Time-honored wood construction remains alive and well. The 46-year-old Castagnola Yacht shipyard in Italy earned a reputation for it, and continues the practice today. With Nauta Design, it has created the Heritage 9.9, a megayacht tender or chase boat for traditionalists who still relish contemporary comforts.
While the first hull is an Open version, a Hard Top is available, too. Gabriele Maestri, Castagnola Yacht’s owner and a shipwright himself, drew inspiration from the work of his grandfather, the shipyard founder. Maestri felt the market had room for custom boats employing wood and carbon fiber. These boats would combine classic design and construction with modern technological advantages. Wood bonds with epoxy-infused carbon fiber, for durability and easier maintenance, while preserving light weight. Maestri coined the acronym WTS, for Wood in Tech Skin, to describe the process. Specifically, the Castagnola Heritage 9.9 employs mahogany planks clad with epoxy-infused carbon fiber, plus ash frames infused in epoxy, too. Mahogany clamps reinforce the frames, painted with water-based paint and left visible inside the cabin.
With Nauta Design penning the styling and general arrangement, the Castagnola Heritage 9.9 gets her name from her waterline length. It’s is 9.99 meters, or 32’8”. LOA, though, is 34’5” (10.51 meters). In keeping with “Heritage,” the polished-teak sides, air vents, and mast all call to mind a bygone era. The vertical bow does as well, simultaneously being a contemporary feature.
Studio NAMES, whose founder previously served as technical manager for Cantieri Navale Lavagna and oversaw the Admiral line of yachts, gives the Castagnola Heritage 9.9 a deep-V planning hull. Twin 320-hp Yanmars permit a reported maximum speed of 40 knots and cruising speed of 34 knots. Even at a swift 30 knots, the boat can venture a reported 170 nautical miles. (On a side note, waterjet propulsion is available, too.) Further noteworthy, wood construction has natural sound-abatement qualities. Therefore, the shipyard asserts you’ll enjoy the ambience, plus stay dry even in chopping conditions, on deck.
Featuring a berth and cooktop inside the cabin, the Castagnola Heritage 9.9 pledges to deliver fun as a tender or weekender.
Castagnola Yacht castagnolayacht.it
Nauta Design nautadesign.com
Studio NAMES namestudio.it
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