Info on 70ies-80ies Italcrafts needed

[vas]

hello all,

following my question on Piantoni 35 (unfortunately not much success as the price was v.high for the condition of the craft...) I'm back to my original interest for Italcrafts. Now there are two I'm considering:

Italcraft AERMAR 36fb (1985) relatively sorry state, needs a lot of work and refurbishing on the teak going to bow (leaking water, rotten crossbeams, etc) Still a nice looking craft and a good winter restoration project if the price is right (which isn't yet, but I'm not in a hurry). Only detailed info I got was from Divemaster in a scandinavian forum where he posted a survey report 5-6years ago.

Italcraft Espada 43 Mediterraneo (1975). Other than photos from half a dozen on sale in Italy I've no idea about her... Haven't yet seen her (will do on Fri) but I'd like to be prepared what to look for.

I'm more interested on the espada, but I'm looking for any info I can get on either and Italcraft of the 70-80ies in general. I know of the existance of a webpage on historic italcrafts on the old italcraft site (pre 2005 afaik) but I cannot get hold of the info as site is under construction.
I understand that the company was always above average and towards the top in terms of cost, accessories and I assume sea worthiness and overall built quality.

Any info welcomed.

cheers

V.

 

[Divemaster1]

Proves that what you put out on the net, stays there a while ..

Some contact details here;

http://italianyachting.com/Italian_Yachts/Cantieri/InRizzardi/Il_Gruppo/Italcraft

The Aermar came in both daycruiser and flybridge versions, both have wooden superstructure with fibreglass hull. The superstructure on most of these will need some TLC by now. A very fast boat for it's time with tunnel for the props and a low drag rudder arrangement (carried over to the 51) in a inverse U to focus propellor thrust. Not efficient at low speed, but good at high. Powered by AIFO / IVECO's (reliable truck engine on reasonable marinising kit) 270's and 300's. Seem to recall we did well about 35 knots in the one with 300's when I did a trial run on a flybridge. Two twin cabins (can easily re-build forward to double and a reasonable size head. Galley OK, but in a un-usual position down below (front of Stb Engine) with access from Dinette upstairs. Raised centre helm with good view. Flybridge access from side deck makes for useable (and safe) aft deck, but more hazardous access to/from fly if underway. Seen the flybridge well below €40K.

43 Espada is a more conventional flybridge, but should be well built without the problems with the Aermar superstructure asshe is all fibreglass. With 306 Volvo's (used to be standard), she won't be as fast as the Aermar, but should be a good sea boat with a reasonable sharp V forefoot. Like the layout of the Espada and would seriously consider one. Look for good engine installation with accessible service elements (filters, belts, etc.). Cannot say more about th Espada as I have onle looked at her from the quayside,but not inside or helmed one.

Good luck.

43 Espada

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Cool boats. The 36 Aermar FB is a very fast sea worthy boat with Levi hull. The surface drives with tunnel props which are on a step backwards are also his design. Pity about the super structure which is marine ply and needs continues maintenance. Altough this today if someone can guide you is reduced with Epoxy paints etc
The 43 Espada is also very nice (fot its age) and has no wood super structure. The hull is less a performance orientated one with very deep fore foot. More looking similar to an old hunt.
Both are seaworthy boats, altough if I can get a good deal for the 43 and can afford the extra length and fuel, and dont mind going about 18/20 knots cruise would go for it.
What to check is for water infiltration from super structure fittings (railings, cleats, windcreen etc) cause I know that unless this was correct many of the Italcrafts of the time suffered from this.

If you are looking for these boats I would also try to look at some old Posillipo 42 Martinica. Definitly the best design in that age, and size, and are built like a brick wall apart being finished very nice.
You don't know in these times whats the wallet condition of some sellers!
I have been a big Italcraft fan for ages so good luck in your search!

 

[vas]

[loooong reply]

Thanks for the comments and pointers.

Yes, the Aermar does need 15+ K euro worth of repairs (on first quick calculation and with a lot of personal work). Superstructure needs a lot of work removing all the teak decks, repairing xmembers, sealing, refitting, chalking. Flybridge needs sanding down all layers of paint and proper treatment followed by decent epoxy coating. Helm windows are leaking badly. All interior panels need re-upholstering (due to water damage), mattresses replacement, needs a gen (has aircon). Bilges are a mess and since it's being left outside with water seeping in (when viewed had something like a foot of rain water) I'm worried that the xmembers may be rotten at places. A lot of work tidying up the engine room. Last but definitely not least, a craft neglected that much is highly unlikely to be at top condition mechanically, so expect some costly repairs as well…

