| Lazzara Series |  |
Craftsmen swarm
around the new Lazzara 840 like drones attending a queen bee. In the early
morning shadows behind Lazzara Yachts’ Tampa headquarters, this fall day is
unseasonably cool; a bay breeze puts a surprising edge on it. Standing near the
dock, Dick Lazzara cups a match to his trademark cigar, working it back to life
as he talks. He breaks the rhythm of his monologue only to answer questions from
a parade of employees—each greeted by name—as they stream between the yacht and
the yard. | Click on the Design tab at top to see complete list of resources. |
"When Ferretti and Azimut came into the States in the
mid-nineties—when the dollar was strong against the euro—a lot of American
builders panicked. We didn’t," says Lazzara with his usual dose of
confidence. "We saw it as a broadening of the market, which in the long run
helps everyone.
"Now the dollar is weaker, and it’s our turn to take advantage
of the situation," Lazzara continues. "People’s tastes are different now than
they were ten years ago; they’re more global and open to different décor and
design elements, a blending of styles. We’re just perfecting our timing on
this."
 Lazzara 740 Hardtop. (Click image to enlarge)
The "this" to which Lazzara is referring is his company’s entry
into the European—and eventually world—market. For the 15-year-old American
company with the Italian-sounding name, the move is no small step—nor is it one
taken without the meticulousness that is its hallmark.
A family-owned business with a 50-year history dating back to patriarch Vince
Lazzara’s groundbreaking 40-foot fiberglass yawl Bounty II, Lazzara Yachts could have simply shipped a few
boats to overseas brokers and hoped for the best. After all, its 68- to 115-foot
product range features curvaceous exteriors, and all its models top 25 knots—two
features appealing to the European market. Instead, Dick Lazzara, along with brother Brad and
long-time partner Craig Williams, opted for a strategic approach.
 Lazzara 840 Flybridge. (Click image to enlarge)
"We’re looking down the road a decade or two," says Brad.
"We’re not just looking for a few quick bucks. We believe that we can grow and
diversify our business, as well as relieve some pressure on domestic sales, with
a staged approach. Right now we’re only targeting 30 percent of our output for
the overseas market." That translates to about five boats annually. To meet that
target, Lazzara introduced three new models—the 740, 840 and 110 Euro. Employing
consultants from Europe, the company’s design team modified its patented
tooling, changing its widebody hullforms to ones with walkaround decks. They
altered the superstructures, foregoing the enclosed skylounges for open
flybridges. In addition to essential changes, such as 220-volt electric
with compatible plugs and appliances, the export models feature larger helm
stations, twin anchors, bigger swim platforms and more cabins—all changes based
on European preference. One of the things left unchanged, however, is the
all-American country kitchen–style galley.
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