The fleet of the Luna Rossa boss

In the world of yachting, collectors rarely focus on quantity. A fleet is often curated to reflect the specific interests of its owner. The subject of our feature owns a remarkable collection of vintage yachts — each vessel is historically significant and has played a unique role in the evolution of sailing competitions.

As the Prada Luna Rossa team competes in the 37th America’s Cup, we take a closer look at the yacht collection of Patrizio Bertelli, husband of Miuccia Prada and head of the family’s fashion empire.

Scud / 1903 / 14.8 m

A recent addition to Bertelli’s collection, Scud was launched in 1903 at the Herreshoff shipyard. It is one of 13 identical Bar Harbor 31-class yachts designed for club racing. With a waterline length of nearly 10 meters, Scud is notable for its narrow beam of just 3.2 meters. After undergoing an extensive restoration at Cantiere Navale dell’Argentario, Scud made a triumphant return to the water in 2021, winning its category at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.

Vanessa, 1975, 15 m

Vanessa is arguably the crown jewel of Bertelli’s collection. This 15-meter IOR I-class beauty was launched from the Gallinari shipyard in Anzio in 1975. It was designed by the brilliant engineer Giulio Cesare Carcano, the mastermind behind the legendary Moto Guzzi Falcone motorcycles and 90° V2 engines. Splitting his passion between motorcycles and sailing yachts, Carcano created groundbreaking designs in both fields.

Carcano’s unique vision as a naval designer was evident in his very first yacht, Volpina, built in 1960. Later, he became captivated by the IOR classes and began designing yachts for his friends. “The IOR formula fascinated me with its potential for finding diverse and original solutions,” Carcano once recalled. This philosophy gave rise to Vanilla, Viola, Veronica, Vinca, and Viluehla, all embodying his innovative spirit.

Bertelli, enchanted by Carcano’s yachts—lightweight hulls with wide sterns and sails inspired by Olympic classes—acquired Vanessa in the early 2000s, when it was in a state of disrepair. With great care and dedication, he restored the yacht, and today it shines on the classic racing circuit, competing in Argentario, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Antibes.

Linnet, 1905, 13 m

The creation of the legendary Nathanael Herreshoff, Linnet, is a true piece of sailing history. It is the tenth of eighteen one-design yachts from the New York 30 class, crafted exclusively for members of the prestigious New York Yacht Club, renowned as the organiser of the America’s Cup for over 130 years. Today, Linnet is one of the few surviving boats of this class, embodying the rich legacy of competitive sailing.

Nyala, 1938, 21 m

Nyala, a masterpiece by Olin Stephens, is a 12-meter class yacht originally designed for the 1941 America’s Cup, which was cancelled due to World War II.

Although the America’s Cup was contested in the 12-meter class between 1958 and 1987, Nyala never competed in the event. Instead, she served as a sparring partner for American boats in the 1958, 1962, and 1964 editions of the Cup. Left neglected for many years, Nyala found new life in the early 1990s when she was acquired by Patrizio Bertelli. In 1996, she underwent a meticulous restoration at the Argentario shipyard.

Nyala became the bridge that connected Bertelli with Max Sirena, who would later become the director of the Luna Rossa team. Bertelli himself achieved remarkable success with Nyala, winning the 12-meter World Championship twice, in 2014 and 2019.

Tuscany Vispa /1975 / 7 m

In 1975, renowned yacht builder Vasco Donnini undertook the reconstruction of the CBS 7.50 cruiser, designed by Aldo Renai, at Castiglione della Pescaia. He extended the stern, replaced the mast, and upgraded the rigging. That same year, under Patrizio Bertelli’s command, Tuscany Vispa achieved a triumphant victory in the Italian Championship in the IOR VI class. While this boat could hardly be called beautiful, its speed more than made up for its lack of aesthetic appeal.

Ulysses 2000 / 32 m

The second Ulysses is larger than the first. In 2019, Patrizio Bertelli crossed the Atlantic aboard her. The yacht was built by Green Marine in 2000, based on a design by Germán Frers, who also designed the yacht for the Luna Rossa team that reached the America’s Cup final that same year.

Amoret / 1909

Last year, Bertelli’s collection gained a new gem, though it has yet to be restored. This rare piece of sailing history is a P-class yacht, built in 1909 to a design by George Owen.

It belongs to the box rule class, developed by the legendary Nathanael Herreshoff, which also gave rise to the iconic J-class yachts.

The yacht, found in an almost completely ruined state in the northeastern United States, is now in Italy undergoing a full restoration.

Kookaburra II / 1987 / 20 m

Kookaburra II (KA-12) is one of three “Kooks” designed by John Swarbrick for the 1987 America’s Cup, the first time the Australians competed as defenders of the trophy. For the final match, Kookaburra III was chosen (and lost), but Kookaburra II was widely regarded as the fastest of the trio. In 1995, Patrizio Bertelli acquired the yacht, and it has remained a fixture on the racing circuit ever since. In 2024, under the helm of Torben Grael, it claimed victory at the 12-Metre World Championship held in Porquerolles, France.

Ulysses / 1972 / 19.9 m

Patrizio Bertelli owns two yachts for leisure, both sharing the name Ulysses. The first Ulysses, built by the Sangermani shipyard in Lavagna, was designed by Olin Stephens, renowned for creating not only racing yachts but also comfortable cruising vessels. This yacht became a trusted companion for Bertelli during his maritime adventures.