This distinctive Italian design is a standout among midsize cruising yachts.
By Dag Pike
 Aldo Aprea, the founder and CEO of Apreamare in Italy, is proud of the historical ties to his boats. "Our designs are based on the traditional Mediterranean Gozo, the boat that fishermen have used for centuries in these waters. We still build our boats first with emotion and then add the modern technology."
The latest addition to the Apreamare line is the 14.5 Meter, which I tested in Sorrento. It's come a long way from its traditional roots, although it's built in the same place where the first Gozos were produced.
| At A Glance |
| ApreaMare 14.5 |
| Base Price: |
$1.5 million |
| LOA: |
54'1" |
| Beam: |
16'5" |
| Draft: |
4'3" |
| Disp.: |
50,700 lbs. |
| Water: |
185 gals. |
| Fuel: |
634 gals. | The 14.5 looks at home in the waters of the Mediterranean with its rich, varnished trim, simulated planking on the fiberglass hull and rounded transom. Yet the Apreamare is going to be a standout wherever it goes, both for its world-class quality and unique style, which is as distinctive in the Med as it is in New England. There are now more than 50 Apreamares in the United States (the company is now owned by the Ferretti Group), and these designs have proven to be interesting alternatives to the classic American lobsterboat.
When you step aboard, you enter a world of teak. Well, it's not quite all teak because the wide caprail is varnished mahogany, but the deck, fittings and passerelle are teak. You can almost smell the wood. The cockpit is on the same level as the salon. The areas are separated by a double sliding door. On the test boat, the doors rattled a bit when the boat was under way, but the boat I ran was a prototype; modifications were to be made on future production models. Seating includes a wonderful, semi-circular bench at the transom and the more formal settee in the salon. The salon deck is also teak, as are the furniture and fittings, so there is a great continuity of feeling.
| Performance |
| Test Power: (2) 730-hp MAN diesel engines turning four-blade, Nibral propellers. Engine options include twin 630-hp MAN diesels and twin 710-hp Caterpillar diesels. |
| RPM |
Knots |
GPH |
dB-A |
| 600 |
6.5 |
9.2 |
68 |
| 900 |
9.0 |
10.6 |
70 |
| 1200 |
11.1 |
23.8 |
74 |
| 1500 |
16.7 |
36.9 |
76 |
| 1800 |
23.9 |
51.5 |
78 |
| 2100 |
30.0 |
66.0 |
80 |
| 2230 |
31.8 |
73.9 |
81 |
Speeds measured by GPS in the Mediterranean Sea off Sorrento, Italy, in eight-knot winds and two-foot seas w/six people on board, 5/8 tank of fuel and no water. Sound levels measured at the helm in dB-A.
Standard Equipment (major items): Teak decks; electric windlass; Bruce anchor; hydraulic passerelle; hydraulic trim tabs; sunroof; cockpit and deck courtesy lighting; two life raft compartments; bow and stern seating w/cushions; four-blade Nibral propellers; refrigerators in salon and galley; freezer in galley; stereo sound system; VHF radio; Raymarine chartplotter; Raymarine echo sounder; three-burner electric cooktop; microwave oven; air-conditioning system; 6-kW Mase generator; hydraulic steering.
Warranty: Five-year structural hull coverage; one-year stem-to-stern.
Apreamare, MarineMax, (800) 732-7297. www.marinemax.com | The 14.5 weighs more than 50,000 pounds, making this a heavy boat that offers a comfortable ride at sea. Unlike traditional Gozos, the Apreamare has a modified deep-V hull that planes comfortably. I like the way the boat performed during my test. It was completely immune to the waves we encountered, even when we hit the big wash of a passing ferry. Thanks to the boat's wide beam (16'5"), the engines can be set a good distance apart, which improves control, but if you want more help, a bowthruster is available, too. Test power was a pair of 730-hp MAN diesels, which produced a top-end speed of 31.8 knots. At cruising speeds, the boat's range is about 300 miles.
The wide beam also makes for generous accommodations below. The boat is available with a choice of two or three cabins. The prototype had three: two guest cabins aft and the owner's stateroom forward. A crew cabin with a single berth is at the stern; access is from behind the cockpit settee.
Yes, the Apreamare has historical associations, and that will interest many boaters. But to my mind, the new 14.5 is notable for the way it couples so much practical space with quality construction and distinct Italian style. It will turn heads wherever it goes.
Other Sea Trials featured this month:
- More Electronics from past issues.
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