Cantiere Mimi Libeccio 8.5 boat test

If you look around the modern boating scene, it’s fair to say that many boats look very similar, but not this one. The vessel I’m standing on today, in the beautiful Sydney Harbour, is the Cantieri Mimì Libeccio 8.5 Cabin. It’s a handmade Italian boat based on the original gozzo design, a style that was primarily developed for fishing and became renowned for its robust seaworthiness. Today, that proven platform has been reimagined as a luxury leisure cruiser. But is there enough on board for the Australian boating family? Come with me and let’s find out.

I have to say, I do love this classic yet modern interpretation of the traditional design. It looks beautiful on the water, but once you step aboard, it’s important to note that you have 8.5 metres of length and 2.5 metres of beam, or width. That gives you plenty of space on board for a family or even a couple looking to enjoy the Australian summer.

At the bow, the hull flares out very quickly, creating the enormous space I’m standing in right now. Below me is a hatch leading down into the cabin, allowing natural light to filter through. Directly in front of the cabin, moulded into the structure itself, is a beautiful twin seat.

Before moving back towards the cockpit, I want to mention the build quality. This is a handmade Italian boat, and everywhere you look, there’s evidence that they’ve thought about the finer details. Stainless steel rub rails protect the teak from ropes and scuff marks. A beautifully crafted stainless steel bow rail runs the full length of the boat, and the workmanship is impeccable. Even the cleats feature the Mimì insignia embossed into them. It’s this attention to detail that really makes a boat like this stand out from the crowd.

One of the great joys of boat ownership is entertaining friends and family, and aboard the Mimì 8.5, you can do exactly that in the expansive cockpit area. Overhead is a manual awning that can be raised to provide protection from the sun. Around the rear of the boat, you’ll find very comfortable seating with excellent backrests, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

I suspect you could comfortably fit six or seven people around the central table. Set out a meal as we’ve done today, sit back, relax and enjoy the camaraderie that only comes from spending time together on the water.

Adjacent to the cockpit is what I’d call a chef’s delight. By simply flipping up a cushion, you reveal a handy serving area, perfect for placing hors d’oeuvres or drinks. Lift the entire seat and you’ll find a single-burner cooktop beneath. The gas bottle is stored neatly in a dedicated compartment behind me. There’s also a sink for washing up afterwards, along with a fridge conveniently located below.

It’s a fantastic arrangement and a hallmark of thoughtful design. Everything is within easy reach of the cockpit, where most of your entertaining will take place. You’re not reaching awkwardly for the fridge or struggling to find space for food preparation. It has all been carefully integrated into the boat from the outset.

After a day of entertaining, it’s nice to know you can retreat to the forward berth, stretch out and relax. The accommodation area is separated from the head, which sits behind its own door. There’s plenty of storage throughout the cabin, including drawers, lift-up compartments for phones and personal items, and a small seat where you can sit and read.

When it’s time to turn in, there’s ample room to lie down comfortably. Headroom is quite good. Very tall people may find it a little challenging, but for me it was perfectly adequate. I really like the design down here. The timber detailing flows naturally from the exterior, and the white finishes enhance the feeling of spaciousness.

There’s also plenty of natural light coming from both the forward hatch and the side windows. If you want even more light and ventilation, you can simply leave the cabin door open.

For those needing additional sleeping space, the aft cockpit can be completely enclosed with camping covers. The cockpit table can then be lowered to create a full sun lounge or a second berth for overnight stays. If you have children, they can relax up there watching a movie on an iPad before settling down to sleep, while you enjoy a little privacy in the main cabin.

Stepping behind the helm for the first time, this boat feels quite different from what I expected. I love the driving position. I’m seated nice and high, with a footrest included, making it an incredibly comfortable place to drive from.

Normally, I prefer driving while standing because I feel more in control and have a better view, but the seating position here is so elevated that I would actually choose to sit while underway. The dashboard is relatively flat, with a small pod housing the instrument cluster. We have a Garmin multifunction display and a tachometer for the Yanmar engine, which is located beneath the cockpit.

Visibility is somewhat affected by the black awning overhead, although it can be removed completely if desired. Doing so would give the boat a stylish cabriolet look. However, the awning provides excellent protection from both the sun and wind, which is especially important in Australia, where strong UV exposure is a constant consideration.

When manoeuvring or making turns, you can easily look through the side openings or the clear panel above to maintain visibility. As always, on a busy waterway you should be actively scanning your surroundings anyway, and that can be done quite comfortably from the helm.

We’ve increased the revs from idle at 800rpm, where we were travelling at around 4.5 knots. At 1,500rpm, we’re doing 7.5 knots. Now let’s bring it up onto the plane.

It’s an interesting hull design. There’s a very sharp entry at the bow before it flattens out towards the stern. If you look closely, the hull widens lower down, adding volume beneath the waterline and contributing significantly to the boat’s stability.

The trim tabs are effective as well. If the boat begins to lean one way, applying the opposite trim tab quickly levels it out. At 2,500rpm, we’re travelling at around 15.5 knots, which feels comfortable and relaxed. There’s a little bit of push from the hull, but it remains an easy cruising speed.

At 3,000rpm, we reach 20 knots. Pushing further, we eventually top out at a little over 3,500rpm and approximately 26 knots. That’s quite quick for a boat of this style. In fact, it feels considerably faster than the actual speed suggests.

After bringing the speed back down on this busy waterway, I sat down with Zay to discuss the origins of the boat and Botology’s involvement with the brand.

“I always enjoy getting on board boats that are different, and this one is certainly different from many of the modern designs we see in the marketplace,” I said. “Tell us a bit about how this came about for Botology.”

“Well,” Zay explained, “Botology has formed a relationship with one of Italy’s leading naval architects and designers, Valerio Rivellini of Rivellini Design. Valerio designs everything from superyachts to tenders. Two of the major brands he works with are Cantieri Mimì in Naples and Evo Yachts, which produces those large transformer-style yachts.”

“We’ve partnered with both brands and intend to bring their ranges to Australia. This Mimì 8.5 may look traditional, but as you’ve experienced, it incorporates all the modern technology and comforts needed for today’s boating lifestyle. It rides exceptionally well, offers a full galley and has everything required for overnight cruising. It’s a fantastic step up from a trailer boat.”

The Australian range will focus on four models: the 8.5 Cabin, 9.5 Cabin, 11 Cabin and 13.5 Cabin. While the manufacturer builds around ten models in total, these four have been selected specifically because they suit Australian conditions.

“We love spending time outdoors,” Zay said, “but we also need protection from the sun.”

To summarise, the philosophy behind these boats is simple: fun, passion and enjoyment, combined with offering owners something genuinely unique.

“Absolutely,” Zay added. “And importantly, they represent excellent value for money. They look incredibly expensive, but compared with similar gozzo-style brands around the world, they’re surprisingly affordable.”

For me, this boat offers more than enough for an Australian boating family. The Italian pedigree is evident in both the craftsmanship and build quality throughout. There are multiple areas to enjoy, from the expansive bow and its comfortable seating, perfect for a sunset drink, to the spacious cockpit, which is ideal for relaxing and entertaining.

You can comfortably spend a night on board, with accommodation available in both the cabin and the convertible cockpit area. There’s also a swim platform at the stern, making it easy to jump into the water for a swim and fully embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle that an Italian boat like this brings to Australian waterways.

It’s a boat that genuinely surprised me, and one that left me thoroughly impressed.