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An assertive pricing strategy
Priced at ?615,000 ex-VAT for the 2 x 400 hp Volvo inboard version, the Maio 1400 is a clear contender in the segment of top-of-the-range RIBs over 13 meters. At this price level, it comes up against the Italian and Mediterranean references in the market, where customers expect not only solid marine performance, but also an irreproachable level of equipment and finish.
Generous standard equipment
This price includes a particularly comprehensive equipment list, which testifies to the ambition of the Corsican shipyard. These include a rigid hardtop, a 15 kg stainless steel anchor combined with a 1,000 W electric windlass with digital controls, a deck clad in teak or Flexiteek 2G, and a cabin finished in wood. In terms of electronics, the boat comes standard with a 12" GPS, interior and exterior VHF, and a 6-speaker stereo system with amplifier. The package is rounded off by a host of comfort features, including indoor and outdoor showers, a table on a hydraulic jack, black and grey water tanks, a shore power outlet, indoor/outdoor electrical panels, courtesy lights and starry-sky cabin lighting.
Analyze the price/performance ratio
At this level of equipment, the Maio 1400 is a credible alternative to equivalent Italian models, often offered at similar prices for comparable power ratings. The Corsican shipyard's advantage lies in the versatility of the program (user-friendly day-boat and offshore cruiser thanks to the diesel inboards) and in the richness of the standard equipment, which reduces the need for options billed separately by other manufacturers.
Sharp competition
The 13 to 15-metre maxi-RIB segment is dominated by several Italian shipyards:
- The Capelli Tempest 44 often exceeds ?700,000 ex-VAT with a 425 hp triple outboard, but doesn't offer the same range as a diesel inboard.
- The Lomac GranTurismo 14.0 is priced at around ?580,000 ex VAT, generally equipped with an outboard engine, with a deck layout geared towards luxury and speed.
- The Sacs Rebel 47, an even more imposing model (nearly 15 meters), starts at ?800,000 ex VAT, with an offer geared towards top-level yachting.
In this landscape, the Maio 1400 adopts a different strategy: an inboard diesel engine with Z-Drive, a guarantee of controlled fuel consumption, increased range and superior acoustic comfort. This approach sets it apart from the competition, which is largely focused on raw power and petrol outboards, and enables it to appeal to customers looking for autonomy and offshore cruising, as well as the thrill of fast sailing.
With the Maio 1400, Fanale Marine has successfully entered the prestige RIB category. The project's genesis, its accomplished deck plan, its seaworthiness validated by difficult conditions and its coherent price positioning make it a credible model in the face of Italian references. The Corsican shipyard is demonstrating that it has the means to assert itself in a demanding market, by combining traditional craftsmanship with an openness to innovation.
