An Italian story

Rio Yacths
Rio Yachts Today

About us

Today, RIO YACHTS is a shipyard that produces boats ranging from 34 to 58 feet, which vary between open walkarounds, coupé walkarounds, coupés, and maxi ribs.

Located in the area between Bergamo and Brescia, the company, led by Piergiorgio Scarani, son of the founders, guarantees customers today consistency, reliability, and professionalism: added values in an increasingly mature, globalized, and fragmented market where, at times, the spirit of sailing risks being lost.

The headquarters are located in the province of Bergamo, with offices and a shipping center, but Rio Yachts also has its own facility specialized in prototype design and development in the province of Parma, as well as a showroom in Naples.

In recent years, production has become almost artisanal, thanks to a mastery passed down through generations that creates unique boats with clean, sporty, and original lines, entirely Made in Italy. Every single piece leaves the shipyard with its own uniqueness, offering customers a high degree of customization that is difficult to find elsewhere.

Innovative design, harmony of proportions, spacious and comfortable living areas, fine materials, high performance: these are some of the distinctive codes of Rio Yachts.

Over the course of its history, Rio Yachts has received numerous awards, including the most recent ones: in 2012, the nomination for the prestigious “Compasso d’Oro” (Nautical Design Award) with ESPERA 34, in 2016, the nomination for “European Power Boat of the Year” for PARANA’ 38, in 2017 with COLORADO 44, and in 2018 with SPIDER 40, as well as the nomination for “Best Exterior Design” at the prestigious “World Yacht Trophies” with Granturismo 60.

The history

"In the roots lies strength, in the roots lies poetry” Anna Scarani

We are in the legendary 1960s: scenes of life and the dolce vita are playing out with the soundtrack of vocal groups from across the Channel, fashion designers creating mini-dresses and miniskirts, models of rebellion and beat movements born on the road. Following the echo of the economic boom, people begin to dream big.

The young entrepreneur Dr. Luigi Scarani and his wife Anna are on their honeymoon along the French coast. They see boats, visit ports, and return home with a clear project: to set up home and workshop on the shores of Lake Iseo.

The intuition is right—it’s the moment to dare. And if seniority commands respect, it’s historically proven that the RIO brand holds a place of primacy, born at the dawn of the nautical industry. Thus, in 1961, “Avionautica Rio” was established. They began building gliders and splendid mahogany motorboats powered by Chris Craft and Rolls-Royce engines, with evocative names such as Colorado, Paraná, Bonito, and Espera.

In the 1970s, the shipyard, which had by then become an important brand, was the first to recognize the importance of creating “a boat for everyone.” This marked the transition from craftsmanship to industrial production and led to the creation of the ABS boat, made from thermoformed plastic.

The collaboration with Anic – Eni proved to be both innovative and successful. Innovation and research continued with the launch of the first Jets in partnership with Piaggio. Among these was the RIO 310, a symbol of a groundbreaking change, with over 50,000 units produced.

In the following decade, Rio expanded its production facilities and branches to Spain and France, culminating in the development of the “Work Boats” division, which delivered over 200 motorboats to the Italian Carabinieri. This completed the activities of a shipyard that interprets nautical excellence in every dimension.

1961
The shipyard was founded by Luigi and Anna Scarani
1962
Participation in the first industry trade fair
1968
The Rolls Rio is created in collaboration with Rolls Royce
1972
From craftsmanship to industry, from wood to ABS.
1980
The shipyard opens direct branches in France and Spain
1982
European meeting with 440 sales points
1985
Rio develops the 'Defense and Work Boats' division
1990
Rio invents the hard top with models Rio 12.90 and Rio 16.90
2000
The management is taken over by Piergiorgio Scarani, the founder's son.
2011
Fiftieth anniversary
2025
The company today produces boats up to 60 feet.
Research and Development

Our Philosophy

Innovation and continuous research make it possible to stay one step ahead… Always.

Since its inception, Rio Yachts has represented an innovative brand, synonymous with creativity, focused on the pursuit of the new and the best. These are the significant milestones of a design journey driven by the principle of “work in progress”:

The mahogany side planks make their debut; from bow to stern, a seamless band is created without the use of screw caps. An innovation that distinguishes a product as perfect and unchanging, even 50 years after the hull’s construction.

Absolute preview of the “boat for everyone” in ABS, thermoformed plastic material injected with closed-cell polyurethane foam. This marks the birth of popular boating, featuring the unsinkable hull, affordable and produced in tens of thousands of units.

It is precisely during these years that Rio takes the lead in jet propulsion. Joint research with Piaggio introduces safe hydrojet propulsion… To reach the shore without risks.

It’s the era of the hard top with the RIO 12.90, followed by the RIO 16.90. A brilliant intuition that would take two decades to establish itself as a trend in the industry.

Concorso di Brera

Design & Art

SCHOOL & BUSINESS

An important initiative in collaboration between RIO YACHTS and the BRERA ACADEMY: students created the celebratory poster for the 50th anniversary of the shipyard.

Maybe it was because the theme was related to grand vacations (by the sea), or maybe because we are a nation of artists and navigators, but one thing is certain: the task assigned to the Brera students was carried out with visible enthusiasm and excellent results. Twenty students passed with top grades, and the top student – Giacomo Oneto – received a scholarship. Between business and business communication, between industry and school, the synergies worked beautifully.

Here are the details of the initiative: the Rio Yachts shipyard decided to involve fine arts students from the Brera Academy in Milan in a project/performance of undeniable impact: the creation of the celebratory poster for the 50th anniversary of the Lombard company. The initiative had a follow-up: the highlighted works became part of a prestigious exhibition tour, participating in relevant exhibitions and events.

Grand finale: the competing works were auctioned off, with the proceeds donated to charity in favor of the Marcello Candia Foundation.

It is worth noting that, as Anna Scarani said, “everything beautiful ends well…”