A BEAUTIFUL AND FAST 43FT YACHT, THE NEW ITALIA 12.98

I have already been contacted by some sailors regarding counsel about this boat, that did not go unnoticed, even if it is not yet listed on the Italia Yacht site, where the older 12.98 still remains in the offer, with the same name, and that is a bit odd on two counts: the delay (several months) in presenting the new boat and to give it the same name as the previous one. Maybe they have intended to upgrade the older version, keeping the hull, and ended up making a new boat.

This yacht, although with the same denomination,  is not a MKII, a new version of the older one with the same hull, but a completely different boat. This is a new yacht, faster and more sportive than the older 12.98 and I would say also a nicer one.

While the previous 12.98 has that length in meters, the new one is bigger, with 13.16m hull length (14.3m LOA), but has a smaller beam (3.95/4.16m), a bigger draft (Bellissima - 2.20/1.90, Fuoriserie -  2.46/2.25m), a bigger B/D (32.8%/30,2%) and a bigger displacement (8500kg/7950kg), due mostly to more ballast on the new boat (2790 to 2400kg).

The hull has also a different design, narrower, with the max beam pulled aft, but maintaining a rounded transom shape, without chines, for a very good performance in light winds and upwind. Both boats have similar torpedo keels (deeper on the new one) and a single spade deep rudder with a twin wheel set-up.

The new 12.98 has considerably more sail area: upwind 114/103m2 (with a jib), downwind 222/197m2. The difference is not as big as it seems because the new boat is heavier, but even so, the new one has a bigger SA/D, upwind (27.9/26.3) and downwind (54.2/50.3). 

The D/L is close but in this case, the new boat is proportionally slightly heavier due to a similar LWL (11.1/11.2m) and bigger displacement (167.4/161.6). However, I suspect that this hull design will make the LWL increase considerably more with heel than the previous one. 

Regarding RM, and comparing with the previous model, this one has a bit less hull form stability (less drag too), but more RM coming from the ballast (lower CG). The slightly superior B/D does not really show to what point this boat has a bigger RM "coming" from the keel/ballast. The relatively small difference in B/D (32.8% to 30,2%) would have to be a much bigger one if both boats had the same draft and RM of the new boat was maintained. I would say that the new boat, in this scenario, would need around 37%B/D and that is already a big difference for a 30%B/D.

In fact, the new 12.98 has 7% more RM than the previous one. That can seem a small difference, but if you take into consideration that the new boat has considerably less beam and finer entries, meaning less drag, that 7% represents way more in what regards the power to drag relation.

All in all, the new boat will have not only a superior power/drag relation as it will probably have a more favorable handicap, one easier to reach. Compared with the previous model it will be, not only a faster yacht, but also a more competitive yacht in ORC/IRC races, excelling in upwind and with lighter winds, but with overall good performance. 

Based on what the designer says, I would say that the previous boat was designed taking into consideration 20% racing and 80% cruising, while this one will be a 50%/50%, while the 11.98 is an 80%/20%, being the last one designed more for racing than cruising, a bit like a JPK 11.80 in what regards racing and cruising design criteria. 

The new 12.98 will not have the best design for the Caribbean 600, or a Transat, but will be probably very competitive in the European and World ORC championship (Fuoriserie with the higher specs) and in Med and Baltic races, even offshore ones, like the Middle sea Race, the Giraglia or the Aegean 600, as well as in any race "around the cans" with a  balanced downwind/upwind course. 

Even the Belissima should be able to obtain good results at club racing level and will be a very fast performance cruiser.

In the middle, the old 12.98....and the new 12.98

Regarding cruising, that can be made in any of the two versions, the Bellissima bigger difference (besides teak decks that can be mounted or not) is a more simplified running rigging, with only 4 winches, having the Fuoriserie 6 standard (with the possibility of having 8). The cruising version has a single point mainsail attachment, the more sportive version has a traveler. 

Also, while the Bellissima comes standard with 6 portholes, the more sportive version comes without them.

The standard equipment of the two versions is not still well defined, but any of the boats can be equipped with pretty much anything. 

It comes standard with a genoa traveler, but optionally it can have a self-tacking jib on a rail, a 3D sail control system, a carbon rig, or a bigger main with a square top.

The 12.98 is offered with two different layouts, being the difference an extra head in the forward cabin, versus more storage space. The forward cabin is not small but the berth, due to the bow fine entries is way too narrow (bow side) to be comfortable for a couple. 

And I don't understand why, because in both versions (with or without the head) there is space to bring the berth aft 50cm (changing the head door to the side). Those 50 cms at the bow would not only allow a considerably wider and more comfortable berth as they would permit to have a decent sail locker (enlarging the existing one), or if that is not possible due to a bulkhead, it would allow for a cabinet and more interior storage space, that, especially on the version with the head, would always be welcome.

The other main objection is the lack of a 2 cabin version. For long-range or extensive cruising the storage space and the space for equipment is not enough. The ones that cruise extensively in a boat with this size now that if they have a 3 cabin boat, the third cabin is full with cruising stuff, from the bicycles or scooters to deck chairs, extra shades for the forward part of the boat, an extra sail, spars and so on. If the boat is used also for serious racing, it would be needed a space to store the several sails, that while racing will be in the saloon area.

