Discover the Secret of the Portofino 47: Future Yacht Series Revealed

+ Join our crew on Patreon by CLICKING HERE: / navalgazingatcampdavid for ad free videos and downloads of the specification and layout files.
+ To receive my FREE GIFT to you, CLICK HERE: www.navalgazingatcampdavid.net/ . The e-book "19 Fatal Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Your Dream Catamaran".
Save yourself charter holiday heart ache and tens of thousands of dollars when making your yacht purchase. CLICK HERE: www.navalgazingatcampdavid.net/ to receive your copy and learn more about the latest online sailing skills training available today.
In full transparency, please note that the links in this video description may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. You don't pay more when using these links, and any earnings help to support this channel. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my audience. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." Thank you for your trust and support!
Portofino 47
Participate in the Dave Score: forms.office.com/r/b43PyyLwNg
Welcome back to Naval Gazing at Camp David.
This week we are gazing into the near future at new yachts that have been announced but have not yet completed Hull #1.
Our future yacht today is a brand-new design drawn from the founder’s deep experience in the marine industry, combined with an exciting Italian design house. She is being built in Dubai and will be a full aluminum hull.
The Portofino 47!
I had never heard of Portofino Catamarans until John, from the Barefoot Doctors, mentioned the yard in a comment.
He said,
“... we have found a new design that can be personalised in Dubai - Portofino is the brand and they have a 48, 52, and 67 but are open for any variations as each boat is built to your specs.... They will give us centreboards that kick up you you hit the bottom, lifting rudders (so can be beached), draft of only 2 feet, water collection system, Lithium and 10KW DC chargers able to run the AC without engines on for 8-12 hours and recharge in one hour of engine time (no generator), transom entry to hulls, dedicated engine rooms and many other innovations. They are priced below Garcia but above Leopards. They are based in Dubai using Italian designers and builders and they have a female naval engineer on their staff - Martina who is lovely as we met her and the owner Rafaelle when we were in Dubai...”
So, I went looking for Portofino on the web with little luck initially. This is because they are not called Portofino Yachts or Catamarans, but Portofino Marine Services.
It turns out that the layout of this 47 was design for a customer of Portofino Marine Services who wanted upgrade from a Lagoon after 8 years of living on board. Rafaelle and his team at Portofino Marine Services, had customized and serviced his Lagoon during the eight years of ownership and together they designed the layout and systems onboard based his 8 years’ experience and Rafaelle’s 40 years in the marine industry as Capt., surveyor, and service manager.
Satura Studio (www.saturastudio.it ) is the Italian team of architects (Francesco Viola, Alberto Frulla and the female touch by Federica Fino) who designed the boat with Rafaelle’s support and the structural calculation by naval engineer Emilio D’Onofrio.
The goal was to design and build an aluminium boat based on Rafaelle’s experience of 30 years on the sea and 15 in the yacht services field, in order to produce custom made boats with everything needed for safe and comfortable long passages.

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

• Consider joining our crew on Patreon by CLICKING HERE: www.patreon.com/NavalGazingatCampDavid for ad free videos and downloads of the specification and layout comparison files. We appreciate your support! • To receive my FREE GIFT to you, CLICK HERE: www.navalgazingatcampdavid.net/ . The e-book "19 Fatal Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Your Dream Catamaran". Save yourself charter holiday heart ache and tens of thousands of dollars when making your yacht purchase. CLICK HERE: www.navalgazingatcampdavid.net/ to receive your copy and learn more about the latest online sailing skills training available today. In full transparency, please note that the links in this video description may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. You don't pay more when using these links, and any earnings help to support this channel. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my audience. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." Thank you for your trust and support!

