Italia 9.98: Powerful performance boat for experienced regatta team on test
Michael Good
· 10.09.2024
A success story: In the summer of 2015, the "Low Noise II" surprisingly won the ORCi world championship title in category C off Barcelona. The special thing about it: the boat, the brand new Italia 9.98 with the construction number 1, came to Spain more or less straight from the shipyard for the championship. It was the series boat's first international appearance and then it won the title straight away.
The crew, on the other hand, was a well-rehearsed team: the Italians had already been successful off Kiel in 2014 with the "Low Noise I", an M37 from the 2Emme Marine shipyard, also from Italy. Back then, rating specialist Matteo Polli consistently optimised Maurizio Cossutti's design for the ORCi formula equalisation.
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Polli was back on board for the Italia 9.98, but this time as chief designer right from the start. Italia Yachts boss Franco Corazza had commissioned the innovative designer to realise the first type of a second, sportier and mainly regatta-oriented shipyard line. Under the product name Fuoriserie, it is placed alongside the upmarket programme of fine performance cruisers. The term Fuoriserie comes from the automotive industry and means "special version" in Italian. High-performance cars from Maserati, Lamborghini and Aston Martin used to be given this illustrious nickname.
Italia Yachts' brief for the racing concept was clearly defined: Less than ten metres hull length, capable of winning under ORCi and IRC handicap, crew-oriented cockpit layout, functional but tourable interior and CE design category A (seaworthy). And all this at a competitive price. No easy task, neither for the designer nor for the product developers in the shipyard.
Eye-catching shapes
Matteo Polli also used complex CFD programmes (computational fluid dynamics) for his work. These applications calculate, for example, the corresponding design data for the most flow-optimised underwater appendages for given parameters such as hull volume, displacement and sail pressure point. Polli opted for a T-keel, with a very slim but strikingly long torpedo lead bomb, a long keel root and a draught of 1.90 metres. T-keels are not particularly popular in the ORCi handicap because they are penalised in the rating. Nevertheless, the choice seems to have paid off.
The rudder blade goes almost as deep and works relatively far forward in the boat; the peculiar stern section of the ship with the almost circular frame shape and the strongly constricted waterline aft allows this construction. It was important to Matteo Polli that the buoyancy in the stern area remained moderate when heeling. Unlike many modern designs with extremely wide sterns and chine edges, the bow section of the Italian can be slimmer and less voluminous at the height of the waterline, without the boat diving too far over the bow when in position.
In addition to the advantages in terms of performance and rating, the shape also has visual advantages. The Italia 9.98 is a beautiful boat, especially from the front, with elegant and harmonious lines. The shape of the stern only takes a little getting used to when viewed from aft.
The test took place in Italy, in Santa Margherita, on the Ligurian coast. Despite the unfortunately light wind, the Italia 9.98 was able to demonstrate its skills and performance potential. With an average wind of 8 knots, the boat cruised at an angle of just over 40 degrees at a good speed of 6.0 knots.
The values measured during the test correspond exactly to the data from the speed prediction programme (VPP), which is used as the basis for calculating the rating. Incidentally, the world champion boat "Low Noise" is measured by ORCi with a GPH value of 633. In comparison, the Italian can therefore travel a little longer on the race course than her closest competitor, the X-35 (GPH 606). According to IRC, the Italia 9.98 was assigned a TCC value of 1.025.
Dorado for trimmers
In comparison, the height of the rig is rather compact. The sail area remains almost moderate for a racer, and the mainsail has to make do without the fashionable over-rounding or extreme top boom extensions. Instead, the main boom is noticeably long and reaches almost to the stern. Matteo Polli wanted to keep the sail pressure point low with this setup for measurement reasons. Sailors in light wind areas who do not necessarily want to sail according to ORCi equalisation are of course free to choose the sails and their size. There is no doubt that a larger, flared mainsail with double aft stays would also be feasible.
For the genoa, the overlap remains at 105 per cent due to the rig. A self-tacking jib is not available as an alternative. An exciting feature is the standard arrangement for adjusting the genoa sheet's leading eyes. The so-called 3D haul points allow infinitely variable deflection that can be adjusted in all possible directions. This means that the genoa can always be optimally trimmed in a wide angle range of between 5 and 18 degrees to the ship's axis. The very complicated but also extremely effective set-up requires a great deal of expertise on the part of the trimmer, who has to make constant adjustments on the course.
To the delight of the team
For ORCi regattas (up and down), the boat is best sailed with a conventional spinnaker rig. This is available as an optional package with all fittings and spinnaker pole as additional equipment. After IRC and for long-distance sailing, a gennaker is more interesting. The boat can also be equipped with a 1.40 metre long, permanently attached bowsprit made of carbon fibre. The shipyard also offers a ready-made equipment bundle for this. If you want to utilise the performance potential of the Italia 9.98 even more uncompromisingly, you can have a CNC-milled keel fitted, but you will have to dig deep into your pockets for this luxury.
