Gagliotta Lobster 53, BILLÉ IV

Broker’s Comments

What a great-looking boat this gorgeous Gagliotta is.

Descended from the bloodline of traditional American DownEasters (traditional lobster-fishing boats built in the best Maine tradition), BILLÉ IV’s distinctive shape of a long, flared hull, tight aft haunches, and a purposeful wheelhouse follow the time-honoured recipe that works so well for Sabre Yachts, Hinckley, Vicem, Hunt, Dale and, more recently Forli’s Solaris Power.

Cantieri Gagliotta are also a very specific and singular Cantiere. Building from their waterfront sheds just south of Naples, they build a very select number of motor-yachts per year, and this Lobster 53 displays the care and diligence in design that is their hallmark. The selection of Designer-led interior timber, fabrics, marbles, and ceramics is particular, coherent, and delightfully Italian (remember she was born within six miles of the crater of Vesuvius). Her bows are purposeful, with that lobster flare maximising deck space forward of her windscreens, and shrugging away spray. She looks like nothing else – simply because she is like nothing else.

Her aft cockpit is kept private by the sinuously curved wheelhouse buttresses – protecting the aft wet-bar to starboard and a cosy lounge sofa/table to port. The aft bulkhead into the saloon almost entirely disappears thanks to a neat sliding glazed door and hinged window forward of that cosy lounge. The flow here is excellent – really opening up the saloon and bringing in light and air. The wheelhouse saloon is simply beautifully finished and well-proportioned – featuring a large storage sideboard to starboard (with concealed fridge, dishwasher, and hi-lo TV), a corner galley to port, and a large lounge set forward upon a plinth, with a large table, plenty of seating, and useful stowage set into its carcassing. Tactile and low-glare toffee-coloured leather wraps around the forward storage locker under the port screen, and around the helm console to starboard – ensuring that the aggressive Mediterranean sun does not reflect back on her screens.

Accommodation is split between two aft cabins, both rarely sporting Queen-sized double berths set cross-ships, with a shared heads/shower to starboard, and a separate en suite Master cabin set in the bows. Storage is generous throughout, and one of the masterstrokes is the inclusion of a utility space beneath the saloon floor – which houses air-conditioning, batteries and has neat stowage racks for the sunshade poles – and enough space for chairs, cushions, and luggage. The attention to detail such as lighting, excellent manuals and general access is admirable and displays the virtuosity of the yard, which has been crafting fine Italian motor-yachts since the 1950s. In fact, Gagliotta received a famous affirmation from Don Aronow, the legendary producer of Cigarettes, according to whom “the only hulls in Europe worth copying are those of Gagliotta.”

So, the yard knows a thing or two about hull profile and build integrity, but perhaps the beating heart of this 53 is where their heritage is most evident – this is an awesome engine space! Accessed through a good-sized hatch in the aft cockpit sole, the twin Volvo Penta D8s are close-coupled to their IPS15 pod-drives – no space-eating jackshafts are required to balance this fine hull, and thus there is a lot of kit fitted around her prime movers. The Seakeeper 6 stabiliser nestles forward of her 12kW Coelmo generator, and chargers, tanks (with proper sight gauges!), water pumps and watermaker are all accessible, and individually labelled. It is a remarkable installation.

So – for those in the market for a supremely elegant coupé with bags of Italian panache, looks to kill for, excellence in seakeeping, and a refined balance between interior and exterior living – please do get in touch with us for a little more information on this Neapolitan beauty.

Press Comments

“For over seventy years, the name Gagliotta has been a symbol of excellence in building boats that combine artisanal tradition, Mediterranean elegance, and top-level marine performance. Over time, the Neapolitan shipyard has become synonymous with flawless hulls, outstanding build quality, and timeless design. The Gagliotta Lobster 53 is not just a beautiful boat – it’s a boat that truly performs, built to last and to thrill those at the helm.” – Boat Review from International Yachting Media – 2026.

Owner’s Comments

Our two summers aboard BILLÉ have been among the most memorable experiences of our lives.

Our first summer took us along the spectacular coastlines of Sardinia, Corsica, Elba, Cinque Terre, and the French Riviera. Our second was spent exploring the beautiful Dalmatian Coast, Montenegro, and the Ionian Islands.

The days seemed to unfold effortlessly. Long, leisurely lunches anchored in secluded coves, swimming off the back of BILLÉ in crystal-clear turquoise waters, and discovering charming little seaside towns and wonderful local tavernas, often far from the usual tourist trails.

For my wife and me, BILLÉ opened up a world of places and experiences we simply wouldn’t have discovered any other way. But as beautiful as the destinations were, it was the time spent together that made these summers so special.

I should mention that my wife was never really a boating person, so when we chose BILLÉ, I was determined to make sure she was as comfortable aboard as she would be in a beautiful hotel. I wanted the freedom and adventure of boating without the usual compromises or complications. And our Gagliotta Lobster 53 has delivered exactly that.

There are so many features we’ve come to appreciate. The gyro stabiliser makes an enormous difference to comfort, particularly at anchor, while the effective air conditioning and wonderfully comfortable beds make life aboard a pleasure, even in the height of a Mediterranean summer. The massive bow sun pad became a favourite place to relax, while the electric retractable awning provides welcome shade over the cockpit. The BBQ was put to very good use, and the gangway makes getting on and off the boat so much easier. There’s also an abundance of practical storage, including generous space for our stand-up paddleboards, which meant we could take everything we needed to enjoy the water without cluttering the living areas.

The shallow draft has allowed us to explore beautiful coves and anchorages that would otherwise have been inaccessible, while the fuel efficiency has made longer coastal adventures surprisingly economical. Having Starlink aboard meant we could stay connected when we needed to, without feeling disconnected from the rest of the world.

One of our favourite aspects of the boat is the wonderful openness and connection between the saloon and cockpit. It creates one beautiful, sociable living space, with everyone feeling part of the conversation whether inside or out. And from a skipper’s perspective, the pod drives and joystick make manoeuvring and docking remarkably straightforward, taking much of the stress out of arriving in unfamiliar marinas and tight harbours.

All these things might sound like practical details, but together they made an enormous difference to our enjoyment of life aboard. BILLÉ gave us all the adventure and freedom we hoped for, without sacrificing the comforts that made my wife equally happy to be there.
We were fortunate to have family and friends join us, usually for a week at a time. Life aboard has a wonderful way of slowing everything down. Without the distractions and demands of everyday life, there was time for long conversations, shared adventures, endless laughter and simply enjoying each other’s company.

Looking back, it wasn’t just about the incredible places we visited, but the memories we made with the people we love. Memories we’ll be sharing, laughing about, and reminiscing over for many years to come.

BILLÉ has been so much more than a boat to us. She’s given us the freedom to explore, the luxury of slowing down and, most importantly, the opportunity to truly connect with the people who matter most.

We’ll always treasure those two extraordinary summers aboard her.