The Neo Yachts brand has only been around for a few years. Despite this, the yacht builders from Bari in southern Italy have already established a remarkable market presence with their Neo 400 (test in YACHT 4/2018) and Neo 350 models - including notable successes on the regatta circuit, such as the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
The shipyard is now responding to various requests for a larger series boat. Designer Giovanni Ceccarelli has drawn up the plans for this. The first ship of the new Neo 430 Roma type is already under construction and should be ready in September. And shipyard boss Paolo Semeraro has already set a price: the exciting Italian will cost 512,000 euros, including 19 per cent VAT, but still without sails or electronics.
The price list or the specifications of the base model are not yet available. But this much is clear: the hull and deck of the Neo 430 Roma will be built entirely from carbon fibre with epoxy using the vacuum infusion process. According to Ceccarelli's calculations, the ready-to-sail boat will weigh just 5.7 tonnes with a hull length of 13.06 metres. Around half of the total weight is suspended as a ballast bomb on the T-keel with a draught of 3.0 metres. As far as the hull appendages are concerned, the customer can ultimately choose whether to order the boat with one or two rudder blades, with a fixed keel or with an electro-hydraulic lifting keel.
On the almost 19 metre high carbon fibre rig, 106 square metres of effective sail area work against it in the wind - so plenty of power. Semeraro and Ceccarelli's design concept is aimed at optimised measurement in the ORC and IRC compensation systems. However, the provisional ratings for this have not yet been finalised.
Despite the strong focus on high performance under sail, the Neo 430 is also intended to be an exclusive cruising boat in the style of a Gran Turismo. There is a choice of different interior versions, depending on whether the boat is to be used for racing or touring.
