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Boatbuilding as art is alive and well in the land of Callas and Clooney.
by Matthew Esposito
photography by Matthew Esposito
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02/01/2008
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The phrase "Italian boatbuilding" immediately conjures for many the central to northern Tyrrhenian
coast of the peninsular country, where side-by-side, behemoth facilities produce
grand vessels of ever-increasing lengths. However, on a recent visit sponsored by Italy’s national shipyard and marine industry association,
UCINA, an international selection of journalists was afforded the opportunity to
take a look at another Italian maritime community: the northern lakes region.
Top: Sarnico’s factory, with poppy fields outside. Photograph by Matthew Esposito. Bottom: The
Sarnico 60. (Click images to enlarge)
This region includes such notable bodies of water as the lakes
Como, Iseo, Maggiore, Garda and Orta, well-known by everything from the wars to
the Edith Wharton novels that have surrounded them…and of course the villas,
too. Since George Clooney took up partial residence in his Villa Oleandra, and
Villa d’Este is back en
vogue, it seems difficult to open a magazine
these days without reading something about Lake Como. The other lakes, though
quieter in their reputations and goings-on, are majestic just the same.
Beginning in Bergamo, with its charming città alta
(upper city) reached only by funicular, the journey through the lakes region was
punctuated with history and beauty—two major influences found also in the native
vessels. Nearby Cremona, the former home of Antonio Stradivari, maker of
Stradivarius violins, set the stage for a region flush with storied craftsmen.
The shipyards of Riva, Cantieri di Sarnico, Uniesse Marine, Cantieri Capelli and
Sessa Marine would be on our tour. The latter part of the week would be spent
testing the vessels on the expansive waters of Lake Garda.
Top: The Sarnico 43. Middle: The Riva 75 Venere. Bottom: Carlo Riva’s
retro office. Photograph by Matthew Esposito. (Click images to enlarge)
In 1842, Pietro Riva founded his boatbuilding company on the
banks of Lake Iseo. Today it is one of the world’s most renowned shipyards and
the oldest never to have interrupted production. In 1950, Carlo Riva took the
reigns of the family business and furthered the success of the brand, whose
runabouts became international icons in the years following. Since Riva’s
acquisition by the Ferretti Group in 2000, close to 10 new models have been
launched from 30 to 115 feet. Fortunate enough to tour the original facility in
the northern town of Sarnico, our group could see first-hand the evolution of
the storied brand through original images, drawings, advertisements and the
vintage models themselves, such as the Aquarama. To top it all off, aperitifs
were served in Carlo’s mid-century office, an anachronistic space designed to
replicate the bridge of a large ship.
Nothing quite explains the purpose of a yacht brand like a tour
through the shipyard in which it was built, especially if it is the original
facility. Meeting the craftsmen, executives and everyone in between solidified
our impression of the rarified Riva; where it came from, where it’s going and
why it is so coveted. At each shipyard we learned a little bit more to help
surmise a final impression of each brand. Examples that spring to mind include
the well-fed workforce of Sessa Marine gathering every day in their ultra-modern
cafeteria, and the poppy fields behind Cantieri di Sarnico, to which the bay
doors are thrown open on breezy days. These little vignettes make up the bigger
picture of a contented northern Italian workforce producing quality vessels—a
trait we would experience soon on Lake Garda.
 Sirmione, on Lake Garda, captured the heart of opera great Maria Callas. Photograph by Matthew Esposito. (Click image to enlarge)
Working closely with design firm Nuvolari-Lenard, Cantieri di
Sarnico produces a limited number (20 to 30) of exceptionally crafted vessels
each year. And in addition to the craftsmanship and styling that defines its
range, performance and handling should be added to the list of superlative
attributes. Its Spider models, ranging from 43 to 65 feet, demonstrated the
triple threat of speed, quiet running and undetected vibration as we slalomed
through the lake’s choppy waters. Passing the picturesque spit of land known as
Sirmione, once home to the great operatic soprano Maria Callas, it was a thrill
to test the vessel and meet the people behind it.
With far more boats than time to test each one, it is
impossible to do all justice in this brief. Instead, I would say each of the
shipyards mentioned above deserve special investigation by those in the
market for tenders, runabouts and second or third vessels to add to their
armada. Take my word about these builds: I’ve met the people that make them.
 Landfall: State Craft
Design Showcase: In-Spa-Rational Design
Finely Tuned
Terribly Terrific
Unconventional Wisdom
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