METIS 45 unveiled at Boot Düsseldorf 2025
by Sangiorgio Marine 5 Feb 00:43 PST
Renders of the METIS 45 full-foiling yacht designed for offshore double-handed and crewed racing © Sangiorgio Marine
At Boot Düsseldorf, the world's leading international boat show, Sangiorgio Marine revealed the groundbreaking OD 45 METIS, a revolutionary 45-foot full-foiling yacht designed for offshore double-handed and crewed racing. The project was unveiled by Edoardo Bianchi, CEO of the Genoa-based shipyard, and Gianluca Guelfi, designer at the Guelfi D'Angeli studio, during an event organized by Foiling World.
The OD 45 METIS represents a true game-changer in the landscape of ocean sailing. Developed through the collaboration between Sangiorgio Marine and Guelfi D'Angeli, the yacht combines cutting-edge technology, accessible costs, and unprecedented performance potential. Equipped with an innovative system of adjustable foils connected to the keel bulb, inspired by the "manta foils" used on Ultim-class oceanic trimarans, the METIS 45 achieves stable flight by efficiently redistributing lift between the foil and the central manta enhancing overall performance.
Thanks to an advanced dynamic simulation software developed specifically for the project, the designers were able to demonstrate that METIS 45 ensures stable full-foiling on offshore courses without the need for complex active control systems. Designed to accommodate a crew of 2 to 5 people, plus a media operator, the yacht features a modern and secure deck layout with a fully enclosed cockpit, complete with large transparent panels for optimal visibility of sails and the horizon. The hull, inspired by motor planing boats, incorporates flared sections to reduce acceleration and improve wave handling during the transition to foil-assisted flight.
The METIS 45 serves as a bridge between Class40 yachts and IMOCA60s, offering an innovative platform for aspiring teams and skippers aiming to compete in prestigious foiling and offshore events.
"With this yacht - stated Bianchi - we aim to make foiling more accessible, encouraging the participation of young sailors and female teams in oceanic regattas".
The partnership between Sangiorgio Marine and the Guelfi D'Angeli studio is already well-known for the success of the Musa40 project, which revitalized Italian ocean sailing with the victories of Alla Grande Pirelli and Ambrogio Beccaria. With the METIS 45, this collaboration reaches a new
milestone, delivering a yacht capable of surpassing many performance benchmarks of 60-foot yachts while maintaining significantly reduced operational costs.
With the METIS 45, Sangiorgio Marine and Guelfi D'Angeli set the stage for a new era in offshore sailing, reaffirming their role as leaders in international nautical innovation.
Edo Bianchi and Sangiorgio Marine: The Dream of Genoese Excellence
Edoardo Bianchi, an Olympic sailor in the Tornado class, a naval architect, and a visionary designer of cutting-edge yachts, has been leading Sangiorgio Marine since 2021. The shipyard, founded by Bianchi himself on the docks of the Port of Genoa, was created in partnership with San Giorgio del Porto, a historic and well-established player in the Genoese shipbuilding industry.
Sangiorgio Marine was established with the ambition of creating a hub of excellence in Genoa for the racing and cruising sectors, focusing on high-tech, cutting-edge composite technology. The shipyard occupies a 4,000-square-meter area within the Port of Genoa and specializes in building and refitting composite sailing yachts. Leveraging the most innovative technologies, the shipyard produces high-performance, state-of-the-art vessels. The ever-expanding facility aims to provide a complete service to its clients, including project support, construction, and aftersales services.
With the Musa40 project and the victories of sailor Ambrogio Beccaria, Sangiorgio Marine has brought Made in Italy ocean sailing to international prominence. Today, the company continues its mission to expand the possibilities of offshore and foiling sailing.
Sangiorgio Marine is also at the forefront of highly innovative, technologically advanced projects, such as the hydrogen-powered foiling catamaran (HSV) developed in collaboration with Bluegame for America's Cup teams American Magic and L'Orient Express. These groundbreaking vessels sailed in Barcelona during the most recent edition of the Cup, showcasing the synergy between innovation and sustainable design.
The Guelfi D'Angeli Naval Architecture Studio: Italian Designers of Ocean Sailing
Gianluca Guelfi and Fabio D'Angeli, both graduates in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the universities of Genoa and La Spezia, are the founders of the GD - Guelfi D'Angeli design studio.
After graduating, Gianluca Guelfi moved to the Atlantic coast of France, settling in La Rochelle to immerse himself in the world of offshore sailing and bluewater yachts. In 2013, he co-founded a startup in partnership with Marc Lombard's design studio, renowned as a leader in the design of oceanic yachts. Fabio D'Angeli joined him the following year, strengthening a team focused on developing particularly innovative and ambitious projects.
In 2020, the two decided to establish their own design studio. Through their collaboration with Ambrogio Beccaria, they launched the Musa40 project, which marked the beginning of their partnership with Sangiorgio Marine and Edo Bianchi. The Musa40 is a groundbreaking 40-foot yacht capable of rivaling the best French competition. The design studio gained widespread recognition thanks to Beccaria's victories with the Musa40, solidifying their reputation in the world of ocean racing.