Camuffo Venetian shipyard closes: it had been building boats for 600 years

After nearly 600 years of shipbuilding, the Camuffo shipyards in Portogruaro, Italy, are closing. known their beautiful and elegant motoryachts built of fine wood respecting centuries-old construction techniques.

Cantieri Camuffo of Portogruaro, known for their fine wood motoryachts and nicknamed the “Stradivari of the sea,” is preparing to close down for good. Just three years shy of the 590-year mark, this historic Italian boating company will cease production, marking the end of an era. The recent launching of the third last motoryacht marks one of the last acts of this historic Italian nautical reality.

The yard’s business has been steadily shrinking over the past decade. Giacomo Camuffo, 91, of the 18th generation, is the last owner. With the transfer of the last two remaining boats, the shipyard will close, remaining active only for their sale.

The Camuffo dynasty, one of the longest-lived in the world

The Camuffo shipyard holds the record as the oldest shipyard in the world still in operation. It was founded way back in 1438 by the progenitor El Ham Muftì, nicknamed “Camuffi,” following a selection of the best shipwrights for the Arsenal of Candia, in present-day Crete, by the Most Serene Republic of Venice. Prominent among them was El Ham-Muftì himself, a native of the area between Byzantium and the Nile.

Following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, part of the family settled in Chioggia, embracing the Christian faith and adopting the Camuffo surname. From then on, the dynasty continued shipbuilding without interruption, building vessels for fishing, trade and war. In 1840, the shipyard moved permanently to Portogruaro, specializing in the manufacture of luxury wooden motor yachts. In 2003, Harvard Business School recognized Camuffo Shipyards as one of the ten longest-lived family businesses worldwide, confirming its unparalleled record in the shipbuilding industry.

Mythical wooden boats

Camuffo Shipyards’ motor yachts are unique works, made with a construction technique handed down from father to son. The shipyard has always rejected the use of fiberglass, preserving the tradition of wooden construction with above-average quality standards. Each yacht requires about 15,000 hours of work, thanks to the efforts of a team of highly skilled ship carpenters.

The hull and superstructure are made of 19-layer superlamellar marine plywood, with a specific treatment to protect it from insects, mold and moisture. The hull is then protected with several coats of primer, primer varnish, filler, and enamels, ensuring weather resistance and durability. The interiors also feature fine woods: furniture and paneling are made of erable burl, walnut, and mahogany, worked with perfect joints to enhance the natural grain of the wood. Soundproofing and thermal insulation are provided by multilayer wood with cork, rubber, and lead inserts to ensure quietness and comfort for the crew.

The cessation of Cantieri Camuffo is not related to economic factors, but to the absence of an heir capable of carrying on the family tradition. Over the years actually several companies have expressed interest in acquiring the brand, but the Camuffo family has always refused, waiting for a buyer who would interpret the spirit of the shipyard. In 1990, among other things, Marco Camuffo was awarded the title of Pioneer of Boating by Ucina, an award that paid tribute to his dedication to craftsmanship perfection and innovation in the marine industry.

What is certain is that the closure of Camuffo Shipyards represents the end of a centuries-old tradition, although the name of this dynasty and the value of their boats will remain a landmark in the boating world.