FLIBS: Barcelona’s De Antonio Yachts talks US expansion, flagships and America’s Cup
Builder of the official electric boat of the 37th America’s Cup, De Antonio Yachts discusses the expansion of De Antonio Yachts Miami and new flagships
Today (30 October 2024), US retailer Marine Connection is officially launching De Antonio Yachts Miami, a fully owned subsidiary operating under the Marine Connection’s ownership structure, but with its own dedicated sales and service team. The new organisation is making its debut at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, with a full in-water display of De Antonio Yachts at Bahia Mar.
Barcelona’s De Antonio Yachts was founded in 2012 by Marc de Antonio and Stan Chmielewski and the boatbuilder is known for its sleek sportsboats and hidden outboard designs.
Today, with production centres in Poland and Spain, the company has expanded internationally to five continents, and the De Antonio range now comprises nine models.
De Antonio Yachts Miami will represent five De Antonio models ranging from the 28ft day cruiser to the 50ft flagship yacht, with an avant-garde D60 underway and slated for 2025 introduction.
“Marine Connection has built a strong reputation since its founding in 1987, and we expect to further this legacy with the addition of De Antonio Yachts Miami,” says Marine Connection CEO Danny Goldenberg. “Distinct from the high-volume model of Marine Connection with our ten retail locations, De Antonio Yachts Miami is focused on a single brand with a boutique-style, personalised yacht buying experience offering a premium, concierge-level service befitting the exclusivity and sophistication of De Antonio Yachts.”
Chmielewski, co-founder of De Antonio Yachts, adds: “We are thrilled to partner with Marine Connection to launch De Antonio Yachts Miami, which marks an exciting new chapter for our brand in the US market.”
America’s Cup selection
The latest boats in the stable to launch include the flagship D50 Coupé, and the electric E23. The E23 – the builder’s first electric boat – rolled out in spring 2024 and was selected as the official electric boat of the 37th America’s Cup.
The E23’s deployment at the America’s Cup in Barcelona where Emirates Team New Zealand won earlier this month, marks a significant milestone in the company’s history, propelling it onto the world stage at one of sailing’s most talked about events.
Chmielewski says: “The partnership with the America’s Cup came about through a mutual interest in sustainability and innovation in the maritime industry. It is a privilege to be able to support the organisation and contribute, with our boats, to the most sustainable edition in the event’s history.”
The E23 was used support vessel during the America’s Cup. Tasks included the assistance of the new autonomous electric racecourse marks throughout the competition.
Grant Dalton, CEO of the America’s Cup Event, said the selection of an official electric boat helped the effort to reduce the fossil fuel carbon emissions of the event alongside other measures such as the introduction of the hydrogen powered chase boats.
Dalton says: “Since the last America’s Cup, we have been acutely aware of doing what
we can to replace fossil fuel guzzling vessels where we can. Obviously, we are not yet at a stage where they can be completely eliminated, but where we can – we will. And this is why we chose to partner with De Antonio Yachts and its E23 as electric support vessels.”
Reflecting on the brand’s first foray into the electric boat world, Chmielewski adds: “The E23 offers great features at a very competitive price. The design and testing process for the E23 took approximately two years. This process included conceptual design, prototyping, rigorous testing phases both in controlled environments and real-world conditions and refining the final product to meet both performance expectations and regulatory standards.”
E23 electric design
The 7.2m E23 is a catamaran design with an integrated foil, which provides additional lift by reducing drag, increasing speed and thus extending its range. It is equipped with a fully electric drive system by Torqeedo. The drive system features a single Deep Blue 50 outboard that propels the E23 at speeds up
to 30 knots. The system’s 40kWh Deep Blue battery delivers a claimed six-hour runtime at approximately 6 knots.
The brand now has ambitions to develop its electric vessels. “We plan to expand the range of electric options across different sizes of their yachts,” says Chmielewski. “The exact timeline for these new electric models will depend on ongoing research and development, but we are committed to introducing more electric vessels in the near future.”
Production: Poland and Spain
De Antonio Yachts has three production facilities at present: one in Almeria, Spain, to produce its D36 Open model for the European market and another in Augustow, Poland, where it started manufacturing the D28 model in 2019 and later the D42 Open, D50 Open and D36 models for the American and Asian markets. A third centre has been added recently in Ostroda, Poland, which produces the D32 Open and the new E23 electric boat.
“The third centre will soon produce the new models that we are developing. These three production centres will allow the company to continue with its expansion and growth plans,” adds Chmielewski.
Smarter scale up
Back in 2012, founders Marc de Antonio and Chmielewski came together to create “vessels that combine elegant, simple and modern design with practicality and high performance at a reasonable price.”
The initial funding for the business came from their personal investments and reinvesting all profits over the ensuing years. In the last few years the founders have added additional investors.
“Scaling up a business has taught us several important lessons including the importance of maintaining quality and brand identity, even as production scales up. We also quickly saw the need for robust supply chain management to handle increased production demands.
“We have learned the value of investing in skilled labour and training – to ensure that growth does not compromise craftsmanship – and the value of leveraging technology and innovative production techniques to increase efficiency,” explains Chmielewski.
“We focus on yachts that offer innovative solutions, such as hidden outboard engines, to enhance usability and aesthetics. Our vessels are designed to cater to contemporary lifestyles, offering comfort, style, and versatility for both leisure and practical use,” he says.
The hidden outboard
De Antonio’s ‘hidden outboards’ aim to increase the practicality of the boat’s aft end by covering the outboards with a raised sunpad. De Antonio says the design also helps improve security and limit noise.
Chmielewski says: “We had always been clear that we would like to do an outboard engine yacht. The hidden outboard engine design provides several advantages – it offers a cleaner, more streamlined look, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the yacht. It also allows for better use of deck space and more storage options. It reduces noise and vibration, improving the comfort and enjoyment of the boating experience, and increases the longevity of the engines by protecting them from the elements.”
2025: The flagship year
In 2025, the D60 – the yard’s largest boat to date – will launch.
“The new D60 will offer high performance, new technology integrations and even more luxurious and customisable options. We try to continue to push the boundaries of yacht design and functionality, so customers can expect cutting-edge features, increased efficiency and greater comfort. With this new launch we enter a new range of yachts over 18 metres,” explains Chmielewski
As the company spreads its wings and prepares to expand, Chmielewski hopes the success of its work with the 37th America’s Cup in De Antonio’s home port will also bolster the company’s ongoing success. “A major highlight of our brand’s story so far is the partnership with the 37th America’s Cup and the Swiss team Alinghi Red Bull Racing, which has given us great visibility and demonstrated our capabilities on an international stage.
“The America’s Cup is having a significant impact on the maritime business in Barcelona by attracting global attention and investment. It is fostering innovation and development within the local maritime industry, boosting tourism, and providing opportunities for local businesses to showcase their capabilities on an international stage. The event is also promoting sustainability and encouraging the adoption of greener technologies in boating,” concludes Chmielewski.
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