One hundred and seventy years of history is quite a long time—not just to recount but also to envision. However, the story of Cantiere Baglietto begins before the Unification of Italy, and traversing wars, reconstructions, economic booms, and the glittering 80s and 90s, it arrives at the present day in remarkable shape. Toward the end of the 19th century, some of the most successful sailing boats ever belonged to them. They were also responsible for the motorboats that triumphed in the first motorboat races.
Baglietto Dom 133
Baglietto also played a pivotal role in launching yachting well before the 1960s, with renowned figures such as Gabriele D’Annunzio, Guglielmo Marconi, Giacomo Puccini, King Vittorio Emanuele II, and even Pope Leo XIII owning their yachts. There were numerous milestones: from the first Italian megayacht to the MAS and the first 12-metre SI built in Italy, not to mention the introduction of the Flybridge in its metric series.
Pachamama
This shipyard has always been a step ahead of many competitors and continues to impress even today. It is among the first to experiment with hydrogen propulsion and to experience yachting in a broader sense beyond just yachts. In recent years, it has launched new projects like Officina Baglietto, Blueness, and the BZero project, which we will discuss in the following pages. Although brief, these recount the history from the present day back to the dawn of this incredible emblem of Made in Italy.
Baglietto as a Philosophy
In this third phase of its life, Cantiere Baglietto has transformed the letter B into a true philosophy. From the outset, it was evident that Beniamino Gavio was the man determined to elevate the brand’s value back to its rich and significant heritage, and its evolution over the past 12 years is evident proof of this.
Lucky Me
Today, the shipyard embodies what Gavio defines as “Blueness,” which, more than a project, represents a sense of belonging to a world—Baglietto’s world, in fact—filled with attention to detail, customer care, tailor-made solutions, history, creativity, and the audacity to innovate. Additionally, there is the BZERO project, which starts with seawater to generate hydrogen. More importantly, it demonstrates Baglietto’s ability and instinct to look forward and pioneer in an area increasingly vital today: sustainability.
Pachamama
Baglietto BZERO
The BZERO system includes a hydrogen production module that utilizes filtered and deionized seawater to produce hydrogen with a purity grade of 5.0 at a maximum pressure of 35 bar, made possible through a system of AEM-type electrolysers. The electrolysers primarily draw energy from renewable sources (photovoltaic panels) and/or the electricity grid to generate as much ‘green’ hydrogen as possible.
Baglietto BZero
The entire mechanism is powered by renewable sources. It begins with the energy supply of the shipyard, which has become operational in recent days and is employed to thoroughly test the BZero system and its supply chain, with plans to transfer the system on board vessels starting in 2027.
Baglietto 50 Fast
This year also saw the unveil of a new hybrid propulsion system that will be introduced in 2025 on the DOM133 and T52 models with hybrid drive. This system comprises a Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesel engine and an ultra-compact hybrid unit. The hybrid unit successfully combines a low-consumption clutch and a 180 kW high-efficiency electric machine that plays a dual role: serving as an electric propulsion motor and as an axle generator to optimize fuel consumption.
Dom 133
Four Product Lines
Today, the shipyard offers four product lines: the T-Line, Fast-Line, DOM-Line, and XO. The T-Line, made of steel and aluminum, was launched in 2020 and includes the T52 and T60 models, both designed by Francesco Paszkowski. These yachts embody the Baglietto tradition, which they reinterpret within a contemporary context.
Baglietto XO
Specifically, the T52, which remains under 500gt, features significant stylistic innovations in both the stern and bow areas. The stern has been completely redesigned, composed of an open beach club arranged on three levels and includes a swimming pool with a ‘retractable’ closure, implemented via a floor that moves up and down. The T52 is also available with a diesel hybrid engine, and to date, nine units have been sold.
My Rush
Meanwhile, the FAST line, constructed entirely of aluminum and designed by Francesco Paszkowski, pays homage to Baglietto’s tradition by revisiting the time when the planning line was among its strengths. Two lengths are proposed: 42 and 50 meters.
T60 Hybrid
Launched in 2020, the aluminum DOM line is designed by Stefano Vafiadis, with its name originating from the Latin DOMus (home), reflecting its philosophy of transferring the comfort of home to a yacht, creating a cozy and serene space that is both elegant and functional. The DOM line features two sizes: the 115 footer and the 133 footer, with nine units of DOM133 sold to date. The first DOM115 was also sold recently, opening up to the Australian market.
Baglietto Dom 133
Earlier this year, the X50 was finally introduced—an explorer yacht that is truly revolutionary. Its standout feature is an observation area located above the wheelhouse, providing a unique and privileged space for enjoying panoramic views of the surroundings. Large flush-fit windows allow for a 360° view, while the central skylight enhances the experience of the sky above. Inside, this visual lounge is furnished with cozy cushions and sofas, making it the ideal refuge even on cooler days while retaining the magic of the journey. In front of the lounge area are six large monitors that operate independently for multifaceted usage.
