The preview boats you’ll see for the first time on the dock at VELAFestival

Let’s start to titillate you with some of the new boats that the world’s great shipyards will be bringing to the dock at VELAFestival. Some are firsts for Italy, hulls that have just finished their tour of European winter salons and are coming to hit the water in Santa Margherita for the first time. Others are world premieres that will be shown to the public for the first time during the four-day VELAFestival.

WORLD PREMIERES ON THE DOCKS AT SANTA MARGHERITA
MILYUS 76 FD

The 76-foot flagship is a major bet for the Piacenza-based shipyard, which chose the VELAFestival as the launching pad for this 20-meter flush deck, of which there is also a deck saloon version. Shull and deck constructed of unidirectional, multiaxial Pvc and carbon fiber sandwich. As with all models, the 76 is full custom and each owner has the option of choosing layouts and materials. At 23.41 meters in length, the Mylius 76 can also fit a movable keel (optional). The sail plan includes a carbon mast and boom, by Southern Spars. The aft platform opens to access the garage, capable of stowing a 3.80-meter tender. The engine is a 220-horsepower Yanmar 6BY3. Below deck , the interior has layouts of three to five cabins.

VISMARA V56

Another world premiere at the VELAFestival for the new Vismara V56 Mills is a modern, fuel-saving-conscious blue water in full accordance with the Vismara Hybrid philosophy. The Viareggio shipyard once again confirms its now faithful collaboration with Irish studio Mills Design to create a hull in carbon fiber and epoxy resin (the ultimate in lightweight composite materials). The idea is that of a performance blue cruiser, built all in carbon in the usual Vismara style, the prerogatives are those of easy sailing, long range and energy self-sufficiency. The design was entrusted to Mark Mills and Vismara Marine and is derived from the winning 62-foot SuperNikka. A 17-meter boat, The Vismara V56, which must fish lightly, have good heeling resistance to such an extent that it can withstand full canvas, without reefing, up to 20 knots of wind intensity. All of this, however, without penalizing performance in light winds and, last but not least, that it has racer performance, tightens upwind well but is smooth at the helm and has a smooth transition over the wave.

ITALIAN PREMIERES ON THE QUAYSIDE IN SANTA MARGHERITA

DUFOUR 412 GL

For the first time in Italy you will see at VELAFestival the new Dufour 412 GL, an update of the 410. This upgrade touches on several points: first and foremost, a distinctive feature of the very latest Dufour higher square footage, which owners really liked: the introduction, aft, of the galley, complete with a grill for excellent cockpit barbecues. Still on the subject of the galley, the one below deck will take the traditional “L” shape with the sink placed on the short side, benefiting rationality of use. The retractable bowsprit will be replaced by a fixed bowsprit-a solution that is making a comeback on cruising hulls because of its greater practicality. Finally, the cockpit is the result of an ergonomic redesign. Length ft 12.70 m . Hull length 11.98 m . Length at waterline 11.15 m . Maximum beam 4.20 m . Light displacement 8,940 kg . Draft 2.10 m . Ballast 2,600 kg . Fuel tanks 200 l. Motorization 40 hp . Umberto Felci design.

SAFFIER 6.50
Another Italian premiere at VELAFestival will be the Saffier 6.50 Cruise, which captivates with its elegant lines that yet conceal cutting-edge construction technology. Modern-day daysailer, but capable of keeping intact the lines that characterize the Dutch shipyard’s style. This is a marine boat, for those who really want to have fun, with a well-centered, punchy bulb (45 percent of the boat’s total weight) that ensures its stability and good righting moment. The cockpit, which is very large considering the size of the boat, can accommodate up to six people. The presence of the self-tacking jib and a code zero make it easy to maneuver without detracting from the sporty look. At 6.50 meters long and 2.05 meters wide, it has a displacement of 900 kg.
Length. 6.50 m; wd. 2.05 m; fish. 0.95 m; displacement. 900 kg; ballast 400 kg; mainsail sup. 13 sqm; jib sup. 8 sqm; sup. Code Zero (optional) 25 sq m; Yanmar 10 hp Saildrive engine.

RS QUEST

Presented at the last Southampton Boat Show, the new RS Quest arrives for the first time in Italy at VELAFestival: a dinghy to be used in doubles but also prefect for four people, featuring a compact, versatile configuration and a self-emptying cockpit. Designed by Jo Richards and Rs Sailing in collaboration with Sea Cadets (an association, linked to the British Navy, for the promotion of sea-related youth activity), the RS Quest offers maximum safety and is a truly ideal hull for learning to sail and for family outings. In the RS range, this new hull finds its position, in terms of size, between the Feva and the Vision: for sailing schools, it allows the instructor to be on board together with two or three students. Easy to handle both on land and in the water, the RS Quest is constructed of polyethylene and is designed to be modified to suit the needs of each outing based on the people on board. For example, one can change the position of the seats as needed, arm or not arm the trapezes, provide or not provide for the outboard motor, and choose whether to arm the gennaker or spinneker. In addition, to facilitate running and rigging, the two-part aluminum furling and mast are provided.
Lung. 4,29 m. Larg. 1,83 m. Hull weight: 100 kg. Armed boat weight: 135 kg. Sail area mainsail and jib: 11 sq. m. Gennaker surface area: 11 sqm. Spinnaker surface area: 10 sqm

MELGES 14
Big debut at the VELAFestival also for the Melges 14:built by Melges and designed by Reichel / Pugh, the 4.267-meter-long (and 1.584-wide) Melges 14 weighs 54 pounds and a half. The mainsail, rigged on a carbon mast and boom, can be 9.1 or 7.8 square meters depending on the configuration chosen (mid-range, less demanding, or full-range, with more sail area). The drift features a wide cockpit (so as to reduce rolling) and open aft.