Italian shipyard Cantiere delle Marche (CDM) has announced the keel laying of the first unit from its new 33.5-metre RAW 110 (Recreational All-Weather Watercraft) explorer series, named Amiga. The private ceremony was held at the yard's new build facilities in Ancona, just over a year after the model was first unveiled at the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival.
Giorgio M. Cassetta is responsible for the model's exterior design, which is characterised by geometric lines and a slender yet rugged all-white profile. When first revealed, the series was billed as a "powerful, honest, direct explorer" by the yard.
"Our goal is not to impress with eye-catching features, but to create projects that stay true to their mission: ensuring comfortable and safe journeys over long distances," said CDM co-founder and CEO, Vasco Buonpensiere. "RAW is the pure expression of this philosophy, a project born from our relentless commitment to the evolution of yacht design. We never settle for past achievements – we keep moving forward, seeking new solutions and charting new courses."
Amiga has several functional features befitting its explorer DNA, including drone and helicopter landing capability and the placement of the ventilation trunks outside to preserve indoor space.
Interior renderings are undisclosed, though accommodation will be across five guest cabins and three crew cabins. The large aft cockpit is envisioned as the main social hub, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors converting the space into a veranda for suitability in all seasons. The aft deck is relatively open plan with the cockpit connected to both the main saloon and the beach area.
The swim platform is styled with a low bulwark, easily accessed by a staircase that can also function as an informal lounging spot with recessed seating or as additional storage space.
According to the yard, Amiga's owner was most attracted to the "refreshing aesthetics" crafted by Cassetta, alongside the "generous liveable spaces (and volumes)", the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, and the yacht’s "technical reliability".
At the request of the owner, modifications to the first unit included the addition of a large tender and ample storage space for toys at the bow, and a dedicated, easily accessible area on the aft beach club for storing several bicycles – the owner's passion.
Renders reveal that the owner has also chosen the more conventional sundeck layout on board (one of two possible configurations offered with the RAW platform) which features sunloungers aft, a bar, an al fresco dining table and a lounge area.
"My team and I have noticed a growing trend toward more informal, discovery-oriented yachting," Cassetta explained at the model's first unveiling. "RAW was an opportunity to create a rugged explorer with exceptional content for its size. We wanted [the model] to convey that powerful, commanding look an explorer needs, while also being fun and playful."
The news follows a string of announcements from Cantiere delle Marche, including the recent launch of the first unit in its Acciaio 130 series. According to BOATPro, the Italian yard currently has 14 yachts in build or on order, the largest of which are three 49.9-metre Flexplorer 165 models.
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