Italia Yachts, one of the most important brands in high end yachts, with 150 boats to date sailing around the world, in particular in the United States, Australia, China, Hong Kong and Europe, was founded in 2011 during a very difficult economic period, especially for boating, trying to attract a competent, ambitious and receptive market for new ideas and quality.

In our talk with the CEO, Daniele De Tullio, who presented the new 20.98, a Mini Maxi that expands Italia Yachts’ high-end range, we could feel his passion for boating and his vision for a future of all round growth, where technology, innovation and research are functional for both boating performance and concrete and solid work is done on environmental sustainability.

Indeed, Daniele De Tullio wants a boat that will “win at sea” and not at the dock, to satisfy the important expectations of the modern and skilled boat owner.  De Tullio, who represents the proprietors of Italia Yachts, the Vitulano family, is 41 years old and, on 1 January, he became CEO of the company, a role he achieved thanks to his hard work in the shipyard over the last 4 years.

In just a few words, how would you define the identity values of the Italia Yachts shipyard?

Design, quality, technology and performance. These are the cornerstones of IY’s entire production, from the small IY 9.98 to the Mini Maxi. We start with design because visual impact is important and the IYs, with their classically modern lines, stand out from the other thousands of vessels. We have recently implemented our operative structure to take the necessary steps forward in order to guarantee the same quality in each and every vessel, so the standards are followed from the smallest to the biggest.

We are also working with companies such as Linset and Corset, working with the University of the Marche, in order to develop technology for the hull and structure, with Indeco and Politecnico di Bari to develop the mechanics and for the functioning of systems and structures, and with Advanced Sport, Engineering Lab di Giorgio Provinciali for the maths and hydro-dynamics of the hull design.

Thanks to an ultrasound system, IY hulls are certified and tested using onboard equipment, thanks to which all information history can be traced back in order to verify its status in real time. In short, we believe that experience should go step by step with technology to create something that has a diverse value and continuity for the technological conditions that a boat owner uses everyday.

The results can also be seen in the races. The shipyard was born with a competitive heart and, although dedicating a lot of care, even an entire range, to cruising vessels, in the last few years we have not left very many awards and trophies on the race tracks. From world, European and Italian titles, to the overall in the last iteration of Tre Golfi, and the recent win in Key West, we can say that we are collecting recognition, together with our boat owners.

Where does the push for increasingly larger vessels come from? From the need for owners to have more interior comfort, the desire to demonstrate a status, the desire for further navigation?

We believe the time has come to offer owners who have chosen to sail with IY, including Jeffrey Kennedy, who just purchased his second IY in the US, to be able to grow with us if they wish to do so. Each owner has a different reason for wanting a larger vessel, mainly it is the desire to spend more time on board and to do so in the best ways. Often it is also to push themselves a bit further afield to places they have yet to explore.

There are also those who think about purchasing a Mini Maxi in order to step into one of the most interesting, challenging and fun race circuits. In any case, anyone wanting this type of vessel is no beginner, but a prepared boat owner looking for a boat that satisfies his expectation in terms of navigation, stability, comfort and, why not, speed. I believe that a Mini Maxi, more than the other boats, needs to represent all of these traits, enclosed in 21 metres.

Who buys a 21-metre nowadays? Skilled owners or lovers of luxury?

One thing does not preclude the other. Let’s say that the owner looking for luxury today, is skilled and knows what they want in a boat. They have certainly had the chance to see many boats and have done their research on the shipyard and vessels they build.

In this sense, a choice is not made casually, but is the result of a careful evaluation, probably because the last two years have also created different needs and opportunities, like being able to work outside of the office and therefore also on board. A means of transportation which, especially at this point in time, has shown itself to be one of the safest.

Choosing a design is finding a balance between speed, navigational comfort, interior space, stability and draught. What is the “winning” aspect for the new 20.98?

A vessel that large can not just focus on one of these, as the expectations and needs of an owner of a 66’ are many and diverse. Certainly our philosophy continues to be to design and build vessels with high quality, starting with stability and performance. When we talk about performance, we aren’t just talking about speed, but also about the quality with which the boat sails in all conditions, even when using the engine.

