Colnago C45 OPEN: Performance, Elegance and Practicality

3 Questions for Luka Colnago, founder and owner of Colnago Marine

Q:​ What was the original brief for the Colnago Marine C45 OPEN, and which idea set the exterior design language from the first sketches?​

A: The original brief for the Colnago Marine C45 OPEN was to create a luxury passenger vessel that combines high performance, safety, and comfort in a sleek, modern design. The goal was to offer a premium experience for day cruising and private transfers, with exceptional seaworthiness and refined aesthetics.

What makes us most proud is how the final product perfectly reflects our vision which is combining performance, elegance, and practicality in a way that feels effortless and distinctly Colnago.

Q:​ From the first sketches to the final yacht, what changed the most, and which aspect of the finished product makes you most proud?​

A: From the first sketches to the final yacht, the greatest evolution took place in the details of the layout and materials. Every line was refined to improve functionality, space optimization, and visual harmony. The integration of luxury finishes and ergonomic design transformed the concept into a true premium experience. What makes us most proud is how the final product perfectly reflects our vision which is combining performance, elegance, and practicality in a way that feels effortless and distinctly Colnago.

Q:​ Who is the primary customer for the C45 OPEN, and how do the configurations adapt to different uses?​

A: The primary customer for the C45 OPEN is a professional or private client seeking a high-end passenger vessel that delivers both luxury and reliability — ideal for exclusive transfers, private charters, and resort operations. The yacht’s modular configurations allow it to adapt easily: from a private layout focused on comfort and leisure, to a professional setup designed for safe and efficient passenger transport. This versatility makes the C45 OPEN suitable for both business and pleasure, without compromise. 

About Colnago 45 Open

The project for the C45 OPEN by Colnago Marine began from a clear vision: to create a luxury open‑sport aluminium yacht that merges high‑performance sea capability with refined comfort for clients. Rooted in the shipyard’s background of building commercial passenger vessels along the Adriatic, the brief emphasised a vessel capable of both serious sea‑transfer work and premium leisure use.

From initial sketches the design language focused on a sleek, elegant silhouette with bold lines and a minimalistic deck arrangement, yet capable of robust commercial certification. The aluminium hull, with its 13.20 m length overall and 3.78 m beam, reflects this dual‑purpose ambition: robust for daily operations with up to 12+2 persons (commercial certificate) yet styled like a leisure yacht.

As the concept matured, modular layout options were introduced: expansive sun‑decks fore and aft, a plush cabin interior, luxury audio/entertainment systems, and custom colour and finish choices per client. The final specifications:an aluminium hull displacing about 8,500 kg, draft around 0.91 m, twin 600 L fuel tanks, and standard Cummins QSB 8,3 600 hp engine delivering approx. 25 knots cruising – show how the project balanced aesthetic sophistication with marine‑engineering strength.

The final result is a vessel that stands out in the charter or owner/operator arena, a boat that looks and feels like a luxury yacht, yet is built to handle commercial‑grade demands.