The construction of the Chianti 24 comes from Michele Molino Yacht Design in La Rochelle. Molino has been working as an architect and engineer in yacht building for more than twenty years and sees the design as a consciously sustainable project: modern timber construction, simple structure, long service life. The boat is also being built in La Rochelle, at Menuiserie Ébénisterie de Marine by Louis Boyer, who is known for his sporty, neoclassical wooden boats in the Chacal range, among other things.
Also an option for self-builders
The design of the Chianti 24 remains deliberately down-to-earth. The hull is designed as a multi-buckling frame made of plywood in wood-epoxy-fibreglass construction. This saves weight, makes production easier and fits in with the option of offering the boat as a kit for self-builders. Watertight bulkheads at companionway level and in the bow area are designed to ensure buoyancy and safety; the manufacturer describes the boat as unsinkable.
The retractable ballast centreboard weighs 250 kilograms and can be fully swivelled into the hull. Together with the double, also retractable rudder blades, the draught is reduced to just 20 centimetres. This means that the Chianti 24 can not only be slipped, but can also fall dry or be brought very close to the beach. With a width of 2.54 metres and a ready-to-sail weight of 800 kilograms, the Chianti 24 can also be easily towed with a mid-range car.
The concept promises a lot of sportiness
The rig is kept simple: Aluminium, one spreader, square top mainsail, swept spreaders and no backstay. The self-tacking jib is designed to minimise handling, and a gennaker or code zero can be optionally used on the bowsprit. A sail area of 34.6 square metres is available downwind, plus a 50 square metre gennaker. With a displacement of around 800 kilograms, this suggests very lively, sporty sailing characteristics - more like a pocket rocket than a cosy small cruiser.
The Chianti 24 does not attempt to imitate a fully-fledged mini-cabin with galley, wet room and saloon below deck. Instead, a large part of life on board moves outside. Standardised storage boxes can be stowed under the thwarts. Depending on requirements, they can be converted into a galley module, sink, cool box, storage space or a cockpit table. The electric outboard motor is also stored under the dents and only hung on the transom for manoeuvring.
Up to four people can sleep inside
Below deck, it remains simple but functional. There are four berths and a small chemical toilet integrated under the berths. The maximum height is 1.45 metres. The first Chianti 24 boat is apparently already under construction. The shipyard in La Rochelle is not yet able to provide a concrete price. They are still working on the price structures.
Technical data Chianti 24
- Designer: Michele Molino Yacht Design
- Hull length: 6.95 m
- Total length: 7.75 m
- Width: 2.54 m
- Draught with swing keel: 0.20 - 2.00 m
- Mast height above waterline: 10.80 m
- Weight: 800 kg
- Ballast/proportion: 250 kg / 31 %
- Mainsail: 21.0 m2
- Self-tacking jib: 13.6 m2
- Gennaker: 50.0 m2
- CE design category: C (6)
Further links on the topic
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
