A classic design meets the future. To celebrate a century of history, the Ligurian boatyard offers an elegant planning skiff designed by Tommaso Spadolini
by Luca Sordelli
The Patrone 100, in commemoration of the centenary of the foundation of Patrone. Simple. There aren’t many who can boast that they were born in 1922: it is right to celebrate the occasion and to recall a story that starts from the time when boats were made of wood, and reflect on the pride of having come through so many storms.
It is also right to do that with a boat designed with the specific purpose of taking the boatyard from Ceriale into the future, starting from its most established tradition, the Ligurian gozzo skiff. Tommaso Spadolini was called upon to handle this operation, in terms of shapes and style, and he managed to interpret the indications that the yard gave him.
Below decks, in the bow, there is a proper master cabin, which is surprisingly large for a boat of this size. The bed sticks out into the room but you can get around it easily, and there is plenty of space for stowing clothes and baggage.
Some of the key points were the need to reflect the yard’s golden era, the 1960s, and to ensure that there was a good amount of headroom below decks, something that was new for the gozzo boats made by Patrone Moreno. Getting that amount of headroom was no easy task on a boat that had to stay within the ten-meter restrictions for natante classification. Especially when you remember that it was important not to depart from the true nature of a gozzo, which was originally a skiff for work and fishing. A good part of the issue was solved with the elegant design of the deck flare which increases gradually going forward and adds a vital extra few inches to the clearance below decks. But it is the overall design, and its numerous details, that give a beautiful feeling of lightness to the boat, even though it has a substantial amount of room inside. I am talking about details like the small windscreen that slopes aft, the streamlined design of the windows, and even the semi-transparent T-Top.
TWO LAYOUTS ARE OFFERED BY THE YARD, THE DELUXE, THE VERSION WE TRIED OUT WHICH HAS JUST ONE CABIN A LARGE BATHROOM, AND A DINETTE, AND THE FAMILY, WHICH HAS A SECOND CABIN AMIDSHIP.
The ceiling height below touches two meters, and the dinette at the bottom of the staircase is very inviting. I was impressed by the cabin, which has a real double bed following the line of the hull and that is easy to get around. The room is very luminous and has plenty of room for luggage; I was also enthused by the bathroom, which runs along much of the port side and has a separate shower cubicle. The yard also offers a family version, with a second cabin amidship – a solution that has to take space away from both the bathroom and the living area.
The central T-Top is semi-transparent, thanks to the central glass inserts, a solution that in the cockpit gives protection from the sun, while also ensuring light and giving a spacious feel.
The furnishing is done in a very sober, functional style, a refinement that has the feel of the sailing world. Full marks should also definitely be given to the beautiful fabrics from Loro Piana Interiors. And up on deck to it is the influence of the original model, the Ligurian gozzo, which means it is sober and practical. The designer has also added a contemporary style, but without going too far. The entire foredeck is thus a large sun pad, while the area in the stern, aft of the helm station, has a symmetrical layout, with four small sofas and space in the middle to set up a dining table. If you take down the two seats at the helm, there’s a small outdoor kitchen with a basin and two oven rings on one side and a preparation surface on the other.
IN A SLIGHTLY ROUGH SEA AND WITH THE WIND BLOWING AT AROUND 15 KNOTS WE JUST ABOUT GOT TO 30 KNOTS.
There is a lot of horsepower on tap in the engine room thanks to two VMs, each delivering 230 horsepower, and they make themselves felt. In a slightly rough sea and with the wind blowing at around 15 knots we just about got to 30 knots. That wasn’t bad for a “calm” Ligurian gozzo skiff. It is most economical at cruising speed, which is much more interesting when seen in terms of family holidays: at 25 knots and 3200 rpm.
It is very easy to get into the water, with the large stern platform and two side gates that lead to the cockpit.
Still more peaceful and relaxing was economy cruising speed, at 15 knots but still fully planning. It should be pointed out that the windscreen is too low and not protective enough for a boat that goes this fast. It is no coincidence that the yard has already set about modifying it for the next units to be produced. In the engine room, the first of the new Patrone 100s has two 4.2-liter VM diesel engines each producing 320 horsepower. It uses straight-shaft transmission, but there is also the option of fitting two outboard motors.
CANTIERE NAVALE PATRONE MORENO
Reg. Torre Pernice (Polo 90)
I-17035 Cisano sul Neva (SV)
T. +39 0182 990001
[email protected]
www.patroneboat.com
PROJECT
Tommaso Spadolini (exterior and interior design)
HULL
LOA 11m • Length 9.9m • Maximum beam 3.3m • Draft 0.8m • Displacement 8,700 kg • Fuel tank volume 1,500 l • Water tank volume 1,200 l
MAIN PROPULSION 2 VM MR 706 LH • Outlet mechanical power 235 kW (320 hp) • Bore&Stroke 94mm x 100mm • Swept volume 4.2 l • 6 cylinders • Maximal rotational speed 3800/min • Weight 460 kg
EC CERTIFICATION
CAT B Maximum 8 people on board
PRICE
Starting from 259,900€ (Excl. VAT), powered with two outboard engines Yamaha, V6 of 220.6 kW (300 hp) each. Starting from 259,900€ (Excl. VAT), powered with two inboard Diesel engines, Yanmar 4LV230 of 169 kW (230 hp) each (January 2023)
(Patrone 100, a hundred of these years – Barchemagazine.com – January 2023)
