Etra_ArteNavale

absolutely no doubt
about it, this boat has been
“There’s
built for the real sea,” underlines
Antonio Coli, the captain. “No
sequins and spangles to show off in trendy
marinas, but a hull that can stand up to the
waves and face long voyages.” After all, this
is why Etra came into being. On the crest of
her owner’s dream: to sail around the world.
And not taking just any route: Alaska, the
Galapagos, Patagonia and Polynesia: The
wildlife paradises of the planet are on the
A sinistra e in basso a destra: la scala che
va dall’upper deck al main deck.
Qui sotto: il boccaporto che porta ai locali
tecnici dell’estrema poppa.
Left and right below: The steps that go
from the upper deck to the main deck.
Below: The hatchway that leads to the
technical rooms of the far stern.
long voyage that Etra will embark on next
November for two and a half years, almost
retracing the long journey of exploration
by Charles Darwin on HMS Beagle. “It
will be a cruise marked by contemplation
and the study of nature,” confirms Coli,
who was born in Porto Ercole, a former
captain of a fishing boat and for 20 years
lent to pleasure sailing. “We will be heading
towards the wildest parts of the planet.
In the north and south to the 70th parallel.”
The boat has everything it takes to meet
the challenge. The design, by S.E.C. of
Viareggio, is that of a “supply vessel”, a
multifunctional boat often used to support
offshore platforms. For some time, those
who have been sailing for pleasure, but are
interested in really sailing, have begun to
take an interest in models of the Explorer
type: They are not real working boats, but
nor are they mere yachts. Their lines put
them closer to tugs and fishing boats, but
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