Introducing Fratelli Aprea - Boating with the Beauty of Wood
Published: Thursday, July 15, 2021
Perched on a cliff above the Mediterranean Sea just north of the Amalfi Coast and across from the famous island of Capri is the beautiful town of Sorrento, Italy. Known as the birthplace of Limoncello, Sorrento is also famous for the creation of the “Gozzo Sorrentino,” a boat which was born from centuries of seafaring work on the unpredictable Mediterranean Ocean.
Founded in 1890 by Cataldo Aprea, Fratelli Aprea has been producing the finest gozzo boats out of the original shipyard in Marina Grande, Sorrento. Representing its sixth generation (of seven), brothers Antonino and Francesco Aprea hand craft these timeless vessels alongside their father, Giovanni; his three brothers, Cataldo, Gaetano, and Antonio; and their multi-generational team of craftsmen. Praised for their fine craftsmanship, attention to detail, and rock-solid seaworthiness, Fratelli Aprea boats have reached legendary status throughout the Mediterranean and beyond.
Inspecting a full trunk of teak wood from Burma, Gaetano explained, “Every piece of wood that is created for the boat is hand selected. We source only the finest materials from around the world. We operate our own mill in order to have the ultimate in quality.” Artisanal woodwork and flawless finishes have become a hallmark for these floating pieces of art.
Antonino Aprea, the youngest brother in the shipyard, said, “Through careful evolution and meticulous refinement have we been able to provide a vessel that is supremely unique and incredibly comfortable.”
From the outside, these floating gems appear to be constructed completely of wood. Although complete wood construction is still available by request, since the 1980s most production has been converted to a fiberglass bottom hull.
“We retain the aesthetics of wood planks with nearly non-existent maintenance for the client,” said Giovanni. Although the structure is fiberglass, “all surfaces you encounter are genuine woods of only the highest caliber and finest finish.” This is important to the Aprea Family. “The emotion of a wooden boat is not lost,” Giovanni shared. “Every surface you encounter on the gozzo is wood or fine materials. You are never touching fiberglass.”
Previously available exclusively in Europe, lifelong Great Lakes boater and close Aprea family associate, American-Italian Michael Sinacola is captaining Fratelli Aprea USA.
“Growing up boating on the Great Lakes exposed me at a young age to the beauty of wood on water,” said Sinacola. Being a fan of the classic designs by Gar Wood, John Hacker, and George Crouch, Sinacola remembers, “being young in Italy and seeing a traditional Fratelli Aprea Gozzo for the first time. It was instantly and undeniably recognizable as timeless.”
For years while visiting family in Italy, he would admire the gleaming mahogany and polished brightwork of these boats. Many years and one serendipitous encounter later, Antonino Aprea and Sinacola are fast friends. “We met by chance in our 20’s,” said Sinacola. “Now we are both older and have combined forces. It was a natural fit. These special boats belong on the Great Lakes and beyond.”
The legendary Aprea semi-displacement hull design lends these boats to the challenging waters present within and surrounding North America. Spacious decks of Burmese teak are perfect for entertaining or lounging on optional full sunpads. The gorgeous hulls are clad in deep varnished mahogany that make unforgettable statements in any marina.
Below deck, you are immediately engulfed with bookmatched woods and the most luxurious materials available. Each of Fratelli Aprea’s creations are custom built and unique to the owners’ individual needs, tastes, and desires. The Aprea shipyard has made multiple vessels for clients with unique mobility and accessibility requirements.
“We will make all dreams possible with a Fratelli Aprea Gozzo,” said Francesco Aprea. Multiple layouts, floor plans, and sizes ranging from 25’ to 50’, plus endless selections of fabrics and furnishings come together to allow clients a truly bespoke creation.
A version of this article appeared in the Summer Issue (July/August) 2021 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: New Boat Models
