Swan 48 Montana
In sailing circles, it is often said that “sailing is the most expensive way to travel uncomfortably” – I think, it is one of the most beautiful ways to enjoy nature.
Nowadays a sustainable approach to the environment should also take an important role in leisure activities and vacation. Therefore, I have adopted the motto “leave nothing but footsteps, take nothing but pictures” from the USA and want to implement it on our travels. Nature is fragile and at the same time, it is the basis of life for all of us. It should be a matter of course to protect it.
A sailing trip is an extraordinary opportunity to meet people and make new friends. But it is also a situation in which, in the beginning, strangers find themselves in a confining space. This can only work if you respect each other’s privacy and treat your fellow sailors with courtesy and respect. This approach is encouraged by me.
Markus Bocks, owner and skipper of SY Montana
Sailing trips on Swan 48 Montana
A wide range of sailing events is offered on SY Montana. First, there is the classic sailing holiday, where the emphasis is on stress-free sailing. Sailing holidays are offered in the Caribbean from January to May and in Europe from June to October. As skipper and host, Markus Bocks is on board Montana, these holidays are also suitable for sailing beginners. On these sailing holidays, the basics of sailing are conveyed and, if desired and with the appropriate previous knowledge of the guests, more, such as sailing under spinnaker. These sailing holidays are usually planned in such a way that the sailing distance can easily be covered in the time available, and therefore the individual wishes of the guests can be accommodated with regard to port or anchor stops. Markus Bocks has been sailing in the Caribbean for over 6 years and knows the most beautiful beaches, harbours, restaurants, anchorages and shore excursions.
Atlantic crossing
An Atlantic crossing, on the other hand, is a completely different sailing experience. The Atlantic crossings with SY Montana are aimed at sailors who already have sailing experience. Furthermore, guests must be aware of what to expect. Before booking, a longer telephone call or even a personal meeting of the skipper with the potential sailors takes place. Here it is to be determined whether the expectations of the potential fellow sailors coincide with the conditions to be expected. After all, such an Atlantic crossing can last up to three weeks. The gain of sailing knowledge on such travels pertains to planning and controlling resources (e.g. catering, fuel, but also human resources), as well as navigation, weather planning, and communication. Furthermore, it is to consider that you are on your own on an ocean passage a long time and that is why you have to be self-sufficient when unexpected problems emerge. As already mentioned, SY Montana is a Swan 48 and therefore designed and built for exactly this way of sailing. Moreover, it is also specially equipped for it, which has been proven by an executed certification by SeeBG (German certification authority for ships).
One is in a close area with partly strangers for a long time and additionally, one may be physically challenged. If the team composition is right, this is an outstanding positive sailing experience for every sailor.
Regatta’s
As the third version of sailing, regatta participation is offered. The S&S Swans were finally also designed as regatta yachts and it is a pleasure to continue in this tradition with Montana. There are still some S&S Swans 48’s to be found on the regatta courses today. However, some of them have already been heavily rebuilt for regatta use. Montana, however, is still very close to the original design. The resulting performance disadvantages are compensated by a corresponding rating. On regattas, the execution of sailing manoeuvers take an important role and will be trained accordingly. Teamwork and timing of the manoeuvers in a dynamic environment will be improved and the sailing limits of ship and crew will be experienced. Needless to say, the safety for crew and ship is always in the focus of all action.
The first regatta offered regularly is the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers). The ARC is of course not a classic regatta, but rather an Atlantic crossing with an additional sporting incentive. Another highlight of the regatta calendar is the Classic Regatta in Antigua. Montana has been eligible there for one year. Being allowed to sail in this field of the most beautiful classic sailing yachts makes every sailor’s heart beat faster. Furthermore, the Heineken Regatta in St. Maarten, Grenada Sailing Week and Antigua Sailing Week, as well as the RORC Caribbean 600, are on the program.
Sailing Yacht Swan 48 Montana
Sailing yacht “Montana” is an S&S Swan 48 and is number 28 of 46 models of this series built by Nautor’s in Finland from 1971 to 1975. The Nautor’s Swan yachts have always been called luxury class sailing yachts and are considered to be the safest and most beautiful in the world. The yacht, designed by Sparkman & Stephens, convinces by excellent sailing characteristics and her high comfort for the crew.
The ship is in an extraordinarily good condition and is still very close to the original design. There is also a new dinghy with 18 hp outboard engine available.
In contrast to modern ships, on which up to 10 berths can be chartered with this ship length, on the “Montana” you will find two exclusive cabins with two single berths and a wet room each, next to a large saloon.
For regattas and transatlantic crossings, an additional berth is available in the saloon. This is also a fully-fledged, exclusively usable berth with its own storage space. This berth enjoys great popularity especially on Atlantic cruises or in higher seas due to its location close to the turning point of the yacht. The “Montana” has a new Yanmar engine with 72 HP, which brings her safely to her destination even when the weather conditions do not allow sailing.
The yacht is equipped with the somewhat unusual heavy weather rig, which is characterized by a mast about 1m shorter than the light wind rig. On the regattas, this disadvantage is compensated by a corresponding rating. On holiday and Atlantic cruises it offers a higher level of safety.