In order for this to happen, the design needs to begin with the exterior, starting with the waterline, from which derive the other spaces, including the interior. As a consequence, performance and construction will not delude expectations and for design, like we have done over the last few years, we propose something new, modern and comfortable.

Within what limits are you able to decline reliability and the need to offer technologically innovative solutions?

There are no limits, just opportunities. It is for this reason that we are working with companies connected to the universities, because thanks to the studies and experiments of young people are we able to take steps forward. What is important is that these are not risks but all innovations with technical support that guarantees efficiency, functionality, and safety, with the necessary testing and experimental period.

Maybe the only limit to keep in mind is that of costs. It is always important to evaluate in terms of cost-benefit to ensure that the proposal is financially viable. This is a very important element, especially because the technical level of the owners of this type of vessel and of their consultants is extremely high.

Italia Yachts is certainly a shipyard that pays a lot of attention to the latest technology for construction and research. What will we be seeing in the new 20.98?

In this moment, with a pinch of presumption, we could say that IY builds with a decisively superior production standard and this, in view of the 20.98, is just a starting point. We have not just limited ourselves to making a bigger IY, but to project our know how in research and development forward; and this can only start with the construction technology used for the hull, deck and structure.

In order to do this, we have created a team including the best professionals in Italian industry, and have begun researching alongside universities and businesses working in the aerospace industry. There will certainly be a lot of new things,but they still need to pass a number of tests before being approved. One of these is tied to energy, and I am not simply referring to electric engines, but I don’t want to add more at the moment.

In your opinion, is the perceived added value of construction and design more appreciated compared to the past?

Certainly. Firstly the owner, usually with their wives, when they come to see the boat, immediately demonstrate they have the skills needed to make a good choice and to ask us specific and interesting questions. We guide them in their discovery of other useful details that may be missed the first time, or that are completely hidden, like the technology used in laminating the hull, improving control, or the option of having broadband, satellite and anything else needed to work and be connected just like at home, in the office or car.

We explain to the client that we design the boats and water lines with the help of artificial intelligence, that elaborates mathematical models. In short, as the client demonstrates interest we get into the details, so that they can fully understand everything that contributes to making a sail boat an IY and its true philosophy.

Environment, consumption, materials: at what point are we?

It is inevitable nowadays to constantly think about the environment, both for companies and those who use boats.’ For this reason we are actively working in energy savings, and emission reduction, while we are also making it so that on board there is technology, starts with the principles of design and construction, to improve energy power and connection with the exterior without increasing the invasive presence of supplemental systems.  Because everything extra added takes up space, weighs, and can malfunction.

What other things can the shipyard offer to clients after their boat has been delivered? After-sales, service supplier networks, crew training?

The comment that we often pleasantly receive from our clients is that, from the moment they made the purchase, they have never felt alone. We work hard to be available and effective both before and after the sale. We are working on many different fronts in order to support those who have purchased an IY in Italy and abroad, creating a community with a series of advantages for what could be all the needs of owners and their crews.

We have created the Italia Yachts Owner Club, which we hope to turn into a real ‘club’, where everyone connected to our brand can visit each other to find what they need but also to travel together, challenge each other in races or simply to chat about regulations and manoeuvres.

We have created Italia Yachts Squadra Corse, a service dedicated to the most expert racers as well as those stepping into racing for the first time. A recognised team of expert professionals capable of intervening during construction to help clients in organising their vehicle and team. The program therefore, organises training/preparation days and experts work on every element to best set up the vessel and demonstrate how to best sail it, choose the sails and set them depending on the type of race entered.

In addition, in parallel to building the sales network, which now has effective coverage of over 18 countries, and is continuing to grow, we are also creating a service network, so that a boat owner will always have a reference hub or point nearby that is prepared, even outside of Italy, open 365 days a year.

What is the profile of the ideal owner of the 20.98? Sailor, cruiser or racer?

With such a big boat it is difficult that the owner has in mind only one of those aspects. If that were the case, obviously we can study a pure racer version to allow for the most excitement during racing. But we conceived this boat as a real all-rounder, giving the best in liveability on board, and performance during sailing and racing.

When will we see it in the water?

We have four potential owners interested and we hope that 2024 will see the launch of our first one.