnet network.
• All porthole gaskets new.