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In a move that redraws the contours of Italian luxury boating, Novamarine, a Sardinian shipyard famous for its innovative tenders and yachts, has announced the acquisition of the historic Tornado Yachts brand. The deal is not just a financial transaction, but a true marriage between two complementary philosophies: the technological edge of Novamarine and the legendary racing soul of Tornado.
Founded in Olbia in 1983, Novamarine’s history is a chronicle of continuous innovation. As early as 1985, the shipyard made a momentous breakthrough, transforming traditional rubberized fabric hulls into hulls made entirely of GRP (fiberglass). This technique opens new horizons, allowing the creation of a range of boats that redefine market expectations.
Beginning in 1987, the company expands its vision, initiating its first designs for support boats and vehicles for professional markets. Novamarine’s reputation grows exponentially through collaborations with leading initiatives such as the Destriero and Azzurra projects. Production reaches 600 units per year and its tenders become a choice for most yachts.
The 1990s saw another revolution: the launch of the tender jet, a product that perfectly integrates the technical requirements of yachts with the needs of boat owners. This symbiosis of yacht and tender is quickly adopted by the largest shipbuilders. In the second half of the decade, Novamarine introduces another of its distinctive technologies: the elastic foam-filled tubular. This innovation, which replaces air with a solid, safe material, shifts design boundaries and becomes a trademark for both pleasure and professional boats.
The acquisition of the brand in 2013 by the SNO Group of brothers Andrea and Francesco Pirro marked a new era of growth. Under the leadership of CEO Francesco Pirro, Novamarine has established itself as a symbol of Made in Italy, with iconic lines such as the Black Shiver, RH, and HD, culminating in a stock market listing on Euronext Growth Milan.
“We are very pleased with the acquisition of the Tornado Yachts brand, which represents a strategic opportunity for Novamarine to expand its customer base and enter a new market segment, while remaining true to the Company’s historical positioning,” said Francesco Pirro, president and CEO of Novamarine.
The story of Tornado Yachts began in 1968 in Fiumicino, Italy, when offshore racing pioneer Carlo Marchiolo founded the yard with the goal of transferring racing performance to pleasure boats. Success was immediate: as early as 1969, a Tornado 35 won the offshore championship, kicking off an epic of triumphs.
In the 1970s, names like Vincenzo Balestrieri and legendary hulls like the “Yellow Tornado” and the “Black Tornado” dominated the international scenes, winning prestigious races like the Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio. A meeting in 1977 with the brilliant designer Tom Fexas marked a turning point, leading to the creation of iconic models such as the 45-footer.
But it is with tennis player Adriano Panatta that the brand definitively enters the legend. His victories at the Venice-Montecarlo in 1991, aboard a Tornado 38, and in 1997, with a Tornado 45, consecrated these boats as icons of sportiness and reliability. As Panatta himself said, the Tornados are “very competitive, well-built boats…with a conception that puts marine qualities as well as power at the center.” Under the recent leadership of Daniele Parisi, the yard has continued to evolve the tradition, launching new models such as the Tornado 43 walk around.
The acquisition is part of a precise development strategy for Novamarine, outlined as early as the IPO, which aims to expand its product offering. For Tornado, it means being able to count on the industrial solidity and innovative drive of one of Europe’s most advanced shipyards.
Production of Tornado Yachts branded boats will take place entirely at Novamarine’s modern shipyards in Olbia. This will ensure that Tornado’s racing DNA and timeless style can merge with the technology and build quality that have made Novamarine a global benchmark. The union of these two Italian excellences promises to give birth to a new generation of sport yachts, ready to write an exciting new chapter in the history of world yachting.
James Barbaro
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