Club M
The inspiration for its creation draws from the railway world, particularly the famous ‘Settebello,’ which revolutionized the concept of trains in the second half of the 1950s by incorporating a panoramic lounge positioned beneath the driver’s seat. XO reimagines this by moving the helm station to the upper deck and dedicating the exclusive space above solely for guests.
Baglietto and the Fully Customized Boat
The product range is complemented by the production of fully customized boats. This has always embodied the philosophy of this yard, which aims to fully realize the dreams and desires of its owners. Even existing lines can be extensively customized. Customization, after all, has been a tradition at Baglietto since before the Gavio management.
Nina J 2005
The years from 1996 to 2012 were marked by alternating ownerships, management changes, and financial complications, yet they did not diminish the Baglietto legacy. During the first decade of this century, vessels of the caliber of Vicky—at 58 meters the largest hull ever launched by Baglietto—were constructed, along with Blue Princess and Pure Insanity, both 34-meter open yachts designed by Francesco Paszkowski.
Annaffia
Also worth mentioning is Nina J, a 42-meter yacht featuring exteriors by Tommaso Spadolini and revolutionary interiors by Ivana Porfiri, which includes a vertical garden. Then we have Blue Scorpion, a 53-meter displacement yacht with classic lines, and Annamia, another 43-meter displacement yacht that anticipated the trawler trend. Both penned by Francesco Paszkowski, these hulls not only broke away from the planning tradition but showcased the yard’s versatility, enabling it to design and build any type of hull.
Charly Boy
Iconic pieces such as Charly Boy, Saramour, and Thunderball are all planing hulls that initiated the production of semi-custom hulls, leaving a significant mark on future designs. It was also during this period that Baglietto launched its planing line, collaborating with designers on details like the matte finish of the air intakes on the upper deck, which proved successful. The result was a new family image, reminiscent of Baglietto’s earlier golden age as a series builder.
Saramour
The Rodriguez Group Era
These innovations are also the legacy of the previous era, which witnessed the Rodriguez Group take control of the shipyard from the end of the Baglietto family management until 1996. This period was filled with successes as the shipyard evolved towards a distinctly more advanced style of yachting. It also marked the beginning of Francesco Paszkowski’s collaboration with the yard, debuting in 1994 with the 28-meter open Opus, the largest at the time and vaguely reminiscent of the Destriero launched three years earlier.
Opus 1994
Under Rodriguez, the external lines transitioned toward softer, yet considerably more aggressive shapes. Notably, in the mid-1980s, Baglietto definitively moved away from building mass-produced yachts, shifting towards custom designs. To facilitate this transition, it became necessary to introduce renowned yacht designers. Architects and designers vied for collaboration in designing new yachts but were always bound to respect the shipyard’s DNA and styles. A highlight of Rodriguez’s management was the Blue Ice, designed by Aldo Cichero in 1999 for Guido Orsi, a 40-meter yacht distinguished as the first wide body, featuring an extremely contemporary wheelhouse and a revolutionary flybridge covering three-quarters of the yacht.
Blue Ice 1999
Furthermore, the semi-displacement hull allows it to reach 30 knots with just two MTU engines, each with a rating of only 2,780 hp. Blue Ice also marked the first yacht to be built in the new La Spezia yard acquired to meet the rising production demand. Another notable design by Cichero was the 1991 Maffy Blue, which featured a new flying bridge layout and external lines characterized by sleek curves. Maffy Blue introduced a radical stylistic shift in planing megayacht design. With an overall length of 33 meters and a top speed of 30 knots, it combined a standard-setting profile with luxurious interiors.
Maffy Blu 1991
This period also saw the launch of a line of aluminum superyachts characterized by a distinctive style. Elegant, fast, and innovative, these hulls over 30 meters became the must-haves of the decade from 1982 to 1992. During this time, Baglietto launched no less than 15 yachts, including Adler, Lady Anfimar in 1987, Topshida in 1988, Elsewhere in 1992, and Alba in 1993. Shortly after Rodriguez took over, Baglietto unveiled its first real megayacht in 1985—Al Fahedi, a 46-meter vessel commissioned by an Emirati owner and designed by Gianni Zuccon.
Al Fahedi
The Baglietto Family Heritage
Until 1981, the yard was always managed by the Baglietto family. The last representatives, Pietro and Giampiero, passed on after nearly 30 years of continuous success as the third generation at the helm of a shipyard long regarded as one of the Italian strongholds of the nautical industry. It’s this legacy that brought about the decision to build in aluminum.
During the 1960s and 1970s, as fiberglass began to be used for constructing leisure yachts, they opted for aluminum, deeming it a safer and more versatile material. One of the most remarkable boats from this era was commissioned by Baron John von Neumann—a 26.5-meter hydrojet-powered vessel capable of achieving a top speed of 62.5 knots, making it still the fastest Baglietto to this day. U.S. importer for Volkswagen and Porsche, von Neumann embodied and personified the Baglietto spirit, which aimed at achieving the highest performance with unparalleled elegance and style.
