Magnum 63 (19.2m), the speedboat like no other before – Classic Boat

In boating as in so many other industries, the 1980s remains as evocative a period as few others have been, an era of spectacular designs and iconic boats to this day. And, among the big ones, undoubtedly him, the fastest ever (at the time) Magnum 63′.

Magnum 63, fast like no other before – Classic Boat

In 1976 Magnum Marine became the property of Marquis Filippo Theodoli and his wife Katrin, who had been convinced for years of the possibilities extractable from the yard’s racers. Within just one year their foresight is rewarded: the first true power yacht is born, the
Magnum 53′
, a resounding success, the new icon of the Mediterranean. Not even 7 years later, on the strength of a now important experience, success is replicated, going to unexplored heights. The Magnum 63 signed
Pininfarina
, the fastest and most marine boat in the world at 64 knots. An absolute icon in the powerboat world.

Project

After the first great successes, Theodoli decided to go further, that he could not be satisfied. By the late 1970s he thus came into contact with Howard Arneson, inventor of the eponymous surface transmissions, and, understanding the potential of the system, decided that every Magnum would henceforth see the system installed. But that is not enough; optimization can be taken further. With 1980 begins the collaboration between Theodoli, Arneson and Rolla, with the latter designing and producing surface propellers specifically for Magnum hulls.

Finally, the finishing touch comes from the world-famous Pininfarina design studio, which is commissioned to design the project. An overall brilliant operation, which will give birth to Magnum 63′. It is 1983, and the world has never seen anything like this before.

Magnum 63 – Exterior

At 19.20 meters long and a full 5.20 wide at maximum beam, the 63′ is undoubtedly a child of its era and offshore origins (which, by the way, it retains, as its victory at the Miami-Nassau in ’76 underscores): deep-V hull, Arneson-drive, flush deck and set-back cockpit.

• 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
  .

The deck is all a single plane, over half a boat long, while the cockpit is instead protected, wide and comfortable. They find space here for a large sofa with sundeck at the far aft end, followed then by two additional wall sofas, one served by the bar top, the other by a table. Under the windshield finally finds space for the wheelhouse overlooked by ergonomic seats.

Interior

Below deck, first of all, the height of the canopies, exceeding 2 meters from the dunnage, is astonishing. A considerable elevation that allows airiness to the spaces, where the different layouts available can obtain from 3 to 4 cabins, thus guaranteeing a minimum of 6 beds and a maximum of 8, plus the ever-present crew cabin. The interior layout is custom, although the standard sees double double cabins and ample living space, expandable to as many as 3 or 4 cabins total.

Magnum 63 – Performance and Motorization

True highlight, performance: 64 knots of top speed, thanks to an exceptional hull made of composite, Kevlar and carbon combined with 18-cylinder engines of 1650 or 1815 horsepower and Arneson. But shaftline propulsions were also available, with lower velocity peaks, however.

Technical Specs

Discover Classic Boats from previous articles

Here are all the other great Classic Boats. If you have one and would like to tell us about it, please email us at deluise@panamaeditore.it

• Baglietto Elba, the dawn of the Italian series motoryacht (11.3m)
• Riva 25 Sport Fisherman, history of an Italian-American classic (7.5m)
• Boston Whaler Outrage 21, the Classic Boat that conquered Italy (6.5m)
• Grand Banks 42, from fishing boat to cruiser par excellence (12.7m)
• Italcraft X-44, the elegant cult fisherman of ’68 (14m)
• Mochi Craft Super 8M, the Italian way to sport cruising (8.4m)
• Italcantieri Bora 103, when the Italian state built pleasure boats (10m)
• Concorde 27 Spot Fisherman, the weekender for all that conquered Italy (8.2 m)
• Breaking the 50-knot wall: Italcraft Drago, the record boat (13m)
• Polaris & Super Polaris, the legendary 1960s cruisers by Cantieri di Pisa (13m)
• Chris Craft Super Catalina 28, the 1970s weekender that conquered the Belpaese (8.6 m)
• Baglietto Ischia, this 1960s cruiser is a timeless Italian legend (16m)
• Baja 370 ES, the American ’90s 53-knot (11.2 m) bolide
• Magnum 53, the first true 1970s muscle-powerboat (16 m)

NAVIGATE INFORMED!

To stay up-to-date on all the boating news, selected by our editorial staff, sign up for the Motor Boats newsletter! Just click the link below, accept the Privacy Policy, and click the “Subscribe Me” button. You will then receive the best powerboat news on your email, twice a week! It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time, no obligation! CLICK HERE.