A very interesting Italian luxury catamaran innovation is upon us. The power catamaran is now the new frontier of motor yachting.
The modern cruising catamaran was born as a sailing boat and in just a few years has won the hearts and use of numerous charter fleets in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Then, little by little, the idea of creating a power version arose, appealing to customers who were not familiar with sailing. Initially, this was achieved simply by removing the mast from the sailing version and increasing the power of the engines. The idea began to gain favor not only in the vast charter sector, but also among private owners. The stability afforded by side-by-side hulls, the vast amount of floor space, the spacious interior, the low hydrodynamic resistance of the two hulls, each with a limited cross-section, and the limited power required, with its associated low fuel consumption, have found a growing following.
The modern cruising catamaran was born as a sailing boat and in just a few years has won the hearts and use of numerous charter fleets in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Then, little by little, the idea of creating a power version arose, appealing to customers who were not familiar with sailing. Initially, this was achieved simply by removing the mast from the sailing version and increasing the power of the engines. The idea began to gain favor not only in the vast charter sector, but also among private owners. The stability afforded by side-by-side hulls, the vast amount of floor space, the spacious interior, the low hydrodynamic resistance of the two hulls, each with a limited cross-section, and the limited power required, with its associated low fuel consumption, have found a growing following.
A natural evolution of this type of catamaran was the design of catamarans conceived to be exclusively powered by motors, the “Power Cats.” The difference is significant.
The hulls of a sailing catamaran do not correspond to those of a power catamaran. In fact, to support the weight and greater power of the engines, a different design with larger aft volumes is required. Therefore, simply removing the mast and its systems and the centerboard of a sailing catamaran is not enough to transform it into a power catamaran.Catamarans with a closed deck ride the waves like a monohull. The greater rigidity and solidity play a role in increasing the safety of this type of yacht.
Catamarans are known for their stability thanks to their double hull. This feature allows for smoother navigation even in rough seas, ensuring greater safety and comfort for both passengers and onboard operations. Catamarans offer a sailing experience less prone to oscillations, jolts, rolling, and pitching, reducing the risk of discomfort for guests and crew and improving operational efficiency. Furthermore, catamarans can navigate shallow waters, offering the advantage of approaching the coast in shallow bays.
The most recent power catamaran project comes from a group of South Tyrolean entrepreneurs with a passion for the sea, led by Alessandro Righi. In an effort to stay true to their roots, they named the company Dolomia Yachts, after the rock that composes the Dolomites, their mountains, giving the company a sense of solidity, robustness, and beauty. These characteristics were given shape and substance by Centrostiledesign, the renowned yacht design, naval architecture and engineering firm led by Davide Cipriani, who, together with Dolomia Yachts, designed the first vessel in the range, of which Alessandro Righi, CEO of the company, is particularly proud. Centrostiledesign, a leader in the world of high-end yachting, brings together design and engineering under a single roof, having been synonymous with technological and design reliability for the most prestigious yacht manufacturers for over twenty years.
The project, both in terms of style and engineering, thus stems from a single company that successfully combines design and technology, significantly expanding the interactive possibilities for innovation.
Dolomia Yachts was founded after decades of yachting experience by its founders, to satisfy a constantly growing niche in the multihull sector. It caters to a discerning clientele, attentive to innovation and passionate about high-quality Italian craftsmanship, combined with elegant and timeless design.
The gap between desire and current offerings for luxury motor multihulls isn’t just a challenge: it’s the gateway to a revolution in nautical luxury. Dolomia Yachts was created to fill this void, transforming dissatisfaction into innovation.
The concept of sustainability is deeply rooted in the company’s DNA: this is why Dolomia Yachts operates exclusively in the catamaran segment, taking advantage of the lower fuel consumption guaranteed by the hydrodynamic advantage compared to single-hull hulls.
Indeed, there is no better way to save propulsion energy than to not have to use it.
Dolomia Yachts’ Power Cats solve the problems associated with expensive boat stabilization at anchor, excessive fuel consumption at high speeds on single-hull motoryachts, and noise, which are increasingly incompatible with a passion for the sea and respect for the marine ecosystem, a desire to experience in tranquility and silence.
Dolomia Yachts is aimed at owners of high-end motoryachts who want to increase space and comfort onboard without sacrificing anything, benefiting from shorter hull lengths and more affordable prices compared to monohulls with equivalent usable surface areas.
The range designed by Dolomia Yachts and Centrostiledesign initially consists of two models, the D70 and the D100.
The D100, depicted in the attached renderings and in the first part of the brochure, is a fully-equipped 72-footer, equipped with all the latest technology available on the yachting market, prioritizing safety at sea, and offering everything from artificial intelligence-guided assistance systems to a standard biological wastewater treatment system.
The D100 is so named because it offers the space of a 100-foot yacht, yet has the efficiency of a 60-footer. A surprising result in terms of elegant proportions, spaciousness, and sustainability.
The choice of name stems from the usability of this yacht’s 300 square meters, which can already be considered a superyacht, offering surfaces, spaces, and volumes at least equivalent to those of a 100-foot monohull motor yacht.
This is a recurring theme in the nautical industry; everyone tries to maximize the volumes of their yacht to match those of a larger vessel, but in the case of the Dolomia Yachts D100, this is absolutely true.
The Dolomia Yachts D100 can be configured with different layouts for both the main deck and the lower deck. In the main four-cabin lower deck configuration, the master stateroom is in front and is full-beam, offering the owner 30 square meters of space. For charter use, the Dolomia D 100 features five double cabins, each with its own bathroom, and two crew cabins.
The Dolomia D 100 boasts a 66-square-meter solar panel system, generating 15 kWp of clean, renewable energy for an eco-conscious and efficient cruising experience.
With maximum sustainability in mind, the Dolomia D 100 is built with non-toxic resins, uses wood from FSC-certified forests, uses renewable cork, and is equipped with a biological wastewater treatment system. The propulsion system can be configured with diesel engines Volvo either with IPS transmission, as well as in-line, or with hybrid, and electric engines, and is packed with innovations: the double-sided photovoltaic panels and semi-solid-state batteries, both state-of-the-art, are just some of the strengths of a project that boasts years of research into the “perfect boat.”
From the large flybridge aft, a dynamic spoiler raises during navigation to improve fluidity, an innovative solution derived from the automotive world. Where other catamarans house a tender, the Dolomia D 100 houses a 5-meter tender in its retractable garage. Almost all catamarans house it on the aft beach, while the Dolomia D100 always offers a true 18-square-meter beach club.
“We are very close to achieving the highest technological quality,” Alessandro Righi and Davide Cipriani declare in unison, “but above all, every object of desire must also be beautiful: many have complimented us on the elegance of our Dolomia Power Cat.”
Tireless in the evolution of this beautiful brand, work is in full swing on the second model. The Dolomia D 70 project, a 55-footer with similar characteristics but in a smaller size, will soon be finalized.
Dolomia Yachts has signed agreements with four major suppliers and contractors from the most renowned Italian shipyards for the construction of the first D 100, which will depart in 2026 for a launch in 2027, right in the heart of the Italian nautical mile.
Finally, the newly formed nautical brand, together with its partner NSS Charter, offers owners the opportunity to manage their vessel through a luxury charter on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia and this additional service completes the whole project, closing the loop.