Chato 1988
However, Giampiero and Pietro’s true genius lay in their choice to apply the assembly line system, commonly used in the USA for car manufacturing, to the nautical industry. This approach allowed their 16.50 and 20M lines to meet the growing demand ignited by the success of the 11.5-meter Elba, 16-meter Ischia, 14-meter Capri, 20-meter Minorca, and 22-meter Maiorca models launched between 1959 and 1962, launching Cantiere Baglietto into the Olympus of shipyards capable of building the new ‘leisure’ yachts that marked the birth of pleasure boating.
Minorca 1962
During the economic boom of the 1960s and 1970s, their yachts caused a sensation among actors, VIPs, and royalty from around the globe. Notable owners included the Princes of Monaco, who held one of the first 18Ms named Carostefal in honor of their three sons; Albino Buticchi, the historic president of AC Milan, equipped the Minorca Namar; and the famous British actor Peter Sellers initially owned an 18M, later upgrading to a 21M.
18M-Carostefal
Karim Aga Khan was the owner of the Mallorca Almaloun and the unique 15M turbine-powered Silver Shark. Notably, one of Baglietto’s greatest admirers was Avvocato Giovanni Agnelli, who, to celebrate his thirtieth birthday, convinced the yard to build him a one-off similar to Niarcos’ Mercury, created by Vosper with three gas turbines. The G.A.40 was furnished inside by Paolo Caliari and subsequently went into construction. Agnelli also had Baglietto refurbish three splendid vintage sails: Agneta, Capricia, and Tomawak. The list of notable owners could go on indefinitely, but it’s essential to realize that in the 1960s, sailing on a Baglietto was a symbol of immense social prestige and savoir-faire. Pietro and Giampiero Baglietto successfully modernized the shipyard, producing boats that perfectly matched the desires of the elite society of those years.
Exhibiting at the First Genoa Boat Show
Moreover, Baglietto was among the very first shipyards to exhibit at the Genoa Boat Show and, as early as the 1930s, at the Milan Trade Fair, which helped enhance its reputation. In the years leading up to the economic boom, Baglietto launched its last sailing yachts, including the 23.7-meter Caroly in 1948 and the 19.3-meter Ea in 1952.
Prior to this, during the war period, Baglietto engaged in military production, creating the renowned MAS as well as a series of other military vessels, minesweepers, and assault boats. However, Baglietto’s journey between the two wars was dominated by sailing boats, sporting triumphs, and the production of airships and seaplanes for the Italian Air Force. The three brothers—Bernardo, Vincenzo, and Giovanni Battista Baglietto—who took over from their father Pietro upon his death in 1911, solidified strong connections with the Italian government, producing vessels for King Vittorio Emanuele, Benito Mussolini, and figures like Giacomo Puccini and Gabriele D’Annunzio, among others.
Gabriele D’Annunzio Alcione
Production during the early 20th century was marked by continual technical research and the development of sailing and motor yachts that dominated competitive racing. The Viky sailboats, Bamba 6.00 SI, and Bona 8 SI—all still sailing today and owned by the Novara industrialist Giovanni Mogna—earned major European yachting awards, with Bona placing fourth in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. In motor yachting, vessels like Baglietto I and XXI, Alagi, Ravanello, Asso, Asso RB, and the Lia line set world speed records. The same year, Vincenzo Vittorio Baglietto, who graduated in naval engineering in Glasgow after World War I, returned home and became the new designer for the shipyard, responsible for Italy’s first twelve-meter international tonnage vessel: La Spina, which also remains in service to this day.
Anno 1932 – Goletta “POFI” Varata dai Cantieri Baglietto
The VIP Shipyard
In the early 1920s, with the First World War now behind them, the Baglietto shipyards returned to producing pleasure craft for clients passionate about sailing and powerboating, including figures like Virginie Hèriot, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Guglielmo Marconi, and the then Crown Prince Umberto II. In 1915, the first MAS (Anti-Submarine Motorboats) were produced for the Italian navy.
Giacomo Puccini’s Boat
These were nimble, fast boats used as assault crafts by the Regia Marina during the First and Second World Wars. They typically displaced between 20-30 tons and were manned by about ten crew members, armed generally with two torpedoes and various depth charges. They were utilized either as anti-submarine patrol boats or as a means of attacking ships of the Austrian fleet, depending on their specific equipment. By 1911, when Pietro Baglietto passed away, the shipyard had already established itself as an exemplar of Italian craftsmanship. In 1906, he launched Giuseppina, the longest blast-engined cruising yacht built in Italy at 22.6 meters. Within just fifty years, Pietro Baglietto had built a shipyard that gained national acclaim for the quality of its racing and pleasure yachts, starting from a humble garden shed located 100 meters from the sea.
1923 Racer Baglietto XXI
In 1891, Henry Cassinelli commissioned Baglietto to modify a racing yacht known as the Miss Mary, which became a champion on the racecourses. Concurrently, the first nautical clubs were formed, and sailors and motorboat enthusiasts vied to own a Baglietto. Many of these hulls still sail today and are sought after by vintage hull enthusiasts, proving that quality and beauty are truly timeless.