For his new client, Ennio Doris, boats have
become a way of life. This self-made Italian insurance
and banking tycoon hails from land-locked Tombolo,
a small town north-west of Venice, but his prowess
at selling financial services quickly propelled him out
of the countryside and eventually to found
Mediolanum Group based in Milan.
At some point, clients introduced him to sailing
and it became a family activity once he acquired a 40 metre Perini,
Principessa Vaivia, from Silvio Berlusconi in 1992. His wife, son, daughter
and his daughter’s family made good use of the boat every summer with
Doris visiting for a week at the beginning of the season and then once
during the summer holiday. Alas, as the number of grandchildren increased
to seven, Principessa Vaivia could no longer host the entire family – they
took their holidays in shifts.
One day Fabio Perini called with an offer.
A customer who had ordered a 60 metre now wanted
out of the deal. It would be just the right size for the
Doris family to once again sail together. The metal
work had been started but it was at a stage where the
family could design its living areas as they wished.
Despite their fondness for Principessa and its
memories, such as winning the first Perini Navi Cup
in Porto Cervo, the ability to cruise come una famiglia was a huge attraction.
They struck a deal.
“The owner was very careful about proceeding; he wanted to make sure
he had the right team and the design in hand before work progressed,”
Perini’s managing director, Fabrizio Sgariglia, tells me over coffee in
St Barths. “It is a lovely family and they know exactly how they want to live
aboard the boat. Once they had chosen Benini, they sat down to refine theBefitting family use,
the main saloon is
divided into three
zones. Forward and on
starboard is a media
room for games,
movies or television.
The hi-lo table adjusts
for large board games
or light meals