This young Italian shipyard from Viareggio, in Tuscany, presents its first model. An elitist semi-custom day boat, supercharged and equipped with hydrojets, capable of reaching 56 knots. Text Antoine Gatin Photos Boris Bejou, Virginie Pelagalli and DR
Summary :
The Centouno Navi Vespro in Brief:
| Design | ♦♦♦♦ |
| Deck plan | ♦♦♦ |
| Performance | ♦♦♦♦ |
| Finishing | ♦♦♦♦ |
| Facilities | ♦♦♦ |
Welcome aboard :
Centouno Navi is a new Italian shipyard established since 2021 in Viareggio, a seaside resort in northern Tuscany, on the Ligurian Sea.
This new brand of day boats And superyachts results from the collaboration between the designer and entrepreneur Manuela Lucchesi and the naval architect Marco Arnaboldison of Angelo Arnaboldi.
This family founded the Studio Arnaboldi in 1984 when the patriarch of the family already had extensive experience in the motorboating industry. They originally became known through their collaboration with the Italian navy, the shipyard Fincantieribut also Pichiotti for design direction. Next comes the creation ofAB Yachts in 1992, whose name refers to the respective initials of Angelo’s parents: Arnaboldi And Balnarini.
Speed, sobriety and a touch of luxury
With this production site, they are using all the know-how acquired in hydrodynamics over these years to create performance units capable of exceeding 70 knots in navigation. The adoption and development of turbine transmission hydrojets which would become the signature of the site AB Yachts date back to the early 80s when Angelo was still working at Picchiotti.
The story is funny. It begins with a somewhat unusual order placed by the Sultan of Oman. The latter had required the design of a fast tender with turbines and not propellers. The reason may make you laugh. His enemies used to throw fishing nets into the water to block the propellers, then capture the crew and demand a ransom for their release. With this technology, he hoped to pass over the nets without incident.
The expected results lived up to the sultan’s expectations, both in terms of safety and performance. AB Yachts would become the hydrojet specialist in the 90s and 2000s. Today, the production of AB yachts is confidential, limited to one example per year in the best case. Hence this idea of relaunching the know-how of the site by creating a new brand under the name Centouno Navi. Arnaboldi And Lucchesi want to be at the crossroads of all the universes crossed by the two generations of architects in order to design rapid, low-consumption units, with the incomparable touch of Italian luxury.
THE Vespro is the first and smallest model in this new range. This is a powerful 16.70 m day boat, with a minimalist exterior design, with beautiful sleek lines from the bow to the bathing platform. Aerodynamics pushed to its limits like an Italian supercar, synonymous with speed and performance. “ Fast is green » (speed is green), now the motto of Centouno, takes on its full meaning here. According to Marco Arnaboldi“ if the boat is light and the hull is well worked, consumption will only be reduced », a logical reasoning which is translated with the Vespro by a fluid and refined architecture.
Totally free layout
All plastics used in construction come from recycled materials.
The deck plan reflects the image of the boat: simple and efficient, with the aim of facilitating movement on board.
The stern benefits from extreme modularity. The centerpiece is a large sun lounger, which can be transformed into a dining area thanks to a hydraulic device which separates the mattress into two benches which move apart to make room for a table hidden in the floor. Wow effect guaranteed for guests!
Traffic on board is quite easy, from port or starboard. The spaces available are large and the terrace over the water offers a beautiful space. – Centouno Navi Vespro © DR
Behind the cockpit, there is a lounge area with two good-sized sofas, including one L-shaped, which can accommodate up to 7 people. – Centouno Navi Vespro © DR
When the tilting bulwarks are in the cockpit extension position, it is also possible to divide the sundeck lengthwise. This configuration creates a central passage which makes the cockpit area even more user-friendly. The only downside is that the safety aspect at anchor and when sailing seems to have been left aside.
No handrails, neither at the rear nor at the front. In addition, reaching the sunbathing area on the foredeck can quickly feel like a balancing act when you take the stairs.
In terms of technological innovations, we appreciated the retractable windshield system which fits into the thickness of the hard-top to take full advantage of the sun. The configuration of the lower deck is left to the discretion of the owner.