So, in fact, for many, one of the aft cabins will be used as storage space, and so, why not propose a two cabin version with the added bonus of a bigger galley (that is always a must for cruising) and a smaller port aft cabin remade as a big storage space? That would be easy to make and the added cost would not be big, and certainly you would gladly pay for a better cruising or cruiser-racer boat.

In what regards to equipment storage, there is a relatively large space in the transom (let's see if the access by the cockpit is good) and a relatively narrow space (maybe 35/40cm) between the two cabins, a space that will be too narrow to mount most equipment, but that in the case of two cabin version can be enlarged at a small cost on the storage cabin size.

If on the storage space compartment the dividing panel follows the outer motor box panel, having as advantage enlarging a bit the engine compartment making the sail drive accessibility better, the central space will be 60cm wide and will be wide enough to mount a small generator and a small watermaker, as well as other electrical equipment, reserving the outside transom locker for the dinghy and other wet or semi-wet equipment.

There is also a large chain locker that will provide some space for fenders or garbage, but only if it is enlarged by bringing the berths aft, will it be able to have adequate space for sails.

The tankage is normal for this type of boat, where a watermaker will be used in ocean crossings, to not add too much weight to the boat. Like, on the previous 12.98, it has as standard tankage 360L  water and 220L diesel. It will come with a 50hp engine, which will be more than enough, even for cruising if one chooses to motor.

The battery bank with AGM batteries is good if a 3rd optional battery is mounted: 3x130 Ah plus a starter AGM battery with 55Ah.

Regarding interior quality and design, we have to base ourselves only on the drawings, that are not final, and on what is offered in previous models. I remember that 10 years ago when I saw the interior of the first "big" Italia yacht, the 13.98, I was truly impressed with the quality, design, and functionality. Near perfection in what concerns my taste and functionality.

In the last models, the quality remains high but the desire to innovate, and to make stylish interiors, led on some occasions, to cutting on the functionality over design style. The forward cabin, one of the designs that are provided, is a good example: great looking drawing, but at the cost of a too narrow berth (bow side)? The first function of a cabin is to offer the best possible place to sleep and to rest and if that is compromised due to a not sufficient, or comfortable width, then it can look great but will never be a good cabin, and it seems to me that it is the case.

Also, that profusion of floating decorative wooden slats that we can see in the drawings, similar to what is used in the 14.98, will create a nightmare in what regards cleaning, accumulating dust, not to mention finding and killing mosquitos, that are frequent in many med regions and in other places.

I have seen a 14.98 without those wooden slats, so, if you want the shipyard can take them away, but if you take something away from a design, something that was part of a whole concept, it will rarely look good without that part, and I didn't like the interior of the 14.98 without the wooden slats. Anyway, we can only speculate about how the interior will be and will have to wait to see what comes up. 

The hull/deck and structural building quality of Italia yachts are also high, and in what regards that this boat will be built the same way as the older model: hull and deck built in sandwich using infusion and vinyl ester resin, with PVC cores with different densities according to the structural needs. Monolithic laminate to improve resistance to concentrated efforts and avoid delamination is used when needed, mostly along the central part of the hull. 

The older 12.98 and the new one

The bulkheads are made with 15 to 18 mm marine plywood, bonded and laminated to the hull, internal structure and deck. The deck is not only bonded with structural adhesive but also laminated internally. The structure frame has carbon reinforcements, it is laminated on a female mold, bonded and laminated to the hull for distribution of mast and shroud loads. 

Bulkheads and furniture are placed directly into the structural frame, a method that was perfected by Cossutti, and is now not only used by Italia yachts but also on the Bavaria C45 and the Swan 48.

In the last years, Italia yachts were designed by Matteo Polli, the one that was responsible for the designs that have won several World and European ORC championships, but he is now working for Grand Soleil, and his designs continue to win World ORC championships, now with the GS 44, probably the biggest competitor for the Italia 12.98 in the market and on the race track.

Grand Soleil 44P

The Italia 12.98 is designed by Cossuti, who designed the first Italia yachts, which never obtained the racing success of the Matteo-designed boats. Cossutti has also designed yachts that have won the ORC world and European championship, but it was almost a decade ago. Let's see if he can do it again.

It is going to be very interesting to see how the Italia 12.98 and the Grand Soleil 44 perform at high-level in ORC/IRC handicap racing and in real-time.

Compared to the Grand Soleil 44, the 12.98 is slightly smaller (13.16 to 13.40m) but considerably narrower (3.95 to 4.27m) with a  not very different B/D (32.8% to 33.3%), but having the GS  13cm more draft. With more hull form stability, more B/D and more draft the GS 44 is a more powerful boat, but it is still to be seen if the lesser drag on the 12. 98 more than compensates (or not) for the lesser power. 

Probably the 12.98 will be faster in light wind and upwind while the GS 44 will be faster downwind and beam reaching, with medium to strong winds. 

Regarding handicap racing, it will be all about the easiness they reach the target speeds, and sail to their rating, and it will be this that will determine who will be the best ORC/IRC racer. 

That is something that only racing will tell even if Cossutti says that he made CFD simulations of the performance of the 12.98 against the racing competition and that the results were good and certainly the GS44 was included.

I asked the shipyard for more information over a number of points, including prices. If they answer back with meaningful information I will complete this post with more data.