The history of the Cranchi shipyard: a passion passed down from generation to generation
The Cranchi builder bears the name of its founder, Giovanni Cranchi, who established the shipyard in 1870 on Lake Como (Italy). Its main activity was the construction of custom-built boats for fishermen and for the transport of passengers and goods.
During the 1930-1960 period, his grandson Giovanni Cranchi built his first boats in Brienno. In 1952, the business shifted toward mass production. Giovanni and his son Aldo launched a new series of wooden motor and sailing boats, and it was Aldo’s innovative spirit that shaped the concept of boat design as we know it today.
In 1970, for the shipyard’s 100th anniversary, Aldo modernized and industrialized production by switching to fiberglass. The shipyard moved to Piantedo, which remains the main production site. In 1972, the Pilotina model achieved great success, with 1,550 units built in 6 years.
The 1980s and Cranchi’s best-sellers
In the 1980s, the shipyard expanded its production capacity and launched several best-sellers: Hobby 20, Derby 700, Clipper 760, Start 21 and Cruiser 32. At the end of the 1990s, a test center was opened in San Giorgio di Nogaro.
The development of the Cranchi shipyard in the 2000s
In 2000, a new state-of-the-art plant was inaugurated in San Giorgio di Nogaro. In 2003, a third plant (Third Plant) opened in Colico. In 2005, the Seventy Plant 4 shipyard in Rogolo was dedicated to building boats over 50 feet. In 2006, the 5th generation of the Cranchi family took the helm: Alessandra, Paola, Elena and Guido Cranchi, alongside Franco Monzino.
The Cranchi ranges today
Today, Cranchi operates across more than 4 plants. The Cranchi motoryacht ranges are: Cruiser, Sport Line, Hard Top, Flybridge, Outboard and Trawler.
Current models:
- Cranchi E26 Rider, E26 Classic
- Cranchi E30 Endurance, Z35
- Cranchi T36 Crossover, M44 HT
- Cranchi A46 Luxury Tender, 743 Trawler
- Cranchi E52 Evoluzione, 60 ST, 60 HT
- Cranchi 67 SESSANTASETTE, 78 SETTANTOTTO
Among the best-known former Cranchi models: Endurance 30, Endurance 33, Endurance 39, Endurance 41, Zaffiro 29, Zaffiro 32, Zaffiro 34, Méditerranée 43 Open, Atlantique 40, and Panama 24 and 32.
