WRITTEN BY: Rob Bowman
Jun 16, 2025 
There have been few brands that have emerged in the yachting industry in the last decade that have been able to establish themselves in crowded markets like eastern New York or South Florida. Every builder in the world sends their newest models to these destinations which floods the market with choices for yacht buyers. Pardo Yachts have quickly established themselves, however, thanks in part to some unique features such as the inverted bow design.
With yachts that have a traditional bow, the forward section of the hull is above the waterline creating the well-known V-shaped hull. With the inverted bow, the forward-most part of the bow is actually under the water resulting in a backward-sloping shape. This results in increased efficiency, speed, less pitching of the vessel, and reduced drag. It can also be more aesthetically appealing to yacht buyers that prefer to stand out a bit from the ordinary designs. From the entry-level walk-around model range to the flagship GT75, every Pardo model is uniquely designed with this type of bow making them nearly unmistakable on the water.
While the first Pardo model wasn't launched until 2016, the manufacturer behind it has more than 50 years of boat building experience. So, who makes Pardo Yachts? The shipyard Cantiere del Pardo, located in Forlì, Italy, first opened its doors in 1973 and has quickly established itself as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking boat builders in the world. SI Yachts is proud to be the Northeast dealer for Pardo Yachts and one of the largest dealers in North America.
Here are some quick facts about the Cantiere del Pardo shipyard:
- Founded in 1973
- Builds 3 Yacht Brands: Pardo, VanDutch Yachts, and Grand Soleil
- Production Space: Over 130,000 square feet
- Owned by Oniverse Holding Group, formerly known as The Calzedonia Group
- Important Values include sustainability, quality, tradition, service excellence, and innovation
(Image above: The inverted bow design is very apparent when the Pardo 38 is in motion.)
HISTORY OF THE PARDO YACHTS SHIPYARD, CANTIERI DEL PARDO
The Cantiere del Pardo factory has come quite a long way since launching its first model, the Grand Soleil 34 sailboat. Described as a "modern workshop of beauty and creativity", the shipyard has become a beacon of Italian style and innovation through investments in technology, as well as acquisitions of other iconic brands.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SHIPYARD'S PROFILE
A builder of luxury sailing cruisers for the bulk of its early years, Cantiere del Pardo took its first step into the world of powerboats with the premiere of the Pardo 43 in 2017 at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Every sharp edge was eliminated in the design resulting in an elegant and soft aesthetic, a distinguishable trait from all other yachts in its size and class. Then in 2020, the shipyard acquired a similar looking Dutch-built boat to the Pardo, VanDutch Yachts. Although somewhat similar in style, the VanDutch features a vertical or straight bow as opposed to the Pardo inverted-style.
The company continuously innovated in materials and construction techniques, embracing vacuum infusion and carbon fiber reinforcements to reduce weight while increasing strength.
SI Yachts enthusiastically became a Pardo Yachts dealer in March of 2021 and has sold dozens of models since. In October 2023, Germain Auto Group acquires SI Yachts which gives our team a Pardo dealership in Naples, Florida in addition to New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
(Video below: The Pardo GT75, the new flagship model, wonderfully demonstrates the evolution of the Cantiere del Pardo shipyard.)
SHIPYARD CAPABILITIES
With exactly 131,233 square feet of usable production space at the Cantiere del Pardo shipyard, a lot of magic can happen for some of Italy's most experienced artisans. The luxury manufacturer is currently producing sailing yachts up to 80-feet in length and powerboats up to 75-feet. Being a builder for more than 50 years has allowed their production teams to become generational experts at things like cabinetry, electrical systems, plumbing systems, hull lamination, and much more. The factory is currently producing three major boat brands:
1.) Grand Soleil Yachts – Traditional sailors will appreciate the beautiful lines of Grand Soleil, but it's also hard to ignore the dedication to innovating, technology, and construction. These cruising sailors are split into two main lines: the Performance Line and the Long Cruise Line.
2.) Pardo Yachts – Launched in 2016, Pardo represents Cantiere del Pardo’s entrance into the power yacht sector. The range includes walkaround models like the Pardo 38, 43, and 50, as well as the more recent Pardo GT and long-distance cruising Endurance lines.
3.) VanDutch Yachts – Acquired in 2020, this Dutch-origin brand brings a bold and minimalist design aesthetic to the portfolio, appealing to fashion-forward yacht buyers, particularly in lifestyle markets such as Sag Harbor, New York and Jupiter, Florida.
Each Pardo is built to the owner's preferences including some layout options, power, equipment, fabrics, colors, and more. The shipyard’s production process integrates sustainable practices and green technology, reflecting a committed focus to environmental responsibility.
(Below: Image cred to Pardo Yachts of France. This image shows the inside of the Cantieri del Pardo shipyard.)
SUCCESS DRIVEN BY INNOVATION & COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
Since first opening their doors, Cantieri del Pardo has launched more than 5,000 boats with dealers in over 30 countries worldwide. Depending on the season, between 30 and 50 Pardo Yachts are sold in the U.S. each month. This includes new boats delivered, as well as used Pardo Yachts sold on the brokerage market.
The launch of Pardo Yachts in 2016 marked a major milestone, propelling the shipyard into new levels of global visibility. Within just a few years, Pardo became one of the most talked-about luxury powerboat brands, particularly favored in the U.S. and Mediterranean markets. The clean, walkaround layout of the Pardo 43, for example, set new standards in the day-cruiser segment and helped the brand achieve widespread acclaim.
Pardo Yachts have also been widely recognized at the world's major boat shows like Cannes, Dusseldorf, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. The Pardo GT75 recently won the European Powerboat of the Year award for 2025 in their category for its design and outstanding performance. The Pardo 38 won the same award in the 35-45' category when it debuted back in 2020. Other models like the GT52 and Endurance 60 were also nominated.
BUYING A PARDO WITH SI YACHTS
As one of the leading Pardo dealers in the world, SI Yachts delivers an exceptional experience whether you are customizing a new Pardo with the factory, purchasing one of our in-stock boats, or taking a late-model, pre-owned yacht. The Cantieri del Pardo shipyard talks about its commitment to service right on their website, "From dockside services to open sea navigation, we take care of shipowners because we consider them part of a family, a community made up of comparison, sharing of ideas, organization of events. We aim for constant excellence in services, of which Cantiere del Pardo is and will always be the signature and guarantor." At SI Yachts, we've invested in our service team, marina, and capabilities to ensure you are well cared for throughout your ownership experience.
For more information about buying a Pardo, please contact us today by calling our main office at (718) 984-7676 or sending us an email at Sales@SIYachts.com. We can take your existing boat in on trade towards a new Pardo or help you sell it on the brokerage market.
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