The Espada is not the DC (dual control, or typical flybridge setup) but the earlier Mediterranean edition with single fly controls only and no inside helm position. Actually this is a quite clever idea I've not seen anywhere else that very much fits the local climate since none of the flybridge crafts I've seen/owned by friends are EVER helmed from inside (yes last rain was in early June and next probably in late September…). The helm windows are typically covered for the sun and heat all control is done outside. So I guess that's going to be fine. Access to the fly control is through 4 steps from the salon or (dangerous when on the way) ladders/grills on the sides. Not being experienced in such a large craft, I'm a bit worried on the mooring procedure - wife not at all keen at being rushed and kids a tad too small to help... Crew cabin at the bow has a single bed (rather cramped). Front cabin should be easy to convert to double bed or with some thinking merged with the crew cabin and feature 4 single beds (for two kids and their friends). Second cabin is to starboard and features two single beds (one on top of the other, sorry don’t know the proper term for that…) that will have to be converted to twin bed (tight but I think it’s doable). Salon is quite large and lit all-round (got windows or doors on all 4 sides!) with a corner sofa on starboard and a 2m long kitchen bench with fridge cooker large sink et al on the port side.
Right, Espada’s teak decks are 37yo, refurbished almost 20 years ago by the current owner, and are still strong. HOWEVER, chalk is gone brittle, needs removing, sanding down the wood, re-bolting and re-chalking. This is true for the strips of teak going to the bow, which are built on top of the fiberglass superstructure. Couldn’t really feal soft spots, so I may skip the whole removing, replacing supports and refitting job. The rear deck teak is on self-supported timber frames that is seriously rotten/bits missing/temp supporting to the bilge area that needs proper restoration. Removing all teak, redoing the framework and refitting the deck + chalking. A lot of work but fairly straightforward and not tricky at al. Engines have being repaired, new turbos, piston rings, etc. and look in good nick and looked after (not started them, will have to remove impellers next time I’m there, and run the engines for 4-5 mins to hear them and get them up to working temp). Engine room looks much tidier compared to the Aermar but still needs some work and tidying. Cabling is not in proper canals but inside 25mm or so plastic spiral tubes carefully secured around the engine room. Also once the four main pieces of flooring are removed from the salon (each approx. sized 40X200X6cm) there’s easy/clear access to everything (a bit tight on starboard side of starboard engine. There are 4X220Ah batteries and a massive 8KW gen down there (Mace) and I’ve not got a clue why they fitted such a large gen in there (not original item, only has 270hrs). Two smallish inox fuel tanks (estimated at 400lt max each which is a little small for the size of the craft…) aft of the engines.
Fly area is fine, grp is okay, there’s some cracking at places and stress areas around the fly edges and roof of the crew cabin at the bow. I guess that’s normal for almost 40yrs under the sun. There are some finishing elements made of marine ply like the helm side of the windscreen, the lower ending of the grp construction around the end of the rear deck covering (sorry difficult to describe but I’m mainly talking about 1-2 inch wide, 18mm thick strips glued to grp endings and typically painted black) and few other bits and bobs that are rotten to death, or killed by the sun. Easy to replace, not structurally important and I’d probably change the detailing anyway are there are better ways to detail them. The lining of the salon (oak veneered ply strips) has two largish patches of water damage (not got a clue how it got there as it’s clear on the outside, obviously some inside members of the construction let the water travel and damage the weakest area. On to the most important bits, hull seems clean no bubbling, no other fancy things going on, sanded and ready for a new coat of antifouling.

I'm slightly worried that we're talking about a 27 and 37 year old hulls respectively, I guess they are still strong and will be for the coming years with no need for osmosis treatment (neither Aermar or Espada had no signs at all). As far as performance and consumption is concerned, I guess 16-18knots should be fine and hopefully will be less than 50lt/h for both engines on the Espada (not managed to find any info, 2X285 volvopentas on shafts). Slightly worried that the owner has swapped propellers for a set of Radici (sp?) ones with measurements suggested by Italcraft (apparently, or so I was told). I was also told that with the new propellers it gained 3-4knots so travel is 29 from 26 and wot 36 or something (suppose all numbers to be taken with a grain of salt). The Aermar will indeed be much faster, not sure I'll really need that extra speed pointless on short blasts (which will be typical weekend escapes 10-12nm away), tiring on longer trips across the Aegean on 3-4+F winds and definitely expensive as fuel prices go uphill…
Both crafts need plumbing alterations, replacing the current heater with a proper hot water tank with immersive heater + engine coolant circuit, adding a holding tank, etc. Both have outstanding unpaid taxes (approx 5K worth already...) and both are in Athens so almost 200miles from base but that’s not a big deal.

So I guess the Espada fits the bill better both in size and spatial rearrangement potential, but also on serviceability and structural integrity with teak over grp compared to leaking teak messing all interior and in need of immediate attention as in the Aermar. Pricewise they have both a starting price of 40K euro which is a lot imho as they both need more than a little tlc so after checking the papers and unless someone seriously objects, I’ll put some offers close to half the asking price and see what happens.

cheers

V

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Goodluck! We have a sister vessel to the 43 Espada Med in Malta. Nice boat very heavy and seaworthy. Hull is more to a Hunt inspiration as I said in my earlier post with very deep Vee fore-foot and deep Vee I think 22 degrees aft. The owner in Malta wastes about 90/100 lph at 20 knots. With the same engines. His top speed is about 24/25 knots.
Good luck with the deal.

Yes Italcraft where very clever when they where owned by Sonnino Sorriso since founded in the fifties till early ninties, and have actually made some revolutions in the boating industry. From being the first to make a tender garage on a boat (i.e. C52 Classic in 1985) to various propulsion and hull shape innovation. These being made in the sixties and seventies. Italcraft was also the first to use Kevlar to build a boat.

 

[vas]

Goodluck! We have a sister vessel to the 43 Espada Med in Malta. Nice boat very heavy and seaworthy. Hull is more to a Hunt inspiration as I said in my earlier post with very deep Vee fore-foot and deep Vee I think 22 degrees aft. The owner in Malta wastes about 90/100 lph at 20 knots. With the same engines. His top speed is about 24/25 knots.
Good luck with the deal.

thanks for the info yet again PYB,

just learnt that the overdue tax not paid is a whooping 10K (out of an initial 4K fee that many Greek boat owners weren't properly informed back in 2009, v.nasty story that will lead no doubt to many reposessions by the government...) I bet the seller is not happy.
Odd consumption values there though, I know I've being hearing all sorts of lph rates, but 90lph at 20knots is a bit much, or not? Is it a reasonable value for well tuned engines and clean hull? I was told 70-80lph for 25knots and was hoping for values close to 60 for 18-20knots

Will have a clearer idea once the docs of the craft are at the lawyer to calculate all the tax/fees/etc costs.

cheers

V.