Every year that a yacht builder has a delivery is special. But 2016 promises to be extra special for Overmarine Group. Renowned for its maxi open megayachts, it’s launching its first steel displacement yacht, to address the long-range, fuel-efficient-focused crowd. This, along with hull number 10 in its Mangusta 165 series, its most successful megayacht line. Plus, a handful of other models in the 98- to 164-foot (30- to 50-meter) sector in which it concentrates.
Overmarine Group took a number of buyers and the yachting media by surprise when it announced the Oceano in 2014. But the yard’s management viewed it no differently than any other model introduction. In fact, the displacement hull form, in steel, was a direct response to requests from clients. Naturally, as a semi-custom builder, Overmarine Group often creates and modifies models based on customer input.
The degree to which customers have input, though, is much more than what other semi-custom megayacht builders welcome. During a visit to the builder’s Viareggio, Italy facility in December, we saw craftspeople aplenty on the 10th hull of the Mangusta 165 (below). Hull number 11 was soon to start, too, having been sold last fall. Both owners—one American, one European—were keeping the aesthetic changes initiated by the buyer of hull eight, Moonraker. And, they were keeping the power setup of hull number nine, a quadruple configuration with stabilizers. Despite what you’d assume, Overmarine Group asserts the four-engine arrangement saves 35 percent in fuel. The powerplants are lighter weight, as are the latest KaMeWa waterjets to which they’re coupled. Owners do sacrifice a little speed, but the Mangusta 165 still should cruise at 30 knots.
Thrill-seeking customers continue to crave other Mangusta models, too. A Mangusta 80, 94, 105, 130, and 132 were all in varying stages of construction during our visit. Just two were awaiting buyers. (Overmarine Group starts all of its projects on spec.) Two owners had already committed to the second and third hulls of the Mangusta 110s, additionally in build at the yard.
As for the Oceano series, the first hulls are already spoken for as well. The Oceano 42 is underway in a purpose-built shed in Pisa, about 45 minutes from Viareggio. The first Oceano 48 is in build there, too. Overmarine Group hired a dedicated project manager and other team members solely for the series. Expect to see the Oceano 42 splash in the spring or summer. Measuring 138 feet LOA (42 meters), she’s a trideck fitted with a bulbous bow. She’s set to cruise at 11 knots and see a range around 4,000 miles. Power comes via twin MTUs, which should permit a 15-knot top end, too.
Overmarine Group has made big strides since starting its own yachts under the Mangusta brand in 1985. Prior to that, it was a lamination subcontractor. Since it did abundant work for so many others, management thought, why not do our own yachts? Thirty years later, it’s branched out once again into new territory, adding the Oceano 55. Expect the unexpected when it comes to Overmarine Group.
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