An experienced crew will find a layout on deck and in the cockpit that leaves nothing to be desired. Halyards, sheets and trim lines can be operated the way regatta sailors like it. In addition, the impeccable basic equipment with fittings from Ronstan and sufficiently large winches from Lewmar ensure smooth manoeuvres.
However, the position of the helmsman is strange. Because the rudder blade is installed far forward, he sits almost in the centre of the boat. But this is not a mistake - at this position, the man at the tiller steers with a better overview of the sails and can also develop a good feel for the movements of the boat. And because of the tiller extension, he can reach all the functions, including the halyards and trim lines on the cabin superstructure. Steering the Italia 9.98 is a pleasure, especially at the helm.
The mainsheet operator still sits behind the helmsman and has his functions (mainsheet, traveller, backstay) perfectly deflected there. He also works effortlessly and ergonomically well in this position. However, the double mainsheet guide (German Cupper) with additional winches is only an option at extra cost. Double steering wheels instead of the tiller would also be feasible on request.
Sober functionality
The interior below deck fulfils the shipyard's requirements in terms of touring suitability - but not much more. The interior is simple, functional and not very cosy; there is no cosy ship-like atmosphere here. It will suffice for a long weekend with the family or an overnight stay for the regatta team.
As befits a real regatta boat of this size, the Italia 9.98 has a proper navigation system, where you can work well in the direction of travel and with the chart. The galley also offers what it needs: A two-burner hob, sink and plenty of storage space for this and that. However, the customer must order an electric fridge compartment separately.
The foredeck remains open to the saloon. The forward berth area is acceptable for two people if they are not too tall. The length of the berths is 1.95 metres, the width at shoulder height is 1.62 metres. Two more people can sleep in the saloon. However, the length of the berths is also somewhat limited here: 1.94 metres. In the aft cabin, the berth is clearly too small for two - the width at shoulder height is only 1.28 metres.
The shipyard in Chioggia near Venice also builds the 9.98 as a GRP sandwich laminate with a PVC foam core and vinyl ester resins. The hull and deck are laminated by hand at Italia Yachts, i.e. wet; the dry processes of vacuum infusion or injection are not yet an issue in Italian production. The entire floor assembly is laminated together with structurally load-bearing parts of the fixtures as a coherent component, reinforced with carbon fibre layers and subsequently laminated into the hull. This complex construction method guarantees strong and very rigid connections.
A lot of money, but also a lot of ship
The Italian boat is also ahead in terms of price: the Italia 9.98 costs 276,750 euros gross ex shipyard including an unusually extensive and largely regatta-compatible equipment on deck, just like the test boat. That is not cheap. As is usual with regatta boats of this type, this does not include the sails.
With the Italia 9.98, the yacht builders in Chioggia have done everything right - the touring regatta boat is well-rounded and well thought-out. And the Italia 9.98 has already emphatically proven what it is capable of sailing by winning the world championship title.
The measured values for the Italia 9.98 test
The Italia 9.98 in detail
Technical data of the Italia 9.98
- Designer: Matteo Polli
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 9,98 m
- Width: 3,54 m
- Depth: 1,90 m
- Weight: 4,5 t
- Ballast/proportion: 1,9 t/42 %
- Mainsail: 38,0 m2
- Genoa (105 %): 32,0 m2
- machine (Volvo P.): 14 kW/19 hp
Hull and deck construction
GRP sandwich with PVC foam core and vinyl ester resins. Floor assembly with carbon fibre reinforcements
Price and shipyard
- Base price ex shipyard: 276,750 euros gross incl. 19% VAT.
- Surcharge for Bellissima version: 23,680 Euro
- Guarantee/against osmosis: 2/2 years
As of 09/24, how the prices shown are defined can be found here!
Shipyard
Italia Yachts, Chioggia (Italy); www.italiayachts.it
YACHT rating of the Italia 9.98
Powerful performance boat from Italy with world championship title. The cockpit layout works for a well-rehearsed regatta team. The extensive, very high-quality equipment justifies the comparatively high price
Design and concept
- + Well thought-out deck layout
- + Strong, rigid construction
- + Clear rating optimisation
Sailing performance and trim
- + Proven performance
- + Extensive trimming facilities
Living and finishing quality
- + Sober but functional interior design
- + Large navigation in the direction of travel
- - Short berths, not very wide aft
Equipment and technology
- + Optionally with tiller or wheels
- + High-quality add-on parts
- - Motor poorly soundproofed
The article first appeared in YACHT issue 25-26/2015 and has been revised for this online version.
