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Welcome to the special Classic Boat Archive section, where Boats by Motor opens for you its paper archive where hundreds and hundreds of boats we have tested, presented and reviewed in the magazine’s more than 35-year history are kept. Technical data, original boat data sheets, including engines and performance. In short, a database (constantly being updated) that contains everything you need to know about Classic Boats.
It was in 2000 when Apreamare launched the Smeraldo 11, which reintroduced the charm of the classic Sorrentine gozzo in a modern key, with a fast planing hull and hull made of fiberglass.
Taken from Motor Boats 2000, no. 1, pp. 92-97
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Heir to the ancient tradition of Sorrentine shipwrights, the Apreamare shipyard has skillfully reinterpreted the charm of local working goiters in a modern key. In fact, its boats, named Smeraldo, are distinguished by classic, somewhat retro lines, embellished with fine woods such as teak, mahogany and cherry, which are handcrafted by expert cabinetmakers. Its hulls, made of fiberglass, therefore reconcile low maintenance with the warmth of the exposed planking that adorns the top of the deadrise. Captivating not only aesthetically, the Emeralds combine the allure of tradition with the thrill of speed, thanks to their planing hulls and exuberantly powerful engines. There are seven models ranging in length from 7 to 12 meters, offered in cabin cruiser and semi-cab versions, including this latest 11-meter model that is in the express cruiser family.
Inspired, like the entire Apreamare range, by Sorrento fishing goiters, the Smeraldo 11 displays traditional and unmistakable lines, with a classic rounded stern, little pronounced leapfrog and constant freeboard. The superstructure, which, even in the semi-cab version tested, allowed for a considerable square-rigged height (2.04 meters), rises discreetly from the deck without weighing down the whole. The presence of the rollbar, made of fiberglass and well integrated into the superstructure, helps to sleek the lines. Designed for medium-range cruising, the Smeraldo 11 can count on a good fuel range (1,000 liters) but above all, unlike traditional Sorrentine goiters, on a planing hull that allows it to maintain a cruising speed around 25 knots. The interior is designed to provide maximum comfort for a crew of two even for long stays on board; by taking advantage of the dinette, an additional double berth can also be obtained if necessary.
For the construction of the hull and deck of Emerald 11, the shipyard adopted the solid laminate solution. The fiberglass consists of alternating mat and mat fabrics bonded with isophthalic resin, which provides better protection against osmosis than orthophthalic. The gelcoat used, of the neopentyl type, provides additional and effective defense against both the phenomena of osmosis and UV radiation. The structure consists of four spars, six stringers and two ribs, all resined directly on the bottom. The hull and deck joint is achieved by inserting a layer of mat into the overlap of the flanges; then the area is coupled with classical riveting, further reinforced with the use of gunwale screws. Cockpit and deck are covered with solid teak planks.
The fuel range is good, guaranteed by 1,000 liters divided between two tanks made of stainless steel; barely sufficient, however, is the freshwater reserve of 300 It, although space for additional tanks is not lacking. Below deck, by lifting practical hatches hinged to the dunnage, it is possible to inspect the bilges both at the automatic exhaustion pumps and at the boiler or sea intake and toilet drain, the latter of which is equipped with a system of valves that allows sewage to be conveyed to the appropriate holding tank or discharged directly into the open sea. Functional is the electrical panel arranged in the dinette and fixed on two opening doors, behind which is the fixed terminal block that groups the wiring of the various utilities. Slightly sacrificed in size, the engine room, which also houses the 4.5-kw generator supplied as standard, does not allow for comfortable working around the engines, especially when they are hot. However, the sea intakes, diesel filters, and batteries are positioned so that they are easily accessible and inspectable: exceptions are the cooling water filters, which, hidden between the engines and the broadside, are not within easy reach or even visible from the engine room access area.
The Emerald 11 is offered with two Volvo Penta units of 370 horsepower each; a power output that we believe is exuberant (and in fact is the highest in its class), providing a planing trim even at low rpm. The shaftline transmissions adopt the V Drive system.
In the rough sea conditions encountered during the test, the Emerald 11 demonstrated the goodness of its hull: in fact, with the help of the flaps the boat reached 29 knots of top speed, easily maintaining 24 knots at a cruising speed of 2200 rpm. Although it lifted quite a lot of water, wave impact proved to be quite smooth and sailing relatively comfortable. The rather hard rudder penalizes the response to sudden course changes. Soundproofing also needs improvement.
The defining characteristic of goiters is the usability of the deck, and the Emerald 11 is an example of this: in fact, much of the pontoon is uncluttered, ensuring optimal circulation and ample room for lounging. The generously sized cockpit (2.90×3.35 m) is occupied only by two three-seater seats that follow the rounded profile of the transom. Forward of the deckhouse, the deck offers an area of 2.35×2.78 m prepared to accommodate two sunbathing cushions. Interesting solutions have been adopted for the four-seat settee counter-molded into the superstructure, which integrates well into the design of the forward deckhouse, and for the pilot and co-pilot seats, whose bases enclose large lockers for stowing bulky equipment such as the inflatable, in this way well protected from sea blows but within easy reach when needed. The back of the shallow seat backs are exploited as cup and bottle holders and as a compartment for nautical charts. The wheelhouse area of the Emerald 11, located forward of the rollbar, is well sheltered by the windshield equipped with wipers; in bad weather, this area can be totally enclosed by a practical awning system. Visibility from the helm station is good, even when seated and with the canopy closed; to improve that in the upright position, the shipyard has included at the foot of the pilot seat a footboard about twenty centimeters high, made of teak grating and usable as a locker. In the cockpit, recessed into the aft seats, are two separate showerheads, one for fresh water, the other for seawater, the latter very useful for cleaning the dunnage or catch. The steel and teak grating aft platform, however, lacks a swim ladder.
Comfortable and safe, descent below deck is provided by a wooden ladder with solid handrails cut into both sides of its structure. The interiors are made entirely of wood, without any counter molding for the furniture bases; as standard they are in cherry, while on the test specimen they were in mahogany, which, although a bit dark, combined with the leather of the sofas and the light-colored fabrics of the curtains and cushions, makes the rooms warm and welcoming. In the saloon, we find a C-shaped dinette resting against the starboard broadside and served by a folding table; it can be converted into a double berth if necessary. Large lockers are concealed beneath the seating, while the bulwarks are equipped with lockers and storage compartments. On the port side is arranged the L-shaped galley, which, despite its small size (1.20×1.22 m), respects the canons of functionality and proper ergonomics: it is complete with a two-burner stove with extractor hood, larger-than-standard sink, 75-liter refrigerator, microwave oven, drawers and lockers where dishes and provisions can be stowed, and a practical Corian worktop (0.60×0.50 m). In the extreme bow, the owner’s cabin offers the classic central double bed and numerous storage volumes distributed between the two closets on either side of the entrance, as well as lockers, drawers and storage compartments. The rational use of space has made it possible to create a toilet room, with single access from the saloon, worthy of larger vessels: present is the shower stall (0.67×1.00 m) separated from the toilet and washbasin area, which, in addition to a height of two meters, offers three capacious lockers on the side and a locker where towels and personal effects can be stored.
by Elena Gaggini
Are you a Classic Boat enthusiast or simply curious about the excellence of the past? Then the Classic Boat Archive is the place for you: the only column where the entire history of powerboating is made accessible to the public, boat by boat, article by article. Find out what’s already online and keep monitoring the archive-it’s updated four times a week! For your convenience, you can check it out by clicking HERE!
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