Founded as a small artisan company, Frauscher over the years has grown into an important international business with a now established partnership in Italy with the official importer Cantiere Nautico Feltrinelli of Gargnano on Lake Garda. We were at Autumn Open Doors, a weekend where it was possible to see and try out the entire range of Frauscher powerboats. We were enraptured and intrigued by the new Frauscher 1017 GT 2nd Generation; the boat presented at the last Genoa Boat Show, was received with great enthusiasm and awarded the Design Innovation Award 2024 in the category “Sailing or motorboat up to 10m” for its refined design, functional aesthetics and balanced proportions.
Frauscher 1017 GT
Indeed, when seen in the water, it is hard for the 1017 GT not to grab your attention, because its lines inspired by 1960s racing powerboats are seamlessly combined with modern, sporty styling cues such as the air intakes in the broadside. During our test, it was explained to us that the shipyard makes its boats from the hull and, from there, everything else is then designed and styled. We study the boat out of the water, and indeed the hull design is meticulously detailed and carefully crafted; on the 1017 GT there are two steps in the hull, which help the boat in planing at different speeds and connect to a smooth, clean stern, to make it easier to glide on the water. The very straight and vertical bow also seems purpose-built to cut through the wave and cleave it so as not to get the occupants wet.
How does this Frauscher sail
Before describing what this boat looks like, we would like to share our test on the water: simply crazy. The Frauscher 1017 GT put to use had the most powerful motorization, namely two Volvo Penta V8s of 430 hp each that at our slightest movement on the throttle snapped like a rubber band. Impressive was the acceleration: as soon as we got on board, we were advised not to give full throttle right away. Really you have to be careful, because the transition from 20 to 60 knots is so fast and it is all so much fun. We put the boat and the qualities of the hull we saw out of the water to the test and we were not disappointed: creating the wave even with our wake and catching it upwind, not a drop of water got on board and the boat did not budge one iota,even at high speed. We were also amazed by the solidity of the hull; we did not hear a creak or even a vibration, synonymous with quality construction.
Designed by Stephan Everwin, the Frauscher 1017 GT is a very elegant boat, suitable for day trips; there are two chaise lounges in the stern that serve as sundecks, while in the cockpit the occupants can sit on two settees and two storage chairs, one of which is reserved for the captain.
Below deck, however, there is space for a V-shaped sofa that can serve as a bed, a bathroom with a toilet and sink, and a kitchen equipped with two refrigerators and numerous cabinets to hold glasses and dishes for charming on-the-water aperitifs.
Federico Lanfranchi
Frauscher 1017 GT – Data Sheet
Length overall: 10.30 m Maximum beam: 2.99 m Displacement: 3,900 kg Motorization: 2 x Volvo Penta V8 430 C
Fuel tank: 520 l
People capacity: 8
Price: from 512,627 Euro + vat
