Classic Boat – September 2019

‘In 2010,

we got to

rebuild

the boat

for Pope

Benedict

XVI’

VENICE

visit to Venice will recognise the now famous logo with

the Tagliapietra family name on the boats. The wharf

quickly became too small and they moved to Giudecca,

an island across from the St Mark’s Square. Located here

was an empty navy wharf that was rebuilt to the current

wharf after years of restoration, and now includes a

marina and of course a ‘squero’, as the Venetians call a

shipyard where gondolas are built.

PAPAL VISIT

“Nowadays, we mainly busy ourselves with the making

of wooden boats,” says Andrea when we arrive at the

wharf after the crossing. “Over the years, we have

received many special commissions. In 2010, we got to

rebuild the boat for Pope Benedict XVI into a kind of

sailing mobile papa for his visit to Venice. One of the

challenges was to make the boat as manoeuvrable as

possible, so that if something were to happen, the boat

could move quickly through the canals. For the other

dignitaries, two Presidential Limousine tenders were

used. We created these 9-meter-long (30ft) boats in

consultation with the local security forces, as to make

sure the boats met with all the criteria to carry important

guests.” Another remarkable commission was the tender

for Issham al Baher, the 115m (377ft) yacht of the Saudi

royal family. “They wanted the tender to look like a

traditional Venetian water taxi, but we still had to build

in a leather throne!” Andrea says, laughing. By now, the

Tagliapietras have built tenders for numerous famous

clients, like the Niarchos, Swarovski and Firestone

families. “But we are most proud of the tender for the

famous Amerigo Vespucci of the Italian navy [a

101m/330ft traditional tall ship]. This tender was

delivered in 2008 and we consider it to be kind of a

recognition of the knowledge we acquired in traditional

boat building over the years.”

IN DA VINCI’S FOOTSTEPS

Every boat is unique. The design is made in consultation

with the costumer. Despite the arrival of the computer,

the drawings are still made by hand. Andrea pulls open

his desk drawers and shows us numerous sketches that

are made for and together with his customers. Some of

the designs look ready for display in a museum. A lot of

time for research is invested in the design. With the help

of old drawings that are often found in museums, a

provisional drawing is made. Even a drawing by

Leonardo da Vinci was once used! Then a wooden

model is made, after which the actual building can start.

“As far as wood goes, we often work with mahogany,

imported from Gabon and oven-dried in Italy, to be

dried another one to three years here at the wharf”, says

Andrea. One of the most important requirements is that

the wooden boats can withstand the immense stresses

that arise during high-speed travel. “For the

construction, we use double planks that are attached to

each other using a rivet technique. This minimises the

chances of sustaining ruptures.” In a separate hall, the

construction of the metal parts of the boats takes place.

Everything from the tiniest screw to the lighting is

Above: Gondolas

are built and

tended to in a

separate part of

the wharf; the

yard is also

famous for its

classic Venetian

water taxis