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

Hi Dave, great video highlighting the different boats in this field and nice of you to mention us too! The features of the Portofino are very exciting and innovative in ways that we find very exciting too! You put a lot of work into the direct comparisons as I know how hard some of that info is to get!!! Two questions - there were prices in Euros at about 9.16 that were different from the prices later in the video and they were very different and confused me a bit. Secondly the other boat we looked at was Garcia Explocat 52 which is the closest thing to the Portofino but aiming at extreme sailors so thicker hulls, heavier and more expensive but good for iceberg areas... Nice of you to mention us and how you came across the Portofino too and we will be reviewing the Garcia Explocat 52 and sharing our journey with Portofino and the other brands to work towards creating the ultimate cruising cat for ourselves too! Keep up the great work! Eli and John

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Thanks so much you guys!! I’ll have a look at that price issue right away. I would love to get on board an Explocat, but the pricing puts it out of my reach and, honestly, I like the design, esthetics and features of the Portofino much better. I’m dying to see if the finished product achieves the promise of the renders. Thanks again for the heads up on this great manufacturer. I’m hoping to be in Miami for the Feb show. If you are in town, please let me know. All the very best! D

[@barefootdoctorssailing8567]

@@navalgazingatcampdavid Yes the price is really a big barrier for the Explocat and for the price the comfort and space is limited as their emphasis is icebergs. We had to travel to Cherbourg in France to see them and it was worth it to know the details and allow us to have clarity about which way we needed to go. I understand if you were keeping to a budget based comparison, then you are right to leave them out... Good luck with Sylvia!

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

@@barefootdoctorssailing8567 LOL! Jon...I will be lucky to get Sylvia on a boat in the sun...never mind weaving through icebergs! I'm laughing just imagining pitching THAT concept! LOL!

[@KCTroyer]

I love this boat! I wish it had more solar, maybe 60kw of lithium batteries, 2 20kw electric motors and one hybrid diesel engine. A ceiling mounted double bed convertible to a work room where the bunks are and a bit more sail area for speed. I prefer this video format to additional wine and art pairing. I FF those parts. Keep up the great work David!!

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Honestly KC, The wine and art have turned out to be my selfish little pleasures. LOL! Re the 47...love your ideas. I get the feeling that the Portofino folks are quite flexible and could do what you are looking for. Thanks for watching!

[@vickysymonds7014]

Absolutely love it!!! And I’m sure Sylvia will! Hope it’s on show at DIBS ❤

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hi Vicky! Thanks so much for watching and communicating!! As one of the 4 female viewers, you are a rare and precious member of our audience, lol! So glad to have your feedback!!

[@stephenlegg6816]

Great looking and what style luv this to bits

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hey Stephen. Thanks for watching and especially for taking the time to comment! I totally agree. Just beautiful styling. Have a look at the latest Bare Foot Doctors video where they are working on a version of the 52 with no fly bridge. It’s really something! Thanks again!

[@mikecasista]

VERY Exciting that you were able to dig up some more information on this yacht... We will definitely be following news on hull 1 with interest. just wondering where the base prices are coming from at the 9:30 mark... i haven't seen anything concrete on the Outremer 52 or the Neel 52. However, there was an interview article in Katamarans with "Sailinag Awen" where they state base price on the Outremer to be 1.2 M Euro...

[@mikecasista]

OK I see different numbers (base Euro) at the 17 minute mark... these numbers make more sense!

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

H Mike. The pricing comes directly off the factory price list. Please remember that these are base prices FOB factory. The final price will be 30%-50% higher. Thanks for the comment!!

[@peteraegger]

Dave, I like you show. Love the privilege but there is no comparison to a Sun Reef. The finishes and luxury of a Sunreef is far superior in my opinion.

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

I hear you…but have you seen the KSP and displacement of all their boats. I’m all for comfort but if I’m paying for rigging and sails I’d like to be able to move in under 20 kts of wind. Lol. They actually make a Lagoon look fast and light. The Privilege actually has a decent KSP so it will do comfortably and sailing. The interior can be customized to any level of finish you want, so no worries there. Just my 2 cents (CAD even. lol)

[@douglasmontgomery6315]

Dave, you missed the full-size, side-by-side fridge in the galley ! (only other I know are the Bali's). Nice video

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hey Doug. Thanks for watching and commenting! You are right. I should have pointed that out. It really is quite a yacht!

