Sixty years represents a major milestone for any company. But for an innovative builder like Ranieri International, it is above all the starting point of a new phase of development. This was the defining sentiment during the meeting organized by the Calabrian shipyard on July 15 and 16 at its headquarters in Soverato, gathering the international press and its dealer network for an event that highlighted not only the company’s present achievements but, more importantly, its vision for the coming years, which is packed with major updates. The gathering provided the perfect opportunity to launch the new premium brand, Vertex Yachts, and to unveil three brand-new models from Ranieri International: the Cayman 37.0 Hard Top, the Cayman 41.0 Hard Top, and the Next 370 SH. All of this took place against the backdrop of the production facility expanded last year and shown to the specialized press for the first time—a concrete symbol of an industrial growth plan aimed at further boosting an already significant production capacity and build quality.
The message is clear: after six decades in business, Ranieri International does not intend to just consolidate its position in the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) and sports boat market. Instead, it aims to expand its reach by entering the premium segment with a completely new identity. This strategy grows out of a solid family tradition and a production model that has become rare in the Italian marine industry.
Sixty Years of History Built Entirely In-House
Founded in 1966 by Pietro Ranieri, the company has undergone sixty years of evolution while maintaining a characteristic that still sets it apart from most shipyards today: the vast majority of the production process is carried out entirely in-house. From design and hull development to fiberglass lamination, woodworking, and upholstery, every single phase is managed directly within the Soverato facility. It is a demanding operational choice, but one that allows for nearly total control over the final quality of the vessel. “This represents a major advantage,” confirms Salvatore Ranieri, head of Ranieri International, “because it allows the company to directly control the quality of raw materials and personally oversee every stage of workmanship.” Not only that: “We test every boat personally; we are highly self-critical perfectionists, and we always listen to what the market asks of us,” Salvatore Ranieri emphasizes.
In recent years, the second generation of the Ranieri family has guided a major growth path, expanding both production capacity and the shipyard’s product lineup. The decisive turning point came in 2014 with their entry into the rigid inflatable boat sector. Starting with just a few models, today the Cayman line represents the heart of Ranieri International’s production and stands as one of the most highly regarded maxi-RIB lines in the European market. At the core of their performance is a proprietary technology: a patented assembly system between the deck and the hull that also acts as a shock-absorbing element capable of dampening wave impact. Because of this, navigating aboard Ranieri models is remarkably smooth and quiet.
Vertex Yachts: The Group’s New Premium Face
As mentioned, the 60th anniversary did not just serve to celebrate the company’s history, but also to launch the new brand, Vertex Yachts. This is not simply a new range of boats, but an autonomous brand designed to occupy a higher market segment than the one traditionally held by Ranieri International. For this project, the shipyard chose one of the most internationally renowned Italian designers, Giuseppe Martines, creator of numerous successful vessels and a long-time key player in contemporary yacht design.
Martines’ design philosophy goes well beyond aesthetics: “My design approach takes a holistic vision that integrates style and technology,” the designer stated during the press conference. “This is what allows boats to age better and continue to appeal even to experienced owners. This is the mission of Vertex Yachts: to target owners who are not buying their first boat, but who are more conscious, demand high standards, and want a more prestigious purchasing experience. We want to ‘spoil’ the owner: every detail is designed to please the eye and create a harmonious whole, where design and functionality coexist perfectly.”
The brand’s very identity tells the story of its strong tie to its homeland. The “V” in the Vertex logo mirrors the angle corresponding to the geographic coordinates of Soverato (38.41 N – 16.33 E), transforming the shipyard’s birthplace into a signature brand element. Its stylistic language focuses on sculpted surfaces to control light reflections, ergonomic volumes, athletic lines, and an essential design where form and function coincide. The brand’s promise is encapsulated in the concept that beauty stems from engineering, not decoration.
The first models will be the Vertex 45 TT and the Vertex 45 Z, both built on the same platform of about 14 meters but offering two different interpretations of navigation. The 45 TT privileges contact with the sea thanks to its open T-Top configuration, while the 45 Z features a large, elegant Hard-top designed for all-season use. Both share a spacious walkaround layout, particularly generous side decks, a completely driver-oriented console, and interiors developed to offer superior standards of livability. Great attention has been paid to privacy, featuring truly separate cabins, independent heads and showers, luxury finishes, and spaces normally reserved for yachts in a higher class.