Although the “Montana” is not a typical training ship, the training and further education of our guests play a significant role. Every trip on Montana increases the sailing abilities of the other sailors. The skipper Markus Bocks has already proven his competence as a sailing instructor at a German sailing school, and thus you can combine the beautiful with the useful and expand your wealth of experience on a holiday or Atlantic cruise. In particular, taking part in a regatta leads to expanding one’s own skills. On a regatta many sailing manoeuvres are practised, one gets to know the potential of the ship and gains the self-confidence to make the right decisions even in highly dynamic situations.
You can find more details about the S&S Swan 48 at classicswans.org.
Interior Swan 48 Montana
The interior of the Swan is made of fine wood. The ship has two separate cabins for two persons each, each with a washroom.
A large saloon with two additional berths as well as a galley and navigation area are located in the middle of the ship.
The cabin in the stern of the Swan has two separate berths. It can be separated from the rest of the ship by a door. The cabin in the stern of the Swan has two separate berths. It can be separated from the rest of the ship by a door. Montana has two washrooms. One in the bow cabin and one in the stern cabin. Each is equipped with a washbasin, an electric toilet and plenty of storage space. The kitchen on board a sailing ship is always a challenge due to the narrowness. But with a little planning you can also prepare enjoyable dishes here. Opposite the kitchen there is a classic navigation area. It is equipped with a chart table and all necessary equipment. The saloon is the heart of the ship. Here up to eight people can sit comfortably while eating or during a relaxing break below deck. Above the benches there is an additional berth on each side of the ship. These berths are very popular on Atlantic crossings or when the sea is rough, as they are close to the ship’s fulcrum and the ship’s perceived movements are therefore smaller than in the cabins. They have corresponding stowage facilities. Above the benches there is an additional berth on each side of the ship. These berths are very popular on Atlantic crossings or when the sea is rough, as they are close to the ship’s fulcrum and the ship’s perceived movements are therefore smaller than in the cabins. They have corresponding stowage facilities. Cabin in the bow Cabin in the bow Wasroom Bow Cabin at the bow
Skipper Montana
The skipper Markus Bocks has many years of experience as a professional skipper and is in possession of the highest-ranking sailing licenses (Yachtmaster Ocean, Sporthochseeschifferschein). Safety always comes first for him. He has the experience of several Atlantic crossings and has been offering sailing trips in the Caribbean for six years, that’s why he knows the most beautiful islands and beaches. Of course, he is familiar with the English Channel and the European Atlantic coast. Additionally, he has regatta experience and can show you how to sail a boat faster.
1999 – Sport boat licence sea, sailing licence BR
2003 – Sports coastal license
2008 – Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence
2009 – Sports Ship Licence SSS, Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence
2010 – Sailing instructor
2014 – SHS sports ocean vessel licence
Markus Bocks has over 40.000 Nm sailing experience, among others
2013 – Atlantic crossing South Africa – Cape Verde 6000 Nm
2013 – Atlantic crossing with the ARC+ 2200 Nm
2018 – Atlantic Round: West/East, East/West
since 2014 Caribbean, Lesser Antilles, Atlantic, Europe
Package for Racing, Cruising & Crossings
Costs for arrival, transfer and way back as well as all payments on land are not included in the price and have to bear from the participant. A typically board cash is about 100 to 150 EUR per week. It depends on how often the cooking will be done onboard and how often dining out.
Dates of check-in and check-out could be adjusted a little upon consultation.
- Sailing holidays with maximal 4 guests
- Regatta’s with maximal 5 guests
- Atlantic crossings with maximal 5 guests
Calendar for Cruising/Sailing Holidays
- Grenada & the Grenadines, 11-19 January 2020, 790 Euro p.p.
- Grenada-Antigua, 2-16 February 2020, 1580 Euro p.p.
- St.Maarten-Antigua, 14-28 March 2020, 1690 Euro p.p.
- The Azores, 6-13 June 2020, 1580 Euro p.p.
- Vigo, 27 June-4 July 2020, 790 Euro p.p.
- Vigo-Lissabon, 15-29 August 2020, 1580 Euro p.p.
- Lissabon-Gibraltar, 30 august-12 September 2020, 1580 Euro p.p.
- Las Palmas, 4-12 October 2020, 790 Euro p.p.
Prices are excluding the board cash, sailing experience is not necessary
Calendar for Atlantic Crossings
- Antigua-Azores, 9 May-2 June 2020, 1990 euro p.p.
- Azores-Vigo, 14-24 June 2020, 990 euro p.p.
- Gibraltar-Gran Canaria, 19 September -3 October 2020, 1580 Euro p.p.
- ARC Plus, Gran Canaria, Cape Verde, St.Lucia, 6 November-9 December 2020, 3900 Euro p.p
Prices are excluding the board cash, sailing experience is appreciated
Calendar for Racing
- Grenada Sailing Week, 26 January-1 February 2020, 1090 Euro p.p.
- RORC Caribbean 600, 21-29 February 2020, 1190 Euro p.p.
- St.Maarten Heineken Regatta, 2-9 March 2020, 1190 Euro p.p, Fully booked
- Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, 1-7 April 2020, 1190 Euro p.p.
- Antigua Sailing Week, 26 April-1 May 2020, 4950 Euro for whole boat charter
Prices are excluding the board cash, sailing experience is appreciated and necessary for the Caribbean 600
Contact us
We like to send further details about the Races, Sailing Holidays/Cruising and Atlantic Crossings on request
+31 85 301 56 36