Comar Yachts has its origins in the late 1960s, later establishing its operations in Fiumicino (Rome) in the late 1980s following the acquisition of the shipyard by Massimo and Flavia Guardigli. Under the new management, the yard experienced significant growth, reaching an annual production of over 150 Comet yachts—monohulls ranging from 21 to 100 feet—divided into the Sport and Raised Saloon lines. These models were designed by Vallicelli Studio and Sergio Lupoli.
Interview with Amerigo Guardigli, COO Director at Comar Yachts.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Amerigo Guardigli: Although originally conceived as cruising yachts—offering generous space, comfort, and ease of handling—most Comet models have distinguished themselves in top-level international regattas. Many have also undertaken long offshore passages and transatlantic crossings. Despite the shipyard launching a new production line in 2015, Comet yachts remain highly sought-after and are among the most appreciated performance cruisers worldwide.
Since 2015, we have been focusing on catamaran construction, bringing together renowned naval architects such as Marc Lombard, Enrico Contreas, and Luigi Cirillo, along with Amadio & Partner Studio, to collaborate with our technical department in developing the new C Cat line. This multihull range was designed to deliver the speed, excitement, and comfort that have always defined the Comet heritage.
Today, numerous C Cat 37s—the entry-level model in our fleet—are sailing in the Mediterranean, particularly between France and Italy, while several have also been delivered to China. The second model, the C Cat 48, has two units currently cruising between Brazil and the Caribbean after completing an Atlantic crossing. Looking ahead, the new C Cat 65 is scheduled for launch in July 2025.
Meanwhile, the C Cat 38 Blue Water, recently launched, has already demonstrated its capabilities by winning the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. This model will make its world premiere at the upcoming Miami Boat Show and will embark on a round-the-world voyage in the fall, showcasing its strength, safety, and offshore performance.
Among the services connected to our company, we operate a dedicated marina as well as a storage and refit center. These facilities provide a valuable guarantee for our owners, who know they can always rely on a dedicated berth and specialized assistance. However, both services are open to all sailors.
Our refit and storage operations are particularly appreciated by our owners, to whom we offer one year of free mooring. This allows them to carry out any necessary maintenance or custom refitting with full support from our team.
These initiatives stem from the deep passion that runs through my entire family. We are seasoned sailors ourselves, and we fully understand the needs of both yachts and their owners—from every possible perspective.
What are the ranges of products/services?
A.G: Our current range spans from 38 to 65 feet in the catamaran segment, with the fleet’s flagship set to launch in July. As for monohulls, following the successful production of our 100-footer and responding to recent client demands, we have begun developing a new concept in the 80-95’ range for owners who have requested a yacht within this size bracket.
One of the hallmarks of our brand has always been our ability to offer extensive customization. This is possible because every yacht is entirely built and fitted out in-house—our shipyard includes its own joinery, paint shop, and metalworking facilities. In line with our commitment to delivering the highest-quality products, we have also started producing our own carbon masts in-house. We have acquired the expertise and equipment to manufacture them independently using pre-preg technology.
Pre-preg (short for “pre-impregnated”) refers to fiber-reinforced composite materials where the epoxy resin is already integrated. The use of carbon pre-preg is a mark of innovation, providing numerous advantages for the final product:
- High strength and low weight, enabling the creation of extremely lightweight structures without compromising durability.
- Superior quality and precision, as the pre-impregnation process ensures consistent material quality and an excellent surface finish.
- High-performance reliability, ensuring that the masts for both Comet monohulls and C Cat multihulls can withstand extreme loads and demanding conditions.
This technology is typically reserved for high-end applications where specific performance and structural requirements must be met.
What can you tell us about market trends?
A.G: The current market for mid-sized yachts is less dynamic than usual. Like all shipyards operating in this segment, we are feeling the effects of the current socio-economic climate, which is slowing down purchases of smaller yachts. However, we continue to see strong demand for larger models, both monohulls and multihulls. In addition to ongoing inquiries for a multihull in the 53-56’ range, we are already exploring the development of a larger catamaran between 75 and 80 feet, in response to market trends and client requests.
For us, innovation is always rooted in safety and structural integrity. As I have emphasized before, we are all experienced sailors, and we know firsthand that a yacht must be, above all else, safe. That is why our advancements are built on a solid foundation, incorporating cutting-edge materials that are not only lightweight and high-performance but also environmentally sustainable.
What’s the news about new products/services?
A.G: A prime example is the C Cat 65, set to launch in late July. The construction process utilizes Spabond, a high-performance structural epoxy renowned for its exceptional strength. Additionally, the internal lamination is done using vacuum-infused carbon, a technique that requires extended processing times but ensures the highest construction standards. We are also introducing an innovative carbon manufacturing technology that allows for custom-designed components, combining functionality, aesthetics, and weight reduction, explains Amerigo Guardigli.
Drawing from our extensive experience and the expertise of our in-house technical team, we have also conducted in-depth studies on deck hardware layout to ensure that our yachts can be handled with ease in all conditions. The C Cat 65 will be equipped with the best deck gear available on the market, including the latest Antal winches and Harken’s FlatWinder mainsheet traveler. The daggerboards have been redesigned from rounded to straight profiles, providing improved and more precise trimming while sailing. The carbon mast, built in-house, will be engineered using finite element analysis (FEA), allowing us to fine-tune every millimeter of thickness during the production phase, says Davide Caroselli of Comar Yachts’ technical department.
What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2025?
A.G: We are kicking off the year with an exciting milestone: following the success of our C Cat 38 in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers—where it claimed victory despite being the smallest multihull in the fleet—we will be exhibiting at the Miami International Boat Show. Although this is not our first time attending, this year we are presenting a world premiere. We are eager to see how the U.S. market will respond.
In Europe, catamarans have gained popularity in recent years, largely due to their spacious layouts and ease of handling. Additionally, with remote work becoming more common, many are discovering that a catamaran offers a unique and enjoyable setting for a mobile office. In fact, we are currently completing a C Cat 48 with one fewer cabin in favor of a dedicated office space. We are curious to see whether the U.S. market is also embracing this trend. Regardless, we are optimistic and confident about our prospects in this market.