Epica 33, the 11-meter open boat that targets the premium segment with sophistication and design

The 11-meter boat category might typically suggest a mid-range market product, designed and built for wide distribution, with production and material choices optimized to be accessible to a broad audience. Epica 33, on the other hand, aims higher, without dismissing the market segment it belongs to.

The new shipyard Epica Yacht seeks to offer something extra—an added value that can appeal to higher-end owners while also giving more value to boaters in the mid-to-lower range. Notably, even though this boat has an overall length of 10.90 meters, its hull measures 9.99 meters, classifying it as a vessel that doesn’t require registration.

The Epica 33 features high-end construction solutions, refined finishes, and thoughtful details—such as the self-supporting ladder to access the foredeck, with retractable steps built into the inner bulkhead next to the companionway, which itself is made of glass with a steel frame.

Another distinctive feature that highlights the quality at the core of the project is that all the furnishings are structural elements of the boat. This means reduced vibrations and noise in the below-deck area, as well as fewer chances of breakage over time—especially considering that boats don’t always travel on smooth surfaces.

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The design is by Marino Alfani, which already speaks volumes about the refined styling and attention to detail. A designer with many innovative boats in his portfolio, Alfani has once again managed to create a boat that remains closely connected to its reference type—in this case, a motorboat—while working on lines, details, and curves that, in the case of the Epica 33, give it the identity of a boat of the future. At the same time, it stands as a design object in its own right—something to be appreciated even beyond its function as a boat.

On board the Epica 33

All of this stems from the vision and goals set by the founders of Epica Yacht when launching the shipyard: to build boats that exceed every expectation of their target market segment—from style to comfort to technical content.

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As for the technical aspects and performance, we’ll be able to share more soon once we have the chance to test it ourselves. In the meantime, we can rely—both you and us—on what we see: the boat clearly stands out with its undeniable originality in both style and design. And when it comes to comfort, the yard makes no compromises.

A clear example of this is the choice not to include the classic aft cabin tucked beneath the cockpit. On a boat with such sleek and sporty lines, this space would often offer two berths that are more "nominal" than truly usable in any comfortable way.

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The cabin below deck

Staying on the lower deck, the cabin height measures 1.85 meters, making it comfortably accessible for most people. To maintain ease of movement, the layout includes only a forward double bed and a galley unit to starboard, along with various storage compartments that don’t add unnecessary bulk.

Naturally, there’s also a bathroom in a separate compartment, featuring a dedicated shower and the same 1.85-meter ceiling height.

The finishes appear to be of high quality, with furniture and bulkheads featuring a polished, grooved finish that matches the tones of the beige fabric coverings on the remaining bulkheads, effectively eliminating any exposed fiberglass. In keeping with this approach, the flooring is also finished in teak.

Main Deck

The main deck of the Epica 33 reveals an expansive cushioned area, thanks to the aft sunpad, which is divided into two separate cushions but can be extended full-beam by adding a dedicated insert over the central walkway.

Seamlessly integrated into this space is a C-shaped sofa facing the cockpit, with a forward-facing aft seat and two additional side seats running along both bulwarks up to the helm and co-pilot chairs.

The windshield connects visually with the two large skylights set into the foredeck, increasing the natural light below deck while creating the optical effect of a single, continuous windscreen that stretches almost to the bow.

On deck, too, all flooring and the large aft swim platform are finished in teak, as is the entire gunwale.

Epica 33: Propulsion and Performance

In terms of performance, the recommended engine setup for the Epica 33 consists of twin Volvo Penta V8 sterndrive engines, each producing 350 hp. According to the shipyard’s tests, this configuration delivers a top speed of 44 knots.

That peak suggests a solid range of cruising speeds, with comfortable performance even at more economical cruising levels.

Buyers can choose to go for lower power—or higher. The power range this 11-meter boat can handle goes from a minimum of 2 x 300 hp to a maximum of 2 x 420 hp, always with sterndrives.

Who knows—an outboard version might show up in the future.

A new shipyard with veteran founders—and the range is already set to grow

Epica Yacht was founded in 2024 by three friends: Matteo Jaehnert, Giorgio Colombi, and Alessandro Manenti. All three come from families with a long-standing presence in the boating industry.

Matteo Jaehnert represents the third generation of Nautica Modena, a company founded in the 1950s on Lake Garda. For years, he has managed the commercial side of the various brands his company distributes.

Giorgio Colombi was also born into a family of nautical entrepreneurs and represents the second generation. His father founded Cantieri di Sarnico in the 1990s, and today the family is involved in a separate business focused on custom-built boats for both military and recreational use.

Alessandro Manenti, on the other hand, comes from the accessories sector. His family has been producing high-quality components for both large and small Italian shipyards for generations. He oversees production and design details and also provides consulting services to the shipyards.

This strong mix of expertise led them to create their own boatbuilding company with the ambitious goal of producing vessels with added value—starting with the Epica 33, which is the first model in a wider range.

Several new models are already in the pipeline, all fully customizable, ranging between 27 and 38 feet (8 to 11.5 meters). At least a few names are already known: Epica One, Epica 30 Spider, and Epica 38 T. A T-Top version of the Epica 33 is also in the works.

Epica 33 - Technical Details

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