The boating industry is in mourning for the death of the founder and president of Overmarine Group, Giuseppe Balducci. The funeral for Balducci, who was 87 when he passed, was held on Tuesday 11 June in Viareggio. Born in Limite sull’Arno in 1937, his family moved to Viareggio when he was little. At just 16 years old he began working as an electrician in the Picchiotti shipyard in Viareggio, where he remained until the shipyard closed down in 1971, the same year he decided to start his own business, Elettromare, which still makes naval electrical systems today.

The company, which was already equipped with the latest machinery at the time, led Balducci to travel not only around Italy, but also to the United States, and, during his travels, he was able to see the evolution that vessels were undergoing – moving from wood to fibreglass. This gave him the push to open a facility dedicated to the construction of fibreglass yachts in Massarosa, Lucca. This was the 1980s and Balducci’s vision was spot on: orders came pouring in from shipyards asking him to build their hulls.

Shortly thereafter he founded the Overmarine shipyard, which specialised in the construction of fast maxi-open vessels, with their unique yet timeless style, they quickly became one of the top builders in the world for boats of this kind. What is now the Overmarine Group is the result of the tireless enthusiasm of this man who had a great dream, and who also believed in the potential of Viareggio, becoming one of the founding partners of two businesses working in the Tuscan city’s port: Udina and ArPeCa. Working right to the end, he also followed the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Pisa, which should open in the coming weeks.

Balducci will be remembered as a reserved man, somewhat ironic, but with a huge love for his wife, Bruna, his children Maurizio and Katia, his beloved grandchildren and his partners with whom he built ships that have become icons in the boating industry. The entire Overmarine team thanks him, and is standing by his family during this difficult time.