Mangusta 130

The sea trial was pubblished on Superyacht 31 – Winter 2012

Mangusta stands for open boats, big open boats for this brand which has been on the market since the early nineties and whose name has become a definite reference point for the category in today’s international motor yacht industry. The brand’s rise to the top ranks in fact coincides with the advent of fast hulls that at first were considered a gamble but soon turned out to become fashionable, but much more than just a trend since they’ve been around now. for nearly twenty years.

Of the Mangusta 80’ there are about ninety in commission which can be regarded as a mile stone in recreational yachting since this model is the one to have brought the brand to the limelight and furthered its expansion in an increasing variety of models aimed at domestic and international markets for which 165 footers have also been built for a total of 300 motor yachts.

Real specialists, especially in building certain types of hulls build the Mangusta at the Overmarine ship yards in Viareggio Italy. GRP hulls and structures capable of reaching 50 metres, and maxing out at 40 knots plus in a seaway, with 250 tons of boat on top.

A true challenge from project to construction which may well be taken up once more since Overmarine is currently working at a project for a 205’ equal to 62 metres which is poised to set a new record in the construction of open superyachts. High level technology with a high degree of specialized applications have already been installed in all the eight models currently making up the Mangusta range with the 72’ at entry level which is followed in increasing order by the 80, 92, 105, 108, 110, and165 footers of which incidentally the seventh has recently been sold – The Hi- Tech involved also has to do with working out how waterlines interact with engine propulsion, which briefly put is another determining factor in reaching such performance.

Arneson Drives seem to fit the bill for most with their surface props but when dealing with larger models like the Mangusta 130’ we’re presenting here, then one knowledgeable finger points at Kamewa Roll Royce meaning hydro-jet propulsion. To fully exploit this type of propulsion there has to be a perfect interaction between hull waterlines and power deployed due to the size of the forces in play.

Imagine that to supply the pumps and release the engines’ power we’re looking at 11,000 HP in the 165’. Many times solutions that are fruit of research and development do the trick even when at a glance they seem small, inadequate even and yet are capable of great efficiency when properly exploited.

Once again project work on the hull is fundamental specially on the pressure zones that speed provides along the bottom up to the waterline where the jets take in water from open inlets. Their correct positioning and angle at which they’re set at in the hull are the key in providing the wanted water supply through to the pumps that with the jets translate into thrust pushing the boat according to target requirement. Aside from the difficult equation which goes into ensuring maximum propulsion efficiency and consequent boat speed another equally determining factor is the yacht’s trim underway, as well as the angle at which the hull impacts the water flows and these with the inlets.

Therefore the hull’s barycentre comes into play, meaning the control of which weights go where on board, and where to put them according to the optimal trim the boat must have to proceed well in all the various points of sailing, (from tackling steep head seas to running before in a stern sea).

The degree of specialization to obtain reliable guarantees of full efficiency from hydro-jet propulsion systems and with them that of a ship that in terms of speed and ease of handling can sport the same performance of a speed boat is found at Overmarine’s due to the extent of the success of its range of open yachts which clearly speaks for itself. We’ve witnessed it during a recent visit at their boat yards in Viareggio Italy where we saw hulls, asked questions and talked with engineers and specialized technicians.

Viareggio land of yachting and yacht construction, with a tradition for high level craftsmanship sworn to the construction of luxury boats, which is no doubt a good introduction that Overmarine makes good use of, by presenting craftsmanship upgraded to the highest level to underscore the concept of custom made applied to the construction of the brand’s yachts – except for several aspects which are dictated by construction material as in the case of composites, hull moulds, superstructure – but which leaves one to imagine the importance of all that long string of artisanal work linked to the realization of the Mangusta range.

This 130’, the 19th is an example.The owner can chose everything he wishes for on board, in terms of layout, furniture, accessories, and whatever else in piecing together all the items that go into making up a yacht, from machinery, plants, interior styling, lighting, joinery, and so on in other words all the tasks that qualified staff and artisans in the area excel in and can highlight the quality of their work which has made them famous.

In the course of the international boat shows at the beginning of the season we’ve had the opportunity of visiting several Mangusta models on display and the perception which has always accompanied us beyond one’s personal taste, the aesthetics or owners’ requests at times not coinciding with personal ones, has always been that of quality, of the care and at times of the mastery and skill that went into putting everything together.

A common denominator perceived every time on a Mangusta: quality, the kind of quality that goes beyond the sheer size of a saloon or of an owner’s stateroom. The meaning of luxury, is after all the following, to have at one’s disposal exclusive items according to how they are made. For our readers’ information the Mangusta 130’ presented here has a layout that foresees a saloon and double living room, as well as an entertainment lounge equipped with audio visual gear and games along the main deck, forward of which the helm/controls station is situated.

The night zone is along the lower deck which hosts the owner’s suite with private bathroom and study, three guest cabins with dedicated bathroom, then a galley adjacent to the crew’s quarters. But this is only an example.

For futher information: Overmarine Groups

Stefano Colotti

The sea trial was pubblished on Superyacht 31 – Winter 2012