Cranchi Yachts recently introduced its E26 Classic, a new model designed in collaboration with Christian Grande. Grande, who has also worked on Sacs Marine, San Lorenzo, and designed Invictus Yacht’s entire range, says he approached this design as a fresh perspective on the classic motorboat. The day cruiser — which is also being marketed as a superyacht tender — is 25 feet 9 inches long with an 8-foot-2-inch beam.
While the E26 Classic is meant to hint at vintage powerboats from the 1950s and 60s, she was also designed to look and feel sporty. For instance, Grande’s design office says the boat’s teak foredeck should bring the classic heritage of wooden ships to mind, but also contrasts with a sleek, wraparound windshield. The windshield opens, allowing foredeck access. The E26 Classic’s vertical stem and razor-shaped side windows help create a modern look as well.
As for the cockpit, a companion’s seat keeps the driver company, and both the captain’s and companion’s seat swivel to face gusts seated on the L-shaped settee aft. All can dine together at a foldable table to port. Should everyone want to relax in the shade, the cockpit has a foldaway Bimini top.
All exterior furnishings on the E26 Classic are an eye-catching red, which adds to the boat’s sporty aesthetic and contrasts with the cockpit’s teak sole and the teak swim platform. Abaft the cockpit, sun pads cover the boat’s engine room, which owners can fill with one of three Volvo Penta options. Belowdecks, there is forepeak stateroom with a half head. A sun roof and side windows bring in natural light.
Cranchi has another new model as well, the E26 Classic’s sister, the E26 Rider. This version has two settees flanking the cockpit, and a U-shaped seating at the bow. Besides the difference in layout between the Classic and Rider, the Rider also has an outboard power instead of inboard.
Including its Flybridge, Hard Top, Trawler and Crossover models, Cranchi currently has 14 models in production.