Settemari Yachts, the benchmark for boaters

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Sailing, the great excellences of the sailing world tell their stories and reveal their projects. In this column, discover all the companies and people who have made important contributions to the multifaceted world of sailing, which enables us all to go to sea in all forms and contexts.

In this installment, we take you on a tour of the history and news of Settemari Yachts, which for 40 years has not only been in the business of selling boats.

Settemari is an experienced and passionate presence, always at the side of those who own a boat, are looking for one, or are about to buy one.

Who do you turn to when you want to buy a boat, new or used? The best thing would be to get in touch with a real expert, who knows the market and especially the boats, who is able to assist in pre and post sale. Someone like Settemari Yachts for example, one of the most professional and highly regarded in the Italian boating industry for its proven track record of many years of experience in buying and selling. We talked about it with its Administrator, Enrico Podestà, who before being a manager and a seller of boats is first of all a great connoisseur of them, being a top sailor with even a participation in the Mini Transat behind him. “Our history is 40 years long,” Enrico began. “We have always been dedicated to importing and selling boats from leading shipyards across the Alps. Currently our brand portfolio consists of Beneteau, Saffier Yachts and Neel. For Beneteau we cover the territory of the Northwest, so Piedmont Liguria and Lombardy. For the sailing range both with reference to the Oceanis and Oceanis Yacht cruisers and the prestigious First and Seascape Edition cruiser racers, boats we are very passionate about. Of the luxury daysailers Saffier Yachts we are exclusive importers for Italy, as well as of the trimarans Neel.” .

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But what is behind the choice of brands by a company like Settemari? “Clearly, the choice made a few years ago to make Beneteau our brand of reference was dictated first and foremost by the construction quality of the boats, by the guarantee of a shipyard that is unparalleled in the world in terms of organization, reliability of service and ability to innovate, but also by our ambition to cover extensively all ways of going to sea. By experience and passion I come from the world of sailing, the choice of Beneteau has allowed us, in conjunction with the entry of my new partner Roberto La Rosa, who instead is a great fan of powerboats, to broaden our offer to the entire world of yachting. In our recent experience, these are two worlds that tend to come closer together, and areas of overlap are becoming more and more frequent. To put it simply, sailing is becoming more and more comfortable and accessible and the motor boat sector is becoming more environmentally conscious. There is no conflict, rather organizational and commercial synergies. What drives us is instinct, passion and love for boats. But we also want commercially reliable brands, respectful of the dealer’s role that is so important in determining customer satisfaction. We are also careful to evaluate new proposals, and thanks to our roots in the territory, with three locations in Varazze, Lavagna and La Spezia,“ Enrico confides.

Beneteau is only part of Settemari‘s sailing proposition, which then has in its portfolio brands that could be described as ‘out of the chorus.’ “If you sail a few hours aboard a Saffier Yacht you can’t help but fall in love with it,” Podestà continues, “This is what happened to us, and from there the now almost 20-year collaboration with the Dutch shipyard was born. The day sailer segment is a niche that caters to discerning owners, which is why it is important to offer boats built without compromising quality. This is a luxury product that allows one to stand out and satisfy the aesthetic sense of people accustomed to surrounding themselves with brands of excellence. In these hulls, optimized for solo sailing, modernity and nautical culture are combined.” . And the other “cult” brand, however, is Neel. “The multihull market is numerically dominated by cruiser models that put all their emphasis on comfort and space on board, but which sailing-wise have little to say. Neel stands as a meeting point between performance and comfort, thanks to the trimaran’s inherent qualities. Speed, course stability, wave passage, tiller sensitivity, maneuverability even at low speeds, performance in light winds. At the same time, the possibility of having the owner’s cabin on the cockpit floor makes it the ideal vehicle for travel experiences, I would say an explorer of the sea, and this side particularly fascinates us. The shipyard has new management coming from serial production, has the ideal production facility in La Rochelle, France, and is designed by the Lombard studio. Rarely have I seen boats that are so rational and qualitative from an engineering standpoint. These are all elements that pushed us toward this choice. Unfortunately, it is a product that has not yet entered much into the ropes by the Italian owner, but we think that especially the new models are going in the right direction and we invite enthusiasts to visit the new Neel 52. It will be able to amaze for comfort, rationality and ergonomics of the immense spaces.” Podesta proudly tells.

“As far as Beneteausailing is concerned,” continues ” Biscontini Yacht Design’s involvement in the design of the waterlines of the models over 50 feet in size has brought a great breath of fresh air. Now the pencil of Roberto Biscontini has also been entrusted with the flagship of the eighth generation of Oceanis, the new Oceanis 52 of which we have a hull on order ready for delivery. These are elegant boats on the water, fast and capable of giving fantastic sensations at the helm. They are premium hulls, and the proof is that all of the Beneteau sailboats we have delivered have been equipped with excellent sails and have sailed an incredible number of miles with their owners in the Mediterranean in their first season. I am convinced that the 52 will take the breath away from the enthusiasts who come to visit it at the Cannes and Genoa boat shows.” . And then there is the revolution of the small First 30. A boat that creates a new segment, that of small planing racer cruisers: “has a launch price that we think can bring young families, former drifters, and racers back to the new boat market. The fact that it glides even in moderate winds completely revolutionizes the way of boating, speed, stability, excitement, adrenaline. All this in an easy way and compatible with a family crew. Of Saffier, on the other hand, there are not only daysailers, I am thinking in fact of the Saffier SL 46 that impressed the European press at the last Dusseldorf Boat Show, although I think the boat that fully embodies the uncompromising Saffier spirit remains theSE 33. In ten meters there is everything one asks of a day- sailer: an exceptionally large cockpit, a protected guest area, the concept of easy sailing in its most accomplished expression. Motorization can be full electric or diesel. Plus an efficient anchorage system hidden in the forepeak and a livable interior open up the possibility for use as a weekender. Plus it is a fast, fun, light, marine, powerful boat. It is simply a very very successful design and every time I sail her I realize that.” reveals.

Settemari Yachts  is not just selling the new boat, but assisting in every aspect of a boater’s and owner’s needs. “We have always paid attention to all-around service,” explains Enrico. “The enjoyment of the boat is given by the object itself, but also by the actual occasions of use, and no inconvenience should spoil the free moments devoted by the owner to his passion. This accompanying service is aimed at both new and old boat owners and plays a key role in brokerage negotiations, thus in used boat sales and purchases. We carry it out with direct staff and with the help of a network of shipyards, competent craftsmen and professionals who have a privileged relationship with us. Saffier Yachts for example, in the rare interventions that have happened to us on these boats, often acts directly by sending its own technicians. Beneteau makes the SAV service – an acronym for service après vente – a flagship. As a dealer, we have an intranet where every claim can be succinctly reported, the spare parts warehouse is very responsive, and the shipyard’s technical department is always available to support our technicians to facilitate any work on board.” . You can sleep easy dreams, word from Settemari Yachts.

• At this link, all the mythical stories from the 50 years of the Sailing Newspaper

50 years of the GdV: an opportunity not to be missed. Also for your brand

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Il Giornale della Vela is organizing the largest communication campaign in its history, which will reach a total audience of 2,000,000 “sea lovers” interested in the world of sailing.

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