Southern Wind Kalantis: an instrument of freedom
Even before her formal debut at the Palma International Boat Show, this yacht had already generated considerable buzz. Kalantis’ delivery voyage from Cape Town to the Mediterranean was far more than a routine handover—it was a compelling statement of her real-world capabilities.
The technical premiere of the new yacht reads as a bold declaration of intent in her class. Following the widely acclaimed successes of her two predecessors, Gelliceaux and Kiboko 4—both recipients of industry awards and regatta victories—the third hull feels like a natural evolution of a formula that has already proven its worth.
Southern Wind collaborated once again with Nauta Design, responsible for exterior and interior styling, and Farr Yacht Design, handling the naval architecture. Over recent years, this triumvirate has consistently delivered outstanding results, a fact borne out not only by trophies but also by a growing order book. The alliance’s core philosophy can be summed up succinctly: blending racing efficiency with cruising comfort—a combination that, for decades, many considered practically unattainable.
At the heart of the project lies the Smart Custom concept, which offers flexible customisation atop a proven platform. With Kalantis, that flexibility has been pushed to the limit. The owner—a young and experienced sailor—set an ambitious brief: the yacht must be capable of competitive regatta performance while simultaneously serving as a comfortable home for extended ocean voyages. As Southern Wind’s CEO Marco Alberti put it, the goal was to find the “ideal balance,” where neither aspect is compromised. Britton Ward of Farr Yacht Design added: “Every decision was weighed against its impact on weight and sailing performance.” The result is something of an engineering exercise in precision, where even the smallest adjustments carried significant consequences.
Kalantis’ exterior styling adheres to the familiar Southern Wind GT aesthetic, but in a more refined interpretation. Clean lines, an uncluttered deck, a low profile and a taut silhouette combine to create an image of purpose and agility. Teak detailing on the coachroof tempers the overall technical coolness of the carbon-fibre construction, adding warmth to the exterior. A central skylight on the coachroof has emerged as a defining feature: it lends visual lightness to the profile and plays a crucial role in shaping the interior layout.
Structurally, Kalantis stands as a showcase for modern composite engineering. The hull, deck and bulkheads are constructed from carbon sandwich with a Corecell core, delivering an optimal strength-to-weight ratio. A carbon mast, boom and bowsprit, along with extensive titanium deck hardware, underscore the project’s racing DNA. With a hull length of 33 metres (35.5 metres including the bowsprit) and a beam of 7.51 metres, displacement of just 74.2 tonnes becomes a critical driver of her dynamic performance.
The sail plan and underwater profile were developed with the ORC Superyacht rating system firmly in mind. Fitted with a square-top mainsail, the yacht carries significant sail area, ensuring efficiency in light airs, nimble handling and rapid acceleration. A lifting keel with a draught range of 4 to 6.2 metres allows her to adapt to different cruising grounds, while the twin-rudder configuration delivers optimum control at steep angles of heel.
The dual-cockpit layout draws a clear distinction between working areas and leisure zones, while maintaining intuitive and safe movement about the deck. The guest cockpit is conceived as a genuine living space, with C-shaped settees sheltered by a bimini and sprayhood, making it a natural focal point for much of the day during passages. All working elements—from winches to rigging—are integrated so discreetly that they do not intrude upon the visual cleanliness of the aft section.
One of Kalantis’ most distinctive features is her transformable transom. At anchor, it converts into a waterside terrace, accommodating a sunbathing area, a lounge or even an open-air cinema. When closed, the entire beach-club system disappears into the hull lines, preserving the yacht’s aerodynamic efficiency and sleek profile. Beneath the cockpit, a generous garage houses the water toys, while a tender of nearly six metres is stowed in a recess on the foredeck.
The interior of Kalantis expands upon the theme of versatility. The accommodation deck is arranged for up to eight guests, with a layout designed to adapt to different on-board scenarios. The master suite forward ensures maximum privacy, while the adjacent VIP guest cabin—or “Petit Salon,” as the owner prefers to call it—serves as a buffer between private and communal spaces, and can easily be converted into a study.
The interior design plays with light and texture. The central skylight in the coachroof, complemented by hull-side windows, creates a rich interplay of reflections and shifting perspectives. American walnut sets the baseline rhythm, accentuated by darker vertical slats that introduce a graphic structure. Loro Piana fabrics in shades of Grey Dune and Biancore bring a sense of softness, while composite stone and bronze detailing in the bathrooms add tactile richness. As Massimo Gino of Nauta Design observes, the challenge was to create a “space outside of time”—one that feels thoroughly contemporary while retaining subtle echoes of ancient civilisations.
A busy life lies ahead for Kalantis. The Mediterranean is merely the starting point; beyond lie regattas, ocean passages and, perhaps, the very remote itineraries for which she was conceived. It is in this dual purpose—competitive and exploratory—that her true identity resides. She is not simply a yacht, but an instrument of freedom, where speed and comfort inhabit the same dimension.
