Superyachts: Fastest Yachts In The World
A Visit to a Leading Italian Builder of Fast Yachts
300kph in a car; few people even motoring journalists have achieved that speed. A few more will have travelled at 50+ knots in a power boat. However, only a small minority will have travelled at that speed in a comfortable cruising motor yacht, doubtless with a glass of something good like champagne to hand. Perhaps it is a case of more fizz in the yacht than in the champagne?
Twenty five skilled craftsmen were the core of the team that built the latest AB Yachts 116 (36.2m.) motor yacht in a remarkable six months. They were rewarded with a ride on the final sea trial which was to determine the top speed required under the build contract. A cargo of twenty five keen pasta eaters was no hindrance on the speed front; 52.8knots. Fipa, the parent company had accepted a stiff penalty clause that probably would have put off their competitors from accepting. Less than 50 knots would have triggered the penalty payment. Fipa have always concentrated at being the yard that innovates and push back boundaries. In the 1970s, this family owned business was amongst the first builders of yachts in fibreglass; they have never shied away from exploring new opportunities and that has lead them into serving differing needs very effectively.
Fipa’s yachts cover different areas of the market; AB Yachts concentrates on speed and the range covers numerous models of yachts from 20m. to 42.7m. They were one of the earliest exponents in introducing waterjet propulsion in the early years of the new millennium. Expanding their interests in the 1980s to enter a high luxury line of yachts; they gained control of Maiora Yachts where speed was secondary to high comfort levels with build standards to match. They call Maiora Yachts their prestige brand with yachts from 20m. to 50m., I would have used the same description with all three of their brands. Nearly a decade ago, they purchased CBI Navi which took them from a composite builder into steel and alloy construction. Their range of yachts was increased as their longest composite yacht is 50m. whilst the steel and alloy capability with their existing yard facilities gives them a maximum of 80m. length. A 77.7m. yacht is now in build. In travelling around the Viareggio area, wherever we went, the conversation was interrupted with “that is where we build….” with a hand pointed at yet another yard.
Their work is all very serious as the volumes are large and anything they do has equally large impact. However, there are many different approaches in the yachting business, all are serious on the business front and many follow that through with their whole approach. The team at Fipa are a breath of fresh air when it comes to client relations, they follow the yacht show calendar but they also focus on the people having fun in life as they recognise they are selling pleasure. Italians are great exponents on enjoying life, the yachting industry is one of the areas where they are successful in business, combining the two is a good recipe.
The international Polo social scene comprises many hedonists and yachting fits in well with their style of life. Fipa sponsors Polo and their team has just won the tournament in Viareggio; their local event. Their infectious enthusiasm works well for them and drives the group forwards.
Achieving fundamentally high speeds starts in the drawing office, it needs skills and confidence to set aside speed enhancing trim tabs and perhaps stepped hulls. A slippery hull shape has to be the start to which they add the Hi-Tech elements of light, but immensely strong composite materials of Kevlar and carbon fibre. They are complemented by a range of engine options, the power of which is the pushed through water jets. The larger yachts are semi-custom so that whilst the hulls are fixed in dimensions and some structural necessities create some constraints, owners can reconfigure the layout according to their needs and wishes.
Back to speed. The need for speed is ever present, modern social media puts us in a position to change our plans by the hour “Great party in St. Tropez tonight – where are you?” “We are enjoying an early dinner in the Martinez Zplage restaurant in Cannes”. You can go by road in an hour or so but to have your yacht there changes everything as the ‘post-party’ is always the best party and on your yacht …., nothing beats that and with a cruising speed of 40 knots, everyone can enjoy the party.
For me, leaving and arriving at a bay or harbour on a yacht are two key elements of enjoyment, the prospect of somewhere new and the experience of the arrival. If the trip is along the coast, you have the ever changing scenery but if it is out to sea on an inter-island passage, there are no outside interests and that is where speed opens your horizons as your scope of new bays, harbours and nightlife expands dramatically. You are in control of where you travel and when you travel, so take off on a whim and enjoy the freedom.