A large island bed, with a three-part roof window: the master cabin is like the Vespro, refined and warm – Centouno navi Vespro © DR
On the lower deck, the finishes are of good quality. The young Italian brand has taken care of every detail. – Centouno Navi vespro © DR
The structure of the boat is self-supporting, which allows completely free arrangement of the passenger compartment. In the configuration of the first model, the shipyard chose an original organization with an extra cabin with a single bed under the cockpit and a king size owner’s suite at the front. The latter is built around a large double island bed, carpet and limed oak inserts.
Note the absence of side windows for aesthetic reasons. Natural light is only diffused by two overhead panels located in the front cabin and in the middle of the boat.
Be careful, very sensitive steering
The central space includes an L-shaped kitchen with a rather cozy lounge on the port side. The finishes everywhere live up to the glamorous and sophisticated image that the designer wishes to instill for her new brand.
In terms of performance, the two 1200 hp MAN blocks coupled with MJP turbines prove to be hyper-reactive, almost too much so when you make them climb the towers.
Like a jet ski, the boat can tend to drift from behind, especially since the Formula 1 steering wheel only allows a 180° rotation. The steering is therefore extremely sensitive and you will need a little time to adapt to familiarize yourself with this very particular transmission.
The in-house designed hull fulfills its role perfectly by providing good wave passage in rough conditions, despite some vibrations felt.
With a cruising speed of 35 nd and a tip 56 nd at full speed, the Vespro is resolutely positioned in the high performance segment, just like Filippetti or Pershing.
Its high price only reinforces this technological and elitist bias.
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In conclusion :
WE love :
- Top finishes
- High-level performance and sportiness
- Remarkable seafaring behavior
We like less:
- High noise level when navigation
- Demanding driving
- Absence of balconies and handrails
- Elite price
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On video :
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In numbers :
Overall length 16.70 m – Width 4.60 m – Draught 1.00 m – Weight nc – Transmission Waterjets 2 x MJP 350X – Maximum power 2 x MAN 8V 1,200 hp – Fuel 3,200 L – Water 1,100 L – Cabins 2 – Berths 4 – Category CE C/12 people. – Price €2,700,000 including tax with 2 x MAN 8V 1,200 hp – Construction site Centouno Navi (Viareggio, Italy)
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The photo gallery:
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The Neptune Yachting Motor Test:
MAN V8 1200 – 2 x 1200 hp @ 2300 rpm – 8 cylinders – 16.16 L – diesel – Test conditions: 10 people on board, 80% fuel, 80% water, gentle seas
| Speed (rpm) | Speed (knots) | Consumption (L/h) | Yield (L/thousand) | Range (miles) with 20% reserve. |
| 1,600 | 15 | 151 | 10.1 | NC |
| 1,800 | 28 | 203 | 7.3 | 400 |
| 1,900 | 35 | 236 | 6.7 | 430 |
| 1,950 | 39 | 275 | 7.1 | 410 |
| 2,150 | 48 | 397 | 8.3 | 350 |
| 2,300 | 56 | 480 | 8.6 | 340 |
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The Centouno Navi Vespro in 4 points:
- The two large MJP 350X turbines allow cruising at 35 knots with a range of around 430 miles.
- Tight lines from the bow to the swim platform. An aerodynamic profile that this sketch reflects well.
- With its self-supporting structure, without load-bearing walls, the lower deck can be arranged as the owner wishes.
- An efficient deck plan and easy circulation on board, but not very secure. Balcony and handrails have been removed.
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By the way :
Centouno Navi Eterea
THE Vespro is just a taste of what the Centouno Navi shipyard is preparing to produce. Two 30 and 40 foot yachts named respectively Forza And Eterea should see the light of day in the near future.
With these projects, the designer Manuela Lucchesi wishes to break the codes by imposing a disruptive deck plan, where access to the cabins is directly from a stripped cockpit.
The performances will be there. The site plans 56 nd max with 2 x 2,600 hp MTU mounted on hydrojet.
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By the way :
One site, two founders
Manuela Lucchesi © DR
Marco Arnaboldi © DR
Marco Arnaboldi : A naval architect by profession, he was trained by his father Angelo, founder of the AB Yachts shipyard, a specialist in hydrojet propulsion.
Manuela Lucchesi : This elegant Italian wears the double hat of entrepreneur and designer. She is at the origin of the creation of the Centouno Navi brand.