[@SchroederUSMC]

I recently sailed a Bali 4.8 with the full fridge, they might not be as great as you think. In even medium seas, all your stuff falls out when you open the door on a conventional fridge. It's great if you are in the marina all the time...

[@mikecasista]

Dave, not sure if you have finalized your review of the Neel 52... but if you could please provide some info on whether they re-designed the rear transom or not? You may have come across some of the forum comments discussing the lawsuit between Neel and Sailing Williwaw (which it appears Belgium courts have sided with owners) regarding sea faring ability of the 51, which Williwaw and other Owners have claims regarding issues with low transom and following seas

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hi Mike. I have not yet started that Future Yacht module. I just tried to access the Williwaw website and report and find the article that was mentioned but was not able to do either. I’ll try again later. The renders I have seen of the 52 don’t appear to have any significant changes, but the official launch of the design is not until Cannes so there is plenty of time for changes. I have spoken to Neel 51 owners who are very experienced sailers and heard no complaints. There is also a 5 video trans Atlantic series by Igor and he had no complaints.

[@Seagole]

I'd like it if they made a Lagoon 42 in aluminium alloy n some sorta cerium or plastic in stead of balsa n plywood but I'm guessing that's to simple? LOL 😂 Something for the wish=list?

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hi Dave. Interestingly enough, it was a long-time Lagoon owner and client that inspired the design of the aluminum Portofino. Do your not far off.

[@CB-yv3ec]

Hi, I love the looks and styling of this boat......can you talk more about the advantages of an aluminum hull....wouldn't it get very hot in the sun?....

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hi CB. Yes, this really is a spectacular yacht, if the numbers prove true. The only change I would make would be a mid helm with a versa helm so that I’m not separated from Sylvia and the movement in heavy seas is a bit kinder. As far as aluminum goes, it has a host of advantages if taken care of properly ( no electrical leak and sacrificial tabs replaced regularly. 1. In most applications over 50’ there is generally no weight penalty. 2. Aluminum will dent and deform, rather than shatter (carbon) or hole (fibreglass) under the same impact. 3. Repairs: you can find a place to repaire your aluminum almost anywhere in the world. 4. Fire: it is fire proof. 5. Environmental: Aluminum is fully recyclable and you can build from recycled materials. 6. Life span: taken care of properly it has longer life. 7. Exploration: You can safely take an aluminum hull almost any latitude in the world. The traditional issues of noise and sweating can easily be dealt with using modern insulation methods. Re a hot surface, you can paint or wrap aluminum just like composite so the external surfaces will not be any different and you would coat the decks with teak, flexi-teak or a nonslip coating as with any other boat, so you are fine there as well. I hope this helps and I REALLY hope that Portofino is a screaming success. I love there design, luxury and innovation and I think Sylvia would be in all the way. Thanks for watching and especially for commenting!!

[@CB-yv3ec]

@@navalgazingatcampdavid My name is Carl, I really enjoy your videos....have you seen renderings on the Portifino 57....I have sent 2 emails asking about the 47 and 57 but gotten no response....we are looking hard at the Lagoon 55 and absolutely love the layout and use of space but have concerns on the strength of the build....have heard Lagoon's squeak and pop and make noise under way which means the boat might not have good longevity?.......P.S. I agree with the mid helm on boat's in the 40's but would hope when you get to 57 that would not be as much of an issue?

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

@@CB-yv3ec Hey CB. I did get info on the 57. If you send me a note to [e-mail] I will send you what I have. Thanks for watching and especially for taking the time to comment.

