On the contrary, classics can still be full of surprises.
To understand this better, we thought we’d look at 7 of them that you could still fully enjoy cruising with today.
So here are 7 Classic Boats that are still more than worthwhile cruisers.
7 Cult Classic Boats for “vintage” cruising
From 10 to 17.5 meters the difference is remarkable, just as it is between the designs of the late 1960s to those of the late 1990s.
But to each his own, because the taste and style with which we like to cruise are certainly not standardized.
From Italcantieri’s legendary Bora 103, then, to the Sunseeker Predator 63, here are 7 Classic Boats for you to consider.
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Italcantieri Bora 103 | 10 m
As the 1960s drew to a close, Italcantieri (a state-owned company) designed and built a boat destined to become a classic example of the goodness of Italian shipbuilding.Designed for small and medium cruising, the Bora 103 was a great little fiberglass project, rich in insight, quality and balance of form. Equipped with a flybridge, two cabins and ample deck space, it indeed proves to be a 10-meter with great qualities right from the start, allowing many a first approach to the world of cruising.
Azimut AZ40 | 12.35
Flybridge, large exterior spaces aft and forward, sleek lines, and dreamy interiors.
A new world opened up with the AZ40.
Her two Volvos of 306 horsepower each allowed up to 30+ knots of top speed, while offering all the comforts and elements needed on a classy cruiser: a large elegant salon, a furnished flybridge and an exceptional sleeping area, offered in two variations.
Indeed, on the one hand, three cabins and a galley on the broadside created the 6-person layout, alternately replaced by a 4-person layout with double doubles and a large separate galley for an even more comfortable experience.
Grand Banks 42 | 12.7 m
Unmistakable in line and style, the Grand Banks 42 is not just a great Classic Boat. It is a true icon of boating spread all over the world. In fact, in the early 1960s, the Grand Banks 42 was born and immediately became what we would call an “instant classic,” making itself an immediate bearer of a revolution, an incredible success. Adopting canons derived from fishing boats, trawlers combine elegance and pragmatism on hulls with impeccable marine qualities, making this segment famous throughout the seas. An extremely rational and elegant boat, the Grand Banks 42 is distinguished first and foremost by its lines, characterized by an almost straight bow and large central volumes, where fine, comfortable interiors are carved out, perfectly matched with impeccable marine capabilities.
- Do you have a historic and significant boat more than 25 years old? Read this article!
- Are you interested in the topic Classic Boats? Visit our collection of dedicated articles by clicking here.
Cantieri di Pisa Polaris & Super Polaris | 13 m
Active since 1945 in the construction of civilian and military boats, Cantieri di Pisa is one of those typical Italian companies that, with the advent of the 1960s, was able to transform itself into a successful “business.” Looking at the lines of the Polaris series, there first emerges that classic elegance conferred by a clean design and the combination of colors with the wooden finishes, strictly teak or solid mahogany. In fact, the entire hull is made of triple mahogany planking, and except for the brass details, every finish results in a small marvel of cabinetmaking. Overall, there is no shortage of space on board, with large open areas and fine interiors, complete with comfortable cabins, galley and saloon. A homegrown cult and a great period hit.
Princess 45 | 14.4 m
In this case, an exceptional hull, the first-born daughter of a shipyard that is now great to say the least: the Princess 45, not only a great cruiser, not to be underestimated, but also the springboard for Princess Yachts. Spacious cockpit, forward sundeck, dinette and covered wheelhouse, interior with 6 berths and flybridge. This is 1982, and by the standard the Princess 45 is not an obvious hull. In fact. And it glides up to 26 knots. Not bad for being the brand’s first design, and it will be a success, remaining in production until 1991. Simply put, it is a boat that excites the public. It’s well made, it runs and, most importantly, it’s versatile, lending itself well to weekend getaways, cruising and, why not, even fishing, with that big protected cockpit of hers and the flush-mounted swim platform…
Baglietto Ischia | 16 m
Among the milestones of Italian boating, it undoubtedly finds its place a 16-meter like few others, an emblematic project of post-World War II reconstruction: the Baglietto Ischia. An elegant Classic Boat with 7 berths (including two for crew), the Ischia is one of the most successful yachts of its time, with a production of no less than 72 units in just 6 years (’59-65)-numbers that take on even more significance in the context of semi-craft production with planking construction. In terms of style and exteriors, elegance to spare and classic taste fully characterize this 16-meter, originally finished with a “garda blue” livery on the deckhouse (the first Ischia series). The hull design features a star-studded prow, and the overall lines are derived from well-tested studies, coming from the shipyard’s wartime experiences, and specifically from anti-submarine boats and M.A.S. (torpedo-armed speedboats) developed for the Navy.
Sunseeker Predator 63 | 17.56 m
Thirty years ago, in 1994, a range destined for history was born: the Predator by Sunseeker, which began with an iconic hull, the Predator 63, a 17.56-meter that was destined to become one of the most important performance-yachts of its era. At the time of its launch, the Sunseeker Predator 63 was, not only, one of the largest luxury performance yachts on the scene, but also an innovative hull on several aspects. The sporty, sleek, curvilinear lines, inspired by the automotive, immediately made it an emblem of the “new way” taken in terms of design, coupled with a deep-V hull capable not only of excellent performance (30+ kn), but also of creating a more than desirable aesthetic, balanced by the attention paid to the design of the superstructures.
Aesthetics and performance, however, alone do not do the trick.
So come to the rescue are the volumes, which are excellent here.
Top-of-the-line furnishings, three 3 double cabins, full-beam saloon and galley, all on the lower deck, leaving the deck absolutely dedicated to relaxation and sea life.
The huge bow was completely clear, ideal as a sun deck, while the cockpit was top of the line at the time: tender garage under a large sundeck, beach area, cockpit sofas and lounge areas protected by the top, or exposed to the wind, thanks to electric openings.
Tell your Classic Boat story and/or discover previous articles
We have created for you an online archive of YOUR Classic Boats in which you can enter your boat and its history, while at the same time allowing you to browse through many others, like a great encyclopedia of the history of motor boating. Here’s how it works! If, on the other hand, you would like to find out about all the articles related to Classic Boats, here is a link to the dedicated portal.
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