Cranchi: Solid roof with rotating openings.
By Thomas Dillon
Boat Test #1658
Cranchi is an Italian company, founded on the shores of beautiful Lake Como in 1870. They have been designing, and building, beautiful yachts for 150 years. The entire process, from designing to hull building to finishing of the trim, all happens in Cranchi facilities in Italy. The A44 Tender has been re-worked for 2021, updating and improving upon a proven platform.
Bringing European styling and sensibilities to their designs, Cranchi boats stand out from the crowd. The lines of the A44 are sharp and defined, with a flat sheer, on an upward angle towards the bow. The stem is close to vertical, and the sides are almost slab like. It is a distinct look, but well executed.
The boat is an open layout, with no cabin on the weather deck. For shelter there is a large and nicely styled carbon-fibre hard-top over the central portion of the boat. It provides shelter for the helm station, sport chairs and two setees. The hard-top has a solid roof, with a twist. The middle of the flat arch is a series of panels that rotate open, acting like a sunroof, allowing you to not miss out on any extra rays, while still being able to dodge the rain. The helm station is provided with a full suite of electronics, and with three seats across there will always be room to keep the skipper company without crowding them out.
Down below is open and modern, with plenty of space. The forward cabin has a large couch and an additional chair to port. The couch converts to a bed, turning the lounge into a cabin by night. There are another two bunks aft, meaning you can comfortably sleep four people below. There is a head, shower, and plenty of storage throughout the cabins.
Back on deck, located aft of the helm station is another lounger, sitting in the middle of an otherwise open deck. In what may be the most incredible aspect of the design, the bulwarks either side of the lounger fold down like wings. This opens the sight lines right up, and almost doubles the deck space, creating an area far beyond what you would expect for a boat of this length. Normally this would only be used while at anchor or otherwise stopped, it creates a feeling of being on a pool deck, or your own private terrace. Where the wooden deck ends, the water begins. On the stern there is a compartment to tuck away a tender of up to 6 feet in length, and a proper swim platform is found a little further aft. With the open, tiered layout, deployable small boat, and a beautiful wooden deck, the A44 will have you thinking that you are on a yacht many times larger.
Propulsion is provided by two inboard engines, Volvo IPS series, and there is a bow thruster forward. Cranchi says that a model incorporating outboard engines is also being considered, but no specifics were available at this time.
It also needs to be mentioned that as of writing this article, the new model of the A44 had not been completely finalized. Some details may change, but the overall design and layout are as described.
Specifications
LOA: 47’ / 14.2 M
Beam: 14’ / 4.33 M
Draft (without engines): 3’ 2” / 0.96 M
Weight: 22000 lbs. / 10000 kg
Max capacity: 10
Engines: Volvo (IPS)
MSRP: See local dealer
For more information: www.polisenomarine.ca, www.cranchi.com