An Italian shipyard that produced some of the most famous yachts in Europe for 50 years is operating again. Cantiere Navale Santamargherita is looking to its own roots for inspiration, too. Starting with its first project, the Bulldog 88, it’s offering entirely custom construction. In addition, it’s taking a more modern approach to marketing, aiming for sales globally.
Cantiere Navale Santamargherita opened in 1960, along the Tigullio Gulf in northern Italy. The shipyard soon began building flying-bridge sportfishing yachts. It was the first to do so outside of the United States, in fact. They bore all-wood construction, too. Equally famous, the shipyard produced the custom Alalunga line, which followed in 1970 and continued for many years afterwards. While initially offered as mahogany-planked craft, Alalunga yachts later featured metal and fiberglass hulls as well.
The shipyard changed hands a few times starting in the 1980s, eventually ceasing operations due to the global economic recession. Enter Ettore Cicchelero, who acquired the shipyard brand last year. Cicchelero believes strongly in custom yacht design and construction. He also believes in leveraging modern engineering to make the yachts more than beautiful floating homes. Therefore, customers of Cantiere Navale Santamargherita can have not just a retro-style yacht, but an exceptionally fuel-efficient one.
To show off its capabilities, Cantiere Navale Santamargherita already has the yacht shown here, the Bulldog 88, ready for construction. Featuring design by Roberto Curtò, she measures 87’6” (26.7 meters), extending to 91’5” (27.9 meters) with the beach club open. The shipyard and design team consider her a Sport Explorer Vessel, blending open relaxation and luxury areas with the ability to travel good distances. To the latter point, the yacht should see a range of 1,320 nautical miles at 12 knots, under MAN power. In addition, at her anticipated 18-knot cruising speed, she should see 630 nautical miles. Top speed should be 23 knots.
Made for an owner’s party of eight, plus three crewmembers, the Bulldog 88 has transformable spaces throughout. The above-mentioned beach club, for example, has three fold-down platforms. It becomes the tender garage during transit. On the main deck, meanwhile, sliding glass doors open up the formal dining area and saloon.
Engel & Volkers Yachting is the central agent for the Bulldog 88, which further features a main-deck master stateroom and hot tub on the foredeck.
Cantiere Navale Santamargherita santamargheritayachts.com
Engel & Volkers Yachting engelvoelkers.com
Roberto Curtò Yacht & Design robertocurtodesign.com
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