TOP YACHT DESIGN – IN ACCORDANCE WITH MEMORY
The activity of the Cantieri Picchiotti, founded in 1575, is resumed.
Creator Giovanni Costantino who launches his challenge with Luca Dini and the Gentleman project.
“In accordance with memory“. Giovanni Costantino, founder and CEO of The Italian Sea Group has no hesitation in his response to any question about a possible slogan for his new adventure. In December 2021 it became part of Perini Navi and its associated assets, including the Picchiotti brand. The yard dates back to 1575, leaving the first traces of its existence at Limite sull’Arno, the ship-building hub of Medici Florence. Over the centuries the yard has moved from cargo boats plying the Arno river to 19th century ocean-going sailing ships and then merchant and military steamships. I must admit that when we launched the operation to acquire Perini Navi, the subject of Picchiotti just never carne up. Then when the takeover was complete we kind of pushed it into a comer. Then we started to delve into its archives and everything changed”.
How does it feel to own a yard with more than four hundred years of history behind it?
“It’s not so much an emotion as a huge responsibility. Of course, I knew the Picchiotti brand, but it was very exciting to discover a story I’d never even imagined, especially finding out that apart from the last ten years when it experienced a degree of stylistic confusion as it changed hands several times, Picchiotti always remained true to a style I’d define as vintage. I felt enthusiastic about it, and I decided to invest, and invest a great deal, in the brand”.
This wasn’t the first time between Picchiotti and your Group
“Yes, in 1982, with the 103-metre megayacht Al Said then being constructed by Nuovi Cantiere Apuania in Carrara, now the site of our headquarters. Another reason behindOn this page, from Picchiotti’s historical archives, the launch of the motorboat Airone in 1902 (top). In the centre, the Mistral, from the 1970s, and the becolini on the Arno River in the late 19th century. Right, Al Said, 103 metres built by Nuovi Cantieri Apuania of Marina di Carrara.the relaunch of Picchiotti”.
And what happened by chance?
“The meeting last May with Luca Dini. We hadn’t seen each other for years. And talking about Picchiotti’s style, history and the emotions it inspired gave rise to the idea of a yacht line. I told him about my ideas. Luca replied that he had what I needed. Two weeks later I was looking at his design and I was genuinely excited. I approved it, and didn’t add even the smallest detail, something that had never happened before. This new Picchiotti project is called Gentleman”.
What is Gentleman?
“A product inspired by memory. A vintage style masterfully handled by Luca Dini, who gave a modern interpretation to the line. It’s not only historical, it harks back to the old American motor yachts”.
How far along is the project?
“After approval, parallel with the stylistic development we’ve pushed the design element, because the Dini-Picchiotti Gentleman project is a fleet with four models – a 24-metre and a 33-metre, both in aluminium, and two in steel/aluminium, a 44-metre and a 55-metre below 5oo GT. The keel of the first 24-metre has already been laid, the first of the three 24-metre models due for delivery in 2024. Then, in 2025, the programme includes delivery of three 24-metre yachts, two 33, two 44s and a 55. And the same goes for 2026”.
Admiral, Tecnomar and Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63, NCA Refit, Perini Navi and Picchiotti. In the space of a year your Group grown a great deal. Is that it now, or is the expansion going 10 continue?
“We’re now concentrating on what we’ve set in motion. Including, in the context of Picchiotti, restructuring the site at La Spezia. This will involve covering the Mediterranean’s largest private basin. I have plenty of ideas and projects. We’ll talk about in a year’s time. Now it’s about the responsibility of Picchiotti and the excitement of Gentleman”.
Emilio Martinelli
