Courtesy CRN
Sanzio Nicolini, the founder of superyacht builder CRN, was a visionary who brought a daring energy to boat building. He pursued collaborations with the likes of other boating luminaries such as Carlo Riva, Jon Bannenberg, and Alberto Pinto to produce landmark yachts that showcased innovative design and pushed the boundaries of technology.
These include Awal, the first yacht to feature a touch-and-go helipad; Atlante, which echoed the multipurpose full-beam design found on navy vessels; and, more recently, the 197-foot M/Y 141 with a Nuvolari Lenard design that embodies the aerodynamic lines of an Italian sports car. In 1999, CRN merged with the Ferretti Group. Today, celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Ancona-based yard maintains its reputation for building creative, owner-focused yachts with authentic technical prowess.
Here are our 10 favorites from the past six decades.
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SuperConero Series, 1986
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN CRN’s SuperConero was a landmark series of 75.5-foot boats that signaled the arrival of CRN as a prestige yacht builder. The model drew a line in the sand for the design and build quality of all of CRN’s future yachts, remaining a source of inspiration even half a century later in the form of the only 164-foot model, Latona. Delivered in 2018, Latona carries all the modern CRN hallmarks, from a beach club at the stern and a balcony that can be used when cruising to a floodable tender garage and a terrace over the sea.
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‘Fath Al Khair,’ 1978
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN The 155-foot Fath Al Khair was the first CRN to exceed 147 feet. Built for the Emir of Qatar, it reflected the owner’s insatiable appetite for ever-larger yachts in what was becoming an increasingly sophisticated market. Fath Al Khair also highlights the quirky “bow chine” design that CRN became known for in the 70s. Inspired by fishing boats, it assured guest safety when cruising while providing additional room for the crew.
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‘F100,’ 1983
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN Thirty years ahead of its time, F100 was a game changer for the industry. Commissioned by Gianni Agnelli, the then-head of Fiat Group, it was the first true explorer yacht in the pleasure-boating world. It was also the first to have floating rubber supports that served as a form of soundproofing (again, pre-dating the noise-reduction technology developed 20 years later), and the first yacht of its size to have a touch-and-go helipad on the upper deck. The final flourish was a “beauty line” traced in pure gold under the rubbing strake from bow to stern, which gave an aesthetic flourish.
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‘Il Vagabondo,’ 1986
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN Built for Saudi Arabian Sheikh Hassan Enany in 1986, the 213-foot Il Vagabondo is an early Terence Disdale design with a contemporary feel. The British designer penned the boat’s exterior and interior, which included the first guest elevator aboard a yacht. Il Vagabondo also highlighted CRN’s expertise in building custom steel-hulled yachts, with the naval architecture done in-house.
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‘Vanina,’ 1986
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN The full-custom yachting phenomenon materialized in the 1980s when owners began looking to designers for one-off designs. Sensing this shift, Sanzio Nicolini collaborated with designer luminaries, such as Jon Bannenberg, considered the first modern yacht designer. The London designer completed a trio of custom designs for three Greek brothers, one of which was Vanina. At 108 feet in length, the yacht had features that the owner specifically requested, such as a mid-deck children’s room made of pine as well as an impressive 3,000 nautical mile range.
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‘Maraya,’ 2007
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN It was in the late 90s when CRN first partnered with Rome-based Zuccon International Project, but it wasn’t until the 177-foot Maraya, delivered in 2007, that the world sat up and took notice of the partnership. Now a mainstay in yachting, Maraya was the first boat to have an owner’s suite with a private terrace that opened out over the sea. Providing the perfect spot for a breakfast coffee, the master suite balcony is complemented by a private office and a Zen-like en suite.
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‘J’Ade,’ 2012
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN J’Ade is a 197-foot transatlantic yacht delivered by CRN in 2012. It was distinguished by having the first floodable garage on a yacht of its size. The hydraulically operated bay gave the owner easy access to the yacht’s 26-foot Riva Iseo, without the need for a tender lift area. When required, the multifunctional space dries out in a quick three minutes to transform into a beach club terrace with access to a saltwater pool.
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‘Chopi Chopi,’ 2013
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN When most yacht lovers hear the name CRN, they automatically think Chopi Chopi. The 262-footer remains the largest yacht to come out of the Ancona yard, even 10 years after its delivery. Personalized from bow to stern for a highly experienced owner and his family, the yacht has a dedicated owner’s deck with a 2,100-square-foot private apartment connected to a stern terrace, a helipad for a three-ton helicopter, and a customized electronics system on the bridge with all the route-planning and navigation systems required. Oh, there’s a full entertainment system for the guests, too.
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‘Voice,’ 2020
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN The 203-foot Voice is a head-turning yacht designed by long-time CRN collaborator Nuvolari Lenard. The yacht’s contoured external lines and bold bespoke colors reflect the strong personality of the owner. As the first CRN to comply with the new IMO Tier III requirements, which slashed nitrogen oxide (NOx) exhaust emissions by 70 percent, Voice was hailed as a step toward more sustainable yachting for the Italian builder.
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‘Rio,’ 2022
Image Credit: Courtesy CRN Yachting in the 21st century pivots around indoor/outdoor connectivity and flexible living spaces. The full-custom 204-foot Rio, which launched at the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show, makes the most of both aspects. Large internal and external living areas seamlessly blend. Modular furniture can be moved around to create more room for guests or impromptu dance floors. The sky lounge serves as a private owner’s salon but is equally well suited to soirées for all 12 guests. All guest areas, including two full-beam VIPs, a wellness lounge, a beach club, a pool, and a cinema, come equipped with smart-automation technology to personalize the electronics.