Italia Yachts 15.98: boats like this…if they are still being built thankfully

Chioggia (VE) – It’s finally here: it’s the day of the long-awaited test of theItalia Yachts 15.98. There are boats, like this one, of which you cannot explain in words why they are beautiful-they are just beautiful. A balance of round lines and step on waves that becomes an aesthetic issue. After seeing her on the dock , with her tall, sharp and slightly upturned prow, during the Genoa Boat Show, I was waiting to try her on the water to experience her performance firsthand. I arrive in the lagoon of Chioggia and Italia Yachts is waiting for me at the dock with Franco Corazza, owner and project manager of the shipyard, and Stefano Quaggiotti, Italy sales manager.

SAFE AND FAST SURFING WITH A DECK PLAN THOUGHT THROUGH TO THE SMALLEST DETAIL
A borin is blowing in the sixteen knots, and we decide to drop our moorings immediately to escape the rain that threatens us from above. We hoist the sails and I immediately notice how the maneuvering area was really ergonomically designed: Harken’s four Performa electric winches, positioned within reach of the helmsman, allow everything to be operated very easily and effortlessly, even by one person (the second might be limited to just activating the buttons that activate the electric winches). I note the apt choice of placing two referrals within reach of the winches, which allow sheets or halyards to be deferred upwind, so that the helmsman has everything he needs within arm’s reach without having to inconvenience anyone. In fact, the cockpit, protected by appropriate guardrails, is divided into three different areas (along the lines of what is done on maxi yachts): the central part is dedicated to guests and relaxation, with two large benches (2.30 m x 58 cm), central table with folding doors (although in the version we tested it had been removed for racing) and standard spryhood ; a rigging area as described where, in addition to the four winches, the mainsail traveller recessed under the decking also finds space; the wheelhouse area with a large sunbathing area aft. We immediately set to windward and the boat starts at 8.4 kn, I put myself at the helm to test it (comfortably leaning with boat heeled at the toeboard), when I ask to leave a few inches of sheet because I felt a little resistance, Franco Corazza explains ” Yes, the boat is a little ‘masculine’ also because the wheels have separate circuits without all those demultipliers that are so fashionable today. Here, a small movement of the wheel is enough to move the rudder blade (which fishes 1.50 m), and in addition, this system ensures greater safety, because if one circuit breaks, one can safely steer with the other wheel.” After a few tacking turns we decided to lay back and set to tack to sail in the middle of one of the lagoon’s channels; to tack we reached 10.3 knots, while to slack with white sails we were making 9.7 knots with wind always around 15-16. A really fun boat to steer, that doesn’t slam on the wave but comes out with good pace and makes you feel safe at sea: racing performance and ocean-like behavior on the water.

AN ALL-ITALIAN PROJECT BASED ON TEAMWORK

In just under three years Italia Yachts has become one of the benchmarks of Italian shipbuilding, and its flagship, the 15.98, is further confirmation of this team’s success. “Here with us we decide everything together, we don’t work by separate departments, those who design the hull also have their say on the deck plan: it’s all a team effort. Four thinking heads will always be better than one: together we analyze the pros and cons of each issue to make the most of our experience as sailors, first and foremost.” In the face of those who think boats are no longer being built as they once were, Italia Yachts has brought quality to the forefront, bringing to life a hull for people who really sail. Tommaso Spadolini took care of exterior styling and interior layouts, Matteo Polli took care of naval architecture (hull lines and design coordination) naval, and Studio Cossutti took care of the structural part. There are two versions for the keel: a T-shaped one (2.09 m) with a steel blade and lead torpedo that is more performant for those who do not have problems with shallow water and an L-shaped one. As for the rig, we find a 19/20 with three orders of quartered spreaders (20°) and the 24-meter mast slightly set back, which allows for a prominent bow triangle that is perfect for rigging sails such as gennakers and 0-tails. The foredecks are wide, and free of obstructions (the high shroud shrouds’ mooring lines are at the broadside while the low shrouds’ mooring lines are close to the deckhouse), the halyards are flush with the deck, all rigging is recessed (the genoa rails are placed on the deckhouse to improve the upwind angle), and the bollards are concealed. In the stern there is space for a folding swim platform, while in the bow we find a standard 1,500 W anchor windlass with Delta anchor, dedicated locker and separate calavel, and an eyebolt for rigging a real foresail. In terms of construction, it is sandwiched with biaxial and unidirectional glass fabrics impregnated with vinyl ester resin, vacuum infusion lamination, and carbon reinforcements at the highest stress points.

INTERIORS RESUME AN ALMOST FORGOTTEN LAYOUT
“We thought of the Swan 53 and the Baltic by designing the interiors of this boat, that is, hulls that even below decks thought about sailing (an example are the many steel handrails, the absence of edges, and the galley in the corridor going to the starboard aft cabin) without sacrificing comfort, Spadolini has done a tremendous job: with twelve interior layouts and two different deck configurations, the Italia Yachts 15.98 is a semi-custom boat.” The owner has the choice of placing his cabin forward or aft (a decision that will result in the presence in the case of aft cabin of a step in the cockpit) and a layout of 2 to 5 cabins (with the possibility of having the crew cabin) where the C-shaped sofa with table for eight people and the engine room inside which one can easily walk around due to the large width are kept fixed.