[@CB-yv3ec]

@@navalgazingatcampdavid Sent email....would you consider doing a video on the Lagoon 55?.....the layout and use of space is amazing but I am concerned about how it is built(I understand they use vacuum infusion with a balsa wood core) is it a good build for ocean crossings and longevity?....how is it built compared to Leopard or FP?.....power boats use to use fiberglassed balsa wood but due to moisture intrusion causing the balsa wood to decay and fall apart builders stopped using it well over a decade ago ....does vacuum infusion change or fix that problem?

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

@@CB-yv3ec Hi CB. Your wish is my command! I should be aboard a Lagoon 55 by the end of Feb so you will have an episode soon. Re balsa wood core. Honesty, I was surprised to see that Lagoon was still doing it. Having said that, you just don’t hear stories about water intrusion into that core, and considering how many vessels they have circling the globe, that sort of tells the tale. Water intrusion risk aside, balsa is a remarkable material and has some actual benefits over foam. So, the water intrusion fear aside, Lagoons are definitely suitable for blue water cruising and there are many successful liveabords using Lagoons to travel the globe. They are heavy, and don’t have an attractive SA/D or D/L, but they are comfy as heck and a heavy boat has its advantages. The bottom line is your own taste and priorities. If you want to sail more and motor less and don’t mind less space then this is not your brand. If, however, you don’t mind running the motors in light airs and prefer a condo-like home on the water, for a relatively reasonable price, then this is the boat for you. In the end, though, let’s face it…it’s up to Sylvia (or your version thereof. ) lol!

[@felicialevicky7838]

Hi, I love this design I would like to have this one in the future. Just I am curious how much does cost it? Many Thanks :)

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

I totally understand why you like the design! I love it too. I believe the base is $995k. Thanks for watching.

[@felicialevicky7838]

@Naval Gazing at Camp David Thank you so much :) I am waiting more videos the same model or the same but different series 52 Portofino for example. Have a nice day 😊

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

@@felicialevicky7838 I have spoken to Portofino and they will let me know as soon as they have renders for the 52. Stand by.

[@felicialevicky7838]

@@navalgazingatcampdavid thank you so much 😀

[@gaewing]

Dave Do you have a link to download your spreadsheet. I cannot read on my cell phone. Thanks Gail

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hi Gail. Drop me a note at [e-mail] and I will send it over.

[@intnsbiker]

Is this link still active? I would really like to download your spreadsheet as well. Thanks@@navalgazingatcampdavid

[@viper5955]

👍

[@goofnoff2672]

Have you thought of the fusion cat or the schionning gforce 1500. 16:30

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

He GoofNoff, thanks for watching and especially for commenting! I have looked at the G Force and the variation on it that SV Lynx is building. My biggest concern is achieving the interior finish quality of an HH. I just don’t see anyone who has done that with this kit. Re the Fusion Cat…I had not seen it until your mentioned it. Thanks! They only seem to have a 40 and I need 48-52. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. Thanks again!!

[@wanabesailer9599]

MT......Metric Tons

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hey Wanabe. Many thanks for watching and the clarification. It’s funny you should mention this now as I was just reviewing some data and getting confused because of the lack of this very item. I’ll ensure it’s included on future videos.

[@mikecasista]

Sorry for the barage of comments (but Im in the metals industry too) and am very interested in any Aluminum Sailing Cat! Not sure if you have seen this... kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXymY3tvbtJkhdk Im sure you have come across Vaan Yachts as well, but if not, check em out! ok ill stop commenting now, great work as always Dave!!! Cheers MIke

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hey Mike. Yes, aI have chatted with Igor at VAAN several times and live what he is doing! I’m dying to see his first R6. I had not seen the video you linked me to so will be digging deeper into what this gent is doing this weekend. Thanks for the tip!!

[@pbr-yt8zc]

What is the bridgedeck clearance? I see no way they hit the price estimates here.

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Hi PBR. I will see what I can find on the bridge deck clearance. Re the price. It all depends on the economics of building in Dubai. It certainly looks aggressive. I’m dying to see hull #1. Thanks for watching!!