From among its plastic, steel and fiberglass counterparts on the Venetian canals, a Cantiere Serenella boat stands out as a class act, cutting a sleek and elegant figure through the water. Lovingly handcrafted entirely out of wood (because when it comes to boats, plastic is not necessarily fantastic), these boat incorporate a delicate mix of traditional Italian design and cutting-edge technology. And no wonder; the company is helmed by Elio Salvagno, who started out as a carpenter with Cantiere Serenella and then bought it out in 1975, ensuring that the fine art of boat craftsmanship has lived on.
Though small, the company is located in Murano, Italy, the designs for its upscale clientele are nothing short of grand. With impeccable attention to detail from the concept phase all the way through to production, Cantiere Serenella boats are ultimately one-off works of art. Each boat has its own individual personality, whether custom-built for a client in collaboration with an international boat designer, or crafted in keeping with timeless Venetian tradition. The hull deck is built with solid wood, as is the interior, with the added lush materials of mahogany, rich leather and walnut burr, layered with 14 coats of varnish for an unrivalled glow. You don’t even need to own one of these to admire its luxurious lines – Cantiere Serenella offers a limousine service that will have you traversing the Venice Lagoon in style.
But how has the wooden boat survived against its more modern counterparts such as steel, GRP and even carbon composites? Aside from a steady stream of orders from a few die-hard traditionalists and the Venice water taxi industry, modern adhesives and composite construction techniques have helped keep the wooden boat relevant. Wood is actually very easy to work with; it doesn’t cost too much and it offers excellent strength-to-weight characteristics. But be warned the upkeep is normally rather expensive.
Finding a new and lucrative clientele for these boats would have been all that more difficult where it not for the superyacht owners, who are buying these super-chic tenders in droves. Yes that’s right, not only do the super-rich have super-toys; they have toys for their toys. Cantiere Serenella produces many custom-designed boats as luxury yacht tenders – boats made expressly to service and provide entertainment for luxury yachts. Your typical tenders are usually rigid inflatable motorboats made to transfer people and supplies to and from the yacht. Practical? Yes, but not that glamorous.
The market for luxury yacht tenders has grown so significantly over the years that traditionally handcrafted pieces of marine art have become more desirable than decked-out tenders with all the latest features and gadgets. A Cantiere Serenella tender has become such a status symbol and must-have accessory that even clients chartering boats request one to be onboard in a similar fashion as they do waterskiing crafts, scuba equipment and jet-skis. Let’s face it; there just is not a smarter way to pull up at the quay of Club 55 on the Pampelonne beach of St.Tropez.
Over the years, Cantiere Serenella has been commissioned to build tenders for some of the world’s most opulent yachts, including Lady Sarya, owned by Sheikh Ahmed Yamani of Saudi Arabia; Limitless, owned by Leslie Waxner, the man behind Victoria’s Secret; Queen M, a nautical specimen worthy of it’s regal name; and Ilona, which in addition to having two Cantiere Serenella tenders, has a helipad and hangar to store its on-board helicopter. So whether you’re looking for a pet boat for your yacht, or you’re simply content to cruise along the canals of Venice, Cantiere Serenella should be catering to your every whim.
Contact
Cantiere Serenella
Murano, Italy
Tel +39 041 739792
www.cantiereserenella.com
