Toy Marine: the timeless appeal of Italian-style lobsters

A tribute to the companies and people who have made Barche a Motore great over these 35 years allowing it to be born, grow, and become great up to this historic anniversary. In these articles the great excellences of boating tell their stories and reveal their projects, making an important contribution to the knowledge of this world, which allows us all to go to sea, in all forms and contexts.

Toy “Story”: the timeless elegance

Toy Marine’s unique journey between American inspiration, Italian style and sartorial passion. This is how the Italian-style lobster was born.

The story of Toy Marine was born out of an unexpected encounter and a deep passion for the sea. Aldo Tomasina, one of the two founders of the shipyard, recounts, “I was born a sailor, and, as such, I only looked at sailboats; motor boats I didn’t really consider. Then while I was in the United States, on a business trip, I discovered the famous American lobster boats and fell in love with them. I thought, this is a motor boat I would love to have.” That love at first sight soon turned into an ambitious project. “Looking at them, I realized that you could do better. Americans are good assemblers, but in harmony of form and taste we Italians are unbeatable,” Tomasina explains. With his friend Alessandro Novella, owner of a boatyard in Savona, they decided to try to make lobster boats “the Italian way”: faithful to tradition but with a Mediterranean style. To shape this vision they involved Nauta Design: “I knew them from their work on sailboats,” Tomasina recalls, “I liked their style, so together we created our boats.”

Toy Marine. Tradition reinventing itself

The intent was to preserve the original features of American lobster boats-low freeboard, large cockpit, low and protected deckhouse-but to draw more harmonious lines suitable for our sea. “For example, American lobster boats have a large pilot chair in front of the dashboard, which is very functional, but aesthetically not the best. Instead, we focused on a dinette with a more harmonious design where all the elements fit together and more beautiful and livable sundecks, perfect for the Mediterranean.” This timeless, classic elegance is the key to Toy Marine‘s success. Tomasina reflects, “Ours is a design that does not age. Many chase fashion, risking forcings. We have remained faithful to that typical Italian cleanliness of lines.” The result shows: “We made about 50 Toy 36 and they hold their value very well on the used market. They are good boats, built well.” From the first 36-foot hull, the range has grown while retaining its essential features. “We have always emphasized large, livable cockpits, low freeboard and direct contact with the sea. Even on the largest boat, now the Toy 72, which replaces the Toy 68, the philosophy has not changed, but with four extra feet we were able to make a full-beam master cabin in the middle of the boat and added a real garage for the tender and tender lift,” explains Tomasina. Each model has its own character: “The 36 was born as a weekender, the 72 is a true cruising boat, needing crew, and the 51 is the most multipurpose model, suitable for day trips as well as long cruises. “One revolution was the introduction of the Toy 39, an outboard version of the Toy 36, created for the American market. “At first we doubted the aesthetics, but the outboard integrates perfectly with the boat, thanks to a small fitting at the stern.” The advantages? “Compared to the shaftline, it pushes horizontally, the boat is more efficient and responsive, especially in rough seas. And maintenance is easier because the engine can be easily landed and there is more storage capacity.” The Toy ‘s seaworthiness is proverbial, the result of precise design choices: “For a boat to really hold the sea, you need a deep-V hull, low freeboard, and a wide boat for stability. In tacking, the boat does not flatten; it stays screwed to the water. The low deckhouse reduces the wind effect, and the result is a boat that holds the sea well, solid even in formed waves.” No wonder Toy also appeals to sailors: “Some of our owners own big sailing boats and the Toy 36 serves as a tender.”

The sea atelier

Toy Marine is, first and foremost, a true atelier of the sea. Each Toy is a “small semi-custom masterpiece. “We are like a craft workshop where each owner is followed step, step by step in the choice of materials and details. The beauty is to see our customers having fun choosing a particular color of the hull, imagining a different arrangement of the cushions or designing a special solution together with us,” says Tomasina. “The beauty is really seeing an object come to life that truly resembles its owner.” It often happens that wishes become unique projects: “For example, one of our shipowners who is passionate about diving asked us to create a custom diving area on board, separate from the sleeping area, where he could change and get ready comfortably before going underwater.” A curiosity: “Sometimes they ask us for fewer cabins, so they have more convivial space during the day and a more private and livable boat for evenings on board. The opposite of many commercial boats, which instead aim to accommodate as many guests as possible.” This “tailor-made” philosophy continues even after delivery: Toy often return to the shipyard for refits, updates and improvements born out of the owner’s concrete experience. “We like this collaboration: we get suggestions from those who live them, and sometimes a solution designed for one owner is then introduced on subsequent models. it’s a continuous exchange, which keeps the boat and the relationship with our customers alive.”

Toy Marine. A special relationship

Toy marine also stands out for some “countercultural” choices: “We have changed our approach, leaving the big boat shows to receive those interested directly at the shipyard. That way we can show quality, details up close and offer a real sea trial.” Word of mouth has become the best calling card: “The satisfied owner is our most valuable testimonial. “What kind of shipowners does Toy Marine choose? “We are talking about competent and demanding shipowners, often people already used to the sea. One of them went from 60-meter Explorer to our 51-footer (15 m, ed.). It has become his favorite ‘toy’.” Looking to the future, Toy Marine is aiming for internationalization: “So far we have had a strong connection with the Mediterranean, but now we are making investments and have partnerships in the U.S., Santo Domingo, and Australia. Diversifying the market reduces risk and makes the company grow.” And on range development: “Between 36 and 51 feet, as well as between 51 and 72, there is room for new intermediate models. “The shipyard’s artisanal DNA remains the cornerstone of everything: “We have always been very prudent, we have never done stock production. Every boat is sold, every investment is targeted. Growing is important but only step by step. We want to remain a small yard, careful to follow each boat and each owner personally.” Even in difficult times-such as the 2008 crisis-this solidity and long-term vision have allowed the shipyard to stay on its feet and continue to innovate without giving up its independence.

Visit Toy Marine’s website: click here