An owner with a large fleet of super-sized yachts returned to Otam for his latest fast yacht – the 27.7-metre 90GTS Sexy Me. BOAT discovers why he chose the shipyard and how the build experience shaped the yacht down to the last detail.
You’re a repeat client of Otam. What made you go back to the yard?
First of all, our first experience was really good. The outcome of the boat, the look and style, everything we asked for was on point. We brought in the designer for our last boat, but we felt this time around that we didn't need to bring our own team because of how comfortable we felt with the shipyard. What they did for us previously married up with what we were looking for. And it paid off because I think that what we wanted really shines through in this boat.
That's a very fitting testament to Otam
I think they understood us from day one on the first boat, and they understood us even more on the second boat. So why not put our trust in them to produce the product that we were after?
Who is the designer on this project?
The design firm is Giuseppe Bagnardi of BG Design Firm. A very talented designer coming from the supercar industry, this is Otam's third project with him so far. I can say myself that he has exceeded our expectations with this project.
What was your first reaction when you saw the sketch?
“That’s a sexy boat”.
It sounds like it was all quite a straightforward process.
We had a look at some of the other Italian yards. But we were happy knowing that we already had a relationship with Otam, which had a successful outcome, and felt confident that we could produce another great boat, which I believe we have.
What do you like about Otam?
It’s a custom approach, and they have a big-boat mentality but in a mid-size range. They are designed for people who want freedom, for a buyer who’s looking to build in a way that he wants. The engineering is quite remarkable, due to the fact that the boats have a low centre of gravity and very precise hull designs, so the boats are meant to be for heavy seas, but they’re also high-performance and fast. A buyer has so much freedom to put their own stamp and fingerprint on them.
And I guess the build process is a bit more personal than some of the other players?
Because Otam is a family brand that’s been through the same people, it means that everyone has a lot of heart here. They follow certain visions, they’re not a serial production yard. They produce just three boats per year and all of them can be so heavily customised. When you come to a yard like this, it’s like a wholesome traditional Italian family meal, where you can sit down, break bread, drink wine and feel comfortable. At the other yards, they don’t have that. I can call Otam on any given day of the week and they’ll answer the phone and talk to me.
And what about the other way around? What do you think Otam appreciates about you as a client?
We’re the ideal client for Otam because we have the knowledge of much bigger construction. But we also allow the yard to develop the team, develop the design, help them and work together to produce something really special. Not all owners are like this.
Were you at all nervous about choosing Otam?
I mean, Otam produces great hulls across the board. We haven't been disappointed, and we actually understand the performance and, contrary to many other clients, we’re not chasing after every knot. We want a fast and comfortable boat with air-conditioning and a big sound system… that’s why Otam could cater for us. We've been extremely lucky, but at the same time, the yard has been extremely focused to try to match every single request.
Tell me about the customisation of this project.
Throughout the project, we were able to make plenty of changes. I wouldn’t say it was last minute, but sometimes we did come in and make amends. They would always guarantee that if they had the opportunity to change something, they would. We know each other, we’ve worked together before, and there is certainly a benefit to that. But I think anyone coming off the street wanting to build a boat to a certain spec or design would be able to make changes mid-way through the project.
And I guess speed was important to you as well?
Like I say, there are some owners that want speed as the main criterion. We were trying to find a good balance on the boat. But one thing I believe Otam offers is a very fast boat.
Did I hear that you guys extended the contractual top speed?
Yes, we had a 42-knot speed in the contract. We did more than 44, sometimes 45, depending on the weight.
Would you say Otam under-promised and over-delivered?
In a nutshell, yes.
Otam Yachts has just revealed that it will soon announce another project with Giuseppe Bagnardi and his team. For more information on the shipyard's intricate yacht-building techniques, contact the team today.
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