Superyacht sailing
Travel & Leisure

Set Sail: The Story of Baglietto, Italy’s Great Yacht Maker

June 3-8 sees the return of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta to Porto Cervo on Sardinia’s sparkling northeast coast—if such water-based adventures inspire you to invest in your first yacht, or add to your fleet, Baglietto will have just the vessel…

When Pietro Baglietto first began building small fishing boats in the backyard of his house in Varazze, Italy, back in the 1850s, little did he know that he was laying the foundations for a global super-brand that would take his name into the 21st century.

The launch of the 74-foot (22.6-m) Giuseppina in 1906, then Italy’s largest motor yacht, was swiftly followed by the world’s first hydrofoil prototype. Today, the company specializes in aluminum planing yachts from 115 feet (35 m) to 165 feet (50 m) and steel-and-aluminum displacement yachts above 131 feet (40 m).

Baglietto’s Ridoc was launched in 2017 and is the first of the company’s speedy MV19 models. Image: Maurizio Paradisi. Banner image: Baglietto's Silver Fox, with its traditional bulbous bow. Federico Ferretti.

Steeped in military history and renowned for landmark projects, the company offers a seamless blend of artisanal craftsmanship and technological excellence. “Baglietto has always leveraged its design capabilities, combining the traditional with the innovative, alongside outstanding quality, to offer world-class, unmistakably made-in-Italy projects,” says Michele Gavino, Baglietto’s CEO.

At the onset of the First World War, Baglietto produced the “MAS” anti-submarine motorboat for a torpedo unit of the Italian Navy. After the Second World War came the “Wooden Years,” (1945–60), during which the flybridge or flying bridge—a motor boat with an upper helm—was first conceived. These were followed by the “Aluminum Years” (1970–80), which led to the company launching the 147-foot (44.8-m) Al Fahedi, generally considered its first superyacht.

Deck of a superyacht
The Silver Fox by Baglietto has vast areas in which to relax on deck, ideal for entertaining guests. Image: Federico Ferretti.

In 2012, the Liguria-based yachting brand was acquired by the Gavio Group, whose investment led to expansion and new state-of-the-art facilities. It now has capacity for up to 12 ships, and can house 395-foot (120-m) vessels in its covered basin. It also boasts new boutique headquarters in the US, and plans to put more efforts into the Far East.

Citing the Americas as “one of the most dynamic and responsive yachting hubs in the world,” Baglietto is also responding to market demand for increased space on board with its most recent concept, the 157-foot (48-m) T-Line Silver Fox, launched at the Miami Yacht Show in February 2019. The vessel boasts 3,767 square feet (350 sq m) of luxurious interior space, while the vast exterior areas include a 1,507-square-foot (140-sq-m) sundeck with infinity pool.

Yacht's outdoor lounge area
The outdoor space on Baglietto's Silver Fox includes shaded lounging areas, a sundeck, and an infinity pool, all offering the utmost in luxury. Image: Federico Ferretti.

And what of the future? “In terms of the yachting market, I think it is still growing in size,” says Gavino. “Today the average length is 45-60 meters (148-197 ft), but I believe this will shift towards 60-80 meters (197-262 ft). No larger than that, though. Luxury is something taken for granted when you buy a 50-meter (154-ft) yacht, so owners pay great attention to detail.”

But it’s not just luxury that owners demand today, as they aspire to make as little impact on the environment as possible. An ecologically friendly approach is one of Baglietto’s top priorities. “We’re very focussed on harnessing new and sustainable technologies, and that includes a drive towards eco-friendly propulsion systems and recyclable materials,” says Gavino. Watch this space.

baglietto.com