“Goccia” by Guidi Srl is enjoying ever-increasing success and is now receiving important international recognition.

The new drop-shaped bronze water inlet by Guidi (art. 1262), already patented, has in fact been included among the 67 products nominated for the final phase of the DAME Design Awards, the prestigious international award presented in November, 2025 at METS in Amsterdam.

Being among the nominated group for such a technical product is a very significant achievement, especially in a year in which the competition was particularly fierce, with 146 entries, a record number for the DAME award, established in 1991.

The DAME international jury had eleven members and were therefore forced to "overwork" in judging them all: the DAME award is divided into eight categories and the “Goccia” participated in the category of Manufacturing, Support Products & Materials.

This nomination also marks the end of another positive year for Guidi: its 2025 turnover will be entirely in line with last year's, an excellent result in the current nautical environment, especially for small and medium-sized companies and the accessories sector.

But let's take a closer look at the characteristics of the “Goccia”, this innovative product.

Design

The “Goccia” water inlet represents an example of "bio-inspired engineering" for technological solutions that recall natural elements and feature the company's signature refined aesthetic. Guidi's technical products not only offer high performance, but also feature an elegant design, with refined lines and finishes.

The design has also been optimized for production. It's made using a core-free bronze casting process, resulting in less waste, a lower environmental impact, and easier processing.

The design was developed to solve a specific problem, upon request of a boatbuilder, to avoid cavitation and loss of speed caused by traditional water inlets installed on a high-performance vessel. Tests, subsequently conducted on multiple vessels, demonstrated the effectiveness to the problem, validated the project's functionality and encouraged Guidi to industrialize the design for series production.

Like all Guidi products, the “Goccia” is designed to be durable and reliable.

Usage

The “Goccia” is mounted on the hull below the waterline, connected to a thru-hull fitting, and serves to channel water into the vessel. This water supplies the various hydraulic systems: engine, generators, watermakers, bathrooms, and more.

It's the first step in filtering, but also protecting, the water that passes through the hull and then flows into the hydrodynamic system. This design is suitable for all types of boats in its standard use.

Unlike traditional water inlets, the new design guarantees an increased water flow rate of approximately +35%, for the same measurement, as it does not “break” the water stream.

Sustainability and environment

Crafted entirely from high-quality bronze, the “Goccia” guarantees durability and complete recyclability (100% recyclable) at the end of its life cycle. It also improves navigation efficiency by reducing noise, hydrodynamic drag, and fuel consumption, contributing to a quieter and more environmentally friendly navigation experience.

Simplicity and ease of use

This water inlet is extremely easy to install: you can simply fix it securely to the hull of the boat with three screws.

If debris accumulates, cleaning is also simple: simply remove the cap, clean the hull in the area where it is installed, and the inlet itself. At this stage, it's also easy to clean it from any fouling or debris.

The design has been studied without sharp surfaces or edges and therefore does not require special attention or DPI during installation, removal, cleaning and maintenance operations.

Originality and innovation

The “Goccia” combines an innovative and functional design, inspired by nature, to optimize hydrodynamics. Its shape effectively channels water, optimizing fluid flow adhesion, virtually eliminating vortices and reducing turbulence.

It's inspired by the "pyriform quartic," a type of algebraic curve resembling the shape of a drop and characterized by a continuous curve, with a distinctive point for maximum curvature. This design optimizes water flow, both inside and outside the cap, significantly reducing vortex formation and minimizing turbulence.

The functional advantages

The advantages have been confirmed by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analyses conducted in collaboration with the DITEN-Department of Naval, Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering of the University of Genoa:

• Minimization of hydrodynamic resistance: the reduction of turbulence leads to a significant reduction in the boat's forward resistance, increasing propulsive efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

• Increased water flow: the optimization of the geometry allows for an increase in volumetric flow compared to a traditional water inlet of the same size.

• Cavitation reduction: the lower turbulence at the outlet helps to reduce the formation of cavitation in the propellers.

• Noise reduction: the reduced turbulence translates into a significant reduction in hydrodynamic noise, improving environmental sustainability.

The “Goccia”, Guidi's art. 1262 water inlet, has been patented.