As Otam Yachts marks its 70th anniversary, the Italian shipyard wows the industry with the debut of its 27.8-metre 90 GTS model called Sexy Me. Hannah Rankine catches up with commercial director Matteo Belardinelli to explore the shipyard’s distinctive philosophy and unique approach to yacht building.
Few shipyards would dare describe their yachts as "bullet-proof," but Otam does so with confidence - and for good reason. With a legacy dating back to 1954, the brand began as an official Riva assistance centre before swiftly transitioning into boatbuilding, driven by a passion for construction and performance. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Otam was building high-speed wooden boats with triple planking, many of which remain on the water today.
The 1980s were a transformative period for Otam, as the shipyard embraced Kevlar and Aramat construction. These advancements defined Otam’s distinctive identity: sporty aesthetics, bullet-proof engineering and extreme customisation. “The shipyard has a deep background in racing,” explains Belardinelli. “The owners, shareholders and CEO were racers for 25 to 30 years and we actually still hold three world records on our 80’ hull. The vision was to translate those racing hulls into luxury goods.” As the brand now celebrates its 70th anniversary, over 100 vessels have been launched to date, and its philosophy of creating high-performance yachts that stand the test of time continues to resonate.
“More than 90 per cent of our clients are giga yacht owners, so many of our boats are built as bespoke chase boats,” Belardinelli adds. Over the years, the shipyard has continually expanded its portfolio, offering a range that now includes the 45’ (13.7-metre), 58' (17.6-metre), 70' (21.3-metre), 80' (24.3-metre) and the new 90' (27.4-metre) series, available in three versions: GTS, HT and T-top.
Rare engineering techniques set Otam apart in the industry. Each Otam hull is designed with a deadrise exceeding 21 degrees, delivering an exceptionally smooth ride with immediate responsiveness and a low centre of gravity. Engineered to prioritise safety first and speed second, this innovative design ensures impressive cruising speeds of 40 to 50 knots, coupled with outstanding manoeuvrability. The hull, deck and superstructure are built using a combination of vinyl ester resin and Aramat. But for those seeking enhanced performance and resilience - often the majority of clients, according to Belardinelli - the option to construct these elements entirely in Kevlar is also available.
The bulkheads are built as a single unit, extending from keel to deck to function as structural pillars, while the flooring is designed with absolute structural continuity - an uncommon feature in large-scale recreational boating. When the hull and deck are joined, the result is a monolithic structure. Even the tanks for fuel, freshwater and waste are structural, integrated into the vessel itself for added strength. Belardinelli points out that although Otam's build process may take longer than other shipyards, it reflects its ethos of quality over quantity. “On average, we spend around 12 to 20 months to build even our smaller-sized yachts,” he says.
"But before we begin laminating the boat, the interior layout must be finalised first,” he continues. “This is why we don’t build on speculation - we lock in the placement of the interior bulkheads first.” To ensure impeccable fit and finish, the interiors are hand-cut and fully pre-fitted on board, eliminating misalignments and imperfections that could lead to vibrations or aesthetic flaws. This craftsmanship contributes to an exceptional onboard experience, with impressive sound insulation that achieves remarkable silence - just 42 dB in the master cabin and main deck saloon, even at anchor with the generator and air-conditioning running.
Building on this robust engineering foundation, Otam offers clients what it calls an “extreme” level of customisation through its Co-Design Lab. This service allows clients to collaborate with their preferred designers - often those associated with the mothership the Otam boat will accompany - to create a fully custom yacht. “We like to think of ourselves more as an artisan before a builder,” notes Belardinelli. Over the years, Otam has partnered with designers that need no introduction, such as Achille Salvagni, JDA Architecture (Joseph Dirand), Giuseppe Bagnardi, Cristiano Gatto, Tommaso Spadolini and Francesco Guida. The shipyard is now working with Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard on an 80’ project that Belardinelli describes as “one of the most extreme constructions Otam has ever done.”
Otam’s customisation goes far beyond superficial tweaks like colour schemes or upholstery. “Clients and their designers are given complete creative freedom to design every detail, from unique dashboard layouts to bespoke hull glass shapes, using materials of their choice without limitation,” Belardinelli explains. “This one-off craftsmanship ensures that each yacht is an exclusive, non-replicable masterpiece tailored to the owner’s vision. This approach attracts a diverse clientele from around the world, drawn to the exceptional level of sophistication we deliver.
“The Otam Co-Design Lab is a testament to our mission to building truly bespoke yachts. We believe this approach adds value for passionate clients looking to bring their unique vision to life, rather than settling for an off-the-shelf product,” he continues. “By offering exclusivity and creative freedom, we set ourselves apart - so much so that some of our high-profile clients proudly say we’re far from an ordinary shipyard.”
To discover more about Otam’s unique yacht construction, contact the shipyard today.
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