What does a famous movie by an equally famous film director have to do with a superyacht tender? Marco Arnaboldi, founder and designer for Wooden Boats, was inspired by Federico Fellini’s Dolce Vita in creating the 8.3m Limo Blue. This 27-foot (8.3-meter) tender is equally at home being a dayboat as she is a guests’ floating limo to and from shore.
Wooden Boats is an extension of the Studio Arnaboldi design firm, which dates back to 1984. Its designs include military and commercial boats, as well as tenders. Marco Arnaboldi established Wooden Boats near Viareggio, Italy in 2012, 20 years after he and his father had established AB Yachts. (AB Yachts is now part of the Fipa Group.) Since then, Wooden Boats has delivered nearly two dozen custom tenders and collaborated with designers like Guido de Groot and Achille Salvagni.
Arnaboldi says the 8.3m Limo Blue started with the idea of “the timeless design of the runabouts of the time” of the film, the 1950s into the 1960s. Therefore, rounded lines slope aft, similar to the cruisers that carried movie stars and other VIPs in that era. Also similarly, the tender is swift, reportedly capable of a 35-knot max end and 30-knot cruising speed. The 8.3 Limo Blue comes with a 270-hp inboard or stern drive and has a deep-V hull.
While the superyacht tender looks vintage, her technology is entirely modern. For example, she incorporates carbon composite construction. Additionally, the deckhouse can lower to the gunwale. This therefore makes it convenient for stowing in tender garages. Even when fully raised, though, the deckhouse has an inside height of 5’9” (1.8 meters). It’s not too inconvenient for tall guests to enter or exit the cabin area, since they’re riding while seated essentially the entire time onboard. Plus, the tender has a comfortable 8’7” (2.65-meter) beam and, of course, air conditioning.
The first 8.3 Limo Blue, already claimed by a superyacht owner, carries 10 guests inside the deckhouse. Should anyone instead want to enjoy the fresh air while underway, a settee is toward the transom. Two crewmembers, meanwhile, have an open nav area forward.
Just as is the case with other Wooden Boats projects, the 8.3m Limo Blue is available for customization. (Check out the Wooden Boats tender with Bentley tail lights.) So, “it is possible to have the bridge at the stern and the sofa at the bow,” Arnaboldi explains. Standard equipment includes a six-speaker stereo, four USB outlets for charging phones and other devices, and indirect LEDs.
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