Antico Cantiere del Legno Aprea at VELA Cup Procida

Much more than a regatta, the VELA Cup Procida, to be held Sept. 27-29, will be a true celebration of sailing. A weekend full of sea-related events. Also among those present were the legendary hulls of theAncient Aprea Wood Shipyard and the boats of the ASDEC (Association of Vintage and Classic Hulls). Nino Aprea tells his story in an interview.

Interview with Nino Aprea, the wood tailor

You say Aprea and you think gozzo, the real one, Sorrentino, which inspired so many variations. Few other yards are synonymous with a boat, how do you explain that?

In fact, my Family’s name has always been linked to handicrafts, wooden boats and Sorrento, where we still have our headquarters and little has changed in over two and a half centuries.

Nino Aprea, 55 years old which he does not show, just like his father Mastro Cataldo who is 92, lists names of boats and shipowners who continue, year after year, to order him a boat (one of his goiters is not bought, it is ordered, like a dress from the tailor) and to entrust him with its maintenance. But there is more to ACL Aprea, thanks to the revaluation of wooden boats due to new construction techniques, which have drastically reduced costs and maintenance problems.

If you come to the other shipyard, the big one in Torre Annunziata, you’ll see Cris Craft, Baglietto and Riva alongside Sparkman&Stephens, Frers senior, Alden and William Fife … All works of art, signed by our great masters; working on them you always learn something new, often incredibly current.

And will many of these boats be seen in Procida, at the Vela Cup?

Yes, of course, my owners are happy to participate in this great celebration for those who love the sea in all its forms. We will be there to provide assistance to vintage and classic boats, not just wooden ones. But also to give advice on maintenance, which products are best and how to use them. John Caputo, perhaps one of the foremost experts on rigging and naval lore, will also be there, ready to teach anyone who wants to try his hand at this art.

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When is the construction of a new project, beyond the G-10 that is already an icon in the Gulf?

We are working on it, with the help of our lead architect Stefano Faggioni. At a more advanced stage is the G-12, whose hull lines we are refining to provide a speed of 12 knots, but the real big business is in salvaging and repurposing decommissioned boats. For a very low investment compared to the cost of new you can have “your” boat, with unique appeal and accommodations to suit you. For example, we have a fantastic English pilot boat to be converted back into a Mediterranean cruiser, Faggioni’s design is beautiful, and the boat has a respectable pedigree.

Hurray for wood then, and all in Procida Sept. 27-29 to admire a dock that promises to be truly unique.

Registration is already open! For more information, or if you would like to participate even without having a boat, write to us at:
procidavelacup@gmail.com
. Don’t miss the opportunity to have a unique experience in the beautiful setting of Procida!

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