Wilson has since moved on to another lifelong passion: boating. He spent the last five years developing Fittipaldi Yachts in the Brazilian port city of Angra dos Reis.

ShowBoats International recently visited Fittipaldi Yachts and explored the shipyard with Wilson. A youthful, fit 64-year-old wearing a brimmed cap over longish hair curling over the back of his shirt collar, Wilson exudes charm. His manner is gentle, and his smile is positively engaging. Growing up, he loved all things mechanical: motorcycles, cars, boats. He has owned every kind of boat, from sportfishermen and speedboats to a three-masted schooner. Like many others who have a passion for boating, he turned his avocation into a vocation. (Click image to enlarge)

In late 2003, Wilson began to erect sheds and develop services for building boats in a new marine complex outside of Angra. In doing so, he laid the groundwork to become a world-class yachtbuilder. Brazil, he argues, is a sensible place to build yachts.

There is no import tax on any piece of equipment arriving in Brazil that will eventually be used for export. Engines, air conditioners, pumps and generators all can be imported duty-free and installed on yachts sold for export. Fittipaldi Yachts employs around 75 workers, engages subcontractors, built first-class sheds and facilities, and is stimulating the local economy.

Wilson attributes his impetus to build boats largely to his good friend, renowned yacht designer Luiz de Basto. Their friendship goes back more than 20 years. No doubt concepts and designs were batted around with drawings on napkins over coffee for many years before formal arrangements were made. Wilson says the first plan was to build an 80-footer. It grew to 90 feet and eventually to 110.

Fittipaldi has two F110 tri-decks currently in build, one for an American owner, and the other for a Frenchman. The first yacht is due to launch in November. A 125-footer (F125 series) is well along in the planning phase, as is a 150-footer (F150 series), clearly showing the direction Wilson is planning to grow the company. (Click image to enlarge)

De Basto is responsible for the exterior and interior styling on the F110. Naval architect Robert Schofield designed the hull. The aluminum F110 series yachts are, oddly enough, not go-fast yachts. They are ABS and MCA certified and are built to compete on the world market. Fittipaldi deems the yacht series’ lines to be a blend of classic and modern. He is proud of the fact that each looks all of one piece—flowing and melded together from bow to stern in a seamless, sleek unit. Schofield designed the F110’s bulbous-bow hull with an eight-meter beam, making it very stable and seaworthy.

The exterior styling is clean and well balanced, with sweeping fashion plates on the main and upper decks. Although the guest staterooms are placed down below, the general arrangement is not completely conventional because the owner’s stateroom is forward on the main deck, and the head is all the way at the bow on a split-level. The owner also can enjoy beautiful water views from the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows on each side of the master stateroom. (Click image to enlarge)

According to De Basto, "The main salon looks larger than [those on] other boats of the same size due to its uninterrupted views from the aft door to the main foyer and central stairway."

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