Cantieri Capelli Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
Founded in 1974 by Davide Capelli in Spinadesco, northern Italy, Cantieri Capelli initially built fibreglass riverboats for the River Po.
Its first major milestone came in 1986 with the successful launch of the Fisherman 4.7 at the Genoa International Boat Show.
The company entered the rigid inflatable boat market in 1992 with the Tempest range.
According to the company, this expansion established Cantieri Capelli as one of Italy’s leading RIB builders.
Today, the family-owned shipyard combines traditional craftsmanship with modern production methods while exporting its boats to markets around the world.
As a child, Umberto Capelli often joined his father, Davide Capelli, on the river aboard a small fishing boat his father had built by hand.
He carefully watched every movement and gradually developed a deep appreciation for boating, fishing, and life on the water.
Those early experiences eventually shaped his professional career. Looking back, he credits his father for introducing him to a passion that became his life’s work.
According to the company, the growth of Cantieri Capelli reflects its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, a skill deeply rooted in the culture of its region.
Rather than relying on mass production alone, the company continues to value artisanal expertise alongside modern manufacturing.
For him, Cantieri Capelli represents dynamism, practicality, and reliability, qualities that have helped establish the brand’s long-standing reputation in the boating industry.
This video was published on the Cantieri Capelli YouTube channel
More videos of this powerful Italian boat brand, click here.
Related Reading: What is a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) · What Size RIB Do I Need?
