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The special boatMotorised glider, reinvented?

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 12.11.2012

The special boat: motorised glider, reinvented?Photo: YACHT/M. Strauch
Unusual look: motorboat deck and vertical freeboards
Fast transfer to the destination, cosy sailing in a dream area. A South Tyrolean owner couple have created their dream boat for old age
Full steam ahead: 17 knots with 200 hp on the test drivePhoto: YACHT/ M. Strauch Full steam ahead: 17 knots with 200 hp on the test drive Retractable twin rudders and deep centreboard characterise the underwater hullPhoto: Coupeyachtdesign Retractable twin rudders and deep centreboard characterise the underwater hull Conventional saloon, dominated by the centreboard box. Canopy with CFRP structurePhoto: YACHT/ M. Strauch Conventional saloon, dominated by the centreboard box. Canopy with CFRP structure

Janni and Roberto Maraner from Bolzano didn't want to switch to a motorboat just yet. However, their mooring in Chioggia near Venice meant that they would have to cover 50 nautical miles to reach their nearest holiday destinations in Slovenia and Croatia - too much for a relaxing weekend trip. So the two got down to work and had a boat customised that would be as fast as possible under engine power.

Jaro 37' Coupe
Photo: Coupeyachtdesign

The Coupé Design studio created a relatively narrow but motorboat-like hull with a flat stern, Z-drive, centreboard and double rudders, topped by a modern rig. The boat can reach speeds of up to 20 knots under engine power, while its performance under sail is almost surprising. The boat is to go into series production if there are enough interested parties.

More on the exciting project in YACHT 24/2012 (available from newsagents from 14 November 2012)

Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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