For Ranieri International, the launch of Vertex Yachts represents a completely new horizon: “Stepping up to produce 45-foot boats represents a major leap for us, opening doors to new market segments and new clients,” states Salvatore Ranieri. “Vertex is not simply a more expensive Ranieri boat. We realized we weren’t able to satisfy certain demands coming from international markets. That is how Vertex was born: a boat built in Italy but designed from the very beginning for a global audience.“
The world premiere of the first two models is scheduled for the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival, where Vertex Yachts will make its official debut before the international market.
Three New Models to Strengthen the Ranieri International Range
Alongside the birth of the new brand, Ranieri International introduced three new vessels destined to expand its offerings in strategic segments.
The new Cayman 37.0 Hard Top represents the evolution of the Cayman line’s design philosophy. Built for owners who want to handle mid-range cruising without sacrificing comfort, it introduces a monocoque deck that eliminates visible joints, increasing structural rigidity and reducing navigation noise. A key highlight is the patented CSA (Cockpit Shock Absorber) system, which absorbs wave impact to enhance comfort, while the new stepped hull (redan) helps increase performance, stability, and fuel efficiency.
The exterior layout prioritizes open-air living with a large bow sunpad, a fiberglass hardtop with a tempered glass windshield, a full galley equipped with a sink, induction cooktop, and refrigerator, as well as a stern dinette that can be electrically transformed into a large sun lounger. Below deck, there is room for four berths distributed across two distinct areas, ample storage space, and an independent head with a window—features that allow for multi-day cruises without compromise.
With the Cayman 41.0 Hard Top, Ranieri enters a larger dimension of the maxi-RIB segment. The vessel transfers the sporting DNA of the Cayman range into a platform stretching beyond 40 feet, developed for longer voyages and extended stays on board. Here too, we find the monocoque construction system, the CSA, and a new, advanced stepped hull designed to guarantee consistently balanced trim, high stability, and low fuel consumption even in the most challenging sea conditions.
The deck is organized like a true open-space living room with a large bow sunpad, an integrated hardtop, a complete outdoor galley, a convertible dinette, and exceptionally easy access to the water. The interior takes full advantage of the hull’s volume, offering two separate cabins, four actual berths, numerous storage compartments, and a generously sized head, delivering living standards that closely approach those of a traditional yacht.
Debuting alongside the two maxi-RIBs is the new Next 370 SH, a 37-foot walkaround that interprets the “Sport & Habitat” philosophy. The model was created to combine sports performance and livability through a new hull optimized to improve efficiency and range, protected side walkways, a large bow sunpad, and a highly rational distribution of space. The deck area includes an ergonomic console, twin comfort seats, a complete outdoor galley, and a stern dinette that transforms into an electric sunpad.
Below deck, the quality level of the interior increases significantly thanks to the use of natural wood veneers crafted directly inside the shipyard. The master cabin is separated by a hinged door, the head features dual access, and the layout comfortably accommodates four people in two separate environments, confirming the boat’s calling for multi-day cruises.
A New Phase for Ranieri International
The Soverato meeting told a story that goes far beyond the presentation of a few new models. The overriding impression is that of a shipyard that has reached a turning point in its history: on one hand, it continues to invest in developing the Ranieri range, strengthening a maxi-RIB line that is now recognized as one of the most interesting in the European market; on the other, it opens a brand-new chapter with Vertex Yachts, a brand destined to compete for an international clientele and in market segments left unexplored until now.
The recent expansion of the facility, the retention of an almost entirely in-house production chain, and the entry into the world of 45-foot yachts showcase a company that does not deny its artisanal roots, but rather uses them as the foundation for a more ambitious industrial growth. After sixty years of history, Ranieri International seems to have charted a new course. And looking at the innovations presented in Soverato, it feels like the journey has just begun.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Ranieri International
Why does the 60th anniversary of Ranieri International represent a historic moment for the shipyard?
Because it coincides with a new phase of development for the company, marked by the expansion of its production plant, the launch of the new premium brand Vertex Yachts, and the introduction of three new models destined to expand the Ranieri range.
What is Vertex Yachts?
Vertex Yachts is the new premium brand created by Ranieri International to enter the luxury yacht segment. The brand will debut with two 45-foot models designed by Giuseppe Martines and tailored for an international clientele.
What updates is Ranieri International introducing to its 2026 lineup?
The shipyard has presented three new models: the Cayman 37.0 Hard Top, the Cayman 41.0 Hard Top, and the Next 370 SH, all designed to offer greater comfort, livability, and performance while maintaining the sporty DNA that defines the brand.
What is the core strength of Ranieri International's production?
The company carries out almost all production phases in-house, from design and lamination to woodworking and upholstery. This allows for direct quality control and greater attention to structural details.
