Callegari steps up its relaunch at the Monaco Yacht Show
The relaunch of the historic Callegari brand, undertaken by the Recchia group – which also includes Aviorec, a company producing carbon aerospace components – reached an important stage at the recent Monaco Yacht Show, where the maxi RIB builder exhibited the new full-carbon Callegari 48.
At Port Hercule, Press Mare interviewed Callegari sales manager Giampaolo Capponi.
PM – You are in Monaco with a significant boat, the flagship already seen in Cannes, which is due to be followed by smaller RIBs from the same line. Why this choice?
GC – We had to restart the Callegari brand, which for years was the benchmark in the RIB and inflatable boat sector. The brand dates back to 1906, and the company began building its first inflatables in the 1970s; together with Zodiac in France, it led the sector. Today Callegari is owned by an industrial group that works with composite materials, building helicopter blades and other components. The parent company, so to speak, is Aviorec, which has passed on this influence, this composite construction DNA. So the choice was to restart with a new product and with a boat of substantial content, and the construction material is one of the yard's defining features.
PM – So the next models will also be built in carbon?
GC – Yes, to achieve total efficiency and to benefit from economies of scale and production. A 48-footer like this one has a combined weight of around 3,500 kg for hull, deck and hardtop, and fully equipped it stays at around 10 tonnes. This gives us very good performance even with just two 600 hp engines, which allow a cruising speed of 36-37 knots and a top speed of 47 knots: in practice we are on a par with other competitors that, however, use triple or even quadruple engine installations. This also results in lower fuel consumption and lower running costs.
PM – What is the yard's philosophy?
GC – The 48 expresses it well through the aesthetic and design choices that were made. The idea is to offer an elegant, spacious boat that does not want to be confused with military or sport-type models. The exterior spaces are very generous, and the interior even more so, with two cabins – a double forward and a twin aft with large beds – plus a bathroom and a separate shower room. The priority, therefore, is comfort and liveability on board.
PM – You had already presented the 48 in Cannes. What response did you get there and in Monaco?
GC – We are very satisfied, because we already have signed contracts. In practice we have reached two types of client: first, owners who deliberately look for RIBs with this kind of space, and then owners of large yachts who want an elegant chase boat with the added element of cabins, providing liveability for the captain and crew. This clearly brings major benefits on megayachts, because it frees up even more space for guest cabins.
PM – Turning to your upcoming products, what are you working on?
GC – First of all, for the 48 we expect to have four units sold and in the water in 2027. We are also completing the new 7-metre entry-level model, the 9-metre and the new 11-metre of the T series, the technical tender. The range will then be completed by the 13-metre and the 20-metre, for a total of six models.
PM – And for the smaller sizes?
GC – For that segment we acquired Geniuss, which specialises in smaller tenders up to 4.20 metres, and there too we will bring our know-how and technology. We will also benefit from the Geniuss patent, which places the engine inside the tender: combined with the lightness of the composite material, it makes an ideal pairing.
Riccardo Masnata