Legendary Classic Boats: 5 cult signed 70s (100 to 180 thousand euros)

To talk about Classic Boats in general sometimes misses the nuances and subtleties that each design phase entailed, as well as its evolutions and philosophies. We selected 300 projects of excellence, 300 models of historical value to celebrate and enhance. With this in mind, we now want to explore the topic as it deserves, contextualizing each project and each boat to its time. Here now is a series of in-depth articles, brief overviews of 20 legendary Classic Boats, their design canons and their evolution decade by decade. Here, then, are 5 legendary Classic Boats from the 1970s (presented in order of average value).

Legendary Classic Boats: The 1970s (pt.3)

With the 1970s, the lessons and experiments of the previous period come fully into design, launching some of the most important shipyards and designers of the second half of the century. Competitive, quality hulls begin to appear on both sides of the market, moving from smaller sizes up to Maxi sizes. At the same time, lines change, beams increase, and slips decrease. It changes, in a nutshell, both the design and the philosophy behind the boats, which now range from the smallest cruisers to the largest successful hulls. Crucial to this phase, however, is also the introduction of a new canon, the IOR, which will see the start of an unparalleled season: cruisers, racers, performance cruisers and true bluewater will now begin to depopulate, expanding market segments in every plausible direction.

5 Legendary Classic Boats of the 1970s

With these five Classic Boats we immediately see 5 hulls capable of both representing the excellence of the period and the (middle) market ranges of their values today. They are exceptional boats that have become iconic everywhere because of their qualities and innovations, whether these are on qualitative and aesthetic merits or purely related to sailing qualities. Here are 5 hulls between 100 and 180 thousand euros on average, perfect for cruising, racing or long weeks spent at sea.

• Want to find out about all the Classic Boats and their stories? Visit our section dedicated to them HERE

SWAN 38

Nautor Swan; 11.66 m; Sparkman & Stephens; 1974

Still plentiful forward slans, narrow stern, and that deckhouse swiped in blue… This is the ideal boat for those who love classics and don’t mind a somewhat sacrificed interior, but rather seek the style and performance that only a 1970s Swan can offer. Produced in 116 examples, the Swan 38 is one of the great S&S projects. He is agile, he is fast, and he is not afraid of competition when engaged among the buoys. Look at the numbers in the regattas between Classics, he is always in the lead.

Its AVERAGE VALUE is around €105,000. To find out its card and price range, open this LINK.

SWAN 411

Nautor Swan; 12.44 m; Sparkman & Stephens; 1977

Abundant maximum beam, high, voluminous stern, narrow bow. And all the quality of Made in Nautor. Sparkman and Stephens churn out another great Swan, a fast and safe 12-footer with a gorgeous flush deck. It is the Swan 411, the definition cruiser-racer of 1977. The innovations then characteristic of the 1980s begin to be seen here: the stern is short, wide, the volumes change. It is a running boat, perfect today for Mediterranean cruising.

Its AVERAGE VALUE is around €123,000. To find out its card and price range, open this LINK.

SWAN 48

Nautor Swan; 14.15 m; Sparkman & Stephens; 1971

It is no longer an early Swan; rather, it is the Swan shipyard’s sixth design, of which 46 were produced. It is, however, the first Swan in a long series to feature the unmistakable retractable deckhouse, an iconic trademark of each subsequent design. Designed to race IOR, it is now a great boat for cruising. Elegant as few, equally pleasant at the helm. If you appreciate the period, this hull could make you fall permanently in love.

Its AVERAGE VALUE is around €161,000. To find out its card and price range, open this LINK.

MARAMU 46

Amel; 13.8 m; Henry Amel & J. Carteau; 1978

Designed to be a reliable and easily manageable bluewater, this 46-footer is one of Amel’s classics. Easy to drive short-handed, comfortable and ready to sail in any condition, it was built in 288 units. It will inspire the 1989 Super Maramu. The Maramu 46 is indeed one among the great bluewater, a hull really designed to take to the sea and away, without getting too much trouble, go where you want. Perfect for carefree cruising.

Its AVERAGE VALUE is around €165,000. To find out its card and price range, open this LINK.

SWAN 57

Nautor Swan; 17.50 m; Sparkman & Stephens; 1977

It is the latest Swan designed by the renowned firm Sparkman & Stephens and is a masterpiece. The Swan 57 is the culmination of the nautor and S&S collaboration, and it shows all in what it brings to life: an offshore cruiser racer capable of combining elegance and comfort with respectable performance. Available in both ketch and sloop rigs, it is influenced by the experiences developed on the ’71 Swan 65, already a great performer and winner of the ’73 Whitbread. A must-have from the late 1970s, perfect today for getting on board and doing what you want, whether racing, champagne sailing, or cruising.

Its AVERAGE VALUE is around €185,000. To find out its card and price range, open this LINK.

The three steps to enhance your Classic Boat

Well, is your boat a Classic Boat? Now we explain how to dignify Classic Boats by Journal of Sailing and increase their value. We have created a network of professionals dedicated to precisely this enhancement.

• The first mandatory step in enhancing the value of a historic Classic Boat by Giornale della Vela is appraisal. We have identified two “top” appraisers(Davide Zerbinati and Danilo Fabbroni) who can draw up a real Classic Boat certification and see the historical value of the boat recognized. Only by careful analysis of the state of the property and its maintenance over the years, as well as checking that the original design has not been distorted, can its value be certified.
• Insurance is the second essential step, after the appraisal. Today it is difficult for an insurance company to value a boat that is at least 25 years old for its true value. With the Classic Boat initiative, once an appraisal is obtained from our two appraisers, the intrinsic value of the boat is also received by the insurance broker David Assicurazioni. And if the appraisal certified the boat’s excellent condition–the premium becomes more affordable! HERE you can find out more about insurance!
• Buying and selling is the third step that required dedicated professionals: we involved one of Italy’s leading brokers(Abayachting) capable of transposing the real value of each of the current 188 selected boats, both in the case of selling and buying. It helps you sell it or buy it at the best price by selecting the best buyer or buyer, performing an assessment of the boat’s condition.
• Our “dream team” of appraisers, insurers and brokers can be contacted with one click directly from the boat tabs (Link here).
• FIND OUT HOW MUCH 300 CLASSIC BOATS BY SAILING NEWSPAPER ARE WORTH