EVO YACHTS has a boutique approach to semi-custom yacht building. Since it started back in 2014, this award-winning company has delivered no fewer than 40 yachts between 7-24m (23-78ft) to discerning owners that appreciate not only EVO’s innovative model range, but also the personalised build service that makes every customer’s boat special. That personal attention is enshrined in the brand’s tagline – ONE EGO, ONE EVO.
The EVO portfolio presently spans 23-78ft, but its core models are the hugely versatile 43-46ft R4s and the R6, respectively day-boats/weekenders and gran turismo cruisers.
EVO is based in the centre of Naples. However, its recently expanded 6,000 square-metre (65,000ft2) production facility is located near Villa Literno, some 24km (15 miles) or so to the north-west of the city and around a mile and a half inland from the Campania coast. This proudly ‘Made in Italy’ business has always prioritised quality rather quantity.
“The concept of ‘bespoke building’ lies at the heart of our identity,” explains company co-owner Rosario Mercuri, who, along with brothers Giuseppe and Alfredo, started the company. “Every boat we build is always tailor made… Our approach is very similar to the creating much larger superyachts. Our owners are constantly involved as their dreams become real.”
EVO R4 ICONE
EVO R4 ICONE, R4WA
Now available in various guises, the original R4 is EVO’s best-seller and for good reason. This stunning 13m (43ft) LOA model, with its plumb bow and angular windshield, can be fully open and with or without walkaround decks and with or without a T-Top. Or it can be partially enclosed with a hardtop or completely enclosed with a wheelhouse. Owners choose what suits them best.
When introduced 10 years ago, the R4 was among the first motorboats in the world to incorporate expanding-cockpit systems. Instead of fold-down bulwarks, which are all the rage these days, its approach is different. At the press of a button, its XTension balconies slide out hydraulically from beneath the cockpit sole in just 30 seconds or so. Expanding useable deck space this way maintains the bulwark protection and, because their dimensions are not restricted by the height of fold-down bulwarks, they can be proportionally quite a bit larger too. And when coupled with Transformer stern-platforms or extended transoms, they deliver a quite unique multi-level beach club vibe.
The front end of the cockpit provides a single seat for the driver to starboard and a variety of lounge furniture options behind. Because this is a semi-custom proposition, owners can choose precisely what they want as regards sofas, booths and sun-pads.
The foredecks can be deliberately kept ultra-clean, made possible by fold-out anchoring systems that are concealed below decks when not in use, or as in the case of the walkaround version can incorporate side decks and a sun pad.
Down below, owners can choose whether to have two dedicated cabin areas or perhaps an aft cabin with lounge or dinette forward that can be converted to an occasional double. There’s also room for a shower-room and galley module.
The R4 has been optimised for either twin Volvo Penta D6-370/IPS500s or D6-435/IPS600s. With the punchiest powertrain, the top speed is around 38 knots depending on load and the quoted ultimate range at a 28-knot fast cruise is in the region of 300nm.
An outboard-engined R4 capable of almost 50 knots is also under development.
EVO R6
EVO R6
If the R4 isn’t quite big enough, there’s the bigger 18m (58ft) LOA R6. Beyond the extra length, it also has 1m (3ft 3in) more on the beam. This open-with-hardtop sports yacht is similarly flexible in just about every aspect of fit-out. As with her smaller R4 siblings, there’s an expandable beach club aft, once again made possible by XTension platforms and an optional Transformer platform. Walkaround side decks connect to a bow seating and large sun bed and the hardtop and side glazing conceals the deck lounge and booth dining zones behind a two-seat helm station.
The lower deck aboard the R6 can provide for two or three cabin layouts and two bathrooms with a lounge-galley amidships.
The R6 has been optimised for either Volvo Penta D8-600/IPS800 or D11-725/IPS950s installations, which translates to a top speed of around 35 knots. At a fast-cruise of 28 knots, the R6’s ultimate range should be between 250-300nm.
EVO V8
V8
EVO will also occasionally build the highly unusual. Its biggest project to date was the mighty V8, which started out as the Velar 78 and is billed as a ‘sail-power crossover’. It’s a distinctive and very different take on the usual 24m (78ft) two-deck motoryacht. She marries a semi-displacement hull and a pair of D6-480/IPS650s with a large open beach club area aft and a subtly of style more akin to sailing yachts. For instance, this yacht is even helmed via a pair of the large steering wheels more commonly found aboard sailing yachts. She launched in May ’21.
EVO T3
EVO T3
EVO also builds a more conventional cruiser. The 11.6m (38ft) T3 is geared to day-boating and weekending needs. In standard guise it has flexible and sociable cockpit, with the usual sun pad on the foredeck and bathing platform at the stern. Down below, there’s a dinette and shower-room forward and a transverse double cabin aft. Fitted with a pair of 260-300hp diesels and sterndrives, it has a top speed potential around the 30-knot mark.
EVO T2
EVO T2 TENDER
Measuring 7.4m (24ft 4in) overall, the EVO T2 is an open launch-style. It’s intended primarily as a superyacht-tender, given the crew cockpit is well forward and separate from a guest lounge area aft. It’s also proposed with the convenience of a single Volvo Penta D4-300 diesel hooked up to water-jet propulsor, an installation good for a top speed of around 36 knots. That enables shoal water navigation and potential beaching landings, not to mention provides easy engine access.
For more: EVOyachts.com
