When small becomes big
This time, Sibma Navale of Imperia has gone big. Following the success of the Armstrong 10, considered one of the most interesting "pocket classic family boats" in wood in recent years, the Armstrong 12.80 was born, also crafted with the finest materials. The designer remains the same: Mario Quaranta, owner of the Sibma Navale shipyard, with offices in Turin and Dolcedo, a small town in the Ligurian hinterland behind Imperia. Mario Quaranta, worthy son of Ernesto—who founded the family business in 1962—is well known and respected in both the wooden boat and vintage boat restoration communities. One reason for his renown is that he doesn’t just design and supervise; he actively participates in the construction process, getting his hands dirty with glue and sawdust, a testament to his deep love for the craft.
Construction of the new boat began toward the end of 2006 and was completed in July 2007. Compared to the smaller Armstrong 10, the 12.80 offers increased habitability, more expansive deck spaces, additional berths, and a full-beam aft cabin that is essentially a suite. Like its predecessor, the hull features a deep V displacement at the bow. The construction began with a mahogany and iroko keel, around which a frame was built using ash ribs and laminated mahogany stringers, then covered with triple planking of super-laminated Sapelli mahogany.
The deck, in contrast, is made from 15mm marine-grade mahogany plywood sheets, overlaid with 12mm thick teak slats. SP System epoxy resin was used for bonding and saturation. Following the Nordic-inspired design, the deckhouse includes a 5.80-meter-high silver spruce mast, equipped with an 8-square-meter Bermuda mainsail. At anchor, the mainsail helps dampen rolling and keep the bow facing into the wind, while under sail, in crosswinds, it can provide additional thrust.
The non-slip coating on the deckhouse is flawlessly uniform and streak-free, created by blowing marble dust onto a layer of fresh epoxy resin. The Armstrong 12.80 can truly be described as a house on the sea, exuding the smell of wood and designed for year-round living, thanks to its generous interior volumes with headroom ranging from 2 to 2.08 meters. The interiors, featuring six berths and two bathrooms, are crafted from super-laminated mahogany. The floorboards are made from a practical synthetic teak that can be walked on even with mountain boots. Alternatively, owners can opt for a mahogany floor. In all rooms, the white-painted ceilings contrast beautifully with the exposed laminated mahogany beams.
A heating system is installed on board. There is no air conditioning, but even under the hottest sun, the interiors remain cool and well-ventilated. Notable is the 3-cubic-meter storage space available under the salon for stowing materials and equipment. Many features contribute to making the Armstrong 12.80 a well-crafted and successful boat: from the large cockpit with a central table to the expansive sundecks, the awning supported by a metal frame, the tender launched and retrieved via the electro-hydraulic gangway, the two lockers in the cockpit for storing a generator, and the solid, high guardrails. This is a well-built boat, suited for sailing in all weather conditions, without unnecessary frills, but equipped with everything essential.
The Armstrong 12.80 is perfect for a family that wants to experience the sea without following fleeting fashion trends, which favor hulls with almost ovoid shapes, or the mass market's obsession with speed. But what does Mario Quaranta’s shipyard have in store for the future? Currently, another Armstrong is under construction, set to launch in March 2009. This one will be 13.80 meters long and feature hybrid propulsion, combining a 270-horsepower diesel engine with two electric motors providing a total output of about 30 kW, allowing for four and a half hours of navigation at around 6 knots. In the meantime, the Armstrong 12.80, owned by a Ligurian shipowner, is preparing to participate in the vintage and classic motor yacht rally, scheduled for Imperia-Oneglia in September 2009. Go visit it, but as with the Armstrong 10, be aware that boats like these provoke extreme reactions. And if it’s love, you’ll love them madly.
Paolo Maccione. Journalist
